O’Brien’s Collecting Toy Trains: Identification and Value Guide (6th Edition)

Relive your childhood memories with this spectacular tome of Tonka history. On the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Minneapolis, three men created Mound Metalcraft in an old schoolhouse in the late 1940s and set out to make tie racks and garden utensils. Sales weren't as abundant as expected, so the group decided to produce sturdy construction toys crafted from the leftover materials. Tonka - named after the nearby lake - was born and the company changed the face of the toy industry forever.Tonka takes you through the early days of the company, to its purchase by Hasbro in 1991. Through the years, there were many ups and downs, but a few things remained constant: the rugged quality, realism, and durability of the toys. The employees were an integral part of the company, and profiles of a handful of former employees help bring a personal level to the story of the company that drove its way to the top of the toy truck industry. Each epoch of Tonka history is covered and accompanied by 150 color and 25 archival images.The Tonka story itself is one of an incredible journey. From the humble confines of a small schoolhouse, to a giant corporation that sold toys everywhere, Tonka remains a household word for strength and durability and is synonymous with toys that could withstand anything a child could do with them.

Retired Model Railroader managing editor Jim Kelly lends his knowledge of real railroads and model railroading to this unique guide. It is the perfect guide for model railroaders who want to add realism to their layouts.