This 1950’s era film is presented by the Model Railroader Magazine. The Model Railroader Magazine is an American magazine about the hobby of model railroading that was founded in 1934 by Al C. Kalmbach. It features O-gauge model trains, layout tours, how-to projects, prototype information, track plans and more. It was a production of K&S Films. Model trains from Lionel Lines (and probably American Flyer as well) are featured prominently in this film, as well as Plasticville model buildings and accessories. This film explores why building model railroads is an excellent hobby. It briefly details the history of how model railroading came to be a hobby and goes into detail about why everyone can enjoy building model railroads.
The film begins with a quote from the Life of Sir William Osler (0:26). A train is seen moving along a railroad track (1:08), capturing the essence of rail travel. Various hobbies are shown including hunting and playing golf. The film shows someone adding the final touches to a model railroad (2:07), followed by zoomed-in shots of model trains, including ones branded with Will Ruth and NYC (2:53). Additional model trains are displayed, featuring a Virginian coal car (3:03). The film showcases the electrical control panel that powers the model train set (3:31), followed images of a woman using plaster of Paris to create scenery (4:00) and then a man assembling a locomotive (4:25) and a model roundhouse (4:53). The narrator explains the history of model trains (5:15) and an image of Christmas Day with a train under a decorated Christmas tree is shown, highlighting the emergence of scale model railroading (5:42). The therapeutic benefits of assembling sandpaper locomotive cars are mentioned as a patient in a hospital bed rehabs (6:35), along with how model railroading aids students (7:32-7:52). A university student is shown studying with a model railroad manual (8:16), and a New York Central train is seen in action (8:55). The film describes the materials used for the railroad models and shows an intricate set of switches (9:00-9:42). The narrator describes the difference between true “scale modeling” (where everything is made in proportion to real trains) versus tinplate toy trains. A New York Central locomotive and Lionel Lines (9:30) train are used to explain. The Ridge Hobby Shop is briefly shown (9:47), and at (10:41) a wide selection of magazines are shown including True, Look and of course, Model Railroader. A man named John is seen consulting a manual for gauge selection (11:51). Various model cars, representing real railroad cars, are displayed (12:00-12:43). At (13:22) various supplies are shown including paint and scale model trucks. The film showcases a planned model with a village, built as a template for a real system. At (13:40) reveals power packs, meters, a control board, and a throttle lever (14:27-15:18). A Monon lines diesel locomotive and train (15:24). At (15:50) an assembly line for model trains is shown, with trains being packaged and shipped on a conveyor belt. At (16:34) printing presses print out the Model Railroader magazine. followed by scenes of a hotel hosting a model railroad convention (17:14). The film concludes (20:47).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com
