The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive 1930 - 1936
I received this press release from the folks at HSL announcing a new digital archive.
HSL is pleased to announce a new digital archive series entitled the Lionel Magazine Digital Archive. The first release in this series is The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive 1930 - 1936. Subsequent releases will include the Model Builder magazine and, maybe someday, Inside Track.
The Lionel Magazine was the first substantial effort by any organization to reach a wide scale audience of model railroaders. Introduced as a feature of the Lionel Engineers Club in 1929, the publication ran for 37 issues. Each issue contained layout construction articles, real railroading articles, layout photos submitted by subscribers, and, of course, Lionel advertising. Also included are photos of early Lionel showroom layouts and facilities and a fascinating story about the production of Lionel catalogs. You will also find mentions of young railroaders like Louis Hertz and Frank Ellison!
This release contains high quality scans of all 37 issues woven together with easy-to-use HTML-based software. A searchable table of contents allows you to search for article titles and authors. Noted Lionel historian, Bill Schmeelk, who jointly developed this product with HSL, provides an insightful introduction. An extensive bonus section contains many additional items to round out the product. The CD-ROM will work on PC and Mac-based machines. The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive 1930 - 1936 is available directly from HSL for $50 + $5 s/h (www.hslinc.com or 800-779-2802 or HSL / 200 University Park Dr. — Suite 240 / Edwardsville, IL 62025-3636).
Railroad Express Is Having A Big Sale
Railroad Express is having a big 25% off everything in the store sale that ends at 12:01 am on 5/26. From Railroad Express….
Figures, Scenery, Layout Supplies, Critters, Cargo, Freight, Lionel Boxes and More!
Everything in our store is 25% off, this weekend only!
Sale Ends Monday Night, at Midnight!
USE COUPON CODE 5-25-Sale DURING CHECK OUT!
Visit http://www.railpress.com/ and start shopping!
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum announces 75th anniversary
For those of you in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota area, I received this press release….
(St. Paul, MN) – On May 1, 2009, the Twin City Model Railroad Museum celebrates 75 years in the St. Paul community.
The Friday through Sunday program, highlighted by events and commemorative activities, will focus on the history of the Museum and Twin Cities railroading. The anniversary will include the following:
Continue to read The Twin City Model Railroad Museum announces 75th anniversary
Toy Collector Magazine interviews M.T.H.’s Mike Wolf and has a new look
Mike Wolf Interview
Toy Collector Magazine, which has changed its on-line format (more on that below), has posted an interview they conducted with Mike Wolf, the owner of M.T.H. Electric Trains. There is no date on the post so it could have been published months ago. I missed it and maybe you did too. In the interview, Mr. Wolf has some interesting comments and insights about the state of the O Gauge hobby. It’s a good read. Check it out here.
New Look
If you read Toy Collector Magazine on a regular basis you know that it was a very visually appealing electronic publication released monthly. It now has the look and feel of a blog. The ‘wow’ factor of the visuals in the monthly magazine is lost but the move to a blog format is smart one. No more publishing deadlines, more search traffic, easier to manage. Read more about the format change here.
Lionel launches a blog!
Lionel has entered the blogosphere with the announcement of the On The Road With Lionel blog. The blog is supporting Lionel’s latest Product Showcase marketing campaign in which Lionel will be traveling the country to showcase its new products over the coming months. Kudos to Lionel for using a blog as part of their marketing efforts! Read the blog here.
By the way, the blog’s latest post announces a new product video page that is also supporting the Product Showcase campaign. There are some nicely produced videos featuring executives from Lionel and videos showcasing Lionel’s product lines all presented in a cool “lightbox” format. The product videos are basically slide shows of still photos set to music and lack video of the products in action but they are still nicely done.
Now that MTH has a deal to produce Lionel branded tinplate maybe Lionel can ink a deal with MTH to run its web marketing efforts 
MTH to offer HO and One Gauge pieces with Lionel logo
In MTH’s latest electronic newsletter there is an announcement that MTH is spreading the word about Lionel Corporation Tinplate products by entering into a “second agreement with Lionel to produce two additional items celebrating this exciting new relationship”. The newsletter states the following:
“The new agreement allows M.T.H. to produce an HO Operating Action Car, complete with “moving” graphics of iconic Lionel tinplate items and a One Gauge hopper car. Both cars come decorated with Lionel Corporation Tinplate graphics designed to spread the word to the HO and One Gauge marketplaces about Lionel Corporation Tinplate.”
Do you think HO and One Gauge/G Scale modelers are going to purchase these items or is this Lionel and MTH’s way to ease everyone into the notion that MTH is going to produce more Lionel branded products outside of tinplate?
You can sign up for the MTH electronic newsletter by visiting the MTH website.