I have my order in for the book and can’t wait to receive it. Never got to see the 30’s and 40’s layouts because I was either not even born or was too young.
However, I saw the 1949 layout a number of times and each of those times I thought I had died and went to Lionelville Heaven.
I am still not convinced by Mr. Schmeelk’s CTT article that the Super O Showroom Layout did not open For Toy Fair 1957 as was stated by it’s chief architech and builder, Jack Kindler. The article failed to provide proof of anything that would so positively place the date of the completion of this layout in 1958, that I would believe that Mr. Kindler was wrong.
I hope the proof is within this issue, as I would hate for an unsubstantiated claim to be incorporated in what should prove to be a classic publication.
Growing up in Jersey City, NJ I was able to visit the Lionel Showroom several times. I recall seeing the layout in '56 , but my most vivid memories revolve around three visits in '62-63. I look forward to this great publication.
Wow! I never saw any of these layouts. But I remember,vaguely, a toy train layout at Montgomery Ward’s in Buffalo, NY about 1950. I think it was Lionel and maybe Marx. Looks like a good read. Thanx
Great brings back many fond memories of Lionel and Madison Hardware in N.Y.C.
With regard to the date that the Super O layout was built - Lionel’s own publication, The Lionel Lion, sent to dealers and dated October 1958 states,
" . . early this Fall The Lionel Corporation puts its new 16’ x 32’ giant operating layout on display at New York Headquarters." Elsewhere in the same 1958 article, Lionel states, “Recently completed multi-level railroad empire will soon be placed on public display. . .”
Other facts including a 1957 newsreel showing the 1949 layout still operating and with product not introduced until late 1957, and photos taken in 11/1957 showing the 1949 layout prove that the 1949 layout had not been dismantled until very late in 1957. The 1949 layout was probably dismantled just after Christmas as Jack Kindler recalled. After a great eal of research, I know of no definitive proof that can place the opening of the Super O layout prior to 1958. The only information indicating that the layout was up earlier is the recollection of Jack Kindler, 40 years after the fact. I believe the evidence clearly indicates that Mr. Kindler was simply off by one year. Quite understandable after 40 years.
I never had the chance to visit any of the showroom layouts, since I lived in lancaster county,Penna,but will enjoy the upcoming issue very much.
As I have said before, I would certainly like to see this “Lionel Lion” of October 1958. So far, all I’ve seen are “quotes” taken out of context. Recently completed could mean within the last year. And as I have said before, there is nothing that dates the footage contained in those newsreels. I have yet to see proof positive that contradicts the decades old belief, and Mr. Kindler’s own recollection that the Super O layout was ready for Toy Fair 1957 which just happens to coincide with the introduction of Super O track.
How EXCITING! I can’t wait for my copy to arrive.
Since I was born in 1977 I could only have wished to see these layouts but lionel does sponser the Carnegie Science Center lay out in my home town of Pittsburgh. Every Christams my family and I’ve gone there and continued to do so with my kids. Lionel could make a killing in sales if they would set up a Holiday Temp Store in the Science Center.
Thank You Roger! I will be checking out this magazine! Imissed these exciting times for model railroading by a few short years. I will get my copy as soon as possible, dream someand send you my comments! Thanks
Being stationed at Fort Monmouth ,New Jersey in1956 three friends and my self would visit New York once a week or so.during one of our visits we came upon the Lionel show room and decided to go in.it was quite a place and we spent quite a while there looking at every thing.Even though it has been a long time ago I still have some recollection of it ,great memories.
I bought this magazine at the grocery store. I enjoyed it very much and will add it to my COMPLETE collection of CTT magazines!
THANK YOU ROGER FOR BRING BACK BEAUTIFUL TIMES AS A KID SEEING THESE LIONEL LAYOUTS,MY DAD AND I MADE IT TO THE SHOWROOM INTHE LATER 50S AND 60S,THESE MEMORIES KEEPS THE KID ALIVE INSIDE OF ME AND THE NEVER ENDING MEMORIES OF MY DAD AND ME BUILDING OUR TRAIN LAYOUT TOGETHER EVERY CHRISTMAS.
THANK YOU ROGER FOR THE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
Thanks for the memories. Hello from Iowa.
i bought the magazine layouts.you really post up,some great great layout ,starting from the 1930 to the 1960 s.i enjoyed every layout,cant wait to see some old lionel layout film footage.
Great video of lionel’s layouts. I’m from Michigan, so I never did get to see them. However, in 1962, I was stationed on the U.S.S. Constellation CVA-64 in Brooklyn Naval Shipyard and was able to visit the original Madison Hardware before it closed. Quite interesting ! Thanks for the re-visit.
Overall, a great publication! Reproducing the Super-O layout photo three times was a bit overkill though. A pity that Lionel T-Rail hasn’t been reintroduced. There isn’t any three rail track on the market in the 21st Century that can compare or even come close. Lionel needs to relocate back to New Jersey and manufacture their trains in the USA again and reopen the New York City Showroom! Only then will I consider buying Lionel trains again. No, I don’t buy any trains made outside the USA!
Great video. Bought the magazine and found many grest ideas to use.