Year | Catalog No. | Description | Size |
1959-60 | 28135 & 28137 | Badlands Display | 4X6 |
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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 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 Were there other Badlands Layouts?
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 DetailsMost 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. Last Train From Gun Hill" Display
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.
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Photo of Display Under RestorationThis 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. |
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Download the RRtrack file for use with your copy of RRtrack software |
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