All Aboard!

You are right Phil, "All Aboard!," is a great book, which Mr. Hollander authored.

JLC might have stumbled and fell, along the way of life, but he would pick himself up and strove onward.

Amazing, how a toy train, being well made and performed so well, became a 'SCALE MODEL,' which all others tried, but didn't succeed in copying!

Thank you for your post of a wonderful book, of a wonderful man, written by a wonderful historian.

Be Well,

Ralph

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Phil: There was a song written after the crash called "It's Raining Millionaires On Wall Street".

"All Aboard" has also had a revised and expanded edition since it's first publication in 1981.

And as to original Prewar Tinplate, it can be found for reasonable prices at York and other shows. Just buy a piece at a time that might need a little cleaning and maintenance, and before you know it you'll have a set and accessories.

Finally, you're right - it's a great read! 

Thanks Ralph and Art for the replies. I agree, I think JLC was wonderful guy. If it is allowed I would like to visit his grave next time I am in the area.

Thanks for the info on the 2nd Edition. Another thing about this book was that Mr.Hollander must have put a tremendous amount of research into it. In the book Mr.Hollander gives out his TCA number. I still have the last TCA paper directory which was 2008 and he is listed in there. He even listed an email address. I am going to try to email him to tell him just how much I enjoyed his book.

Art, thanks for the advice on pre-war. I'll check it out next time I am at York which will be most likely next year.

It was something to find out that JLC was responsible for the development and marketing of the 'EveReady' battery, amongst many other non-train items!!

My bicycle had two EveReady 'D' cell batteries in the horn compartment for over twenty years and yes one battery weakened and slightly leaked, the other was slightly weak, did not leak, but powered the horn.

Then, again that's when EveReady was made in the good 'ole U.S. of A. and really did have 'Nine Lives!!!!'
Ralph

Indeed, Ron Hollander's book remains a true classic!  Both the 1981 and 2000 editions of the book are now available in digital format on DVD, under license to Ron Hollander.

FYI, further research clearly indicates Joshua Cowen's development of the Eveready battery is one of many myths associated with Cowen's "inventions".

Bob Osterhoff

Mr. Osterhoff,

Please, if you would Sir, tell of the 'EveReady' myth.

Thank you,

Respectfully,

Ralph

Ralph, it's not a short story, but basically Conrad Hubert and his American Electrical Novelty & Manufacturing Company, which later became the Eveready Flashlight Company, was well established before Joshua Cowen came on the scene and purported to have "invented" the flashlight and Eveready battery.  It's also ironic that Cowen would not tell his story about Eveready until 1947, and well after the death of Hubert. 

Bob Osterhoff

AHHH!

NOW, I understand!

Thank you Bob,

Ralph

I agree, it is a very good read. What I took out of it was how much of an impact this gentleman made in the hobby/toy industry, and his legacy lives on.

Ron's book was one of the factors that influenced my switch from HO to the world of Lionel.

His reminiscing and vivid descriptions of Lionel trains in his boyhood Brooklyn apartment struck a chord with me and my days growing up in a small Bronx apartment. I, too, used to wonder if there was some small remnant of that Lionel empire still hidden somewhere in there among the strangers that now occupy it.

Ron has also written some outstanding articles recently for the TCA Quarterly about his boyhood as well as his collector adventures as an adult. Any fan of "All Aboard" should seek them out also.

Jim

All Aboard! is a must-have for Lionel fans  IMO. If you can find a copy, pick it up.

Hollander's book is indeed a classic, and I feel the same way, it should get the Hollywood treatment!  Ron Hollander also writes in the TCA Quarterly from time time, there was just a series on the HellGate Bridge.

Notice on page 240 the large photo taken inside of one of the halls at York, which appears to have been taken in the 1970s. How did THAT happen?

That's a very good question. I would guess that Mr.Hollander got special permission to take that picture. In the back of the book it says that all photographs without credits are from the author's personal collection. He also thanked the TCA under the Photo Credits section.

Now that you mention it Jim I do recall reading articles by Mr.Hollander in the TCA Quarterly.

Very easy. There were no bans on photography at that time.

Ron M

It's a great read.  My wife bought it for me in a hospital gift shop years ago.  Anyone interested in the history of model trains, and certainly any Lionel fan, should have it.

The influence of Ron's Book?  Just check my "Seasonal Nostalgia" Editor's Corner column in Run 239.  It's probably safe to say that his book got me to where I am today.

And just in case someone needs it, there's one on the For Sale forum right now!

TRW

Yes, a must-have reference book for any model train fan.

I ran into Ron at York in April. He was buying what looked to be an excellent condition 3656 cattle car set from one of the dealers and I said hello. A very engaging guy.

Its a book I'd had for years even when my interest was places other than O  gauge.  I decided to pull it out for another reading.

We got to the TCA Museum York presntations late yesterday afternoon after a long drive in heavy rain. I got my ticket when we registered and shortly thereafter, they drew my ticket wih the prize as "All Aboard". Pretty good, I would say.