[…]
Preview the November 2020 issue of Classic Toy Trains
Scale: S Scale
Fall 2020 TCA York meet cancelled
The Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association has cancelled the October York, Pa. meet due to COVID-19. The organization’s board voted to extend the spring meet, now scheduled for April 22-24, 2021. Registration fees for the April and October 2020 shows have been carried over to next year’s spring meet. More information is available […]
Mike Schwab’s Sn3 scale D&RGW background images
Denver & Rio Grande Western class K-27 2-8-2 Mikado no. 463 starts down the High Line with a string of boxcars in tow on Mike Schwab’s Sn3 scale D&RGW layout. Mike’s trackside photo is also September’s featured computer desktop wallpaper. Click on the links below to download the image sized appropriately for your computer screen. […]
Desktop wallpaper from the 2020 Model Railroader Trackside Photo Contest
Earlier this year, we put out the call for MR readers to send us their best model railroad photos. We published the winners in the July 2020 Model Railroader. Follow the links below to download the images of all eight winning trackside photos sized appropriately for use as computer screen desktops. Click on the links […]
Lionel Trains of the 1960s
Also in this issue: AN APPRECIATION FOR AN IMPERFECT DECADE, pg. 7 Lionel faced commercial and internal challenges in the 1960s THE 1960s – A DECADE OF HOPE AND UNCERTAINTY, pg. 8 Struggles to succeed in an unpredictable market STARS OF 1960, pg. 22 3535 operating security car with rotating searchlight 3376 Bronx Zoo operating […]
S-Helper Service S gauge diesel freight starter set
Anyone who thinks that S gauge starts and ends with American Flyer should take a look at the S-Helper Service line. For years the crew at S-Helper Service has been in the vanguard of manufacturers rising above postwar levels of detail, regardless of train gauge. Out are the cast-in handrails and roofwalks; in are add-on […]
More ballasting tips for tubular track
It’s been written about a lot before, but here are some more ballasting tips for tubular track. It can make your right-of-way look more realistic, but the bottom line is have fun and don’t stress about it. Don’t overdo It is pretty common to completely fill in the area between two tracks with a bed […]
Simple mountain backdrop painting for your toy train layout
Creating the scene The examples shown here are from the backdrops on my O gauge layout, which is set against distant hills. I broke each sketch down to three levels of scenery: the foreground (tree line), the intermediate level (nearby hills), and the background (mountains). I needed to use only three colors, one for each […]
What to do after you open a toy train starter set
First cataloged in the 2017 Lionel Christmas catalog, the no. 82982 LionChief Christmas Express train is a colorful and rugged modern starter set. Everything you need is included in the set box. Better yet, you can even operate this train from a smartphone! William Zuback A version of this article first appeared in the January […]
How to build a fleet of toy train engines
A few years ago I addressed this topic with a two-pronged approach: a little philosophy that might help you shape your fleet and some practical physical elements to ponder before you plunk down your credit card. Let’s take a quick refresher. Bob’s Rules for Locomotive Buying are pretty simple: One: A toy train is not […]
How to solder and conceal track feeder wires
Soldering track feeders isn’t that difficult. Learn this easy method for making reliable wiring connection that are also easy to conceal on a model train layout. Soldering feeders to the rails is a wiring method modelers have used since the hobby began. By soldering feeders directly to the rails instead of using other types of […]
Toy Train Value Guide
Have you ever wondered how much money your vintage toy train is worth? Download this free 41-page PDF to determine the value of your antique train sets. Inside you will find price guides for Lionel’s Operating Milk Cars, Lionel’s Log and Barrel Cars, Lionel’s Operating Boxcars, Lionel’s Postwar SP-Type Cabooses, and more! […]
