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Santa brought me a Super "O" set for Christmas in 1959.  In January, 1961, a local hardware store had a closeout on all the Lionel items left over from the Christmas season.  My father, who was shopping for the job,  made the owner an offer on his remaining Super "O track.  Dad was able to purchase enough track to double the size of my 4' x 8' layout with a two track mainline.  I already felt fortunate to have a complete Lionel set, and, all of a sudden my layout was doubling in size!

Due to the configuration of the basement, we settled on and "L" shaped table, and I helped my father with the construction. We couldn't get the track plan to work out, so we went to Lopo's Cameras and Trains to discuss the issue with Mr. Lopo.  He said:  "I have just the fix!".  Mr.Lopo then walked over to a lower shelf, and came back with a 3' section of track.   He told us that we could bend the track in the dimension that  was needed, as the track was "flexible", and "bendable".  What a find!  Although the track not a perfect match with the Super "O" track in appearance, the match was certainly acceptable.  Mr. Lopo also outfitted us with the necessary mating pins to complete the track  connections

Since Lopo's was a bit of a drive, Dad decided to buy two sections of the flexible track in case we had a problem.  We then went home and finished the layout with the flexible track.  Looking back, that was my first experience with GarGraves Track!

If you have a passing interest, the following should be a link to a history of GarGraves Track.  Quite the longevity!

       http://www.gargraves.com/aboutus.html

Last edited by Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611
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Lopo's did have a very helpful and knowledgeable staff as you note.   Their product mix was also a match made in heaven -- cameras and trains, since my father was a camera buff.  As a result, it didn't take too much arm twisting to get my father to go to Lopo's if he had time.  Adding to the fun, there was a Sanders Ice Cream Shop and Soda Fountain on the route -- best hot fudge sundaes in town!

Last edited by Dennis GS-4 N & W No. 611

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OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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