Available Now ... The Lionel Magazine 1930 - 1936
    and "on deck" ... Model Builder

    ... the Lionel Magazine Digital Archive!


Lionel L.L.C. has once again tapped Hybrid Systems Ltd., Inc. as an "Officially Licensed Partner" to develop and market the Lionel Magazine Digital Archive!!

Before Classic Toy Trains (founded 1987); before O Gauge Railroading (founded 1969); before Toy Trains (founded 1951); before The Model Railroader (founded 1934); and before Model Craftsman (founded 1933) there was only one magazine dedicated exclusively to the model railroading enthusiast: The Lionel Magazine! First published in 1930, The Lionel Magazine was the first substantial effort by any organization to reach a widescale audience of model railroaders.

We all know Lionel's ultimate objective was to sell trains. However, as we also know, merely setting up a loop of track and running trains in a circle will hold the interest of very few train hobbyists. Lionel needed an avenue other than their highly regarded catalogs to help encourage boys (and their fathers) to construct their dream layouts ... whether the layout wandered around the floor as did many Standard gauge set-ups of the 1930s or whether the layout was built on a permanent platform with mountains, rivers, elaborate scenery, and clever track plans as evidenced on many O gauge layouts of the late 1930s and 1940s. Larger, more complex, layouts meant more track and accessories and rolling stock and engines! Growing the hobby was (and still is) smart business. Lionel's magazine publications promoted the growth of the toy and model train hobby.

Lionel Magazine Digital Archive

Lionel published The Lionel Magazine for seven years and then changed the name and format. Model Builder continued another 13 years until 1949. While Lionel's publishing strategy and focus may have varied over the years, the primary purpose did not. This Lionel Magazine Digital Archive will allow you to enjoy the journey of our great hobby during the fascinating period of 1930 - 1949.

Like the Lionel Consumer Catalog Digital Archive, this Lionel Magazine Digital Archive is an authorized project using Lionel published material. The magazines will be meticulously scanned and developed into an easy to use CD-Rom consistent with other HSL digital archive products. Previous HSL digital archive products have received high acclaim by customers for their ease of use, clarity, cost, and support.


Lionel Magazine Digital Archive Volume 1: The Lionel Magazine 1930 - 1936

Introduced as a feature of the newly established Lionel Engineers Club in 1929, The Lionel Magazine is not as well
known among modern day train hobby enthusiasts as Model Builder. Part of the reason is due to the fact that it was published almost 80 years ago! Another reason is that The Lionel Magazine issues are not as easy to find as more recent publications. Lionel was "learning the ropes" of magazine publishing in the 1930s. Enough copies were printed to send to members/subscribers ... there were no "back issues" to be ordered as newer subscribers learned of the magazine. Finding issues from the first two years is quite a challenge. In fact, developing this archive required the use of multiple prominent collectors' issues. Finding a complete set of original magazines to purchase will take a stroke of luck and/or deep pockets!

If you are familiar with The Lionel Magazine you already know what a great publication it was! If you are more familiar with and enjoy Model Builder you will be fascinated with the content of The Lionel Magazine. For example:
  • layout building articles
  • real railroading articles
  • pictures of Lionel showroom layouts including the Standard Gauge 1930s layout
  • pictures of Lionel facilities including finished product inventory
  • fascinating article on the production of Lionel catalogs
  • contribution by Frank Ellison (this was surely among his first!)
  • mentions of famed toy train author, Louis Hertz
  • Lionel advertising and product introductions
  • great pictures of subscriber layouts
Have you had an opportunity to see these great The Lionel Magazine covers? Here are six to whet your appetite!



The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive contains the following features:
  • All The Lionel Magazine issues from 1930 - 1936 (a complete set of 37 issues!)
  • Bonus Section including the Lionel Engineers Club invitation and examples of a mailing envelope, recruiting forms, issues variations, club pin, imitation leather binder, and advertising
  • "The Lionel Magazine — A Pioneering Effort" introduction by noted Lionel historian, Bill Schmeelk
  • Every page of every issue
  • Searchable table of contents (search for articles and authors)
  • Easy navigation between issues and "regular features" — very easy to use!
  • Printable pages
  • HTML-based — works with your web browser
  • Compatible with Mac OS and MS-Windows
All of this in one concise, thorough, easy-to-use product!

The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive is a joint project between Bill Schmeelk and HSL.

The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive 1930 - 1936 Price: $50

Shipping and Handling: $5

Order Information: Click HERE to order.
HSL accepts checks, money orders, and credit cards. HSL is now accepting orders for immediate shipping!
Testimonials and User Comments: Click HERE to see what clients are saying about The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive!


Lionel Magazine Digital Archive Volume 2: Model Builder 1937 - 1942

More details to follow ...


Lionel Magazine Digital Archive Volume 3: Model Builder 1943 - 1949

More details to follow ...


HSL Digital Archive Software:
All HSL digital archive products are non-PDF-based products. PDF-based archives are fine for looking through a few individual documents but fall well short of a "user-friendly" solution. HSL digital archive products offer complete, application-specific software solutions that allow easy browsing of the many documents that are part of the archive. Be sure to check out the user comments of other HSL digital archive products (see below).
Testimonials and User Comments: If you are not familiar with HSL, click HERE for Lionel Consumer Catalog Digital Archive comments, click HERE for Toy Trains Digital Archive comments or click HERE for OGR Digital Archive comments to see what clients are saying about HSL digital archive products!


Dear Fellow Hobbyist,

I am excited to begin a new digital archive series with Lionel! This Lionel Magazine Digital Archive will be (at least initially) a three part series covering the years 1930 - 1949. Once again, my friend Bill Schmeelk will have a role in these projects. The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive is a joint project between Bill and HSL. This product was developed because of Bill's near-complete collection of The Lionel Magazine issues! Bill adds his insight and analysis in another wonderfully written introduction.

More details regarding the Model Builder portion will follow. I am currently working on the Lionel Consumer Catalog Digital Archive 1925 - 1942 and will resume this project when that release is complete. I expect to begin working on Model Builder by fall of 2009.

It has been my pleasure to make these digital archive products available to you. They are a great way to preserve important pieces of toy train history!

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your support.

John H. Holtmann, Jr.
TCA 06-59745, LCCA 27042
Train Hobby Digital Archive Product Author
HSL
800-779-2802
www.hslinc.com


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