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Come remember the Christmas past with a display of Lionel electric trains at the Journey Church (held in the Ruritan building at 144 Boring Chapel Rd in Boones Creek/Gray 1 mile north of Zak’s Furniture). One of our members is bringing his collection of these classics out for a weekend of enjoyment, hands on “engineers”, and celebrating the traditions of America’s remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago.
The original trains are from the golden age – 1940-1960 – and include classic models like the Santa Fe Super Chief, the Lackawanna, the Pennsylvania, the Union Pacific, and, of course, Lionel Lines. Also included will be a display of the company’s vintage catalogs from the same time period.
The display will be for two days, December 18-19, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Hot chocolate will served with any donation given to help the Youth Group mission and retreat costs.
LIONEL TRAINS AND CHRISTMAS
Though Jewish by birth, founder Joshua Lionel Cowen was quick to pick up on the traditional gift-giving celebrations of the Christmas holiday. Cowen first marketed his earliest electric trains for window displays, but by 1910 was producing an elaborate line of Standard Gauge (approximately 1:32) replicas, using the classic three-rail track in which the center, or middle, rail powered the equipment.
The trains on display this weekend are in 0 gauge, approximately 1:48 scale, which the company began producing in 1915. After buying manufacturing rival Ives during the late 1920s, Lionel was positioned to overtake all competitors in the quality train marketplace, which it did. By the advent of World War II, the company had dropped its larger Standard Gauge designs and was focused on more realistic models. By marketing toy trains as part of any Christmas, Lionel and other manufacturers like Ives and American Flyer were able to create a sense of family memories closely associated with the ‘holy days’ of the season. Indeed, Lionel actually marketed trains as the toy that could bring fathers and sons together, something that the culture was already trying to rectify in the 20th century. Lionel even attempted a now-valuable pink ‘girl’s train’ in the late 1950s! However, the classic models of that postwar era were the Berkshire and Turbine steam engines, the F3 diesels like the Santa Fe, and others in 0 gauge, with a compliment of accessories and action-producing cars. A more economically priced line of models was offered in 0-27 gauge, with the only real difference being the construction of the track itself (both 0 and 0-27 are compatible in width and use). There can be little doubt that these examples brought joy to father and son alike when they were first opened as gifts many years ago.
TRAINS IN THE BIBLE
While railroads were not invented until the early 19th century, the Bible references trains in a more cosmic sense. The ‘train of the Lord’ filled the temple in Isaiah, and Jesus himself ‘led out captives in his train’ at his resurrection from death. More recently, there have been Christian songs written and sung about trains, the most well-known stating that ‘life is like a mountain railroad,’ referencing the ups and downs that require a steady heart, a watchfulness for danger, and an ever-changing transition of circumstances. While we don’t adhere to a belief that trains are the equivalent of a spiritual experience, they often metaphorically represent things in our lives – our plans can be ‘on the right track’, ‘sidetracked’, or even ‘derailed.’ Sometimes, we’ll quickly admit, even the Journey Church is like a mountain railroad, but we believe that Jesus is at the throttle and he will indeed bring us safely home to Himself. We welcome you to come and worship with us in Spirit and in Truth this holiday season.
