UPDATE – Summer 2009

For most of us, collecting is a continuous … often lifelong … process.  We do research.  We hunt far and wide.  We make new contacts and friendships.  We find new “treasure” to add to our collections.  And hopefully, we take time to appreciate the results of our efforts. 

 But, just when you think you’ve seen it all … or worse, when you think you know it all … something different or unexpected pops up.  This is true as well for those of us who collect old wood trains.  In the time since these wood train articles were first written, I have been fortunate to add a few more vintage trains to my collection, and make a few surprising discoveries along the way. 

 Skaneateles Handicrafters

No matter how large the collection, there are usually a few special items that we view as our “crown jewels”.  They may not always be the most impressive looking pieces … or even the most valuable.  But often, they are the pieces that best define the collection and give us the greatest satisfaction for having them.  One of my “jewels” came to me as a direct result of somebody visiting this great website.  A gentleman from Pennsylvania recently spent a quiet evening reading some of the wood toy articles posted here. Fortuitously, my toy train article was included on his reading list.  The very next day, he saw a small wooden train set at a local yard sale, and quickly purchased it.

 “The train looked old”, he said.

 Indeed, if you look at the photo, it does look old.  This little train was made by Skaneateles Handicrafters, and eventually ended up in a recycled box delivered to my doorstep.  (Behind every wood train collector, stands a dedicated mailperson with a slightly sore back!)  So somewhat improbably, I became the owner of this vintage set ... which actually included 2 trains and about 20 sections of original track. 

After some diligent research and some much-appreciated assistance from another collector, the best available information dates this SH set to the period from 1939-1942.  Perhaps, making it one of the oldest surviving factory-made sets of this genre of wooden track trains.  After a mild cleaning and gentle buffing, the combination of aged hardwood and original wax gives this set a wonderful golden patina. 

 The remarkable condition of this old set indicates that it must have been a childhood favorite of its original owner.  A toy that became so difficult to part with as early childhood ended, that it was boxed and put into storage rather than being given away or sold.  Apparently, the set was rediscovered decades later by family members who no longer saw any reason for keeping this old toy.  So it was ignominiously sold at a yard sale, along with other family belongings that had outlived their usefulness.  But now the little train set has come full circle (no pun intended) … and has become one of the most prized wooden toys in my humble collection.  

 (Author’s note - one of these trains and a portion of the track were sent to the family of the company’s founder.) 

Micki Leksaker

The next vintage train set in the update “spotlight” is from the Swedish manufacturer Micki Leksaker.   In past communication with Micki’s staff, I was alerted to an unusual coupler design that was used in some of their earliest train sets.  Sadly, something was lost in the Swedish-to-English translation, and I could not clearly comprehend the characteristics of the design that they were so helpfully trying to describe.

 Recently however, I was fortunate to find an early Micki train set with this unique coupler design.  In the close-up photo, you can clearly see how the round-head peg from the engine fits into a large cavity carved into the adjacent car.  Without dismantling the train for a careful comparison, it appears that these pegs were the same as those used for coupling the track.  By the mid 1960’s, Micki had apparently changed over to magnetic couplers for all their wooden track trains.

When this train is compared to the Micki trains made in subsequent years, there are several detail differences in the design of the engine and railcars, as well.  Disappointingly, it appears that the tiny green tender and yellow tank cars were never continued after this set.

Despite their small size, some JB vehicles had operating features, such as the truck with the functioning magnetic crane.  A twist of the control peg on the crane's arm raised or lowered the magnetic "claw" in order to pick up the cargo block.  Some vehicles could be combined with other pieces ... such as using the large flatbed truck to haul around a bulldozer or a "broken-down" train.  Some

 It is also interesting to note the difference in the metal quality of JB wheel hub/axle assemblies.  Most of the JB items in my collection had little or no "playtime".  Yet the hubs vary significantly in appearance.  Many are a brilliant gold color ... others are a heavily tarnished shade of silver.  As with many wood toy producers, JB likely purchased common hardware such as tacks and nails from "outside" suppliers.  Since JB train and vehicle sets were made in post-war Japan, consistent quality of the metal hardware may not have always been available.  

For me, one of the most interesting (and challenging) aspects of collecting is the search for toy "variations" ... changes in design, components and/or finish, implemented by the manufacturer during a toy's production lifetime.  I think these variations are intriguing parts of a toy's "personal history". 

Generally, Keystone used the same basic train in all of its sets, regardless of the size of the set.  In the largest sets, you got 2 identical trains.  In the smallest sets, you got a single train with fewer railcars.  (However, there was a relatively short period of time when you could buy sets with the train in either a natural wood or painted finish.) 

Remarkably, this basic train went through many changes over its 5 or 6 year production life.  The early and late trains shared very little in the way of their design, components or finish.  One might suspect there also could be "missing links" ... transition trains that shared some characteristics of the early AND late trains.  (As I found out ... there were!)

Keystone train set production reportedly began in 1950.  The first photo traces how the design and finish of the little steam engine evolved over time.  (The railcars evolved similarly.)  Starting from the left ... the earliest production engines had a quasi-realistic design and had either a natural wood or black painted finish.  (There is some evidence to indicate that Keystone may have initially produced only the natural wood trains, and added trains with a painted finish 6-12 months later.) 

wheels  -  thin to thick 
axles  -  2-piece to 1-piece
couplers -  flat hook & ring to 1-piece tubular

In contrast to the numerous train variations Keystone produced, curiously Lincoln Logs produced very few.  Yet both companies made these train sets for almost identical periods of time ... 5-6 years.  In the close-up photo of the 2 blue LL steam engines, the 2 known paint variations are shown.  It is believed that the light blue engine was from the production period just after LL started making train sets with the Keystone design.

The darker matte blue paint version is the more common variation and certainly looks more typical of a wood toy from LL.  Similar paint variations are found on the other railcars.  Paint fading of the matte colors is also quite common ... particularly in the red and green paint shades.

I have yet to find any significant changes made by LL with respect to design, coupler or axle components or to the wheels.  I have 6 complete LL trains ... and many "spares" ... and aside from some noticeable paint differences, all are virtually identical.  Perhaps at the Lincoln Logs Company, "change" was not a word often used.

 As an appropriate end to the discussion of Keystone and LL train variations, a photo is included to show the first version of Keystone's train (foreground, early 1950's) ... with the last version of LL's train (background, early 1960's).  One would not immediately assume these two trains were so directly related ... at least I didn't.

 Based on my recent visits to local antique malls, train and toy shows and cyber-visits to internet auction sites, vintage wood train sets in excellent or unused condition are becoming ever more elusive.  In addition, collector interest in these train sets appears to be growing, as evidenced by some increased buyer competition and price escalation.  Some of this new interest is not only coming from wood toy collectors, but also collectors of electric/wind-up trains and collectors of the Thomas & Friends series of toys.

 Admittedly, there is something very appealing about the simplistic yet artful designs of these toy trains and the heirloom feel of the hardwoods used.  They spark our imagination and remind us of simpler and more innocent times.  It's great to know there is a growing appreciation of these timeless toys.

 As a fitting end to this update comes the news that the family of Skaneateles Handicrafters founder Marshal Larrabee are searching for additional archival data about this landmark company.  Ultimately, they hope to establish a website dedicated to Mr. Larrabee and his wonderful wood toys.  If you have any information, photos, personal remembrances or vintage sets that you wish to bring to their attention, please contact me.  I will ensure that you will be connected to the appropriate family member.  The family would particularly appreciate hearing from any former employees of the company. 

 As always, if you have questions, comments or information about any wood trains ... I would be delighted to hear from you.

 Keep your wheels in the grooves!