Looking at a Tyco train catalog from 1961

Time to revisit anther old Tyco catalog, this time from the year 1961. 

Right from the start I do like the Main street car that Tyco offers on the first page. 

It's not much I know, but I do like the charm of the little thing, and I personally wouldn't mind having a little area for this trolly to run on my layout. 

Anther set that has a spot in my heart is the red dot special, a small steam engine carrying 3 fright cars and a caboose. 

I know mixed fright car sets are more popular these days, but a part of me does wish a set like the Black Dimond could be released again. Trains were known for carrying coal back then (and to some extent still today), and I'd be down for Bachmann or Lionel releasing a set with 3 coal cars and a caboose. 

The Road Builder is anther set I feel like we aren't going to see anytime soon. Starter sets these days just don't come with small switcher diesels which is a shame as I do see the charm in them, and they are great for anyone who happens to have a railyard on the layout. 

In the "trains to buy separately and accessories" section are a few things of note, starting with an operating switch that uncouples cars. 

While I'm sure by the 1960's this wasn't anything super new (the Railroads at Work diorama was said to have cars that uncoupled and that was from 1940's.), I do like the idea of having these things made available to the wider public. 

I get that a lot of model railroading includes DIY projects, but I still stand by the idea that there's nothing wrong with giving someone a helping hand or push in the right direction, especially if their new to the hobby. 

Maybe it's because I'm looking in the wrong places, but an operating lighted car caboose coming back would be nice. The last time I've seen one of these things made available in a train set was one of Bachmann's desert storm military train sets, and even after that I don't think they made them widely available. 

Final thoughts: 

On one hand there really wasn't too much to talk about in this catalog. On the other, I still like a lot of what's being offered (and at the prices it's being offered.) Yes model railroad experts out there, I know that Tyco had a reputation for being more toyetic then realistic, but the impression I get from this catalog is that they're trying to do what Bachmann does today, giving folks train sets at a decent price with a decent amount of realism. 

Interested to see what else Tyco offers as we make our way to the next couple of catalogs from them.