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Lionel Nation, Part 3

Lionel Nation, Part 3
Item Number: NATION3
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 Detailed Description
The Lionel Nation Series spotlights outstanding toy train collections and layouts across America.

Las Vegas is our first stop, and Steve Garofalo's faithfully accurate reproduction of Lionel's 1957 Super O Showroom Layout. Steve's layout was so impressive that we decided what happens in Vegas can't stay in Vegas. So we filmed every detail and put together a segment for anyone who ever wished they had seen the most famous layout Lionel ever built. Thanks to Steve, that wish is granted.

Next stop is Dallas, Texas where we met Roger Farkash, the main man at T W Design. T W Design created the splendid Lionel Christmas displays at FAO Schwarz, Macy's, and Grand Central Terminal featured in Lionel Nation, Part 1. T W Design's latest layout is an incredible 36-trains-in-action display that Lionel takes to train shows. This segment might be your only chance to see a 21st Century Lionel layout that could become as legendary as the 1957 Lionel Showroom. We will also give you an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how this incredible new layout was made.

Portland, Oregon is the home of a great photographer, Fritz von Tagen. Fritz has built a new train room and a new T-rail layout, and like anything Fritz does, it is perfection. Get some fresh ideas about designing the train room of your dreams, and applaud Fritz on his exciting T-rail layout. We always learn something new from Fritz, and so will you.

Last stop… Lionel Trains. We cover Lionel's Postwar motorized units, Lionel's scale model of the Pioneer Zephyr, and you'll see the Postwar originals of Lionel's next wave Conventional Classics, plus a lot more.

Bonus – First look at Lionel’s new model of Grand Central Terminal.

Join us for an action-packed journey filled with Lionel trains. All Aboard!!
Cover photography by Fritz von Tagen

1 hour 15 min.



 Product ReviewsClick here to review this item
TM’s Lionel Nation 3 – Bob Bubeck 4/2/09
Whereas the center of gravity of Lionel Nation 2 was centered upon the latest in Modern Era high tech scale trains running under Legacy control in a scale detailed environment, Lionel Nation 3 places a special emphasis upon toy trains running on toy train layouts, albeit toy train layouts dressed to the nines. Newer scale detailed trains are represented, as well, but are usually shown running through very well-crafted abstract venues. First stop is a visit in Las Vegas to Mike Garolfalo’s interpretation of the famous Lionel Super “O” showroom layout of 1957. Some vintage footage of the ’57 layout introduces this segment. The spirit of the mid to late fifties is nicely captured right down to the elevated roadway and the large control booth, which along with the Super “O” track, were signature features of the original. Mike likes to use reissued accessories of modern construction as well as vintage versions and has deployed them extensively for lots of action. Trains from the late 50s and early 60s in period with the layout are featured. For example, desirable sets are shown in operation such as the 2545WS space and military set headed up by a 746LST N&W J. The next installment of Lionel Conventional Classics reissues are previewed using postwar originals. These include the 2185W NYC freight set, the corresponding 2343 AT&SF F-3s, the 2276W Budd RDC Commuter set with the non-powered 2550 and 400 Budd cars, and the No. 1593 UP diesel work train set pulled by the 613 UP SW-1. The third stop is at Fritz von Tagen’s multi-gauge T-rail and Standard gauge empire and collection in Portland, Oregon. Fritz runs prewar Lionel and Flyer and postwar Lionel on a beautifully executed tinplate-style layout. Buildings and accessories are all original and all metal in construction with the exception being a like new prewar composite board station that Schoenhut built for Lionel for a brief period in the 1920s. Prewar and postwar Lionel and American Flyer accessories manufactured up to 1949 are utilized collectively, providing an environment to operate trains from two eras comfortably. State sets and a 1930 390E Blue Comet strut their stuff. A treat is seeing the No. 749W work train set pulled by a very tough-to-find gunmetal gray 763E Hudson running on T-rail track. Fritz has and uses an extensive collection of original Lionel tools to repair and maintain the trains in his collection. Fritz, by the way, was the official photographer for Lionel from 1986 to 1993 and was responsible for the ‘look’ of the catalogs during the Richard Kughn period. The Lionel model of the Burlington Pioneer Zephyr assumes the role of the Buck Rogers train in Lionel Nation 3 that the Acela had in Lionel Nation 2. Clips of archival footage of the Budd-built Zephyr and shots of the restored train in Chicago are used to introduce this cutting edge train of the late Depression and its superb Lionel chrome-plated die-cast counterpart, just as modern footage served to introduce the Acela in Lionel Nation 2. An extensive portion of the video is devoted to TW Design of Dallas, Texas who originally produced striking stage scenery for the theater and has now carried over their admirable skills into layout design. TW built the fantastic new Lionel display first seen during last TCA Eastern Division meet at York, as well as display layouts for FAO Schwartz, Macy’s, and Grand Central Terminal. Roger Farkash of TW takes the viewer in detail from blue prints to a finished fabulous display booth layout capable of simultaneously running 36 trains. The scenery on the new display layout has a quality touch of realism amalgamated with a strong Art Deco treatment. Throughout, the video is interspaced with short RailScenes vignettes of Lionel New York Central equipment arriving and departing much as the Twentieth Century would have in days of old, spiced with views of the TW Design model of Grand Central Terminal that is to be offered in limited numbers as part of the new Vision Line. Video and sound on my advance copy are first rate, which is the norm for TM productions. Joe Stachler and Tom McComas did the videography. Tom and Jeff McComas, as well as Joe, provide narration with bits of humor along the way. As always, there are James Coffey’s catchy musical contributions. Some teasers about what will be included in Lionel Nation 4 are revealed at the end. In succession, numerous segments of this new video will both charm and impress the viewer. Definitely recommended. Bob Bubeck
 
lionel nation part 3
lionel trains are my favorite