Stations, Stations, Stations....

How many of you actually use the "stop/start" facility in Old Lionel Stations? With all of the new fangled electronics, I know there are better ways to do this. Any thoughts on the best way to do this?

Marc

More Station Goodness....

Here's a page out of the world of Ives, Flyer and Lionel. Yep, they all look familiar and they are variations on a theme.

Marc

PS I confess. I am a station nut. I probably have somewhere between 12 and 20 stations. More than could ever fit on my budding layout. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams. I'll still settle for a free dinner at Red Lobster....

More Stations 2....

Joe sent more great pics of stations. He made a great point: someone could actually just collect stations and collect trains as a secondary distraction.... Like fine red wine (boisterous yet dry), stations are their own collectible (expensive yet large and colorful). Regardless, even collecting Lionel variations could be pretty damn interesting. -Marc

More Stations

Joe sent me a great set of stations. These are really nice and again show how unique these models really are. Check 'em out!

Marc

The Train Stops Here!

I took a few shots out of the upcoming Stout Auction and some past NETTE auctions to make a point. I think the most common item in any layout is the station. Yet stations are completely uncommon.

The scales are different. Each manufacturer has a radically different take on how to create a stations (lithography vs. pressed metal, etc.). Lighting is different and so seems to be the accessories or accessory that comes along with the station. We all tend to dwell on the Lionel classic stations yet here are wonderful stations from many of the other manufacturers. I have quite a few other pics of stations I'll post at some point as well.

I think the station is probably the most produced toy train accessory there is short of the banjo signal. Yet only a few are produced now (Pridelines, Lionel and MTH all have made some variation of the Lionel flavor). Yet there are still many wonderful Ives, Dorfan and Marklin stations that create a jaw dropping spectacle on any layout. I seem to remember the Marklin stations going for a small fortune at the Ward Kimball auction.

So what stations would everyone like to see reproduced? I for one would like to see something a little more updated like the Union Terminal in Cincinnati. Send me pictures of your favorite stations and I'll post them asap.

Marc
mrkuffler (at) aol.com

New Version of Toy Collector

The new edition of toycollector is out and as usual, it is fantastic. Check out the outstanding article on toy train stations. It's a nice departure from the usual Lionel homage. Some absolutely gorgeous German prewar tin. I haven't seen one or two of these stations ever and I would bet that many collectors would say the same (it's one of the great things about this hobby)....

Marc