BEFORE WW2, LIONEL SOLD RUBBER ROADBED FOR BOTH O GAUGE AND STANDARD GAUGE TRAINS.  THE ROADBED IS VERY HARD TO FIND TODAY.

THE PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS ONE REASON WHY.  LIONEL DONATED 18 SCALE MILES, ABOUT 6,000 LBS OF PURE PARA SPONGE RUBBER TO THE WAR EFFORT ON JUNE 25, 1942.  THIS IS THE MATERIAL THE ROADBED WAS MADE OF.  TOY TRAIN PRODUCTION WAS STOPPED ON JUNE 30 1942 BY ORDERS FROM THE WAR PRODUCTION BOARD.  THE PICTURE SHOWS THE BOY SCOUTS LOADING THE RUBBER ROADBED.  YOU CAN SEE THE LIONEL NAME ON ONE OF THE BOXES.  ONE OF THE BOXES IN THE BACKGROUND HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A LIONEL ADVERTISMENT FOR THE TRAINMASTER TRANSFORMERS ON IT.

​​​Lakes and Pines Division - Train Collectors Association