One of our RR club members was talking about Trainland USA at Colfax, Iowa and I seem to remember seeing an article about it in a magazine but don’t remember where or when. Being an old geezer that’s not suprising so some help would be appreciated if anyone knows any specifics. Thanks
Ole
I found it ! It’s in the May 2005 Classic Toy Trains issue. “Trains from the Heartland”. It starts on page 42 & 43. Done by Roger Carp. Good article, hope you have that issue! Thanks, John
One more thing. If any of you are traveling through Iowa this summer on I 80, be sure to allow at least an hour for this stop, especially if you have kids or if you are a kid at heart. Red has built an amazing layout that’s very user friendly and he has folks running the layout that know what they are doing. It’s only a few miles north of the interstate and just east of Des Moines. Plus, he has a couple of full size train cars in the front yard full of years of collecting, for sale.
Jon
Thanks for the quick response. I do have that issue.
Ole
OLE, glad you have that issue, can’t believe I picked it up & there it was! Be sure & let us know how you liked it. Wonder what the collection is like inside those two cars Jon mentioned! [:)] Thanks, John
I was just there last week. Red was complaining about people stealing from his train store. Having been there a couple of times, I feel I can say he is a nice guy. It is amazing to see that much postwar Lionel for sale, but be forwarned, the prices are high! I’m not trying to be negative, just stating my observations. I would definetly recomend a stop there if you are in the area to see the layout and the store, because you probably will never see this much postwar Lionel anywhere else in the midwest.
We haven’t been to Trainland for a couple of years and I’m thinking it’s time for a refresher. It was about 20 years ago when we took our young boys over to trainland on a summer weekday and it was Red who pulled me aside and told me about the joys of collecting and building. Going to garage sales, flea markets, auctions, etc. He really got us excited and we followed that path for several years, having ton’s of fun. I still check auction bills and keep an eye out at flea markets but it seems as though most of the “treasures” are long gone.
I’ve never bought anything from Red but sure have enjoyed talking with him. I was at an estate auction two years ago in kind of an old run down neighborhood and Red was there: 2 American Flyer sets. I had a number but the bid started higher than I would have ended at! Needless to say, there are some deep pockets out there.
Jon
Red’s train shop has MIB MPC baby madison passenger cars for $30!
also the mpc 4-4-2 Milwaulkee set in box, never run, for $300
NICE