Louis Heilbroner Hertz

Hertz’s book Collecting Model Trains is the great-grandfather of the myriad present day toy train/model train histories and reference/pricing guides. The book, along with Riding the Tinplate Rails and Messrs. Ives of Bridgeport (both also by Hertz) was, for almost 20 years, the primary reference for various aspects of toy train history as applied to North America. The book is printed in the form of an introduction to the hobby.

The chapter heading are:

Getting Started: Discusses the basic issues surrounding collecting old toy trains.

The Mechanics of Collecting: Gives an overview of the various choices for building a collection – single manufacturer vs. multiple, time frame of production, type of production, etc.

Buying and Trading: self-explanatory.

The Factors of Condition: Introduces the beginner into the arcane world of condition grading and the issues surrounding original condition vs. repainted/restored.

The Fascination of Old Catalogs: While many of the points in this chapter have been rendered obsolete courtesy of catalog reprints as well as internet posting of scans of old catalogs the comments concerning the value of the catalogs from the standpoint of history and component/set identification are still pertinent.

Prices and Values: This is not a price guide chapter. Rather it discusses the pros and cons of pricing – much of this chapter has been rendered obsolete courtesy of the internet.

What’s in a Number?: Provides an excellent discussion of the why and wherefore of manufacturer identification numbers and what this means to a collector.

Categories of Models: Again self-explanatory

Collecting Series and Variations: Discusses some of the well-known (as in 1956 well-known) series of engines and cars made by manufacturers such as Ives, Bing, American Flyer, Fandor, KBN, and others.

Identification and Research: Even in this internet era this chapter still a worthwhile read, particularly if you have any interest in trains that are other than Lionel, MTH, K-Line, or post-WWII American Flyer.

Collecting Scale Models: A brief discussion of what was then a newly emerging area of collecting interest.

A Historical Summary: A brief overview of the history of the development of the toy train. Still a well written account.

Collecting, Today and Tomorrow: Hertz’s view on the current status of the hobby and where it might go in the future.

This book and its two companions have aged well. Subsequent research has refined and improved upon Hertz’s initial work but the book remains a valuable (and in many instances unique) source of information about toy trains and their history. The book is lavishly illustrated with annotated catalog cuts and photographs. It has an extensive index covering subject and manufacturers (note: the catalog cuts and pictures are also listed in the index). If you are at all interested in toy trains or their history you should at least be familiar with the contents of this book.… (meer)