You must remember, they were trying to get their trains out for the first time in four years. The demand was super high and American Flyer was introducing a new S scale system. Automobiles, housing, everything was in huge demand. If you could find a Lionel set in those days you were lucky and you sure wouldn't take it back for bad graphics. Like all history you need to put yourself in the time period to truly understand it.
By the way while I don't run the old cars I still love those small box cars. Even have two Southern Pacific boxcars that I have never seen in Lionel's catalog. Don
