Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory: The History of a Manufacturing Icon and The Place Where Childhood Dreams Were Made (Hardcover)

by Robert J. Osterhoff (Author), Roger Carp (Editor), John W. Schmid (Editor), George J. Schmid (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Review
The experts agree, Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory is a must read for every toy train and manufacturing enthusiast

"The toy train hobby will long be in debt to Bob Osterhoff for the outstanding research he has conducted and the many insights he has shared about Lionel, its development as a business and its growth as a manufacturer. Everyone who loves electric trains will gain immensely from reading this superb study." Roger Carp, Senior Editor Classic Toy Trains magazine and author of The World's Greatest Toy Train Maker: Insiders Remember Lionel

"Phenomenal! This never-before-seen research makes vivid how a brash Joshua Lionel Cowen created the Fun Factory of the world. Consider this Volume 2 of All Aboard! that every collector needs as much as a 700E." Ron Hollander, author of All Aboard! The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen & His Lionel Train Company

"Marvelous historical insight in what it takes to run a toy manufacturing company given all the challenges of wars, strikes, and corporate intrigue that Lionel's fun factories encountered over the years. Truly a masterful story of an American icon and a must read for history buffs." George J. Schmid, CEO Kiehl Engineering Co. (1972-2000)

"Bob Osterhoff, a meticulous and devoted researcher, has written the definitive book on Lionel factories. I strongly recommend the book for all students of Lionel history." Bruce C. Greenberg Ph.D., President Greenberg Publishing Company (1975-1991)

Lionel employees and executives from every era say Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory is the most accurate and enjoyable story of Lionel's many fun factories

"Bob Osterhoff has written an interesting and accurate history of the Lionel factories. I know, because I was there! Starting in 1917, as a young boy I spent many Sundays at Lionel's Newark shop with my father. During my Lionel career, I played a major role in planning and construction of the plant and in the installation of new processes and equipment to meet the growth in business. Bob has captured the excitement of that period." Tom Pagano, Assistant Superintendent Parts Production and Infrastructure Maintenance The Lionel Corporation (1935-1959)

"Growing up with a love for Lionel trains, it was my childhood dream come true to join The Lionel Corporation. This book recreates that dream with the most accurate and enjoyable portrayal of Lionel during my tenure at the company. Come see where childhood dreams were made." Bruce Parmett, Sales Manger The Lionel Corporation (1964-1966)

"This book finally tells the Lionel story the way it actually happened: the good, the bad and the ugly. I know because I was there for many years as an officer of the company." Robert Stein, Vice President The Lionel Corporation (1965-1982)

"Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory provides a wonderful journey into the history of a cherished brand accurately portrayed right up to present day." Michael Braga, Regional Sales Manager Lionel L.L.C. (1972-present)

--Reviews

Product Description
Do you like Lionel toy trains? Enjoy corporate history? Or just want to take a nostalgic journey back to your childhood?

Then Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory: The History of a Manufacturing Icon and The Place Where Childhood Dreams Were Made is for you delivering a fascinating trip through the rise, fall and rise again of Lionel, one of the manufacturing and pop icons in modern American life. The impeccable research by Lionel historian Robert J. Osterhoff, along with hundreds of unpublished photos and images, tells the history of Lionel's trains, factories, employees and business practices from the late 19th century until today.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Project Roar Publishing; 1st edition (November 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933600055
• ISBN-13: 978-1933600055
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #383,514 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 'Can't put it down' type of book, November 21, 2008

By	D. Cziraky (Bethlehem, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is the kind of book you can not put down. The more you read - the more you will want to read. There is so much detail, facts and photographs from 'behind the lines' of the Lionel production factory that up to now was not readily available. Unless you were an employee or knew an employee during the classic era of Lionel production, it would be difficult to obtain this information. It takes the hobby of collecting Lionel trains to a new level because now, as when John Schmid's 'Authoritative Guide to Lionel Promotional Outfits' was released, it expands the knowledge base of seasoned and novice collectors alike. A must have to add to your Lionel reference collection or would make a great gift. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For a collector or aficionado, marvelous. For the ordinary reader, a bit sluggish., May 27, 2009

By	Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

I made a mistake in picking this up. From the cover and title, I thought it would be about the Lionel trains I and so many other kids grew up.

Not remotely.

This is a book for Lionel hobbyists and aficionados, people who dote on every detail of Lionel's history. It is a biography of the company, a detailed exposition of the Lionel manufacturing process, its buildings and people. It is predicated on an early ad for the company featuring founder Joshua Lionel Cowen inviting boys (back then, the target market for toy electric trains) to join him on a "trip thru my factory" so they could learn "why Lionel trains are better".

Author Robert Osterhoff is a retired Xerox executive. He is a mediocre writer, with s ponderous style - but a superb researcher. The amount of detail contained in this book is nothing short of astounding. Reproductions for old city platbooks show where the factories were located; copies of incorporation forms; reproductions of stock certificates reflect the growth and decline of the company. Catalog covers are reproduced, but alas, not the products within their covers. There are dozens of photographs of factory buildings occupied by Lionel during its histories, including many of the facilities as they exist today, abandoned or being used by others.

Above all, this is a history of the origins of Lionel, its rise to dominance in toy trains and its rather sad decline, something many of the boys who played with Lionel trains paid no attention to. Reading about it decades after I last played with a Lionel train is sad. Lionel became a victim of the "conglomerate" craze of the 1950s - 60s when entrepreneurs used buckets of borrowed money to create hodgepodges of unrelated companies that were supposed to create profits through "synergy". A lot of money was lost and many fine old companies went down the tubes.

Through his rather dense prose and abundant illustrations, Osterhoff does tell the story of Lionel trains. While this volume is clearly aimed at the Lionel enthusiast, the casual reader may find it interesting as well - but the hobbyist will gain the greatest benefit from this book.

Jerry

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very through, a great read, November 3, 2008

By	Chris Bojanower (West Haven, UT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is the most complete book you will ever find about Lionel's factories and the people that worked in them. It's an incredible book and very through. Every Lionel fan needs this book