Mr. Lionel ( J.L.C.) was a BIG fan of the NYC and modeled most of his famous toy train franchise after what he saw in the big Apple. Suburban railroads grew out of the NYC system. The "El" .. Penn Station and connecting everyone as large "people movers" was the name-of-the game in the Golden years of the 20th Century. New York was the financial capitol of the world and the rails prospered. I still love the images of NYC .. the market is UP and the subway is down. Your model road is the envy of so many. Thanks for posting. And you are truly an interesting citizen.
Best darned World Series ever.. 1961 Cincinnati Reds vs. New York Yankees. I went to one game at Crosley Field / Cincinnati. Yes. I was 7 years old.
Many of the classic Lionel accessories, like the 313 Bascule Bridge, were modeled after prototypes found in the industrial areas in northern New Jersey.
BTW, I was 7 years old during the 61 World Series too. Didn't make it to a World Series game until 1976 when we lost to the Big Red Machine. Been to many since, however!