I had a small collection of LIONEL Service Station bulletins and correspondence from the early 1950s - and you could tell, it wasn't always the smoothest operation. The mothership seemed to change forms, minimum orders, and remuneration rates frequently. And then scold the service station owners for not following to spec, or charging too much. And remember, these guys were obligated to fix all the other LIONEL toys, record players, and catalog items. It seems like it all fell apart eventually.
What does changing forms, minimum orders, and remuneration rates have to do with quality?
They didn't get into record players and the like until the 1960's, when they purchased Spear (or was it Porter-Spear?)
IMHO, much of what Lionel made during the period in question (1945- 1959) was high quality and well designed. There were a few clunkers though.
They did a much better job of supporting their product with parts than Lionel is able to do today.
