Skip to main content

The scene that is shown in the opening credits was done on a modified Dealer Display Layout, but as part of the "modification" they sent the elevated track up and over some lower tracks forcing them to cut a trestle in half and add  an additional support that you can see coming in from the right. They were also unable to properly support the track joint directly before the half trestle, as it was directly over the lower track, which causes considerable sag when the Berkshire passes over. This is really noticeable after the locomotive passes and the track springs back up. 

 

 

WWOT

 

Does anyone remember from previous discussions which dealer display layout they modified? 

Attachments

Images (1)
  • WWOT
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Hi Skip!  The modification was done on the D-165, 8X8 from 1956.  They also used the D-164 (5X9 from the same year, albeit without the overhead trestle) in the opening and closing credits (the berk coming out the double tunnel with the moving dolly shot - BTW it was done with an OVERHEAD dolly on a rack).  Yes, the modified trestle is rather "kluged", and the grade that the berk has to negotiate is much steeper than that provided by a standard trestle set.  I suppose they felt that the climb out of the tunnel made for more drama as well as a good advertisement for Magne-Traction!

That's an interesting question CW. They appear to be one of the few theatrical companies that doesn't have a lot of information readily available on the World Wide Web. That's pretty amazing in itself considering it's high international acclaim and a near 30 year run of performances.
 
Originally Posted by C W Burfle:

I've been curious about the Suzari puppets. Anybody familiar with the company history?

 

Hi Skip

There was an article in either May or June 1957 RMC (with some great photos) showing the making of Lionel TV commercials

Looks like the beginning shots from Wonderful World of Trains---modified O ga. dealer display layouts

Lots of crazy camera stuff etc.---736 with frt. cars---all appear to be 1956ish

 

 

Also

Unrelated to Wonderful World of Trains

Another article appeared in RMC around !961/62

Showed the filming of Lionel Trains for another commercial

Great shot of a 2359 B&M GP-9 pulling military cars and a 2383 SF passenger set on Super O track

I'll check my back issues and get the exact months

Thx

 

Joe S  

 

Skip

Some of those late 50's / early 60's RMC had Lionel "stuff' in them

Always a report from toy fair---often a photo of something Lionel

One issue had a report of the new Lionel General set---I think toy fair 59---nice photo of the General set running on a Super O dealer layout

 

The Oct 59 issue has a story about Lionel Trains in the Soviet Union

Great photo of a D-265 Super O dealer display---Lionel rep is running the trains (2383 SF set and looks like a 646 set) for the mesmerized Russian people

 

 

 

I'll bring them to York

Talk to soon

Joe 

Add Reply

Post
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×