RPPC Postcard c1940 NORMAN, OK Martin Electric Railroad Backyard Train RARE #2

Description: Pictured above is a VERY RARE RPPC Postcard: circa 1940 NORMAN, OK showing the Martin Railroad Lines - Backyard Train Layout - #2 of 3 This postcard and the two other cards I have listed are from the same estate of an Ohio family that traveled to Norman, Oklahoma to visit relatives in the 1940's and by chance stopped in to view this very unusual backyard large scale hand-made electric train layout. They purchased these postcards for ten cents each. The train engines, cars, track, signs, bridges, tunnels, buildings etc. were all created by the owner. In this photo you can see the old style K&T 2-wire electric service that powered the layout which was not used after WWII. One of the other photos shows a 1930's bicycle near the trains on the ground illustrating how large this model railroad was. The story, as told to me, was the family went back to Norman after the war and found the layout gone. The original owner never returned from the war and the new owners had the layout removed and restored the area back to a yard. I spent a lot of time trying to confirm this with no luck. I obtained these postcards back in the 1970's and contacted a Norman model railroad club and they knew nothing about this layout. These are interesting postcards illustrating how an entrepreneur can turn a hobby into a money making venture. The sign in the middle of the layout, shown in Postcard #1, listed the Scenic Railroad Photos at 10 cents each and "ROSE ROCKS" for sale (Barite Rose Rocks are entirely unique to the state of Oklahoma). I assume he charged admission to view his "Railroad". Take a close look at the engines and train cars. They are all hand made and lettered by Martin. If anyone has information on this person, please let me know. My Google searches came up with nothing. These are EKC Real Photo Postcards that date to WWII. Please view my other listings for two more rare MARTIN ELECTRIC RAILROAD LINES Real Photo Postcards (#1, #2, #3 in the listing's title). We do combine items into one shipment. We are now listing our extensive 50+ year collections of Postcards, Sport cards, Non-Sport cards, ephemera items, Disneyana, old toys, records, action figures and much more. Please bookmark our store as we will be continuously adding to our inventory. We have been selling on eBay since 1997 and customer service is our #1 priority. Thanks for shopping our store. Paper items may have some surface wear, soiling, slight stains, corner bumps or small creases. Please view our close-up photos for actual condition. Major flaws will be noted in the condition description above and the price will reflect the postcard's condition. Buy with confidence and thanks for looking.

Price: 84.99 USD

Location: Fowler, Ohio

End Time: 2024-12-03T15:27:20.000Z

Shipping Cost: 3.99 USD