NBC just aired a piece on "moving day" at the Whitehouse - as they panned around one of the offices in the White House - you could see a shelf that contained what looked like an O gauge Steam Locomotive and Tender - and below that a trolley and something else. Maybe Standard Gauge - - or just some other kind of model - but there it was!
It was brief - but would catch your eye.
EDIT: Screencap added
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Those look like circus wagons above the locomotive.
Who knows; maybe Barron will get into trains; he likes to build things.
Eisenhower had Marx in the Whitehouse, l understand... has anybody since then had trains?...L think there have been kids and grandkids....
President Reagan had a Standard Gauge Blue Comet from what I've heard from a fella who was part of his security at the WH...
I also heard from TrainWorld's Ken Bianco Sr. that Reagan's daughter got a reissue of the Lionel Girl's Train while he was still in office. Guess the Girl's Train had its female fans after all. 
Mikado 4501 posted:I also heard from TrainWorld's Ken Bianco Sr. that Reagan's daughter got a reissue of the Lionel Girl's Train while he was still in office. Guess the Girl's Train had its female fans after all.
Hmm - gotta wonder if was for a Grandkid or friend? Patti and Maureen might have been a little too old...
Mikado 4501 posted:I also heard from TrainWorld's Ken Bianco Sr. that Reagan's daughter got a reissue of the Lionel Girl's Train while he was still in office. Guess the Girl's Train had its female fans after all.
There is a Girls Train that was given to Nancy Reagan at the TCA Museum in Strasburg. 
colorado hirailer posted:Eisenhower had Marx in the Whitehouse, l understand... has anybody since then had trains?...L think there have been kids and grandkids....
Eisenhower had Marx trains in the Whitehouse! Wow, now I know why so many people liked Ike!
Eisenhower was presented with a model of the Lionel General.
Wow - thanks for those Reagan pix
Every Christmas the Train guys here in Omaha draw lots to see who goes to the Whitehouse to set up the 1/32 Train display. always UP themed. One of my friends builds the wind tunnel models for the Research dept. This is the club with all the trains at Luaritzen Gardens , Home of forgotten Big Boy 5024 and DDAX.
this was in one of the train mags a few years back...
Steamer posted:this was in one of the train mags a few years back...
If I'm not mistaken this photograph was taken while Ike was President of Columbia University.
Steamer posted:this was in one of the train mags a few years back...
[Photo of President Eisenhower with toy train layout]
I see a Marx water tower, but I only see Lionel elsewhere on the layout.
Balshis posted:Steamer posted:this was in one of the train mags a few years back...
[Photo of President Eisenhower with toy train layout]
I see a Marx water tower, but I only see Lionel elsewhere on the layout.
besides the water tank, i see a #419 lamp post, a #434 block signal and a Girard Station in this one view...
...all Marx accessories.
the water tank might also be a good indication as to the year. Marx didn't start making plastic parts until 1952-53 so if this was a Columbia University picture, it would have to be Christmas 1952 and i would think they would be too busy packing for the White House move to set up trains.
cheers...gary
overlandflyer posted:Balshis posted:Steamer posted:this was in one of the train mags a few years back...
[Photo of President Eisenhower with toy train layout]
I see a Marx water tower, but I only see Lionel elsewhere on the layout.
besides the water tank, i see a #419 lamp post, a #434 block signal and a Girard Station in this one view...
...all Marx accessories.the water tank might also be a good indication as to the year. Marx didn't start making plastic parts until 1952-53 so if this was a Columbia University picture, it would have to be Christmas 1952 and i would think they would be too busy packing for the White House move to set up trains.
cheers...gary
Eisenhower was elected in November 1952. His inauguration was January 1953 ( wreck of the Federal at Washington's Union Station bringing people to Ike's inaugural ) so this photo ( if taken in the Whitehouse ) would be 1953 OR taken somewhere else at another time in his life.
Gary
trumptrain posted:overlandflyer posted:...the water tank might also be a good indication as to the year. Marx didn't start making plastic parts until 1952-53 so if this was a Columbia University picture, it would have to be Christmas 1952 and i would think they would be too busy packing for the White House move to set up trains.
cheers...gary
Eisenhower was elected in November 1952. His inauguration was January 1953 ( wreck of the Federal at Washington's Union Station bringing people to Ike's inaugural ) so this photo ( if taken in the Whitehouse ) would be 1953 OR taken somewhere else at another time in his life.
my guess would be Christmas 1956 (in the White House) with Mary Eisenhower (their granddaughter, born 21 Dec 1955) in the chair next to Mamie. also not to nitpick, but US presidents do not get elected until the 1st Monday after the 2nd Wednesday in December when the Electoral College meets to vote.
cheers...gary
Was not inauguration still in June in 1952 (1953)?
The pic of Ike was taken when he was president elect. I don't remember where or when I saw it to go look it up, but I do remember seeing that pic before and I know the description said it was pre-inaguration. And the big trolley appears to be a Morton-Converse, which is the trolley Lionel bought and installed 2 7/8 gauge motors in.
The photo of Eisenhower was taken before he was inaugurated as President of the US. It was taken at his Columbia University residence in NYC. The child in the photo was, as I recollect, his grandson David Eisenhower.
I think I've still got this particular issue of CTT upstairs someplace and will dig around tomorrow to see if I can confirm the date.
Curt
Pennsylover posted:From what I heard on the news, my impression was that the images were of the oval office as arranged for President Obama. The furnishings will be revamped during a five-hour makeover transition for President Trump.
That's my take on it - the story was sort of a "walk around" the White House - but it was outgoing POTUS's stuff -right before the move.
Im sure some of this stuff is from the National Museums or National Archives...and goes back where it came from.]
Surely some of it was personal stuff...
But that piece caught my eye...
I have read that Louis Marx knew many of the WWll generals personally and THOUGHT l had read that the set pictured was given by Louis Marx to Ike. What l remember and what was written could be wrong . I hope progress of this thread brings out correction or documentation.
c.sam posted:President Reagan had a Standard Gauge Blue Comet from what I've heard from a fella who was part of his security at the WH...
Sam,
Was that Forum member "Pine Creek Dave"?
Bill
I cannot recall where I read this. It was most likely Classic toy trains in the late '80s. Reagan called the owner of Kalamazoo Trains and asked for a set of trains, as he had not received a train as a kid. The secretary at Kalamazoo, had a hard time convincing the owner that it really was the president on the phone.
Kalamazoo, a large scale manufacturer, went out of business and the tooling was purchased by Hartland locomotive works, for those not familiar with them.
David Johnston posted:Was not inauguration still in June in 1952 (1953)?
the 20th amendment, adopted in 1933 changed the inauguration date from 4 March to 20 Jan and Ike was the first new president elect to be affected by the change.
David Eisenhower was born in 1948 and that kid in the picture looks way too young to be 4-5 years old. as i said previously, it could be a Christmas 1952 picture when Ike was indeed president elect in December, but due to the plastic items in the scene, it could not have been any earlier.
IIRC, the caption for the pic said "the weight of the world would soon be on Ike's capable shoulders" so that would be before he took office.
Speaking of David Eisenhower, wasn't he the David on the Micky Mouse club ?
I can't really tell - but is the red loco below, at the "White House Christmas" a Canadian Pacific piece? If so, how could anyone be that tone deaf? "White House Christmas"...Canadian loco...y'know?
If it is not a CP loco, per Roseanne Roseannadanna: never mind.
That engine was probably chosen because it's red and white (traditional colors of the season)...
The area where the tree stands is called "The Pageant of Peace" or something like that. Hands across the border and all that? 
But it looks like the British Columbia locos I've seen.
Not the white house, but close geographically, today.........and I know we don't want to veer off into political discussions, but this is just funny....
Sam,
President Reagan's Train was a Standard Gauge original American Flyer, Silver Presidential Train, it ran around the base of the big Christmas Tree in the Foyer of the White House each and every year he was President, he personally helped set the big Silver Train up each year and test ran it himself, before anyone else was allowed to run it. The Big Silver Presidential American Flyer, was taken home to his Ranch in California, when he moved back home to California. His daughters trains were set up in the living quarters in the White house. My fondest hope is that Mike Reagan has the original Presidential Train in his home, and runs it at Christmas time, with his family.
One further word of historical note, the I love Trains Sign, held by the little boy would have gained that young man instant access, to run President Reagan's big Silver Train, around the Foyer Christmas Tree, with President Reagan. It happened more than once at the side Gate, during his time in office. The Childs parents would be served Santa Cookies and Coffee, as President Reagan entertained the youngster, as they both ran his big Silver Presidential Train. No pictures were ever permitted, to assure the childs safety.
PCRR/Dave
President Reagan on the Presidential Train US NO1, 1984, his favorite mode of transportation, with his trusted Agent close by, on the entry stair well landing. May God hold you in the Palm of his hands Mr President, your dream of another God Fearing Modern US President, similar to yourself, to carry on the Shinning City on the Hill, has come true.
The Real US NO1 - Presidential Train
Back in the 90's I went through the Eisenhower farm in Gettysburg and in front of his desk was a Lionel train given to him. When we visited the farm a year ago things had been moved around and the train was gone.
The trains that are around the National Christmas Tree I believe are set up and maintained by members of National Capital Tinplate Trackers I believe so one may chime in.
Great pix. Sort of interesting because IMO, Ike did more to kill trains than any other President. As a result of his experience in WWII, he wanted us to have the equivalent of Germany's Autobahn -- the interstate highway system. And you had to be able to land planes on it in the event of an emergency.
As a child, I remember traveling from Philly to Washington to visit relatives. Route 1 was the way to go, and it was from stoplight to stoplight. Through little towns which were traffic ticket mills and large cities like Wilmington and Baltimore. And that's the way that trucks went back then. So large businesses shipped by rail.
Gerry
REDBALL342,
Yes with the help of a couple other DC Train clubs, your statement is right on the money. That National Christmas Tree is outside and the guys do a great job with the Trains most every year.
PCRR/Dave
There's a model in the Trump White House. Now they just need a train.
What, me worry?
AEN,
Our new 1st Lady is one Smart Beautiful lady for sure, who by the way speaks 5 different languages. If some company is smart, they will send her son, a modern Tin Plate Silver Presidential Train for Christmas. Along with the DCS & Legacy systems to run it. The 1st Lady and President Trump have a 10 year old youngster, and IMO he should have a big Standard Gauge Silver Presidential Train, to run around the White House Foyer Christmas Tree, carrying on President Reagan's White House Tradition, of a Christmas Train, running around the Big Foyer Christmas Tree.
Further in the past Melania now Mrs Trump, as a little girl in her native home in Slovenia, dreamed of living in the White House, and having a baby, while she and her husband resided there. Child hood dreams have a way of coming true here in America. To say the least this lady usually gets what she most desires. However as she has indicated she is not 25 years old any longer.
PCRR/Dave
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