Wow, what a collection

Blow this picture up and it really hits you. It's from an old TTOS bulletin (I know, you're probably getting sick of me writing that).

That's John Daniel, yep, the old TTOS President and one of the founders of JAD. That's a small part of his collection. Trains don't necessarily need to be on a layout to be well displayed.

Just remember that this was acquired over time going to meets and TCA/TTOS events. There was no eBay at that time. I think these guys knew something about collecting besides having a big income. I just wish I could have seen this collection when he was putting it together.

Oh what I wouldn't give to go back in time to my youth with a digial camera and a couple of plane tickets.....

M

Our TCA Library

Humm..., did they make this in Standard gauge or just in 0 gauge? I'll bet you know the answer.

What we have here is the cover of the October, 1992 Train Collector's Quarterly. I ordered a copy of this issue from Jan at the TCA's library because this issue contains an article that I found very helpful in my current research on early Lionel. The article, penned by old timer Max Knoecklein (64-1079) focuses on the discovery of what is believed to be the 1901 Lionel catalog. At the time of the 1992 article, this was thought to be the oldest Lionel catalog known, however, since then an even older catalog has surfaced, discovered by former TCA president Paul Wassermann, which he believes dates from 1900. Digging around doing some detective work with these documents is interesting. We're fortunate to have the TCA library, staffed by a really helpful librarian named Jan. Send her an email and she will try her best to answer your questions and provide whatever back issues or photocopies you require.

Jim

Welcome to the Standard Gauge Blog!

Hello and Welcome Fellow Train Nut -

If you like pre-war trains, you have come to the right place! I am a nut for standard gauge - from Lionel, Jim Cohen, JAD, Joe Mania, MTH and anyone else willing to try building this amazing stuff.

Why are standard gauge trains amazing? Because they have stood the test of time. They are toys and yet much more. They are works of art. Moving art, that makes a music all its' own, has color that's all its own and can be as individual as the builder of the trains as well as the eventual lucky owner.

There are hobbyists that are purists, standard gauge toys from Lionel from 1925 to 1939 will only do. There are folks like me that just plain old love trains. But you are here for the standard gauge. I wanted to start this blog because I want a place for people to post ideas, new products and great layout photos and ideas.

We are the holders of rare and wonderful items - standard gauge toy trains. Let's talk about them as much as we can whenever possible.

Marc Kuffler
TCA# 94-40129