Lionel On The Today Show

It isn't standard gauge. But it is nice to see Lionel at Rockefeller Center!

Marc
PS I can't guarantee NBC's link will last forever. They usually last a month or two so watch it while you can!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Lionel on the Today Show - Dec. 7 @ 8:30 am EST

Lionel Trains (ok, a representative) will be on the Today show on Dec. 7th at 8:30 AM EST. I'm very glad to see Lionel in NYC! Maybe I should roll over to Rockefeller Center and say hello!

For more info go to the Lionel newsroom at www.Lionel.com

Marc

Check out this cool building...

I was visiting some customers the other day in Jersey City and I saw this building.... I've seen it a thousand times before; it is an old manufacturing building that has been converted and refurbished for different uses. It is a really glorious old building and will remind you of what it must have been like when the Blue Comet actually ran to Atlantic City and the Brute was only a few years old... Blow up the pics as well. You'll get the idea.

Marc

PS - The fascinating thing about this company is that it is still in business. No, not at this location. But they are still in business and still making the same stuff. Tell me this wouldn't be a great name/logo on the side of a boxcar?

Breaking News - MTHs Website doesn't suck

Some breaking news: MTH Trains has fully upgraded their website. Here at:

http://www.mthtrains.com/

MTH's website (for years) has been a first stop for model railroaders and a frustration for many. Dead links, buggy pages and a poor representation of a great company. Mike Wolf and crew have done a great job re-inventing the site and launching a new look and feel. It's about time!

Nice job Mike, ya gotta keep it rolling and keep it up to date. Marc

Overhead Flyer Shot

Here's a shot of a Flyer Standard Gauge consist running past a Lionel factory. These are hard shots to take (at least on my pike) because there is no room to move on this side of the layout. At the moment, I'm just glad to have a layout.

Marc

The NYC Handoff

As has been written many times, steam trains are not allowed in NYC. I seem to recall this rule actually still being on the books. I think of this every time I ride the Metro North into NYC.

I also think the mail car is one of those really good ideas that still is completely viable. So much mail moves by truck across the country. I'd love to see trains used (again) for mail. It just seems like such a smart way to move parcels around the country. I just got to thinking this the other day when I was taking some shots of this Ives Mail car (sad, probably).

Marc

Another Day on the Pike....

I just thought this was a neat picture. A dimly lit caboose, heading into a tunnel, noisily clanking away with the rest of the rolling stock. The bright red cabooose color contrasts wonderfully with the cool, muted earth tones of the Olson Displays Tunnel.

Yes, I know the tunnel has a little overhang. It's to remind me to expand the layout sooner rather than later. It's so stable (both the layout and the tunnel) it won't budge one iota.

Marc

New England Toy Train Exchange Dec. 12, 2009

A really nice NETTE auction is coming up with some great Standard Gauge and prewar O gauge as well. Check out this gorgeous Ives set. I've seen some recent postings on the Tinplate forums where people are asking or looking for original prewar standard gauge. NETTE is probably one of the best places to invest in original prewar pieces.

Marc