1988 Lionel Factory Tour

In 1988 I was privileged to accompany WSBT reporter Bill Warrick on a story he did on Lionel and it's Christmas tradition. We had free run of the Lionel factory and were to able to document a bit of Lionel history and the way it was done then. It was a fascinating tour and we will be ever grateful to Lionel for the privilege. It is a time gone by and we will never get a "factory" tour again. Photos Copywrite Carl Tuveson 2004


Just arrived at Mount Clemens , Mi	Behind this door is where the magic begins

Assembly line of Dept 65, here making Burro Cranes

Must be on break?	Final Assembly on the AF line

Flyer PAs waiting final testing	If they make it up the grade they "made the grade"

Chassis to body assembly

Rubber stamping graphics on Thomas Car	Assembly of the Virginia and Truckee Cars

Graphic stamping a Large scale tender	Boards with various sample stampings.

Tender shells exiting the paint booth.	Docksider shells in the paint line.

Naked Geeps waiting their turn.	Assembly of the V&T American Steamer

Work cabeese in the paint shop	V&T cars getting graphics applied

Christmas boxcars waiting final assembly	Assembling Large scale tenders.

Box of engine shells.	Parts Stamping line

Track assembly line.	Track extrusion machine

Service Repair bench station	Service repair station.

Repairs in waiting	Test layout for serviced repairs

Quality assurance testing under load.	Testing cabooses


Packing product	Signal bridges waiting further assembly

Shelves of units under test.