Excellent video. Definitely good enough to watch again and again.

Additional remarks by Steve:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? Definitely.

I purchased this DVD direct from Ole Tom himself at a train show in Grand Rapids, Michigan this past summer. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of it and the extent of which I was able to learn about this fascinating era of the toy train hobby. My only gripe would be the Mike Wolff segments which I could do without, but if you love toy trains of the Standard gauge variety or just good ole tin plate, you'll be very happy with this DVD.

Additional remarks by Garrett:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Good Value
Recommend to others? Yes.

GREAT toy train action ! A must have dvd for lovers of prewar toy trains. TM videos are always a great value.

Additional remarks by Smitty:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Definitely!
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value: Excellent Value!
Recommend to others? A "Must Have"!

In volume 1 of this nearly 10 year old series from 2011, it starts with producer Tom McComas talking about what the word tinplate means using stock footage of the lionel vision line 700E hudson. The term tinplate comes from tin that was plated to prevent rust. Of course all tinplate trains were painted in bright and shiny colors, plus they're large and expensive with others that are small and cheap. They also come in both O and Standard gauge.

After the title card, there is a musical montage, followed by John potter & Ronald Grossman talking about tinplate with a montage of trains such as Lionel: the blue streak, the red comet, the union pacific city of Denver, A lionel junior set, the Milwaukee road Hiawatha, the Pennsylvania torpedo, the Marx winner set, and the American flyer Zephyr. Marx also made their version of the union Pacific M-10000, small steam powered freight sets like the nickel plate road for example, and also the lionel flying Yankee, with the 260E steam locomotive.

The first layout in part 1 is Paul Carlisle of Louisville Kentucky. Paul has a collection of European models such as the electric crocodile for example. Many stations on Paul's layout is incredibly detailed to look at, which were inspired by the real structures. Besides the European models, he also has American flyer O gauge, and also Lionel such as the standard gauge blue comet for example. Paul also has a roundhouse with a turntable that fits European steam engines. The trains that are running on the layout is an 0-4-0 pulling passengers, and an electric boxcab hauling freight. Many of the buildings and houses that were built in the 19th century, were lighted by candles. Paul also mentioned Dr. Bill Furnish, and Walt Disney cartoonist Ward Kimball. One of the unique models on the layout, is the Rail Zepplin which was later used as the character Hugo from season 20 of Thomas. Of course Paul also uses signals in Europe for his layout. Plus he gathered A green wind up 0-4-0 from Great Britain.

Part 2 of talking tinplate with Ron and John shows us how the material was made, as well as mentions of being kept in the box for 65 years. Ron also built his layout using mostly Marx trains. Which includes both variations of The city of Denver, A 2-4-2 on a passenger train, and a Rock Island Alco FPA4. On one scene, there is an on no blooper noticed as the little red caboose on a 2 car American flyer O gauge set derailed. A lionel chugger from 1933 is on a work train.

Next, Pam Burke talks about Tom Snyder's standard gauge layout as it is being moved from California to the New Jersey hi railers club. The club layout itself was shown in World class Hi rail layouts parts 1 & 2. Some stock footage from The CNBC 1993 special on Toy train revue part 9 is used as well as celebrity train layouts part 2 from 2002. Not to mention his black and white images from his youth. Moving trucks are used to move the collection and layouts from California to New Jersey. The biggest challenge to get out, was the actual mountain of the layout. Pam also mentioned producer Tom McComas, as well as the sopranos layout. The map of the route travels to California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, kansas, Missouri, iowa, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania.and into new jersey. Afterwards, behind the scenes footage of the layout with former Good morning America meteorologist Spencer Christian is used for the special of the layout as well as on the Milwaukee created PBS show tracks ahead. Of course TM was on tracks ahead. Producers Tom McComas and Joe Stachler does some decent commentary on Snyder. Which includes the Chesapeake and Ohio hudson from 1995, with Snyder's signatures.

With the memoir of Snyder completed, it's time for part 3 of talking tinplate with Ron and John. Here an American flyer hudson is on a freight, and an MTH reproduction of the Ives passenger train is shown as well as the American flyer version of the city of Denver. The presidents special, and the blue comet in o gauge is shown as well as the statue of the lion from the Chicago are institute are shown as well as some artwork. Ron is holding a wind up hafner version of the Commodore Vanderbilt. A Photoshop of Plato is used.

The third layout in part 1 is John Pisano of Morristown New York. He has a collection of standard gauge steam locomotives from Lionel, as well as the Olympian set. McComas also mentioned one of the richest men of NY. John's layout was designed by Clarke Dunham as well as an interview with Clarke. The O gauge tinplate trains were used for background shots. As the camera pans, it's controlled by 6 MCR transformers from 1994. John has more trains on the wall. The buildings are cut in half in order to make realistic depth. Clarke also mentioned the railroads on parade DVD. He also mentioned gargraves track. John also has a farm on the layout. Tom also mentioned Chuck Brasher's trains from part 2. But that's another story. The segment comes to a close with a brief musical montage.

With the Dunham segment finished, it's time for part 4 of talking tinplate with Ron and John. Here they talk about the value of these trains as well as their own memories, and how it's important for people to play with these types of toys more often than handheld devices nowadays. Of course John always cares about the original original models.

Before the program comes to a close, an interview with MTH president Mike Wolf is shown. Mike was originally an employee of Williams trains, and later for the Richard kughn era of lionel. Here he talks about the reproductions of noteworthy legends of both O and Standard gauge, as well as how tinplate means to Mike. Finally, Tom McComas talks about the brute: a giant version of the electric 381 from Italy in the late 20s. The original plan was scrapped due to it being carried by 2 men and a boy, and also a foot longer than the 381. The reproduction was introduced in 2009.

While the program says 50 minutes on the case, it's actually 63 minutes. But it's still enjoyable to watch again and again.

The trolley Derails in the closing credits, as well as some last words by John potter on talking tinplate. There are also some special effects in the closing credits.

Additional remarks by Steamboy:
Narration: Just enough.
Would kids enjoy this? Yes.
Image quality: Excellent!
DVD Value:: Fair.
Recommend to others? Definitely.