I know this has been reviewed previously, but I finally caved in and stopped waiting for the DVD version and bought the VHS tape. This is a terrific video, very much in the TM documentary mode, covering the career and collection of arguably one of the most influental individuals in the hobby since JL Cowen himself. Only Mike Wolf has had a comparable influence on the course of the industry since 1969 in my view.
The CARAIL standard guage layout (now owned by the Henry Ford Museum) is toured in loving detail, along with commentary by Kughn, as well as several other CARAIL layouts and Kughn’s home layout (the only one still in his possession). Kughn is not a riveting speaker, but the visuals are spectacular, and his insights and views, love them or leave them, are key insights into the evolution of the three rail industry during 1986-95 when he was the sole proprietor of Lionel, the only real game in town.
The design philosophy of his layouts, obviously influenced by the fact that he has resources beyond all but the luckiest of hobbiests, is interesting to hear. But it’s mainly about the layouts and the trains. Even if you don’t particularly like Richard Kughn and what he did with Lionel, this video would be worth purchasing and then watching with the sound off [:D].
For those interested in the history of the hobby, it is important to recognize how very modest Kughn has been about his accomplishments. This is a forceful and accomplished guy, but not one who is going to toot his own horn. He lets his collection and work speak for themselves.
When he took over Lionel their sales were languishing, quality wasn’t there at all (the Mexico caper) yet by the time he sold to Wellspring, sales had at least doubled by most estimates. To those who think innovation in the hobby began with TMCC and DCS, it is worth recalling that the semi-successful “video in a locomotive,” RailScope was developed on Kughn’s watch, as was TMCC in conjunction with Neil Young and his band of merry