Roger Carp has been fascinated by Lionel trains and the people who created them since he received a small steam engine and some freight cars as a youngster in 1956. His interest directed him, after earning a Ph.D. in American history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to Classic Toy Trains magazine, where he has served for 20 years as senior editor.

Roger has written or edited more than 20 books and special-interest publications about Lionel--its trains and accessories, its leaders and workers, its showrooms and displays, and its legacy. Among them are The World's Greatest Toy Train Maker (1998), Classic Lionel Display Layouts You Can Build (2000), The Art of Lionel Trains (2003), Authoritative Guide to Lionel's Postwar Operating Cars (2005), Authoritative Guide to Lionel's Promotional Outfits 1960-1969 (2007), Inside the Lionel Train's Fun Factory (2008), Collectible Lionel Classics (2017), Lionel Trains of the 1950s (2019), and Lionel Trains of the 1940s (2022). He also oversees production of the annual edition of Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains.

A native of Los Angeles, Roger lives near Milwaukee with his wife and Lionel trains.

"A visually engrossing, thorough history of how Lionel trains came into being and ruled the toy world."
-- Kirkus Reviews, Starred review

"A delightfully nostalgic pictorial history of Lionel trains, worthy of a place on any collector's shelf."
-- BlueInk Review, Starred review

"A varied visual mosaic that illustrates the breadth and depth of the toy trains' cultural impact."
-- Foreword Clarion Reviews

"Impressively informative and a nostalgic pleasure to browse through, this book is an unreservedly recommended and enduringly welcome pick for personal, community, and college/university library Antique/Collectible - Toy Trains collections."
-- Micah Andrew, Midwest Book Review

"Richly illustrated and deeply engaging, this book belongs on every coffee table. Both train enthusiasts and non-hobbyists will enjoy discovering Lionel's profound impact on American society."
-- Joseph Lechner, Train Collectors Association e-Train

"Roger Carp and Project Roar Publishing have most certainly succeeded in providing a delightful and memorable tribute to this iconic company."
-- Bill Schmeelk, Lionel Collectors Club of America, The Lion Roars

"A truly captivating perspective on Lionel's history, brought to life through stunning pictures and their thrilling stories!"
-- Robert J. Osterhoff, author of Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory

"Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains! brings a fresh and insightful perspective to my favorite topic. I highly recommend."
-- Bruce C. Greenberg, Ph.D., Brinkman Publishing and former President Greenberg Publishing Company

Publisher: Project Roar Publishing

Pub date: 2024-11-06

Length: 224 pages