All Aboard! Book Review

Ron's book (the late Ron Hollander) is THE book that got me back into the O gauge segment of the hobby when it was first published. Received the book as a Christmas gift that year. Prior to that, I was very active in N scale.

@Allan Miller posted:

Ron's book (the late Ron Hollander) is THE book that got me back into the O gauge segment of the hobby when it was first published. Received the book as a Christmas gift that year. Prior to that, I was very active in N scale.

I just moved from HO to 3R in the last year and a half (did try N in the mid 1990's).  I am glad you made the move you did, or else probably wouldn't have this Forum.  I am very glad this Forum exists, Thank You!

• Ron Hollander’s book was one of the first I read not long after my interest in O gauge was rekindled.  30 plus years later, I still enjoy thumbing through the pages from time to time.

Great book......filled in a lot of knowledge gaps for me.......picked it up in a WaldenBooks (remember them?) in central Baltimore right after it came out......I saw a pile of them in the "new non-fiction" section.

Had the honor to meet and visit Ron at York, especially during the Delta Lines interest group meetings. Really nice fellow......a great loss....it is sad that he is no longer with us.

Peter

I'm not a toy train or Lionel fan (other than for the subway sets), but I enjoyed the book tremendously, not only because Lionel is an American icon, but also because of the fascinating human interest stories behind the founding and management of the company, and because of the local interest (Hillside, NJ and NYC, both places I visit frequently). Definitely a book for more than just a Lionel enthusiast.

Like others on the Forum, I reread All Aboard this year after learning of Ron Hollander's passing.  Ron also had a regular column in the TCA Quarterly.  He was an amazing writer.  Joshua Lionel Cowen was fortunate to have someone like Ron Hollander tell the Lionel story.  While there were huge successes, there were also very difficult times when the company almost went bankrupt.  Joshua almost went broke after the great depression after 1929, losing money in a bank failure. Lionel the company was not doing well either, but was ultimately saved by two small rodents, Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Lionel sold them on a windup hand car and a circle of track for $1.  You cannot make this stuff up.

The story about the Lionel T-Rail track is fascinating. I have never seen it and I don't think it comes up for sale often.       

Glad to see 5 other Forum members have read this book and came away with similar opinions of it.  Really hope others seeing this will take a look at it.

Peter - Bought a lot of books at Walden's.

WS Joe - Was not a "Lionel fan" either.  I am a history buff.  After reading this though opened my eyes to a lot of interesting offerings.  Ended up buying a Pre-War Hand Cranked Coal Loader (#96) in need of love at Albany Train Show a week ago today.  Vendor was selling it as parts only because all the electric stuff under the base was missing.  Well realized all it was really missing after searching the internet was the control for the solenoid (still in place) that allows dumping the coal.

Dave B - I really was surprised about the 1930's T-Rail when I read the book, but just put it in the column of things I still need to learn about this hobby.  You comment on its rarity, helps me feel a little less ignorant.  Thanks!

@MainLine Steam posted:

Dave B - I really was surprised about the 1930's T-Rail when I read the book, but just put it in the column of things I still need to learn about this hobby.  You comment on its rarity, helps me feel a little less ignorant.  Thanks!

hi Jim,  I just emailed you an article on a layout that used T-Rail track.  Best, Dave

Thank You.  BTW just posted a new topic.  Take a look when you get a chance, hope you agree on some level.