Year Catalog No. Description

Size

1959-60    28135 & 28137 Badlands Display 4X6

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Catalog illustration courtesy of rfgco.com
To see the complete catalog page on rfgco.com, click here

The 28135 and 28137 Layouts

The illustration above is from the 1959 Displays Catalog, and shows the layout that was made available for purchase by dealers.   If you look at Maury Romer's IBM number list for displays, though, there is mention of a 28137 layout that was made for Gold's department store in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The latter layout appears to be a one off layout made expressly for the store.  Richard Trotter owns a Badlands style layout that we believe may well be this 28137 that was made for Gold's department store.  While this is not a certainty, Richard and I both believe that the evidence suggests that this may be the case.  The layout was acquired by Richard's uncle, Ray Mohrlang from a previous owner in Nebraska, the location of the Gold's Department store, and the size description in Maury Romer's list is consistent with a Badlands style layout such Richard's.  Also, the sign on the station on Richard's layout, though not completely legible, reads "...ne Ridge," quite possibly "Pine Ridge," which has a definite Nebraska connection in the Pine Ridge National Recreation area and nearby Toadstool Geologic Park in Northwestern Nebraska.   The area has been described as Badlands and the geologic formations are similar to those on the Gilbert Badlands
 layouts.  I believe this further strengthens our belief that Richard's Badlands layout is the 28137 from Gold's department store.

Richard is in the process of restoring it as it had previously been stripped of part of the scenery by a previous owner in an attempt to convert it to an On30 layout.  You can see a listing of Richard's Youtube videos of his progress in the restoration by clicking here.  His layout was also discussed in the American Flyer Collectors Column of the S Gaugian Magazine in the Jan-Feb 2000 issue at page 37.   (prior to his or Ray Mohrlang's ownership of the layout)

There are some differences between the 28135 layout described in the catalog and Richard's layout.  For one, the whistle is on the side of the tunnel, rather than in the central mountains.   Also, it is triggered by a track trip in the tunnel.  It is not known if that same triggering feature was included in the cataloged 28135 layout. 

These particular displays are also unique in that they contain an little known and uncataloged station building.  The only other layout other than the Badlands
 style layouts on which this station was found was the Eastern States Exposition layout from 1959.  The station name is different on the Eastern States Exposition layout and reads "Dead Gulch" whereas the sign on Richard's layout, as noted above reads "...ne Ridge."

Were there other Badlands Layouts?

Badlands Layout at 200 5th Ave.The answer to that question appears to be yes.   Lonny Beno found this photo showing Maury Romer standing next to what appears to be a definite Badlands style layout.  The Photo appeared in the May 1959 Railroad Model Craftsman magazine.  Based on the wall decorations, that photo was taken at the Gilbert showrooms at the Toy Center at 200 5th Ave. in New York City.  Gilbert had closed the Hall of Science in 1958 and moved their operations to the Toy Center building, where most other toy manufacturers had their showrooms. 

The layout shown is interesting in that it has a slightly different track plan.  The catalog version and Richard Trotter's example both use two half straight sections placed laterally to widen the loop at the front right and rear left.  (see track plan below)   This track plan may use straight track at the opposite corners of the layout, (left front & right rear) including inside the tunnel.   One item that is similar to Richard's layout is the placement of the billboard whistle inside the shell of the mountain. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Details

Most Badlands layouts used the toy figures seen here.  In restoring his layout, Richard has discovered the source of these items and they are pictured below.  They are approximately 1/4 inch scale which works fine with the Frontiersman, which is somewhat oversized and closer to On3 scale.

Western Equipment 

Last Train From Gun Hill" Display

Here is another example of a Badlands style layout used in a sales promotion.  In 1959, Gilbert promoted the Frontiersman sets heavily and a Badlands style layout was a great way to do it.. The catalog that year featured the Frontiersman prominently displayed on the front cover.  In addition, practically every television placement featured these sets.  In addition, they found an opportunity to draw attention to these newly introduced sets with the release of the Paramount movie "Last Train From Gun Hill."

The layout is described as having badlands terrain copied from the actual location settings in 'Last Train From Gun Hill'."  This is probably a bit of an exaggeration as the movie was filmed in several locations in Arizona and California, including the Paramount Studio lot.  The use of the word Badlands  and the fact that western toy figures were used in the display makes me think it is likely that this was a some variation of the 28135-28137 display layout.  The train was also described as a "facsimile" of the train featured in the movie.  The train in the movie was a 4-4-0 in standard black paint with red cars.  Whether Gilbert repainted Frontiersman cars and engines to match the cars in the movie is unknown, but I have my doubts.  Doing so, would minimize the advertising benefit if the cars didn't look like the product the movie goers could buy.

If anyone remembers seeing this display in the Lobby of the Capitol Theater in New York City in 1959, or knows anything more about this display please let me know at flyerdisplays@att.net

Press Release Courtesy of Don Rosa

Click here or on the image at the left to read the press release.



Photo of Display Under Restoration

This display was discussed above and referenced S Gaugian article.  As you can see it bears the marks of its partial dismantling for conversion to an HO layout.  It is currently being restored to its original configuration by Richard Trotter, Ray Mohrlang's nephew who obtained the layout from his late Uncle's Estate.   Ray had purchased the layout from its previous owner.

Note the fiber roadbed and the use of two 1/2 straight sections of track to widen the oval.  Also note the unique billboard photo on the whistle and its placement on the side of the tunnel.   The colors on this layout are quite a contrast to the uncolored photos shown in the catalogs.  On this layout, the whistle was activated by a trip located in the tunnel.   We will have more information as the restoration proceeds.  For a larger display click on the image below.  For a full explanation of the restoration, click here for links to Richard's excellent videos on Youtube chronicling his restoration efforts.

Badlands Layout Restoration
Photo courtesy of Richard Trotter

 
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Download the RRtrack file for use with your copy of RRtrack software

 

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