O gauge Conventional Classics Berkshire passenger set from Lionel

conclassic

The latest entry in Lionel’s popular Conventional Classics series of postwar reissues is the magnificent no. 2146WS steam passenger set. That train, originally fielded in the 1948 and 1949 catalogs, was powered by Lionel’s mightiest steam locomotive of the time – the no. 726 2-8-4 Berkshire – and included a trio of Irvington-series heavyweight passenger […]

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O gauge GP35 by Lionel

gp35

It is a well-known fact that anything painted red goes faster. Be it a Chevy pickup, a fire truck, or a diesel locomotive, the color red enhances the object’s overall performance. Hey, if you don’t believe me, look it up. It’s true! The new Lionel Legacy GP35 doesn’t need red paint to make it cool. […]

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A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels

drawing of track plan

Layout designer: Michael Tylick Scale: O Layout size: 11 x 11 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels schematic A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge […]

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New products for May 2013

05indiana

BIG RED: MTH’s Premier line of Electro-Motive Division SD9043MAC diesel locomotives includes the Indiana Rail Road paint scheme. The Indiana-based carrier operates approximately 225 miles of track formerly owned by the Illinois Central or the Milwaukee Road. The line also operates between Chicago and Louisville through trackage rights or haulage agreements. This O gauge model, […]

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ZW-L 620-watt transformer by Lionel

zwl

The most iconic power supply in model railroading is the postwar Lionel ZW. First marketed in 1948 as a 250-watt unit and in 1950 as a 275-watt product, it has been the Holy Grail for many toy train operators. The boxy middle, curved ends, and upright handles were captured in MTH’s no. 40-4000 Z-4000 400-watt […]

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O gauge GP30 by Williams by Bachmann

gp30

The Electro-Motive Division GP30 road diesel was a milestone. The first of the so-called second generation of diesel engines, it was more modern and efficient than even the F units and Geeps which had replaced steam. Although the timeframe it was produced (1961-63) was limited, nearly 1,000 came off the assembly line at La Grange, […]

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O gauge Swiss Crocodile by MTH Electric Trains

croc

MTH Electric Trains’ latest venture into European outline O gauge is the Swiss Crocodile electric locomotive. The articulated, center-cab locomotive looks like it is straight out of a kid’s book showing the wonders of global railroading.  Opened in 1885, the Gotthard tunnel was a significant engineering feat. The 9-mile long line hosted a 2.9 percent […]

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