Rare Lionel Trains unseen footage of the Ralph Donnell 120 second ad.

A look at the extended version of the 1959 Lionel trains ad that featured Ralph Donnell. This not the typically found 60 second ad. This extended ad was taken off original film stock. The ad contains footage of Rare Lionel Prototypes for the 3512 Fire car, 3435 Aquarium car, 1872 General Engine and the 3419 helicopter car! Wow.
First video shown is the 60 second standard version and the second video is the extended 120 second version. At the end is a closeup look at each of the prototypes shown!
Part of the Rare and Unusual Lionel Trains on shared on the Channel. Thanks. Brian.

[@trainman5603]

Very nice indeed! It harkins back to the day of intact families (reference: "ask mom and dad....") and a middle class style home with a nice Lionel display layout in what appears to be a den on the main level of a home. Ah the good old days!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Totally agree. It wasn't in a studio or some warehouse. Just a Dad with his kid and a friend playing trains. Love the old videos, great details. Thanks. Brian

[@scpvrr]

Love the vintage footage, especially the “liberties” they took with the sound effects!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Totally agree, love the old commercials. Glad you enjoyed it. BTW planning a posting a bonus episode with the 120 Second film in Slow Motion so you can see the details of the layout. Thanks Brian

[@stevenmiller5696]

Always something new to learn! That is why this hobby is great!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Agree, I don't think I had every seen what the Pre-production sample of the Aquarium car looked like. So Cool! BTW, plan on putting up some Bonus film with the 120 second episode in SLOW Motion! The details are fascinating. Brian

[@davidstrainsandlego]

I really appreciate your videos, sharing rare and lesser known aspects of lionel history

[@BriansTrainRoom]

My pleasure, especially if I can share video that is not easy to find on KZbin or other sites. I have the original so tried to put the best quality video I could do. Thanks. Brian

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

You mentioned seeing something from this era in color. You could use sometype of software to take it digital in color. But the B&W version is experience it in its true form. Its priceless.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Thanks, this is such a cool ad with so much to look at and wish I could have been there in person. I will look into what it would take to get it colorized. If it can be sone in a cost effective way, I may put that up. Thanks for the suggestion. Brian

[@DavidLevine]

It is amazing what you have to share with all of us. Keep it coming!!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

This video is awesome, When I was watching it the first time I thought it was just the 60 second spot you see everywhere. But the 120 second spot has some stuff no-one has seen. Prototype 3435, 3512,3419 and General engine!! Wow! BTW: Slow motion of 120 second will be released soon! Brian

[@williamloeber6253]

Thanks, another hit! 😊

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Thanks, this is one my favorite episodes. It shows some great pre-production items I had never seen before. Super cool stuff. Brian

[@TonyFleetwood]

As a collector of the 58,59 Marine Corps train, this had me excited just to see the pics in the catalog!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Great sets and lots of play value for sure. Love seeing the old footage of those trains when new. Thanks. Brian

[@TwistedMacGyversTrains]

Great video Brian! 👍😎

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Thank you. Love the new footage that I had not seen either. Could watch over and over again. Have a bonus episode with just the 120 second clip followed by the clip in Slow motion. The details on the layout are so cool! Shows the Alaska switcher and boxcar in background. B

[@tomshannon7513]

Very interesting, great job Brian.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Appreciate the comment. Since I had the original film and the extended version, had to share it. BTW, I will put out a bonus episode with the 120 second spot in Slow Motion, really shows the details of the layout and cars. Thanks. Brian.

[@raysrails2164]

Great , i watched every second , always glad to see a new video !!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

My pleasure. Got a special Slow motion of the Commercial as bonus material coming soon. The layout details are awesome. Thanks. Brian

[@Bitterrootbackroads]

A 2 minute ad I enjoy watching end to end. Compare that to the 5-10 second ads we suffer through today with their blasting cacophony of noise hammering my ears & causing an instant involuntary jerk for the mute button. I suspect sound engineers these days have young ears, as opposed to my aging ones. Maybe they think max volume & compression make their products more attention grabbing. Maybe someday they will understand? They think the squeaky wheel gets the grease, they don’t understand the really squeaky wheel gets replaced & left to rot.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Yeah, would be super rare to get a 2 minute ad in todays world. I do believe that the 60 second spot was the most commonly used spot, but it is nice to see the details and added footage of the 120 second spot. Love the old footage and glad you enjoyed it. Thanks. Brian

[@GerryWorner-ui4ij]

Great stuff again. Thanks Brian.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Thanks. Have a Slow motion 120 second version of the ad coming up. Great details all over the layout. Brian

[@brianturner8477]

Keep the super 0 coming! Interestingly, fast track is the same 36 inch radius.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Agree, some great layouts and footage with super O track. Working on a Super O episode. Won't be ready for a while. BTW, I have a slow motion version of the 120 second commercial coming soon and it allows you to study all the background action as well as the track! Brian

[@frankmuratore3639]

I have some re bent Super O to 072 Curves Really nice . Much more quiet bc than fast track. And the quality of the material used in the track are outstanding.. probably too costly to make today..

[@AEStudt]

I remember seeing those commercials growing.up wow thought they been lost threw time

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Fortunately this one is till around. Even I had not seen the 120 second extended version, so I had to share it with everyone!. Have a bonus episode coming later this week with a SLOW Motion version of the commercial so you can really explore the background details, such cool stuff. Thanks for the comment. Brian.

[@coffeeisgood102]

Why do I not see aquarium cars today…or am I just blind. Great video. Keep them coming!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Back in the 90's, all I wanted was an aquarium car and had no luck. Now you can find them for around 100.00 or less in nice shape. Great for the layout and super fun. Check E-bay or your local train show. Thanks, Brian

[@coffeeisgood102]

@@BriansTrainRoom Thanks

[@THEWEIM]

@@BriansTrainRoom they seemed to be all over the place at great prices .. collections being dumped

[@modelrailpreservation]

I've seen a photo of that General prototype before in a book. Wasn't a Lionel book specifically but a book about old toys in general. Photo shows the solid drive wheels, and the tender having Timken roller bearing trucks. I think the photo was from an old ad, as behind the loco, there is a little boy wearing a cowboy hat, with a look of mock-surprise on his face. I can't remember what that book was, but yeah, there is a photo of that General out there.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Good to know, I will start the search. Thanks. Love the old footage and the gems they show! Brian

[@plunkervillerr1529]

Marx guy here, enjoyed the vintage footage. There isn`t much available on Marx.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Yeah, if there is just a few old commercials from Lionel, then you are right, finding something from Marx would be a miracle. There are some really cool Marx trains for sure. Maybe one might show up in a vintage Sears commercial or something, you never know. Thanks for the comment. Brian

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Got something for you. Look up this video: "Marx Toy Factory History - Glen Dale WV - Wheeling History" The last 2 minutes of the Video actually show a commercial for a Marx train set. So, they did it too1 Brian

[@dalelatham2718]

Plugging in some of the prices in the inflation calculator, the aquarium car would be $137.25 today and the General would be $264.96. No wonder I only got Marx trains as a kid in the 50's.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

You are not wrong. Lionel trains were expensive, much like a game system would be today. The cost of the layout and trains on them would have been huge. Thanks for the comment. Brian

[@SOU6900]

For what it's worth they kinda are still expensive in my eyes.​@BriansTrainRoom

[@BriansTrainRoom]

@@SOU6900 They are! Thanks. B

[@delwoodjef]

Great job finding that longer video clip. I'm sure you know of "The Wonderful World of Trains" show. I've seen it on KZbin and it was in color. (kind of) Anyway, keep up the good work.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

My pleasure, I had never seen the 120 second extended version and I love it! Showing come of the prototypes they had in 1959. WOW. I wish this one was in color. I have the original film, so I was able to get a clear and clean copy to share!. I will also release a SLOW motion version of the 120 commercial that lets you really see everything more clearly and explore the rest of the layout. So Cool! Thanks or the comment. Brian

[@angeloavanti2538]

That was great.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Glad you liked it. Love the vintage commercials and the awesome trains they show. Really tried to give best quality film and shots of them as well. Thanks. Brian.

[@mal15102]

Good old F 11 F. Served with the Blue Angels. I think it was the first to shoot itself when catching up with its own cannon fire.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Lionel used "Heroes" of the day to promote trains. Great ad!. Thanks. Brian

[@OKFrax-ys2op]

So much better than the video games 🎮 of today!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

So True, love the action on the layout. So much to see and enjoy. Thanks. Brian

[@georgebenson6036]

I'm curious if the two boys remained active in the hobby. It would be interesting to know what they finally did with the trains. It looks like they were off to a fine start in 1959.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

I am curious about that as well. I image they worked out a deal where Ralph. I can see them leaving the layout and a selection of trains for his kids to play with. I will do some investigating that for sure. Brian

[@leverettrailfan5414]

Very neat- the longer cut really gives you a chance to get a good look at everything. It looks like the prototype general lacks the usual number and trim on the side of the cab. I'd also love to know what it looked like in color! I wish my 1959 3419 worked as well as it does in this TV commercial. The clear plastic is an interesting look for the tail support, hard to tell if the winder is also clear or if it's just white. I think black was ultimately the right choice, but I'd love to see one in clear!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Yes, it would have been a fantastic color video. The General was certainly Pre-Production, but close!!!. I am sure there was a blooper reel as well!. BTW, I am loading up a Bonus Slow Motion episode with the 120 second shot. You can really see all the details of the Layout. Thanks, Brian

[@pearsooo6972]

I like to have those prices back then in today's world

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Do doubt, so would I. First thing I would do with my time machine would be go back to the late 50's and buy trains and cars!!! Thanks.Brian

[@gmaneis]

Those commercials are amazing. They make me cringe because they're so badly done for today's world, but back then, they must have led to lots of sales! I think today's kids would get bored after two or three firings of that stupid crazy missile, and mom or dad would have destroyed that copter after it took Wayne's eye out! I also thought it was funny how dad ignored the other kid. Unless he was just Wayne's friend from down the suburban block, he was little brother who always had to take a back seat to his dad's favorite. Sad. Lionel was struggling mightily to keep up with space related toys by '59. Can't think of any time I saw firefighters arriving by train, or fish being delivered via the siding behind the local pet store! Thanks for sharing this one. Fun!😁

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Yeah, it was a different time. I do think that is was just a friend over with the trains. The fire fighting car was so you could put fires out along your railroad I guess. There was actually a real life prototype of the aquarium car, mostly to deliver fresh fish to the cities, but close enough!!. Great old footage and glad you enjoyed it! Thanks. Brian

[@joeokelly6404]

Funny you say that. My grandpa claimed he had a lawyer friend who was part of a lawsuit where lionel was sued because the helicopter car took a kid's eye out. My grandpa said he was promised the helicopter car used as evidence, but that never happened.

[@gmaneis]

@@joeokelly6404Why am I not surprised by your grandpa's story? That thing looked dangerous, and even the boys in the commercial seemed to be looking at it with wary eyes!

[@calvinsaxton9925]

wonder how many takes it took to get the helicopter car shot just right? great upload! thanks!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

yeah, Love to see the Blooper reel!! BTW will be loading a Bonus SLOW Motion episode of the 120 second clip. Thanks. Brian

[@odenviking]

this film is intresting. i`ve seen some thing like this but ina marklin cataluge but is has a text that explane that the loco is a pre production model, i have even come across a name engneering model to show it is a early pre productions model. 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪👍👍👍👍👍

[@BriansTrainRoom]

My pleasure, glad you liked the video. Love the old ads and the trains they show. Thanks. Brian

[@odenviking]

@@BriansTrainRoom you are welcome . i have a liking to old and new catalouges from car manufactures. and i do like the bigger model train sizes from 1:32 up to o gauge. 👍👍👍🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@Rickster5176]

Sadly, Ralph "Dixie" Donnell was killed in April of 1967 while testing the F-111.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Yeah, I read that when looking up his Bio. Probably most dangerous job in American back in the day!. Thanks. Brian

[@arielfilmsinc1926]

Was the jet plane footage shot at Calverton NY?

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Great question, I am not sure what base or airstrip that footage would have come from. The video does show him in the cockpit, but the landing footage may have been film supplied by Grumman. Thank you. Brian

[@johnlong7178]

If that film is silver nitrate, you better handle it with the upmost caution. Keep it away from ANY IGNITION SOURCE!

[@BriansTrainRoom]

For Sure, it is in a cool dry place. That is also why I had it digitized to share with everyone. Thanks. Brian

[@lorettacaputo6997]

I just tried to watch one of your recent videos..."Trains your grand parents played with" and I can't save it or comment because YT says the content was made for kids. What's the deal with that???

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Thanks for the comment, Playing around with setting and wanted to put a video together that is meant for kids. For their safety, comments are off. I will probably do a small series of videos meant for kids to share my love of toy trains and hopefully spark a new generation of collectors and operators. Most of my videos will be more collector focused. Next video will drop tomorrow where I open a sealed 256 station. Thanks. Brian

[@lorettacaputo6997]

@@BriansTrainRoom I don't really understand why YT does this. Good luck with targeting kids. I really don't know what interests the younger generation these days.

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Yeah, I know. I love sharing my passion for vintage toy trains, so a video like that hopefully gives a few kids a peak into a world we take for granted!. It was just a quick fun video that has gotten some strong attention, a kid interested in toy trains is much better off than one just interested in video games. B

[@yeoldeseawitch]

its NORTHROP Grumman, sir

[@BriansTrainRoom]

Yeah, my southern draw got the best of me. You are right!. Thanks Brian. Of note, some of the paperwork I have just refers to the Ralph flying "Grumman Fighter Jets". Cool stuff!

[@johnblair8146]

Not in 1959. That merger took place in 1994.