A couple of books worth tracking down if you're interested in these glimpses into the past are:
The Toy Train Department (Vol. 1--Sear's Catalog's Electric Train Pages, 1950-1969)
The Toy Train Department (Vol. 2--Montgomery Ward's Christmas Book Catalog, 1950-1969)
also...
Boys' Toys of the Fifties and Sixties (Sears Catalogs Toy Pages, 1950-1969)
I have all three, purchased some years ago. I'm not sure about current availability.