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Video: Workin’ on the railroad with Carl & Kent Johnson
What a charming video. Post war paradise down the basement, and true American dream. Wonderful proof that, no matter the age, model railroading is fun for the whole family. Especially liked Dad scooting up close in his lawn chair and running his empire. Priceless. But little sister waving to the trains as they pass by really stole the show. Good job!
To Carl: Great family and great era of Lionel trains. It makes you wish time could stand still. You showed your son the best of Lionel times. I see in CTT’s latest issue he has you straining your old bones and complicating your layout. It is wonderful that he finally in the end gave you an electronic box that lets you retun to the era of trains you really love unmodified. He even gave you tools to fight those awful spring termminal connections. Now if he could only connect a box to make your children kids again. I’ll bet your fingers can still hook up wire to the old type knurled terminal posts. I think you need two layouts. His to strain and skin you knucles on and yours to run and enjoy. I guess he is too big to swat.
The fun and enjoyment of sharing Lionel trains with our kids. Priceless!
Great show. Wish I could have heard what the kids were saying instead of that loud music
Great, I can only wish that my folks had taken some movies or pic’s of the many layouts I had as a child , but it didn’t happen and I only have faded memories now, of when my younger brother & sister ran those trains.
What a beautiful vintage movie of the evolution of a family hobby. Keep it all running Mr. Johnson. Is there a current video of your Layout?
These movies are awesome! I wish I had movies instead of just a few snapshots. Was Mom the cameraperson? Plus I’m envious! Carl had a Trainmaster and aluminum streamliners…all I had (have!) to pull behind my 2333’s are green 2400’s! And notice how the cattle always need a “little help”! (Note to Carl: the jig is up—now we have evidence of you brainwashing Kent!)
Nice.
Excellent! I am building a new layout now & this inspires me even more!
It is so wonderful to see Dad & the children enjoying the trains together. Keep up the good work.!
Great Video, The whole family enjoying the postwar trains.
I really enjoyed seeing the typical Lionel layout of that era. I grew up when those Lionel trains and equipment were the dream of almost every American kid. It was interesting to note how that layout progressed over the years. But what stood out the most to me was the aspect of family. Kids spending time with their dad playing with Lionel trains. That is a scene that Joshua Lionel Cowens had always depicted in his Lionel catalogs. Good job Karl!
Nothing says America more than a family enjoying Lionel trains together!
Excellent video. Really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
Great movies! I love all three layouts, even the first one on the tabletop. I’d like to see those track plans. My kind of layouts, plenty of action, scenery optional. And Carl didn’t seem to age a day from 1961 to 1976.
Who would have believed that Kent Johnson was such a cute little kid? Even though I enjoyed watching the trains, seeing the patient, loving interaction between Carl and the children was infinitely more enjoyable.
Brought back many memories of my Grand Father, and my Dad. I remember the both of them setting up our layout and running trains. We carried on the tradition with my son, and his girls. both the 5 and 2 year old are capable of running those same Lionel Trains. Thanks
A classic family with classic trains – thanks for sharing, very well done & great family memories & fun!
The perfect recruiting video!
What an illustration of the enduring appeal of toy trains. I would love to see more – I trust trains are being passed on to the next generation.
Thanks for sharing this.
It reminded me of those days in my parent’s basement running my trains. The demonstrated value of family time was awesome to see in the video. Good deal!