Train Show

 There was a model train show in town this weekend so my son and I decided to check it out.  The show featured operating model railroads, train dealers, collectors, hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, workshops, and much more

Some of the painted backdrop scenery looked very realistic

My son liked this field of sheep because he is currently raising a lamb with the local FFA chapter.

This train scene had a working carousel and ferris wheel.

Here is my son 

There were a lot of vendors selling items.  

I was intrigued by some of the lighting and power posts.

Star Wars, Fisher-Price, & Tomy.. Oh My

I dug out my box of "Star Wars Furniture"  today.  During the late 1970's and early 1980's, these were my favorite toys.   I was a big Star Wars fan growing up and when I discovered that these furniture sets were the same scale as my Star Wars action figures, I had a blast.  I saved money from my paper route each month to purchase room sets from our local Montgomery Ward store.  I used pieces of wood as a base (from my old toy-box), and built many houses/space ships from my Legos, then furnished it.  It slid around just fine on our shag carpet floor.  You can read more about my toy-box HERE

Here we see Han Solo and Luke Skywalker relaxing in the living room.  The "smoke glass" tables and sectional sofa were pretty stylish for the day.  I used the black piece of rubber as a console table after rescuing it from my dad's mechanic shop.  

Here we find Luke being served by a Death Star Droid.  The stove, sink, fridge and table set are by Fisher-Price, the oven/microwave was by Tomy.  The cast iron high-chair is a Durham piece.  The plant was some plastic leaves that I glued into a toothpaste lid.  I really liked the antique style table mixed with the modern chairs.

The music room had a grand piano and a high-tech looking stereo with some big speakers for effect.  I had several "rugs" like the brown one shown here.  My grandmother would get clothing catalogs in the mail with fabric swatches glued-in.  She would save them for me and I would use them as rugs.

This Jawa character is in the green Fisher-Price bathroom set.

Luke is getting ready to take a snooze in this Tomy canopy bedroom set.  

I used the old brass drawer knobs as night stands.

Here is a vintage print ad for the Tomy furniture and house from the early 1980's

It was roughly 3/4"=1'-0" scale.  Both the Tomy furniture and the Fisher-Price furniture are made from plastic.  

Here is a vintage print ad from an early 1980's Montgomery Ward Christmas advertising the the house, furniture sets and people.  The house sold for $39.99, the furniture sold for $29.99 and the people sold for $7.99.  

Sears Vintage Kitchen Set NO.49-14135

While doing some organizing in the miniature studio, I came across a kitchen set that I had purchased at a flea market several years ago.  It was an old wooden miniature set sold my SEARS back in the late 1970's - 1980's and is 1"=1'-0" scale.

The box has a simple illustration of all of the contents.

Everything is still in its original packaging - straight from Taiwan

The furniture is all painted wood with paper decals on the dishwasher and stove.  The sink and knobs are metal.  It is pretty crude compared to today's standards.  

I found it interesting that the set did not include a refrigerator.

The decal for the controls on the stove is upside down!

While doing some research on the set, I came across a web site that has old Sears Catalogs  and found the kitchen set in a Christmas catalog from 1980.

The set is advertised as nine pieces and also included dishes and food and sold for $12.99.