History of Toy Trains V

The Highland Park Historical Society is hosting the fifth installment of its highly popular History of Toy Trains exhibit this Saturday, January 7, through Sunday, February 5, 2012.  The exhibit is open on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., at the Society’s Museum located at 326 Central Avenue, Highland Park, IL.  Admission is $5.00 per person and $12.00 per family.  Special group tours during the week are available upon request.

This year’s event, History of Toy Trains V, showcases American Flyer and Lionel Standard Gauge trains built between 1910 and 1935.  Standard Gauge trains were the largest models manufactured by American Flyer and Lionel.  A Standard Gauge Locomotive weighs nearly 26 pounds.  An engine with a set of metal passenger cars can measure over eight feet in length.  Because these trains were so large and built of all metal, the vast majority were melted down for their metal content for World War II.  The trains being featured are extremely rare examples seldom seen outside of museum exhibits or elite private toy train collections. 

Chicago was the home of American Flyer Trains, which were invented by William Coleman of River Forest, IL, and manufactured at the American Flyer Manufacturing Co. on Halsted Street, near China Town.  New York was home to Lionel Trains, founded by Joshua Lionel Cowan.  The two companies became bitter rivals, and for decades toy train enthusiasts have carried on a debate over which train is better. 

The History of Toy Trains V exhibit features over 100 standard gauge trains, passenger cars, freight cars, buildings, and accessories, as well as hundreds of hand painted lead figures of the era manufactured by Lionel, Barclay, Manoil, Britains, Johillco, and Lincoln Logs.  Visitors will experience an interactive display, which allows children of all ages to push buttons to activate operational cars and set off the trains’ traditional bells and whistles.  They also will enjoy entertaining presentations about toy trains and real railroads and antique toy train videos.

The History of Toy Trains is a wonderful family event and a must-see for train enthusiasts of all ages.  Most visitors spend over an hour enjoying this remarkable exhibit and sharing childhood memories with a whole new generation!  There also will be a raffle with several toy train prizes and a silent auction of beautifully framed rare historic prints of Highland Park’s Railroads.  Hot cocoa, coffee, and cookies are available to make the cold winter afternoons a little warmer. 

In addition to regular exhibit hours, the History of Toy Trains V offers special group tours for schools, scouts, seniors, and corporate outings.  To arrange a tour or for more information, call 847-432-7090, email hphistorical@sbcglobal.net, and visit www.highlandparkhistory.com on the Web.

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