Vintage "Upson Train Board" Mechanical Hobby Store Display

c. 1950s-1960s; The Upson Company - Lockport, NY A playful mechanical point-of-sale display for Upson Board, the lightweight fiberboard widely used in mid-century model railroading as a roadbed and scenery base. The display is constructed entirely from Upson's own product-die-cut and printed in bright orange, black, and cream-and depicts a cheerful freight train rolling across "The Upson Line." When powered, the striped railroad crossing gate raises and lowers in rhythm, driven by the original motor and spring assembly mounted at the rear. Promotional pieces like this were supplied to hobby shops and hardware stores carrying Upson's model railroad board-marketed specifically as a stable, easy-to-shape base for HO and O-scale layouts. The display highlights that connection directly, pairing Upson's branding with whimsical cartoon rails, cars, and smoke plumes. Moisture staining, discoloration, and edge wear are present throughout the fiberboard components, but the mechanism remains operational. Tested and works. 28.5" W x 10" D x 8" H MM - C-18204 - 120425 For information regarding shipping, please visit our Terms & Conditions page here.