while surfing you tube vid of the mobile Lionel Layout then MTH it was uploaded in 2008 and it was apparently for sale
Anyone know what happened to it?
Used to be shown at the fair in Kingston NY
Is that the one that was in the trailer? I saw that at a couple of hobby shows, I’m thinking late 90s and/or early 2000s. They called it Big Mo, or something like that. I actually have the model of that MTH released years ago.
I’ve got a TM video that shows the Lionel traveling display, “The Magic World of Lionel” as you called it, probably filmed in the late 90’s. I’m curious as to what happened to it as well. Looked impressive, to say the least!
The owner passed away and the trailer was sold. I believe the new owner intends to use it for the same purpose, but I don’t know more than that.
We ran articles on it in both the Lionel and MTH versions. “Harry Turner’s mobile model train layout” in the Sept 1988 issue and “MTH on the road: Big Mo, the next generation” in the Oct 1999 issue.
I saw that trailer years back at York when it was being displayed for sale. The display was previously making stops at major fairs, shows, meets and events on behalf of Lionel and later for MTH. With time it probably became too expensive for the companies to continue to fund the mobile display and towards the end when the owner past, there were no sponsors. That may be why we do not see it today. Towing that display from place to place 100’s of miles apart would be an expensive proposition in fuel, maintenance and traveling expenses. What might make sense is for the present owner to approach a number of companies to share costs by displaying a number of products simultaneously…trains, scenery, structures, accessories, track and even a magazine.
There was a display meeting this description 2-3 years ago at the 1:1train show in Petersburg, WV
When the going gets tough, the tough use google. The website is: bigmotrains.com. Not sure how current it is - here is a quote:
"BIG MO’S 2013 SCHEDULE
Big Mo is currently resting. But he’ll be back out on the road in 2011. Watch this page for dates and locations near you!"
So I’m not sure how active it is.
It showed up in Rock Island, IL in July 2011 for the Midwest Train Fest. I have some shots from the event.
Harry Turner’s passed on? How sad, how very sad. His enthusiam on that TM video was infectous, to say the least! At least he and his traveling Lionel roadshow live on on the DVD.
Thanks for the information Bob.
Sad to hear about his passing as well As I said the last time I saw it was at the Kingston Ny fair in 2000
Makes you want to win the lotto