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Lionel Inspiration, The by William J Brennan Dust Jacket 1997 Morning Sun Books
The Lionel Inspiration by William J Brennan Reflections from the lights on some photos.
Hard cover with dust jacket
Copyright 1997
Morning Sun Books
128 pages
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Electric Locomotives
New York Central "S" Motor
Milwaukee Road Bi-Polar
Pennsylvania GG I
New Haven EP-5 Rectifier
Virginian EL-C Rectifier
2. Steam Locomotives
Milwaukee Road "Hiawatha"
New York Central "Commodore Vanderbilt"
New York Central "Hudson"
Pennsylvania B6 switcher
Pennsylvania S2 "Turbine"
Norfolk and Western "J"
3. Diesel Streamliners
Union Pacific "M-I0000"\CITY OF DENVER
Boston & Maine - Maine Central FLYING YANKEE
4. Diesel Locomotives
Electro-Motive F3
Electro-Motive NW2
American Locomotive FA-2
Fairbanks-Morse Train Master
Electro-Motive GP7
Electro-Motive GP9
General Electric 44 Ton Switcher
5. Self Propelled Units
RDC/Burro Crane
6. Miscellaneous Equipment
a. Passenger Cars
b. Cabooses
c. Freight cars
Railfans and train collectors alike will enjoy this photo-by-photo comparison of the prototype and its model. Find out how Lionel mirrored the actual train with O-Gauge models during its heyday of the 1940s and 50s. Railfans will especially enjoy the many vintage color views of steam, diesel and electric locomotives as well as the boxcars and other rolling stock that would end up as Lionel models.
From its earliest forms to the most modern equipment used in the United States or elsewhere in the world, the railroad attracted interest in many ways. The afficianados of the industry took photographs, wrote or purchased books, collected timetables and other souvenirs or collected models of the varied creations that roamed on steel rails. In more recent years, those interested in recording the passing railroad scene took black and white photos, color slides and movies to preserve the images of trains that would some day change or vanish completely. Others chose to preserve the memories of their favorite railroad equipment in the form of scale models in a wide range of sizes and track gauges. Still others collected the mass produced toy trains manufactured by Lionel, American Flyer and others that were purchased by most of their original owners as playthings for children.
A substantial number of model railroaders entered the hobby as adolescents or adults, directly with the purchase of "HO" or other scale model trains. However, a greater number manifested their love of model trains at a more tender age, like five to seven years, under a Christmas tree. While many of the early toy or"tinplate" trains bore small resemblance to anything that traversed real railroad tracks, many examples of later production would prove appealing to those whose railroad interests spanned both the photographic and train collecting aspects of this fascinating hobby. The author is just such a hobbyist who extensively photographed American railroads from the 1950's to date and also acquired a substantial collection of those Lionel trains that closely resembled scale models. Such resemblance, of course, must allow for the realities of production economics and the need for these trains to negotiate sharp curves such as on ovals around Christmas trees, that, in proportion to real railroads, would be found only on street car lines or rapid transit systems. Still, seeing a New York Central Hudson, a Western Pacific F3, a Lackawanna Train Master or the Pennsylvania's GG I powered CONGRESSIONAL navigate a modest circuit of Lionel "0" gauge track in one's basement or den, captured enough of the essence of the prototype to make the acquisitions worth the effort. The rugged construction and sound design of Lionel trains assured reliable operation and this, too, contributed to a realistic effect.
I hope that reading this book, The Lionel Inspiration presents a linkage between two of the most fascinating aspects of the railroad hobby. Both railfans and train collectors will be surprised that many of Lionel's products were far more accurate copies of their prototypes than one might expect from a toy manufacturer. To the Lionel train collector, one could paraphrase the old Christmas saying: "Yes,Virginia, there actually were real trains that looked like many of those Lionel creations."
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