Although we were definitely a Lionel family, my father took a part-time job during the Christmas season of 1956 (which was when my sister was born) in the toy department of a local hardware store. Ironically, he was assigned to the American Flyer toy train section.
I'd go down to visit him now and then, and the Flyer accessory that fascinated me the most was the Oil Drum Loader. It operated so smoothly and realistically that I stared at it for what felt like hours.
Never did get one for our Lionel layout, though.
