|
|
Information Station Article Collections
The essential articles from the past 20 years of CLASSIC TOY TRAINS magazine are instantly available for download. Check out the article collections here.
Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Scroll down for the complete list of our downloadable article collections, arranged by category.
CHECK THIS SECTION OFTEN FOR MORE NEW ARTICLE COLLECTIONS!
|
TRACK AND TRACK PLANS
Basic toy train track plans - $5.95
• Pop's layout
• A small two-train layout
• Two-sheet layout
• High speed in 6 x 12 feet
• Layout for a room corner
• Double reverse track plan
• Look ma, no switches
• From train set to layout
|
Basic toy train track plans vol. 2 - $5.95
• Model Builder via MTH; Updating flexible 9 x 12-foot plan using RealTrax
• Full of surprises; Four routes distinguish this O-31 track plan
• FasTrack flashback: A plan from 1940 incorporates Lionel's new track system
• Three-stage plan that grows; 9 x 12 RealTrax plan lets you run trains as you build
• Wild west in a 5 x 9-foot space
• A small, simple, and amazingly sensible 5 x 9 plan
• Walk-in, sit-down, standout plan
|
Intermediate toy train track plans vol. 2 - $5.95
• Bridge out! Missing bridge adds operating interest
• Conquering the Canadian Rockies: Tunnels, trestles, & trees for impressive setting
• Logging Lines Central: Get in the middle of FasTrack action
• Hills & harbor track plan
• Central City Railroad: 8 x 16 plan that grows tall to avert urban sprawl
• 12 x 25-foot rec-room railroad
• Engine terminal with a future
• Waterfront terminal railroad: Busy harbor adds action to 8 x 16-foot track plan
|
O gauge track selection and maintenance - $5.95
• Introduction to contemporary O gauge trackwork - track buyer's guide
• Tubular track
• Solid-rail track
• Choosing a track-cleaning method
• Double-duty double-slip track switch
• Make insulated O gauge track sections
• Testing 9 types of track
|
Bending GarGraves track and more - $5.95
• Laying GarGraves track
• Easy steps to a realistic railroad: A desert layout
• Ballasting basics for tip-top track
• Build lift-out sections steps to better looking track
• CTT visits GarGraves
|
Track plans for 2005 - $5.95
• Model Builder via MTH; Updating flexible 9 x 12-foot plan using RealTrax
• Full of surprises; Four routes distinguish this O-31 track plan
• Bridge out! Missing bridge adds operating interest
• FasTrack flashback; A plan from 1940 incorporates Lionel's new track system
• Conquering the Canadian Rockies; Tunnels, trestles, & trees for impressive setting
• Logging Lines Central; Get in the middle of FasTrack action
• Three-stage plan that grows; 9 x 12 RealTrax plan lets you run trains as you build
|
Track plans from 2006 - $5.95
• Waterfront terminal railroad; Busy harbor adds action to 8 x 16-foot track plan
• Walk-in, sit-down, standout plan
• Engine terminal with a future
• A small, simple, and amazingly sensible 5 x 9 plan
• 12 x 25-foot rec-room railroad
• Central City RR: 8 x 16 plan that grows tall to avert urban sprawl
• The wild west in a 5 x 9-foot space
• Hills & harbor track plan
|
Toy train track plans 2007 - $5.95
• Town & country plan
• Big & fast oval
• Step-by-step plan
• O gauge for a modest bedroom
• Dusty dogbone design
• 2 sheets to grow on
• FasTrack up-and-over oval
• Chesterfield Trunk & Terminal
• New England in a room
|
ELECTRICITY AND COMMAND CONTROL
Electricity and toy train layouts - $5.95
• Two-train wiring
• The Watson crossing
• The ABCs of relays
• Accessory control
• You light up my layout
• Heads up!
• Add meters to your layout
• Basics of electrical switches
|
Lionel's TMCC and MTH's DCS - $5.95
• Command control basics
• DCS delivers
• Improve TMCC reception
• TMCC rolling stock
• Command upgrade - review of TMCC refit kits
• Convert PS1 to PS2
• PS1 to TMCC Equalizer board
|
Wiring for modern Lionel accessories - $5.95
• Get your semaphore to flip
• Heighten the operation of your dwarf signal
• Activate your crossing lights, 3 ways to wire a modern-era mast signal
• Two guys and a tower, 3 ways to wire a Lionel switch tower
• Banjo on your layout, 3 ways to wire a Lionel wig-wag
• Lights and action, how to wire your Lionel crossing gate and signal
• Block that signal! 3 ways to wire your Lionel block signal
• What goes up should come down
• Light up your Lionel signal bridge
• Power to the gatemen, 3 ways to wire this classic accessory
|
LAYOUTS AND SCENERY
Build a better layout - $5.95
• 10 tips to make a better layout
• 10 layout mistakes
• Troubleshooting your "bad" wires
• Designing for operation
• 12 design tips
• Apartment layout - before & after
• Testing 9 types of track
• 8 show time tips
|
Toy train scenery - $8.95
• Build a "hidden corner"
• Add a gorge to your
layout
• Making an elevated line
• 4 steps to better-looking track
• Compact & changeable
• Build a mountain & tunnel
• How to expand your horizons
• 11 steps for ceiling tile scenery
|
Details for toy train scenery - $8.95
• Simple city scenery
• How to hide access hatches
• Quick scenery details; Four single-evening layout projects
• Quick scenery details; Four projects to enhance your layout
• Tricks to hide ugly plastic accessory bases
• Painted ladies…and gentlemen too
• Fender bending
• Welder-done
• A home for your locomotives
• Build a realistic grade crossing
• Small scenes made simple: 3 evening detail projects to bring a layout to life
|
All about Plasticville - $5.95
• Just one word, Plasticville; 50 years of memorable structures
• Picket fences for Christmas?
• How to build better Plasticville structures
• Painting and weathering Plasticville hobo shacks
• Detailing Plasticville Cape Cod houses
• Enhancing Plasticville telephone poles
• A grander Union Station: kitbashing for an impressive building
• Plasticville-one better: turn a basic coal tower into a showpiece
• Detailing a Plasticville switch tower, 6 steps to improving this structure
• Mayor of Plasticville, Bill Nole's layout
|
CTT staff project layouts - $5.95
Build the Coal Terminal & Trestle RR
• PART 1: Turn your O-27 train set into a layout
• PART 2: Assembling the track and trestles on our 4 x 8-foot layout
• PART 3: Bus wires, switches, and connections for trains & accessories
• PART 4: Final scenic touches Planning your holiday layout - Christmas
• Planning your holiday layout - we build a winter village
• Build a Halloween layout
|
Inspiring small layouts vol. 1 - $5.95
• Petite perfection, John Gulino's layout
• Fun on a 4 x 8-foot layout, Philip Denslow's layout
• Little wonder, J.D. Caboor's layout
• Tinplate 4 x 8, Rob Lihani's layout
• Small room, big fun, Henry Lahneman's Standard gauge layout
• Big trains, small room, Kent Johnson's layout
• Small is beautiful, Jeff West's layout
• Basic training, Joe Bolton's layout
|
Masters of hi-rail - $5.95
• Fast trains & hard drives, John Shankland's layout
• Logging & O gauge serendipity, Dave Jacobs' layout
• Pacific Northwest comes alive in O gauge, Bill Spaulding's layout
• Treading a middle ground, Joe and Jo Ann Lesser's layout
|
Holidays and toy trains - $5.95
• Building the perfect Christmas layout
• Creating a family-friendly layout
• Create your own Christmas train
• Three times around the tree
• Build a multi-level Christmas tree layout
• Q&A: Get ready to jingle! Enjoy trains at the holidays
• Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow: 3 ways to make winter scenery
• Christmas train time, The Flynns' display layout
• Christmas in Model Builder magazine
|
Build a great S gauge layout - $5.95
• A lightweight S gauge layout I
• A lightweight S gauge layout II
• American Flyer Legacy
• Compact & changeable
• Suburban railroading
• Ring in the holidays
|
Our favorite layouts volume l - $5.95
• A Lionel layout built by a real railroader, Steve Bales' layout
• The Lionel O gauge Madison Central
• Pennsy and New York Central meet on this O gauge "hi-rail," Herb Lindsay's layout
• A postwar dream come true, Phil Klopp's layout |
S gauge masters of hi-rail - $5.95
• American Flyer, The best of both world's, Warren Frost's layout
• For the future of American Flyer, Bob Board's All Aboard Railroad
• Something for everyone, Brad Nelson's layout
|
Pennsy Pride 1, Large steam locomotives - $7.95
Product Reviews
• Weaver O gauge Pennsylvania RR 4-8-2 steam
• MTH Premier line O gauge Pennsylvania RR J-class 2-10-4
• Lionel O gauge LionMaster Pennsylvania RR T1-class 4-4-4-4
• 3rd Rail O gauge Pennsylvania RR Q2 4-4-6-4 steam
• 3rd Rail O scale 2-10-4 Texas
• Lionel O gauge Pennsylvania RR S2 turbine
• 3rd Rail O gauge Pennsylvania RR S2 turbine
• Sunset Models O gauge Pennsylvania RR 2-10-0 decapod
• 3rd Rail O gauge Pennsylvania RR S1 6-4-4-6
• O gauge Pennsy duplex 4-4-4-4s by Lionel and MTH
• MTH Premier line O gauge Pennsylvania RR S-1 6-4-4-6
|
REPAIR AND RESTORATION
Repair & maintenance of locomotives (Lionel) - $5.95
• The "A-B-C" of motor wiring
• Repairing Lionel universal motors
• Repair Lionel's whistles
• Repairing Lionel diesel horns
• Repairing Lionel's smoke units
• Repair pickup rollers shoes
• Bringing back Big Berk (Parts 1 & 2)
• Rip van Hudson
|
Repair & maintenance of operating cars (Lionel) - $5.95
• Repairing milk car
• Repairing Lionel's operating boxcars
• Servicing animated gondola
• Repair no. 3424 brakeman car
• Servicing ore-dump car and repairing collector shoes
• Repairing no. 3361 lumber dump car
• How to repair searchlight cars
• Get moving! (no. 3656 operating stockcar)
• Repairing helicopter and satellite-launching cars
|
Repair & maintenance of accessories - $5.95
• Lionel's no. 445 switch tower
• Lionel's no. 30 water tower
• Lionel's no. 455 oil derrick
• Lionel's no. 497 coaling station
• Lionel's operating freight station
• Lionel bridge's falling down (no. 313 bascule bridge)
• Roll out the barrels (no. 362 barrel loader & no. 3562 barrel car)
|
Restoring prewar trains - $5.95
• Royal restoration; Restore Flyer Royal Blue
• Repairing drawbar guides
• Coca-Cola streamliner
• Brushplate bushing repair
• Back from the edge: Restore Standard gauge switches
• Do it yourself restorations; 8 steps to renew beat-up trains
• Sandblast your way to a superb restoration
• Reviving a Lionel no. 270 bridge
• Restoring Lionel steamers
|
HISTORY AND COLLECTING
Collecting Lionel steam locomotives - $5.95
• K4: evolution of an engine (no. 225 and family)
• The 226E dynasty
• 224E family tree
• Lionel's mighty turbine
• Lionel's postwar big Hudsons
• Making the right connection (post-war tenders)
• A close look at Lionel's no. 746 N&W J steamers
|
Collecting Lionel locomotives - $5.95
• Get smart about Lionel's postwar F3s
• Growling & purring F3 diesels
• Copy clues -spotting Lionel Train Master repaints
• Spotting copies - tips on recognizing Geep repaints
• Dressing up a queen - decorated GG1s and how to spot a restoration
• Lionel's EP-5 "Jet" electrics - paint variations tell a tale
|
Collecting Lionel freight cars - $5.95
• Operating milk cars
• Who let the logs out? (postwar operating log and barrel cars)
• The ins & outs of Lionel's operating boxcars
• They're everywhere! Lionel's postwar SP-type cabooses
• Rails 'n' tails (Lionel's wacky postwar animal cars)
• The 10 best Lionel boxcars (the rarest members of the 6464 family)
• Load bearers (Guide to Lionel flatcars with bulldozers and earth scrapers)
• Making the right connection (the right tender behind our postwar steamer)
|
Great Lionel postwar years - $8.95
• 1957: Big powerful Lionel trains for boys
…and a special set for girls!
• Unique Lionel items of 1957
• 1950 - Truly a golden year for this toy train giant
• Lionel for 1952
• Lionel for 1955
• Lionel for 1956
|
Postwar Lionel F3 diesels - $5.95
• Get smart about Lionel's postwar F3s
• Growling & purring F3 diesels
• Lionel F3 diesels, the scoop on paint, details, & more
• Last three Lionel postwar F3 diesels
• Repairing Lionel universal motors
• Repairing Lionel diesel horns
• New life for a tired F3, Trzoniec on restoring
• Running repairs for Lionel's F3, Weatherford on tuning up
|
The history of Lionel - 48 pages $5.95
This set of 8 articles includes 40-plus pages on the history of Lionel, including a detailed 20th century timeline, a 100-year tribute to Standard gauge trains, and a 2-part feature on Lionel's competitors. Other stories focus on dedicated Lionel employees during the postwar years, including a 2-part feature on longtime employee Lenny Dean.
The articles in this collection are:
• A tribute to Lionel trains
• Centennial of Standard gauge
• Challenging the Lion: Part I, Lionel's prewar competitors
• Challenging the Lion: Part II, Postwar rivals
• The Dean of Lionel: Part I, Service defined Lenny Dean's work
• The Dean of Lionel: Part II, Lenny Dean rose to the top
• Lionel's profile in ingenuity: Charles Giaimo's daughter recalls how he inspired the company
• Lionel: Anthony LaFauci talks about the realities of making trains
|
Essential Classic Toy Trains stories - 56 pages $8.95
• How much is your old toy train worth?
• Amazingly sensible 5 x 9 plan
• Guide to O gauge track brands
• Choosing a track-cleaning method
• Postwar power basics: Tips on safely using old Lionel and Flyer transformers
• Picking your power pack: What transformer is right for you?
• Handbook on layout wiring
• Make O gauge insulated track sections
• 10 tune-up tips: Get those attic-dwellers purring in time for the holidays
• Build the realistic O gauge Cassville, Tomahawk & Tomah RR
• Completing the scenery for the O gauge Cassville, Tomahawk & Tomah
|
Lionel display units - $5.95
• Amazing survivor, rare Lionel D-1601 defines "original"
• Prized display, this Lionel D-265 is a real prize
• Feel of the fifties, Cecil Hopper's Lionel collection
• Displaying the finest, Roger Bockman's Lionel D-132 display layout
• World of Lionel store displays, Mark Gaffner's postwar rarities
• Prize Lionel display, Mark Tolby's Super O treasure
|
Marx roundup - $6.95
• "Six inch tin: Part I"
• "Six inch tin: Part II"
• Deep, dark secrets of Louis Marx
• Artistic and affordable
• Rarest of rare Marx
• Practicing safe Marx
|
|
Get our free monthly newsletter delivered to your inbox
|
.gif&w=250)
.jpg&w=250)
.jpg&w=250)
.jpg&w=250)
