When can we buy the book? Is it available yet?
Just to update everyone. Currently in the process of conducting interviews and research. I expect this to continue through the end of this year. I've got my fingers crossed for a 4th quarter 2016 or early 2017 release. Just got word the other day that Dick has dug up ANOTHER album of Madison Hardware photos that are on the way to me now. More photos for the book. I still need your stories though! If you have first hand experience with Madison Hardware please write me at Madisonhardwarebook@gmail.com I would love to talk with you.
Neil Lee who worked for Charles Ro did articles on Madison. He knew all the people there and the information was first hand. I loved Madison and visited many times. Charlie Ro was a frequent visitor in his younger days. Somewhere in my attic I still have some boxes (orange) with the Madison sticker on them.
Keep up the great work on the book 
The Madison Hardware story sounds like it would make a good DVD.
I'm wondering, have you given thought to including a disc with photos that don't make the cut for the book? Or at least making them available online?
Very Interesting. Good Luck. Can't wait.
Originally Posted by Andrew B.:
I'm wondering, have you given thought to including a disc with photos that don't make the cut for the book? Or at least making them available online?
I have and that is a possibility. More than likely would happen after the book makes it to market.
Is the book available?
Originally Posted by 2railguy:
Is the book available?
Just a few posts above this one:
Originally Posted by Notch 6:
Just to update everyone. Currently in the process of conducting interviews and research. I expect this to continue through the end of this year. I've got my fingers crossed for a 4th quarter 2016 or early 2017 release. Just got word the other day that Dick has dug up ANOTHER album of Madison Hardware photos that are on the way to me now. More photos for the book. I still need your stories though! If you have first hand experience with Madison Hardware please write me at Madisonhardwarebook@gmail.com I would love to talk with you.
So I put the cart before the horse and had the cover mocked up. Wanted to have something for York. Too cool not to share with my friends here. We've still got a LONG way to go before the finish line, but this sure makes it feel real.
Attachments
Images (1)
Derek, your a tease. That's a great looking cover! This long overdue book will be jumping off the shelves and I can hardly wait to receive my copy. Thanks for taking it on.
Love the cover.....
Peter
We lived in Brooklyn until 1954. My first visit with my Dad was a few years earlier to get the Lionel Santa Fe ABA freight set for Christmas. As an 8 year old , I was awestruck. My last visit was from our home in Danbury CT in the 70's to pick up a Lionel Tie-ejector car & B&O Budd car (both of which I still have). I have followed my Dad's example & passed the hobby on to Kids & grandkids.
Thanks for the Memories. Now in New Hampshire.
Attachments
Images (1)
Great cover Derek.
That cover photo is outstanding. There really will never be a place like that again
I just finished building the below. To quote Joe Walsh..."ain't never been there, they tell me it's nice." BigRail
Attachments
Images (2)
Hi Derek
Great cover design.
Gary • Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway
beautiful cover!
This would also be a good time to mention that I am still actively seeking sources for the book. If you have a Madison Hardware story that you would like to share, drop me a line. I would love to hear from you.
Are you going to mention what happended to the Madison Hardware sign?
Originally Posted by riki:
Are you going to mention what happended to the Madison Hardware sign?
Absolutely will. There is a strong chance the person who has it will have their story shared in the book as well.
Didn't the neon sign that was over the front of the store go for $37000 at auction?
Yes the sign sold for that kind of money in 2001 at Stout Auctions.
Originally Posted by Notch 6:
Yes the sign sold for that kind of money in 2001 at Stout Auctions.
In all honesty, I'm a little surprised it didn't go for more
Originally Posted by riki:
Are you going to mention what happended to the Madison Hardware sign?
Hi Riki
Did you make the above "gif file" and what software did you use?
Very well done.
Thank-you
Gary - Cheers from the Detroit and Mackinac Railway
I updated the top post with more information and the official book cover. Good days are ahead for this project and I can not wait to share it with all of you!
Derek:
I am looking forward to this book. It will be a winner.
Neal Jeter
This book project is a wonderful idea Andrew. I never got to visit the original store and would love to read about it.
Good luck with your book and I hope it's done before Christmas, sounds like a great gift to myself. 
Don't forget to mention the old school courtious yes or no Sir/Maam and Very Good Sir/Maam that the Late Shur Brothers were known for.
I always found it interesting that they were still using the old alphabetic prefixes as their phone number instead of the numeric digits. This was even the case with Madison Hardware back in the late 70's.
I recently read about the place in an old CTT magazine. Sorry I never got to see the place. My kind of store.
I always found it interesting that they were still using the old alphabetic prefixes as their phone number instead of the numeric digits. This was even the case with Madison Hardware back in the late 70's.
SPring 7-1111.
One of my huge disappointments in my working life was not filming Madison. Our crew was staying at a hotel around the corner from Madison. When I walked out one morning and saw the place I couldn't believe it. At the end of our shoot day I couldn't wait to get over there. I forget what brother I talked to but when I asked him if we could film and interview him, he said no. The next day I asked him again and he said yes. We had an extra day in New York so it was perfect. He had pulled out some paper work of things he said he designed for Lionel and had lots of stories for me. Turns out we were called back to the West Coast the next morning and couldn't do the interview. How I wanted to film that store and get him on camera. Sad. Don
scale rail posted:One of my huge disappointments in my working life was not filming Madison. Our crew was staying at a hotel around the corner from Madison. When I walked out one morning and saw the place I couldn't believe it. At the end of our shoot day I couldn't wait to get over there. I forget what brother I talked to but when I asked him if we could film and interview him, he said no. The next day I asked him again and he said yes. We had an extra day in New York so it was perfect. He had pulled out some paper work of things he said he designed for Lionel and had lots of stories for me. Turns out we were called back to the West Coast the next morning and couldn't do the interview. How I wanted to film that store and get him on camera. Sad. Don
If that video would have happened, there might not have been a need for this book. The brothers played their cards close to the vest over the decades which is one of the reasons the
"Madison Mystique" has endured for all of these years. Hopefully this book will shed some light not only on what types and the quantity of trains that Madison really had, but also on the brothers themselves.
The more stories I was told, the more the story became about Lou and Carl. If it were not for their interesting personalities and interactions with their customers, I highly doubt they would be as memorable as they are.
Looking forward to sharing more with everyone in the coming months. We have some neat things planned for the summer and fall in conjunction with the release of the book. Stay tuned!
C W Burfle posted:I always found it interesting that they were still using the old alphabetic prefixes as their phone number instead of the numeric digits. This was even the case with Madison Hardware back in the late 70's.
SPring 7-1111.
I still use the LI9 exchange when I dial my best friend from high school in Philly lol
The cover looks great! I'll be pre ordering one. 
Great! Got to have one. My dad was from Brooklyn , I am sure he went in the store.
