

Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! A Photo History of an American Icon is a captivating tribute to one of America's most beloved and influential consumer brands. This beautifully designed, award-winning coffee-table book features 100 visually stunning and insightful photo essays, revealing how electric toy trains were woven into the fabric of American history, society, family life, and pop culture in the 20th century. Discover their cherished place in holiday traditions and family memories, from living room floors to department store displays, Hollywood films, and television screens.
Lionel trains connected generations through wonder, creativity, and play. Through seldom-seen vintage photography, historic advertisements, and insightful commentary, this book shares the story behind Lionel's significance, taking readers on a ride of joy, imagination, and the craftsmanship that made these innovative toys national treasures and essential parts of American childhood.
Award-winning Lionel train historian Roger Carp brings a historian's sharp eye, collector's insights, and a storyteller's warmth to this guide, sharing with readers the magic that made these vintage toy trains so popular and iconic. Whether you're a model train enthusiast, pop culture historian, or just someone longing to relive cherished childhood moments, this book offers something truly special.
Readers will enjoy:
This heartfelt and nostalgic visual history of Lionel trains is a must-have. Secure your copy today for yourself, a loved one, or anyone who cherishes Americana culture, classic photographs, and the golden age of toy trains.
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Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains!
Numerous Awards
About the Author
Roger Carp has been fascinated by Lionel trains and the people who created them since he received a small steam engine and some freight cars as a youngster in 1956. His interest directed him, after earning a Ph.D. in American history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to Classic Toy Trains magazine, where he has served for 20 years as senior editor.
Roger has written or edited more than 20 books and special-interest publications about Lionel—its trains and accessories, its leaders and workers, its showrooms and displays, and its legacy. Among them are The World’s Greatest Toy Train Maker (1998), Classic Lionel Display Layouts You Can Build (2000), The Art of Lionel Trains (2003), Authoritative Guide to Lionel’s Postwar Operating Cars (2005), Authoritative Guide to Lionel’s Promotional Outfits 1960–1969 (2007), Inside the Lionel Train’s Fun Factory (2008), Collectible Lionel Classics (2017), Lionel Trains of the 1950s (2019), and Lionel Trains of the 1940s (2022). He also oversees production of the annual edition of Greenberg’s Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains.
A native of Los Angeles, Roger lives near Milwaukee with his wife and Lionel trains.
Hard Cover, 224 Pages, 11" x 8.5", Full Color, 220+ Photos & Images.
ISBN: 978-1-933600-07-9
What a treasure trove of information and pictures. The book is so amazing I am sure it will be an outstanding source of information for years to come. Future generations will treasure this book because it shares with them the experiences we had enjoying our trains.
I just received my new limited edition book, (Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! A Photo History Of An American Icon) This is another wonderful book published by Project Roar Publishing. This is a well made book of the highest quality. The photos throughout the book are fantastic! I have just started to read the book and the information in the book is just amazing! Thank You John Schmid and Roger Carp
This is my third book from Project Roar and like their other titles it is amazing. Roger Carp has taken a unique approach to explain the history and cultural significance of Lionel Trains through the examination of photographs. Photos have been taken from both within the Lionel Corportation and from individuals who received or admired these magnificent electric trains. This is a welcome addition to any Lionel or photography enthusiast.
An amazing amount of information & pictures for every Lionel enthusiast. It is a beautiful, hard-cover book that you will read over & over.
I pre-ordered this book at the TCA York train show, and my copy just arrived. Roger Carp did a great job telling fascinating stories through pictures and providing the story behind each image. The pictures are awesome! A must have book.