Here is something you don't see everyday -- vintage shots of a fabulous standard gauge layout. Bill was certainly a lucky boy in Elizabeth, New Jersey (Lionel's factory was in Hillside, NJ -- the town next door).  It appears that his start was Outfit 432E from 1931. That set included a Black 400E and tender pulling three Apple Green passenger cars -- 419-418-490. Then half a dozen 200-series freight cars were added. Then an amazing bunch of top-of-the-line Lionel accessories!

Eight (count 'em) #94 High Tension Towers (introduced in 1932), a Cream/Pea Green #114 double station (1931-34), an early color #300 Hell Gate Bridge (introduced in 1928), a #140L large metal tunnel (1927-32), a flock of #550 Lionel people (1932-36), and a myriad of Lionel scenic plots. Additions came over several years as the #45 Gateman was not introduced until 1935.