S gauge SD70ACe diesel by American Flyer (Lionel)

AFdiesel

In the September 2013 issue, I offered a critique of Lionel’s well-executed American Flyer passenger cars done in the postwar style. Although the cars were nicely made, their design followed the limited detailing of an older day, and so might not be up to par with a scale-detailed model railroader. This time we’ll examine an […]

Read More…

New products for September 2013

CTT-PN0913_1192

A LONG TRAIN FOR A LONG JOURNEY: Atlas continues the California Zephyr series with two new cars: a streamlined dining car (Silver Banquet shown) and a 16-section sleeping car (Silver Aspen). Each O gauge car features scale detailing, interior detailing and LED lighting, and window treatments. Both cars are available undecorated, or in Amtrak, Burlington […]

Read More…

Layout visit: Kent Johnson’s O scale Canadian Pacific

Kent Johnson's O scale Canadian Pacific

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Model Railroader and Classic Toy Trains staff member Kent Johnson has a fabulous 3-rail O scale layout in his basement depicting the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Kent applies the same weathering and realism to his toy-train layout that one would to a scale railroad, […]

Read More…

Jeff Silk’s Mount Marlborough RR

    In the September 2013 issue, explore Jeff Silk’s stunning 26 x 50-foot O gauge Mount Marlborough RR. This layout takes you across the Golden State through landscapes inspired by the Silk family’s favorite destinations. This video is courtesy of TM Books & Video. […]

Read More…

A FasTrack scheme with a surprising secret

schematic of track plan

Layout designer: Peter Riddle Scale: O Layout size: 6 1/2 x 11 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the September 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. A FasTrack scheme with a surprising secret A FasTrack scheme with a surprising secret schematic A FasTrack scheme with a surprising secret components […]

Read More…

O gauge United Aircraft TurboTrain by MTH

CTT-PR0913_50A

The 1960s were dark days for railroading in general, and passenger railroading in particular. Government regulation, unwise union contracts, mismanagement by railroad owners, and the transition from a manufacturing economy to an information economy were wreaking havoc in the transportation world. In spite of the fact that customers had largely fled the passenger train in […]

Read More…

S gauge American Flyer passenger cars by Lionel

passenger

With the invigoration of Lionel’s American Flyer product line and the sale of S-Helper Service to MTH Electric Trains, the S gauge market appears to be entering a new epoch that may permanently divide old school and new school S gaugers. Before we step through the looking glass into this brave new world, I wanted […]

Read More…

Dick Iannacone’s realistic S gauge layout

Dick Iannacone's realistic S gauge layout

Inspired by a lifelong love of American Flyer trains and the beauty of his home, New England, Dick Iannacone built this highly realistic 16 x 20-foot S gauge layout set in the steam-to-diesel transition period of the late 1930s into the 1950s. Enjoy additional photos of his outstanding layout in the gallery below. […]

Read More…