Princess Coronation-Class 4-6-2 by MTH Electric Trains

THE PRINCESS CORONATION CLASS OF 4-6-2 PACIFICS that was fielded by the London, Midland & Scottish (LMS) Railway is one of the most admired types of British steam power. Built at the LMS works in Crewe, the locomotives were designed for high-speed express passenger trains. The locomotives actually had four cylinders, and they featured 81-inch […]

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Atlas O bulkhead flatcar

Screen shot of O scale freight car on wood workshop bench

The Atlas O 68-foot bulkhead flatcar is back in new paint schemes and road numbers. Model Railroader magazine Senior Editor Cody Grivno hosts our latest product review video, taking an in-depth look at the Trainman series model. Features on the bulkhead flatcar include side stake pockets, simulated tie loops, a fish-belly center sill, pull plates, […]

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Lionel’s Super Speedliner

Lionel_SantaFe_800x600

Lionel’s Super Speedliner, the first streamlined outfit, included everything that made the Lionel trains of the 1950s great – a wide array of add-on details, Magne-Traction, a horn, and more. Plus it wore the Santa Fe’s unforgettable red-and-silver paint scheme. 800 x 600 wallpaper1024 x 768 wallpaper1600 x 1200 wallpaper […]

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Toy train insurance

If you live in a house, condominium, mobile home, or anywhere else, including a rental property, you have – or should have – homeowner’s insurance. Further, you may assume that your policy covers your collectible toy trains.But homeowner’s insurance wasn’t developed to cover losses pertaining to collectibles. Too often, policyholders learn the hard way that […]

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FasTrack Formulas

The data found in this table, compiled by CTT reader Steven Bergerson, is a useful layout design tool in creating unique track plans. It was first published in the October 2009 issue, in the Tips, Tools, & Techniques column. FasTrack Formulas […]

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Atlas O heavyweight passenger cars

AS THE PAGES OF CLASSIC TOY TRAINS HAVE DOCUMENTED, Atlas O’s Trainman line is that company’s range of affordable trains with O scale dimensions. What this means is that you have a scale-sized model, but some of the details may be a compromise (such as cast-in grab irons instead of add-on grab irons on a […]

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Atlas O new through plate girder bridge

IN A VERY BROAD GENERALIZATION, I’d have to say that everyone has installed some sort of girder bridge on their layout. Whether it was a store-bought job or just some thin wood trimmed and modified to look like steel plate, the girder bridge is as ubiquitous on an O gauge layout, as say, a water […]

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Atlas O 60-foot heavyweight passenger cars

Atlas O 60-foot heavyweight passenger cars

Atlas O 60-foot heavyweight passenger cars Price: $84.95 ManufacturerAtlas O378 Florence Ave.Hillside, NJ 07205www.atlaso.com Era: 1910s to 1960s Comments: Modeled after relatively short cars, these new O scale heavyweight cars from Atlas O’s Trainman line can handle tight-radius curves without compromising prototype fidelity. The scale 60-foot cars are available in baggage, coach, combine (pictured), and […]

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Tricky toy train terms

The toy train hobby, like any other, has its own language. We at Classic Toy Trains try to avoid using confusing jargon wherever possible, but we know there are some terms we use that may confuse new readers. Even if you’ve enjoyed trains for years, you may still run across terms that aren’t clear, or […]

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HHP-8 passenger set by Lionel

THE LIONEL HHP-8 STARTER SET IS A STRIKING, TOTALLY-OUTSIDE-THE-BOX CONCEPT. Taking a step or three away from the typical 4-4-2-powered starter set, the HHP-8 set features a unique locomotive and some interesting passenger cars. This is a modern outfit (most sets are based on railroad equipment from the 1940s or ’50s) that looks pretty sharp […]

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Santa Fe Flyer set by Williams by Bachmann

WHETHER YOU ARE AN ADULT OR A CHILD, I’D SPECULATE THAT YOU GOT INTO MODEL RAILROADING WITH A STARTER SET.No matter the scale, that first starter set can make or break your interest in the hobby. A well-constructed set with interesting components can snag you and make you want more. By contrast, a poorly made […]

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