Lionel's Showroom Layout, Part 2

[@modelrailpreservation]

Come to Hartford, Wisconsin, to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum. We have a replica of the 1949 showroom layout there. I've been working for the museum for three years now, and when I started, the accessories barely worked, engines made ungodly grinding and squealing noises, and they were modern engines too. I was told the old Lionel engines would "Never run again". Except now they do, and the accessories work like a treat and it's an ongoing project, but I am recreating the handmade buildings out of paper and wood, just like the originals. In fact I am taking break at the moment from building a replica of "Best Feed Mill" that would have been to the right of the station in a corner of the layout. We've had people come and see the trains, and it's almost like time travel, the sounds, and sights of antique trains running in fine fettle, the crossing signals, the accessories, it's as if time moved backwards. I've worked off these old newsreels, off old photos, and even old copies of Lionel's 'Model railroading' book, which even gave dimensions for some of the buildings, and many photos were taken on the 1949 showroom layout. It's a wonderful layout and getting better every week.

[@loulasalle5480]

I remember the thrill of seeing this layout for the first time, as a six year old in 1949. The underground station with GG1’s and brown cars was the first thing that I saw. The lobby had a mock up of a PRR steam engine, that seemed to me to be full sized, and you were given a catalog as you entered, from what looked like a ticket window. And, you had to pass thru a display area that had old Lionel trains on display.Magical. All my subsequent visits, thru my teen years felt the same way. Seeing this video brings back wonderful memories. From another age.

[@rayszymarek2920]

This is the way it was back then. And back then it was a time that a young child could stand in front of a toy store window and dream and pray to get a set of trains from Santa. Loved those times. The old Lionel Catalogs and I would just read and read an watch the artistic pictures that showed the excitement of collating trains. Computer and electric games have taken over. But I sincerely think the Magic of Electric Trains still fascinate all of us that grew up in a less sophisticated world that embraced simple hobbies like train collecting. Realistic you bet. Forget the computer games and go back to the basics. Imagination and Creativity in Model Trains. enough said.

[@stanleydomalewski8497]

Wow,Very Nice😊 Fond Memories !😊

[@paulhowes1396]

Tremendous Noisy Fun! Happy Blisful Days! BB

[@garyk8558]

Beautiful todays kids have no idea what it was like to run these trains

[@Papasmurf7597]

Pretty funny ! This is how I started out in the railroad hobby in the late 1940s. Now, I'm close to 50 years in the 1 1/2 inch scale 'live steam' end of the hobby. Oh, I have built and run 'a lot' an Erie Railroad 4-4-2 coal burning Atlantic commuter engine.

[@acwip1]

Terrific! More! MORE! haha

[@Wooley689]

Fantastic fun.

[@lionel0824]

Great video!

[@hussainmohammedmahf]

Super

[@timpriddy349]

that crossing watchman was about 15 feet tall to scale..........damn he big

[@modelrailpreservation]

I've actually had a theory going on this one. Lionel introduced their space and military stuff in the late 1950s for the most part, but in Lionel Land, that was the first the public had seen of any of it. In Lionel Land, they were carrying nuclear material for the Manhattan Project, there was an accident, and the guys who got nuked had their DNA messed up and grew to insane height. The Lionel Lines decided they had a responsibility to care for those men, and felt they could kill two birds with one stone by hiring them as gatemen, as they certainly would be noticed by motorists. Or we could go with the boring but true story that those accessories were prewar carry-overs and scaled for the larger Standard Gauge.

[@arielfilmsinc1926]

I am related to William Gargin on me mother's side

[@ralphieboy4777]

Wooo wooo I think I can I think I can wooo wooo I know I can I know I can wooo wooo. Ha ha

[@thecurtray]

junky trains. they will never last

[@jonsmith4669]

The prewar tinplate trains certainly do last I have some from 1930 and they still look great and run very well, lionel motors are practically indestructible well built. Dont like post war plastic Lionel though, the engines are ok up to late 50's and its a shame Lionel is now made in China...

[@thecurtray]

I was only playing around. see I am 53,and feel like 14. I love model trains more than anyone

[@DrFrankensteam]

I have a Lionel engine from around 1925. It still runs and as far as I know is all original. I also have one from 1937. Still runs.

[@garyk8558]

My are still running great 70 years later little bit of car just like your car

[@timpriddy349]

never liked the 3 rail