What was your first train set (or locomotive)? When I was very young, I had several Marx wind-up trains. They would circle the loop of track several times and then run down. My first “real” train set was an S gauge American Flyer with an Atlantic type steam locomotive and several cars. I was probably […]
What’s our Back on Track series host Gerry Leone up to these days? More work on the upper deck of his new HO scale Bona Vista layout, of course! Following the previous episode, Gerry finalized more of the track plan, added plywood subroadbed to the upper level, and even laid some track into place. But […]
Facts & features Name: C&O Monroe Division Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 21 x 23 feet Prototype: C&O, Chessie System Locale: Appalachia Era: late 1960s-early ’70s Style: walk-in Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 30″ (main), 24″ (other tracks) Minimum turnout: no. 6 (main), no. 4 (other tracks) Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Benchwork: L-girder Height: […]
O gauge realism is Herb Lindsay’s legacy. One of the landmark layouts featured in Classic Toy Trains over the years has been the O gauge model railroad designed and built by the late hobbyist and his talented wife and fellow modeler, Dagmar Lindsay. How articles about Herb’s realistic tribute to railroading in central Pennsylvania during […]
It’s a new year with new progress on Gerry Leone’s all-new HO scale layout. Of course, that means a new season of construction videos gets Back on Track right now! In this episode, you’ll see how our host made quick work of his hardboard fascia installation. While work on his upper deck isn’t quite as […]
PLUS Modeling a Mountain State coal hauler C&O and NYC’s jointly owned Nicholas, Fayette & Greenbrier From demolition to discovery Modeling an unknown part of a known prototype The “accidental” mushroom layout The rewards were well worth the extra effort Virginia & Truckee in the transition era A proto-freelanced HO track plan A compact […]
The January 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains features advice on modelling winter from Dennis Brennan, a master of scenery and photography. You’ll also learn at least five other design and construction techniques from him that could improve your display! Plus there are multiple layout visits – including one in S gauge – filled with […]
The layout at a glance Name: Chesapeake & Allegheny RR Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 13 x 36 feet Prototype: freelanced Locale: mid-Atlantic Era: 1950-60s Style: around the walls Mainline run: 201 feet Maximum grade: 3 percent Minimum curve radius: 36″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Benchwork: open grid and L-girder Height: 55″-70″ Roadbed: Homasote Track: handlaid […]
Hi-rail O gauge modeler Peter Atonna’s work last graced the cover of Classic Toy Trains in October 2017, but his relationship with the magazine goes back at least two layouts to the May 1997 issue. His current one, the detail-packed Seligman & Paulden Lines, showcases the best of long passenger and freight trains […]
We celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club with video of their massive, 30 x 54 foot layout. See the full article in the December 2021 issue. […]
Watch trains running on Marshall Sommer’s HO scale Rhode Haven model railroad, which is featured in the January 2022 issue of Model Railroader magazine. […]
Neal Schorr’s work has appeared numerous times on the cover of and inside Classic Toy Trains, as well as in our sister publication Model Railroader. He’s an excellent modeler and equally good with a camera. His Pennsylvania RR-themed layout is loaded with scale detail and memorable scenes based on actual locations. Questions & answers My […]
