I've heard this phase used all of my life to describe something that has all the options, like a new car with all the gadgets or something.
Since I have gotten interested in old electric trains, I've been thinking about the phrase and wondering it had its origination with toy trains. I know I could just "Google it" but thought it might be more fun to mention it here.
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new cars is what I've always heard in reference to as well.But with all the "bells and whistles the new trains have, it does have a new meaning.
I believe the phrase "All the Bells and Whistles" originated in the 1920's during the silent movie era. Most theatres had pipe organs specially equipped to accompany the silent movies. They contained many sound effects, such as train whistles, car horns, fire bells and door bells. These effects were in addition to the tuned percussions such as glockenspeils, xylophones and marimbas and various non-tuned drums. They were literally a One Man Band. When compared to typical church organs, theatre organs were said to have all the bells and whistles.
The application of the phrase to modern model trains is appropriate, however.
Tom
From a few books and films I've seen on steam railroading, the phrase came from farmers complaining about the noises steam locos made and how it scared the animals on the farm.
It became farmers complaining about the trains with all their bells and whistles scaring horses, cows, etc.
At least, that's what I always knew it from.
Silent movies makes sense. So does the reference to real trains scaring livestock.
With the toy trains, I was referring to old pre/post war trains with air whistles in billboards, depots or tenders. and the track side warning bells and loco/tender mounted ringing bells. A big floor layout with all the bells and whistles and the click-itty-clack of tin wheels on tin track must have a sight to behold and a sound to cover your ears for!
handyandy posted:Silent movies makes sense. So does the reference to real trains scaring livestock.
With the toy trains, I was referring to old pre/post war trains with air whistles in billboards, depots or tenders. and the track side warning bells and loco/tender mounted ringing bells. A big floor layout with all the bells and whistles and the click-itty-clack of tin wheels on tin track must have a sight to behold and a sound to cover your ears for!
I agree! In fact, I'm hoping to have a small tinplate layout that has some of those accessories. There is a fellow in Germany who has a Youtube video, I'll try to link it below, where it has some of them. In fact, I love how he operates the layout!
At some point, I hope to find one of the mechanically operated trackside crossing bells which sounds a lot like a manual bicycle bell!
NOW THAT IS STUNNING TINPLATE! BRAVO!
Tinplate Art posted:NOW THAT IS STUNNING TINPLATE! BRAVO!
I have to send the guy a message via YouTube, because the tinplate videos he's posted have been incredible! Period trains, accessories and music, and it's exactly what I want to do! His operation in this video of the signals, semaphores and station sign is something I could do all day, everyday!
He definitely "knocked it out of the park"! Wonderful production!
Tinplate Art posted:He definitely "knocked it out of the park"! Wonderful production!
Not to hijack this thread, but I encourage you to look at the couple other videos he has on YouTube (I think his name on there is doctorludens). He has something I once had a shot at one and missed: a Bing Tabletop Railway set!!!!!
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