Rosewood Hobby_ 1950's-60's NJ Lionel Dealer

Thanks for the memories you brought back to me.

I visited Rosewood Hobby on a trip to NY with my dad on a train trip from Florence SC back in the late 1960’s I found a Southern ABA set used that I had wanted since 1954 when it was first sold.

I still have it along with my story of how I found it. It was a great train trip back home with the Lionel boxes on the seat next to me.

Leon

Bought a lot of Lionel Post-war items from Ed. Great source for repair parts back in the 70's. Was great to deal with. 

Joe

Years ago I bought a collection from a friend who was raised in Linden.   It's hard to make out in the photo but every box was rubber stamped with Rosewood's name and address.

Neat history.  Looks like fire or police participating in a parade. Wonder how many of those folks are still alive.  What business is in that shop now.

A beauty parlor.

https://www.realtor.com/reales...J_07036_M59408-49679

@G-Man24 posted:

Rosewood Hobby is long gone but this is where we brought my grandfather's 390E to get re-wheeled back in the 60's. By then the store was filled from front to back with post war trains and accessories and the 1930's engine was met with curiosity when we set it down on the service counter.  The store was located on Wood Ave. in "downtown" Linden about a block from the real train station that serves the Northeast Corridor.

1955-56 Lionel Catalog

I tried to Google some information and found this old photo from the Linden Historical Society. You can't see the storefront very well but check out the huge dealer sign at the top of the building. That sign had to be 25-30 ft long. Too bad nobody thought to save it , imagine what that would be worth today.

I think the hobby shop lasted until the 70's. Certainly it was gone by the 80's when I started working down the street at the Exxon refinery.

Anybody else remember Rosewood Hobby ?

Mmmm!

Buying trains with bakery aromas!

@CSXJOE posted:

A beauty parlor.

https://www.realtor.com/reales...J_07036_M59408-49679

I was close, I would have guessed a nail salon since the last time I was around there it seemed every other storefront was a nail salon. This photo from a few years ago shows there was a "Vape Shop" there. I guess the old adage applies here, "You can never go home again..."

Interestingly the facade of the buildings has remained basically unchanged in that first run of 4 or 5 stores.

For some entertainment I'll do a google earth search on addresses of old hobby shops from the service station listing of 1950's Lionel catalogs and see what they are now.

I lived in nearby Iselin (6 mi.) and in the early 60s would ride my bike from home to Rosewood.  Saved my allowance until I had the $5.95 for a new postwar freight car.  I would stand there endlessly, trying to make my mind up which one to buy!  I had started a few years before with the big GG1 freight set with Super O track and I would add a car here and there as money would permit.  I could kick myself over and over for later selling everything foolishly!!