Hello All! In browsing the Star-Ledger( A Newark,NJ Newspaper) There are a host of Folks who are dying off that Originally worked for Lionel while they were in the Irvington-Hillside area of New Jersey. I was thinking to myself what a lot of lost history that is disapearing right here. Most of them were assemblers,Another a Tool & Die Person, a couple of supervisers, and a lady whose surname is Giammo and is probably related to Charlie who invented the Whistle.Most of them had 20-40 Years or more with the Company and I’m sure that they would have had some very interesting stories to tell as well.The oldest employee so far listed was Joseph D’Allessio who was 91Years old. All you have to do is go to the Star-Ledger’s Website and go to the Archives Section and Type in “Lionel Trains” and you will get the obituaries and other stories such as the Fire that destroyed the Old Lionel Factory in Irvington built in 1918. I was also wondering if Roger Carp ever had a chance to meet some of these folks and talk to them? Another story that is in here is about the Irvington ,NJ library having a History room with some Lionel Artifacts and papers in it That came from a Historical Society in Newark.You have to register with the Star - Ledger’s website to view the full stories and obits. Just thought this would be interesting for CTT & this Forum to know about.Take Care.
Very interseting Keith. Many times the true story of the plant day to day production is with its factory workers.
Dave Laughridge, aka Dr. Tinker was a product manager for Lionel back in the 1960’s. He’s right down the street from me, still kicking. Been to his house a few times.
Jim
Roger has written a number of stories about former Lionel employees, and even a book called “World’s Greatest Toy Maker” (out of print) based on many of the interviews.
Keith
Maybe you can interview some & provide to CTT. I know that a lot of old Lionel stories are buried in graves.
(same w/WWI & WWII vets, haloucaust survivors, etc etc; i.e. everyone has a novel in his/her life).
Hello All! Dave-That sure would be a Terrific idea and if I had the Time & Money to do such a thing it would be nice! I’m sure that these former employees would have a ton of stories to tell. For Example, The 91yr old gent mentioned above. Depending on when he first started working at Lionel he most likely knew Mario Caruso,Joe Bonnano,Joe Donato,and some of the other Managment Personel at the factory. The Irvington Public Library sounds like a swell place for a collector to see old Lionel artifacts,newspaper photo’s,& Articles that chronicle the history of Lionel in Irvington and Hillside. My Father had two uncles that lived in Newark,NJ back in the 1930’s and I often wonder if my Woodworth Uncles knew any workers from Lionel as quite a few did live in Newark and commuted over the border to Irvington.(Both Uncles are deceased now,They died many years ago) I’m willing to bet that they did know at least someone who worked at Lionel whether a supervisor or Assembly Line Worker as Lionel did have at Least 2,500 workers at their peak 50-60 years ago. It sure would be fun to find out and write a story for CTT. I just remembered that Tony Gotto & Lenny Dean Grew up in Newark.Not sure what part of Town though; As Newark is a Large City. I should see what kind of photo’s & articles that the Library has and if they can be copied and they do not loan out anything from their Historical Society collection for fear of damage or loss.Take care everyone. P.S. If you set the field in your search on the Archives of the Star-Ledger on the years 2003-05 there will be close to 20 deceased Lionel Employee’s in that time frame alone! And remember you have to log in and have a password to use their Archives.
Keith,
You’ve got your work cut out 
If I were up there I’d enjoy helping w/the interviews but apparently gotta keep my day job :-0
I recall back in early 90’s pushing around an old man in a wheelchair as I was taking notes on his life. He was the last surviving member of the Wizard of Oz production; had been a production manager and assistant director on a number of movies including Tora Tora Tora, North By Northwest etc etc; had been gassed & torpedoed by Germans in WWI; Bronze Star on Iwo in WWII etc etc.; was able to pull off best feature story for the year in USMC from that interview. Next year, interviewed Brian Keith of Parent Trap & other TV/movies during takes on the set of Major Dad where he starred in cameo role.
Interviews are addictive & fun.
Now, my dream would be to start a mag on O outdoors…
You might want to check our on-line indeses to see who Roger has profiled. I know we did a two part story on Lenny Dean, for example.
Dave- I bet you enjoyed that interview with the elderly gentleman in the wheelchair. Sounds like he had a very,very,interesting and full life indeed. I’m like you.Have to keep my Job. Brian Keith was a good actor.Too bad he did away with his life.Back to the Elderly Gent you mentioned. I think that the elderly have plenty to offer & teach us younger folks about life & they should not be taken for granted.One day we will be older & hopefully we can help out the younger generations someday. Bob- There is a Olga Murello that died in2003 & she was mentioned in a TM Guide as a worker in the inspection dept for Lionel and there are a couple of photo’s of the cars she inspected as well that Tom McComas photographed for his guide from 1991.Olga died August 12 at home in Irvington and she was 89 years old and had worked for Lionel 25 years. and she was born in Newark,NJ also. Olga is in the Postwar Guide that TM did in 1991. Take Care.
Yes, stories from the regular employees and their tales from over the years would be interesting. David, you need to come and interview my 82 year old buddy [you were gone and I went to the sandhills area and spent the night with this guy] who flew WWII Navy and retired full Commander. Flew for the Company [Air America] out of Thailand and Vietnam. Then came to NC and flew the NC Forest Service [I use to go and fly with him] until age 72. He can tell you some tales about flying for the Company and still has some photos. Some one with a good tape recorder should go and sit down and tape whatever they can tell. These folks are fading fast.
Hello Everyone! I have the phone# of the Irvington Public Library and I’ll call them today & see if they can scan any Photo’s or Articles to my e-mail and see if that works.If so,I’ll e-mail them to CTT!
I remember when the last part of the Irvington/Hillside factory was closed in the mid-70’s.
MPC used that facility for some manufacturing, mostly it was their primary Service Center. After the final closing MPC did set up a Service Center in a small building in Little Falls, NJ with a few of the Hillside staff working there.
How long did that last??
Ken
Keith,
If you’d like to interview the 90-year-old or some of the others, get in touch with me. I’ll prepare a list of questions to ask & then you can send me the tape recording & I’ll do the write-up for CTT (I’ll check 1st to see if they’re interested). I’ll split any “honorarium” from CTT 50-50.
You’ll have to see how lucid these guys are and what position they held; esp. in regards to creative aspects. Some might even have some old train samples or clippings.
Dave! The 91 year old mentioned above is already deceased and his Name is Joseph D’Allessio. The only way to find out info about him now would be to get it from his Family. Provided that they still live in the area and are in good health as well.Plus,Willing to share information that their father told them over the years.If he had kids most likely they are seniors themselves or approaching that time of their life.So, as it is it looks to be tricky at best. I’ll keep your offer in mind,Dave. I did call the Irvington Library this morning.Too busy to help me then.I’ll call again this evening or e-mail them and see what they can do to help out here. Thanks again Dave. I’ll see what I can find out. Take care everyone.
Well, I called the Irvington Library and they are going through and cataloging everything in there and was not able to help me out as they were not sure exactly what they’ve got there in terms of photographs,papers,and articles of Lionel. And they are not sure when it will be completed either.So,I’ll see if there is another source of Lionel History in New Jersey. Ken- The Lionel Service Center in Little Falls,NJ was closed down around 1980 and moved to Mt.Clemens at that time.Take Care All
Dave Laughridge aka Dr. Tinker just overhauled my 2333 NYC F3 powered unit. Very nice to deal with and I can’t wait to get her back!