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Toy Trains Digital Archive Comments |
The reviews are starting to come in! See what your fellow toy train enthusiasts have to say about the Toy Trains Digital Archive:
Nice! Once I got the hang of working the disk it was hard to stop. It was like stepping back in time 50 years and I have no idea where the time went! Being able to go from issue to issue to find specific articles is great.
Hal Carstens, President, Carstens Publications
I can't say enough about how excited I am about what John has done. I believe that once people have seen some of the articles, there will be lots of new discussions. It was an era where scratch-building was key. The Frank Ellison articles are super. The pictures are great. One can see how the "early" HiRailers made do.
When the magazine folded in 1954 Railroad Model Craftsman had a "Toy Trains" segment for a few years. I have never seen them and look forward to them.
This is a piece of history that has been saved and now made readily available. Thank you, John!!! I hope Model Builder will be next!!!
Peter Condro, Virginia, TCA 83-19115
(as posted on the OGR Forum, 3/1/2007)
This is certainly a wonderful look back at another time and brings back many memories. I'm so glad you tackled it. I really can't thank you enough. You did an excellent job!
Dennis Brennan, Missouri
Brennan's Model Railroading Products
John GREAT JOB...I just got home and it was on the front porch. Guys, it is better than we thought. Brought back great memories, it was interesting to see the ads in the back of the old magazines. $2.49 for a boxcar!! Also, the old layouts that were drawn back then and will still work today.
John, I hope you do more Archives on more magazines and books.
Guys, if you have not ordered yours yet, you are sure missing out. I just wanted to get on here to let everyone know how great these Archives are. I will take my time tonight and enjoy some of the old times when I was 7, 8 years old with a mind full of dreams. The only difference now is I am 60 and still have the same dreams.
John, thanks again for all of your time that you put into this project.
Roger Wasson, Springfield, MO (home of the FRISCO!), TCA 03-55572
(as posted on the OGR Forum, 3/23/2007)
If you like history and artistry of the O gauge pioneers like Frank Ellison, this is a great product to learn from. It's amazing how realistic some of those structures were placed in the context of the 1940's and 50's. A very worthwhile CD-Rom. Good work, John.
David Gauss, Michigan, TCA 04-58002
(as posted on the OGR Forum, 3/27/2007)
One word, AWESOME! Thanks soooo much. This has made one old man very happy!
I am still plowing through it and really enjoying the trip. I really like how I can go from issue to issue looking at the same subject whether it be the cut-outs or the covers. This is a wonderful piece of work at any price.
Neil MacDonald, Maine
The CD arrived on Friday and I've spent a couple pleasant hours browsing -- lots of fun and all new (TT stopped publishing before I received my first AF set at Xmas 1954). The page images are excellent and very readable on my 17" Dell trinitron CRT monitor. The color covers are exceptional!
Overall, I'm really impressed and consider it money well spent. Please keep me posted if you decide to produce further archives like this.
Thanks for making all these great old magazines available again!
James Sutherland, New York
John, received the CD the end of last week and am very impressed. The scans done for this project are crystal clear, images look crisp on the monitor. At one time or the other I have had all these original magazines but storage was always a problem. Having all the information on one easy to use disc is great. I truly believe I will enjoy looking at these magazines much more now than I ever did when I had the originals. Thanks!
Michael Morgan, California
I received the Toy Trains Digital Archive CD today and ran it through its paces. The WOW factor is definitely there; thanks to all who contributed to this wonderful compilation.
V/R, Mike (mm00047), Ohio
(as posted on the OGR Forum, 4/20/2007)
I have the digital archive. Worth every penny. An excellent job, well done!
Mike Donahue, Minnesota
(as posted on the OGR Forum, 4/20/2007)
Hi John,
I just wanted to let you know that your "Toy Trains Digital Archive" is better than I ever anticipated it could be. Since there is a tremendous amount of information on the disc, I have only begun to review it but the clarity of the images is superb. It is really easy to find ones way around the disc and this is the opinion of one who has difficulty even finding the DVD drawer on the computer. I'm not sure if this is a plus but I seem to recall some of the articles and most certainly the author's names are very familiar.
Your effort has brought a great deal of enjoyment to me and has rekindled many wonderful memories. If you should feel the need to follow-up on this success, may I suggest Bantam Book's "Model Railroading" which was prepared by the Editorial staff of the Lionel Corporation. My copy, the Fifth Edition (1958) is starting to show its age. Best regards.
Bob Lodding, New York
John,
The time I have spent with the Toy Trains Digital Archive has been very enjoyable. I still consider myself "techno-challenged" and I find the Archives very easy to navigate. I can "read" it like an old magazine or easily locate topics and areas of interest. I also find the reproduction very clear and easy to read. Great at my age and with glasses!
This is a great product and I will recommend it to all of my train friends. I was trying to collect all of the old issues of Toy Trains magazine as I remember reading the magazine as a child, but I now have all of the issues as well as the RMC articles with easy access. My wife will appreciate my lack of further additions to all my toy trains and paper!
Thanks again for a great product.
Ray Moulis, Wisconsin
Just received this from John H. today. Really, really, nice. The ability to page through these and the search feature really make this a fun disc. Scans are first rate and I've just begun to scratch the surface here as there's a lot to read and go through. Kudos to John H. for producing this. For 35 bucks it's a wonderful toy train resource. Oh, one more thing. He even included the ads and I had forgotten to ask him about that. Love looking at old Lionel and Flyer ads.
Mike Sacco, New York
(as posted on both the OGR Forum and CTT Forum, 4/30/2007)
John,
I had some more time last evening to look at the Archive CD-ROM. It's great! Your format, directories, and search work very well. And reading some of the articles and seeing that guys in the 50s face some of the same issues as today - $$, etc. It continues to point out that no matter how much the hobby changes, the more it stays the same. I am always pointing out to my non O Gauge friends how my pre war Lionel and my state of the art Lionel and MTH can run on the same track and transformers - even though manufactured a 100 years apart. And running a 1920s vintage engine on TMCC - a hoot! Keep up the great work. It is appreciated.
Thanks,
Harry Henderson, Ohio
Hi John,
When I got home last Wednesday evening (May 2), the Toy Trains Digital Archive was in my mailbox.
I had the chance over the weekend to spend some time with it and, as I anticipated, I'm finding it as easy and pleasant to use as the OGR Digital Archive--I have the complete set of those. It works great both on my Macintosh computer at home and on my PC here at work.
Like you, I'm too young to remember Toy Trains magazine first hand but I'm finding it interesting to read. It's especially fascinating to see all the articles on scratchbuilding structures and other scenery elements. The '50s were indeed a time when most model railroaders were do-it-yourselfers; not many out-of-the-box buildings and other layout items were available--especially in O gauge--so people made their own out of whatever was available. Although I was somewhat familiar with Frank Ellison and his Delta Lines, his series of articles for the magazine are quite an enlightening look at his use of two-dimensional prints of brick, wood and stone to simulate three-dimensional materials, as well as his thinking as he created details to add to his enormous O gauge layout, one of the most famous of his era.
As I'd mentioned in my earlier e-mail to you, the ease of use and cross-platform suitability of the Web-like interface make your digital archive projects all the more appealing to someone like me who uses both a Mac and a PC. It's a great way of presenting large amounts of material spread over many issues of a magazine. Access points and presentation are both excellent.
John, as a follow-up project, you should consider looking into creating a digital archive of a book from the '50s that I believe was simply called "Model Railroading." I have an old paperback copy that is entirely unbound at this point, the spine's glue all dried out. It was printed in a small format but was quite thick, with many pages (kind of like a paperback dictionary), and it included a section of layout designs. I remember using the book all the time when I was a kid in the mid-'60s working with my father on my first Lionel layout. It has all kinds of information on fabricating structures, then-state-of-the-art scenery techniques, operating tips--pretty much anything a Lionel enthusiast would need or want when building or running O gauge trains. I recall a reprint being produced 15 or 20 years ago (which I unfortunately didn't buy), perhaps published by Kalmbach. Maybe you could work a deal with them for a digital version of the book; I think it would sell quite well.
Thanks again for a great product, John. I look forward to any future digital products from you and your company.
Chris Rutkowski, New York
I just received my copy of the Toy Train Magazine Digital Archive. Well my first impression is what a wonderful, easy to use, reference piece! I'm really enjoying the great articles. These articles were written before we had the wonderful resources we have today. The very first issue has some great structures complete with all the measurements. That one issue combined with the really cool Model Builder software should keep any modeler busy for a long time and there's still lots more issues to review! I'm lovin' it! Give it a try you will NOT be disappointed!
ChiloquinRuss, Oregon
(as posted on the OGR Forum, 5/7/2007)
Hi John,
I received my copy on Thursday. I've only looked through the first couple of issues, but I'm very impressed. I knew the content would be great, but the speed of access and general ease of use is great also. I've never been a fan of digital magazines before, but your software is excellent and has won me over. Thanks for providing this service. Model Builder magazine or the Lionel catalogs might be good future projects.
I'm going to have to look through my back issues of OGR and see which of your Digital Archive discs I'll need to fill in the blanks first, eventually going all digital.
Thanks for a great product.
Jim Policastro, New York
Dear John,
I only had a chance to briefly view a few issues so far, but was very impressed on the fine work your group did.
NOW! When will we see all 80 issues of Lionel's "Model Builder" archived? It took me three years of bidding on eBay to get my complete 80 issue set of Lionel's "Model Builder" magazine (to obtain all the rest of the copies beside those that my father got for me in the '30s and '40s). You may rest assured I will be the first to purchase your cd/dvd set when available. This will help me keep my paper set pristine.
Looking forward to more of your good work ...
Julius Horvath, Florida
Bill Schmeelk, long-time contributor to the LCCA's "The Lion Roars" publication and author of the "Lionel News and Views" column, reviews the Toy Trains Digital Archive in the June, 2007 issue (pages 26 - 27). The following paragraph is an excerpt of his review:Although published about 55 years ago, there is much to be gleaned from these issues. The pages include some great photos. This product is more than mere digital scans of each page of the magazine. John has also made navigating through the issues especially easy. A navigation menu allows you to jump from a regular feature of the magazine to the same feature in each issue or to jump to a specific page. Be sure to check out the "Story Without Words" feature in each issue as it quite often includes two-page-spread photos of the Lionel showroom layout. Although only one of these is labeled as the Lionel showroom, you won't have any trouble recognizing them as the famous early-50s layout. John has also included specially combined two-page-spread photos of the Lionel layout, allowing you to view the two pages together.Be sure to read Bill's entire review! If you are not familiar with the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA), please check out their web-site at www.lionelcollectors.org . The high-quality "The Lion Roars" publication (which is published five times a year) is one of the many benefits of being an LCCA member.
John,
WOW! Fantastic! It takes me back 50 years. These articles are still very relevant today. And, I'm only on the 3rd Issue of Volume 1! Frank Ellison's How-to articles should be compiled into a booklet and put up for sale. The same goes for all the many Layout Displays. These Digital Archives should be at the National NMRA and TCA Conventions for all to see. They should also be at the TCA Show in York, PA in April and October. Anyone seeing these covers will be thrown back into the last century. Plaudits to you sir for an outstanding presentation. And, the icing on the cake was the Forward by Mr. Carstens.
I'm overjoyed! Every Railroader worth his/her coal-dust should have a copy! It is my intention to purchase the OGR Archive as well.
Mel Venable, Maryland, TCA 92-34968
John,
The CD-ROM is great! It brings back many memories of the magazine I used to enjoy growing up! Very easy to navigate the CD-ROM. The articles are timeless.
Thanks again.
Milt Hilbrecht, Minnesota
Hello John,
The CD-ROM is excellent quality and the covers look so real, a bit spooky. I remember seeing "Toy Trains" when it was in the stores and have at least a copy of one issue. Too bad it could not have lasted longer.
The other great thing about the quality is that the pictures look like they are on new paper as published (scanning is wonderful but can be tedious) rather than the yellowish tinge that one finds in most old magazines. I have gone through a couple of issues already - page by page! The way the CD-ROM is setup, with access to searching just about anything one could want, is excellent. The intro is also very interesting - the dedication of individuals to carry out their dreams - to publish a magazine - to create an archive - great stuff!
Archiving is fantastic on the one hand, but also a bit sad, in that it is tempting to offload the printed version for the convenience of electronic media. On the other hand, it is great for the current generation to see and also for the rest of us to have access to all of the published material.
The package arrived in Saturday's mail - fantastic turn around.
Regards,
Larry Wangerin, Massachussets
Hi John,
I received the Toy Trains Digital Archive this morning. I started looking through the disk and find it fantastic. I will probably build some of the cutouts by substituting modern materials ... milled basswood siding or styrene siding ... the same but 55 year update.
Model Builder (as another digital archive project) would be one heck of a piece of reference material.
Ed Samsen, California
Hi John,
Yes, the Toy Trains Digital Archive arrived on Saturday. I started to use it for a little while Saturday afternoon, and looked at some of the first year's issues. I think I am going to have lots of fun with this. I am glad I saw the article in the LCCA magazine.
I remember how disappointed I was when Toy Trains were being discontinued as a boy. They offered a choice of a replacement magazine, and I chose Trains as the replacement. Somehow, I knew Toy Trains would not last long in RMC. How right I was.
I will enjoy going over these issues, and want to spend time on the articles that were published back in the 50's.
Keep up the good work, and let me know what your next project is. I really like the production being on a CD. That is a neat way to supply the information.
Paul Pullen, Maryland
John,
You've done an excellent job on the archive! It is extremely functional and easy to use!
Thanks for your effort.
Ron Greenwood, Illinois
John,
I just got back to my home after a long business trip and some vacation.
I really enjoyed the Toy Trains CD. It is a high quality product. Hope to see more similar projects in the future. I have several of the OGR Archives.
Best regards,
Guy Daubert, Connecticut
One of my biggest disappointments, growing up, was the discontinuance of the 'original' "Toy Trains" magazine. I am another one who is happy to see it being archived on another form of media, for all the 'newbies' to read all the articles which are as timeless now as they were then, and for us O.F.'s, a chance to 'remember when...'.
I have always been of the opinion that *every* magazine, book, or periodical, is 'new' until you've read it.
Someone once said, "There is nothing new, only history forgotten."
John, Thank You! for making the reoccurance of "Toy Trains" possible, and Thank You! Hal, & Carstens Publications, for allowing it to happen.
My order will be in the mail soon.
...
John,
I just wanted to belatedly let you know that I was first in line Friday morning at the Carstens booth at the NMRA National Train Show in Detroit July 27 - 29th, 2007, to purchase the "Toy Trains Digital Archive" CD. Guess I wanted to make sure I got a copy, (I checked w/them to see if they had it Thursday afternoon). (I was in town & at the NTS working the Glancy Trains Modular Group's (Fastrack) setup.)
Again, a big old THANK YOU to all responsible for "TTDA",
and, repeat, a big old THANK YOU to all responsible for the OGR Digital Archives.
Both publication houses have made, IMO, a priceless contribution to the O Scale modelling community, (& us 3-railers in particular), by the archiving of back issues, most of which are 'out-of-print'.
Myron R. Moore
(as posted on the OGR Forum, 3/1/2007 and 9/20/2007)
A wonderful project, well executed; the next best thing to a Time Machine!
Russell Jaffe, Washington
(as posted on eBay, 10/13/2007)
John,P.S. It was nice being reminded by the many examples that not everything on our layouts has to be out of the box or a kit in today's terms. I suspect I will find a number of really great projects and ideas from an earlier time.
Yes I received it. Everything worked well. Simple to use. What a great thing that these issues have been saved for many to enjoy. The only problem I had was once I opened it I couldn't leave it alone till I read 3 issues. I stayed up way too late!!!! I am very pleased with the work you have done. It was very much worth the price. I had no issues understanding how to maneuver thru the various issues. Thanks for your efforts to do this and best wishes on any future projects.
I will certainly recommend your product to any of my toy train pals. I certainly look forward to any of your future products. Best of luck on your next project.
A very satisfied customer,
Rex Appel, Indiana
Good morning, John!
In the process of assembling a complete collection of Classic Toy Trains, and all but 12 issues of O Scale/O Gauge Railroading, I managed to acquire 4 issues of Toy Trains. My attempts to find more were stymied by the non-readability of those I could afford, and the non-affordability of those I could read. When I saw your ad for the Toy Trains Digital Archive, I immediately added it to my Christmas list. My wonderful wife (Saint Judith, Patron of the Toy Train Obsessed) indulged me, as you know.
This morning, I had a chance to take the disk for a thorough test-drive. My (engineer's) hat is off to you! Since I bought myself the complete available set of OGR Digital Archives earlier this year, I more or less knew what to expect. Even so, this archive is above and beyond. My goal now is to spend blissfully uncounted hours building each one of Frank Ellison's structures, in the order in which they are featured. Your product will enable me to produce all the plans without damage to either an antique publication or my wallet.
Thank you, and Hal Carstens, for making this product available to those of us who have managed to keep at least one foot in our first childhood.
Regards,
Doug Wynne, Massachussets
Chief Gopher
Neponset Valley, New England & Elsewhere Rail Road (NVNE&ERR)
"The Never-Ever Route"
Hi John,
I got a chance to look at the Archive last night. It is very impressive. I own all but about 8 of the original issues of Toy Trains, and it sure is nice to be able to look at all of them without worrying about them crumbling. ... I look forward to printing some of the cut-outs and trying to assemble them. I have always wondered what it would be like to do that, but of course I would never have cut up an original one.
I think that anyone who is interested in the information in the run of Toy Trains will enjoy having all of it available in one place. I have a collector gene so I will continue to look for the missing copies on ebay, but my reading will be done through the archive. Thanks for assembling a great resource.
Good Luck,
Greg J. Turinetti, Wisconsin
I received my CD of the 'Toy Trains Digital Archive'. This turned out to be an awesome purchase. It has the complete series from 1951 - 1954 and the RMC sections (when 'Toy Trains' magazine was incorporated into 'Railroad Model Craftsman') from 1956-57. The best part is that any of the pages can be printed out if you like a particular article. This means all the cut-out buildings! These are the same ones I used on the Osan layout, but there are a lot more of them than I had available to me at the time and even includes the Circus Wagons and a set of tents for an Army bivouac. These buildings are perfect for that vintage look and if you print them out on glossy photo paper they should have that look of tin-litho. The cost is $35 which is great because my personal collection of 'Toy Trains' cost me nearly $400 and took many years to complete. The scans are neat and clean. ...
They also have every O Gauge Railroading (OGR) available as a digital archive and will soon be putting out an archive of the complete series of Postwar Lionel Catalogs.
Ed "ICE" Berg, Nevada
(as posted on the Marx Train and Tin Scale Scenery Forums, 12/28/2007)
John,
I received the CD in good condition, and when I had a few minutes, popped it into the computer to become familiar with the format (EZ as following one's nose). Then I read through the first issue and thought the content was very similiar to what I remember of the old, now defunct, Model Builder magazine published then by Lionel Corp. At the time (while in grade school), my family didn't have the ability to pay for such a useless thing as a magazine subscription, so I regularly went to the local library each month to fantasize over having a magnificent permanent layout. As I read through your digital reproduction of the first issue, I immediately regressed about 62 years from my current age of 72 to remember that multitude of library visits sitting for hours in a lonely corner reading through the fanatasy world of Model Builder. It felt very good. Thank you for making it happen.
Bob Wallace, Nevada
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your kind remarks in your e-mails and posts on public forums. Thank you also for your permission to use these e-mails on our web-site. Your comments and "word of mouth" referrals help spread the enthusiasm we all share for this great, old publication.
Sincerely,
John Holtmann
Toy Trains Digital Archive Product Author
