The Lionel Magazine 1930 - 1936,
      Model Builder 1937 - 1949, and the
        Lionel Railroader Club 1976 - 2006

    ... the Lionel Magazine Digital Archive!
Lionel Railroader Club Digital Archive Update (2011/09/27):
The Lionel Railroader Club Digital Archive is now complete! Product is ready for immediate shipment!

Please scroll down to the bottom of this page for full details on HSL's newest Lionel digital archive product!



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.

After Model Builder, Lionel did not produce a regularly published magazine or newsletter for hobbyists until 1976. In 1976 Lionel began the Lionel Railroaders Club (LRRC). One of the features of the LRRC was the publication of the Keep on Trackin'/Inside Track newsletter/magazine. The Lionel Railroader Club Digital Archive 1976 - 2006 continues the Lionel Magazine Archive up to the present time!

Like the Lionel Consumer Catalog Digital Archive, this Lionel Magazine Digital Archive is an authorized project using Lionel published material. The magazines have been 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: Sorry ... as of 9/30/2014 this product is no longer available.
HSL accepts checks, money orders, credit cards, and payments through PayPal. 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 - 1943


In 1936 Lionel announce a new name for The Lionel Magazine: The Model Engineer. The new name lasted all of one issue! At the time, and unbeknownst to Lionel, there was a British publication of the same name. When informed of this potential conflict, Lionel changed the name to The Model Builder. While Lionel was setting a slightly different course for The Model Builder, it is readily apparent that the roots of the new publication were clearly planted with The Lionel Magazine: article series continued from one publication to the next; promotional efforts were similar; reader input was highly sought by both publications, etc. There were notable differences as outside advertising appeared and other modeling interests (i.e. aircrafts) were discussed. However, the central focus remained ... Lionel trains!

Model Builder (the "The" in The Model Builder was dropped after eight issues) ran for 80 issues from 1937 - 1949. It started out being published six times a year and varied throughout its relatively short life. In response to requests that train hobby magazine companies still hear today (!), the annual issue count was eventually increased to eight (although World War II forced Lionel to scale back in 1943). As luck would have it, the series is evenly divided between the first seven years and last six years at 40 issues each -- providing a nice break point for the Lionel Magazine Archive series.

The entire Model Builder series is loaded with great material! For example:
  • layout building articles
  • real railroading articles
  • pictures of Lionel showroom layouts
  • dozens of Frank Ellison articles
  • articles and drawings by Robert Sherman
  • Lionel advertising and product introductions
  • great pictures of subscriber layouts
The Model Builder Digital Archive 1937 - 1943 contains the following features:
  • All Model Builder magazine issues from 1937 - 1943 (a complete set of 40 issues!)
  • the shortest lived publication of all time (no doubt tied with many others!): The Model Engineer
  • Bonus Section including the entire 192 page "HANDBOOK for MODEL BUILDERS" book that was offered as a subscription premium. Scans of four variations of the book cover are also included.
  • "History of Lionel's Magazines for Modelers — The Lionel Magazine and The Model Builder" introduction by Classic Toy Trains Senior Editor Roger Carp
  • 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 Model Builder Digital Archive 1937 - 1943 Price: $50

Shipping and Handling: $5

Order Information: Sorry ... as of 9/30/2014 this product is no longer available.
HSL accepts checks, money orders, credit cards, and payments through PayPal. HSL is now accepting orders for immediate shipment!
Testimonials and User Comments: Click HERE to see what clients are saying about The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive!


Lionel Magazine Digital Archive Volume 3: Model Builder 1944 - 1949


The Model Builder Digital Archive 1944 - 1949 contains the following features:
  • All Model Builder magazine issues from 1944 - 1949 (a complete set of 40 issues!)
  • Bonus Section including Lionel advertising and Model Builder subscription promotions
  • "Model Builder — A Continuation of Lionel's 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 Model Builder Digital Archive 1944 - 1949 Price: $50

Shipping and Handling: $5

Order Information: Sorry ... as of 9/30/2014 this product is no longer available.
HSL accepts checks, money orders, credit cards, and payments through PayPal. HSL is now accepting orders for immediate shipment!
Testimonials and User Comments: Click HERE to see what clients are saying about The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive!


Lionel Magazine Digital Archive Volume 4: Lionel Railroader Club 1976 - 2006


In the 1960s and 1970s, before the Internet and before the wide-spread availability of model railroading publications that catered to the needs of O gauge enthusiasts, hobbyists had to wait for the annual or semi-annual Lionel catalog offerings to learn about new products. The catalogs were great for announcing new and upcoming products. They were not, however, the best avenue for Lionel to convey non-product related information that would help foster growth in the hobby. Similarly, before the days of forums, Facebook, and other social media, hobbyists had few opportunities to share information.

So in 1976, Lionel announced the Lionel Railroader Club (LRRC). Taking advantage of a Lionel promotional campaign featuring Johnny Cash, Lionel invited Johnny Cash to become "Club Member Number One". The official club publication was entitled, Keep On Trackin'. The first Keep On Trackin' newsletter was published in 1976. Merely four pages in length, the two-color newsletter described the club's goals, announced Johnny Cash as Club Member Number One, and provided a mix of short stories about Lionel, model railroading, real railroading, hobby ideas, etc. Over time, well-know train and train hobby authors began contributing articles. The name of the publication was eventually changed to Inside Track.

In the mid-1990s, Lionel made a concerted effort to improve the Inside Track publication upgrading it to a 4-color glossy publication. The number of pages increased (usually around 16 pages) and the articles were much more in-depth. Feature articles often discussed the historical aspect of new Lionel products. That general format carries through to the present time. There have been numerous letters, interviews and articles about Lionel presidents Richard Kughn, Gary Moreau, Richard Maddox, and current President and CEO, Jerry Calabrese. Stories have featured one of Lionel's most creative minds, Neil Young, customer service representatives, computer technicians, and many others in various corporate functions. All in an effort to show what Lionel is really all about.

The Lionel Railroader Club Digital Archive 1976 - 2006 contains the following features:
  • All Keep On Trackin' / Inside Track magazine issues from 1976 - 2006 (a complete set of 115 issues!)
  • All Kids Station issues from 1997 - 1999 (a complete set of 6 issues!)
  • Images of all LRRC club buttons!
  • Bonus Section including LRRC applications, correspondence, stationary, membership cards, badges and much more!
  • "Lionel Railroader Club — A Two-Way Conduit" introduction
  • 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 Railroader Club Digital Archive 1976 - 2006 Price: $35

Shipping and Handling: $5

Order Information: Sorry ... as of 9/30/2014 this product is no longer available.
HSL accepts checks, money orders, credit cards, and payments through PayPal. HSL is now accepting orders for immediate shipment!
Testimonials and User Comments: Click HERE to see what clients are saying about The Lionel Magazine Digital Archive!


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 conclude this Lionel Magazine Archive series with the Lionel Railroader Club Digital Archive 1976 - 2006. This Lionel Magazine Digital Archive consists of four parts covering the years 1930 - 1949 and 1976 - 2006. Once again, my friend Bill Schmeelk helped immensely with 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.

I am honored and excited to have Roger Carp, Senior Editor, Classic Toy Trains, as a contributor to the Model Builder Digital Archive. Roger has provided, in my opinion, the most complete history of Model Builder ever written. You can read Roger's wonderful piece in the 1937 - 1943 volume. Bill Schmeelk once again provides his insight in the introduction for the 1944 - 1949 release.

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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