Menards has released an O gauge Santa Fe starter set (2759202). The set includes a locomotive, a caboose with lights, a wireless remote control, 8 sections of O-36 tubular track, 1 section of 10″ straight track, 1 section of 10″ straight track with power connection, and 1 18-volt power adaptor. The engine features two motors, […]
Have you thought about how to upgrade your tower lights? An engine facility doesn’t look complete without small details around the buildings, tracks, and equipment. One detail that isn’t difficult to add to this scene is yard lights. Most of these are “plug and play” details. Lionel’s option looks pretty much identical to how it […]
The Lionel E8/E9s were one of several amazing announcements coming out the Volume 1 2023 catalog. If you’re into passenger trains, these engines are definitely for you! With speeds of up to 117 mph thanks to 2,250 hp [2,400 hp for the E9s—Ed.] , these E units were a staple for leading passenger trains over […]
I really enjoy using my Lionel postwar No. 3662 operating milk car, but lately I have found this great car is giving me some trouble. Specifically, the milk cans never come all the way down the chute. One or two of them get through before they get jammed. What do you suggest to fix things? […]
13 tips for storing your trains 1. Modern trains go in their boxes. Be sure you store them out of direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting in a cupboard, drawer, or other dark, dry area. A packet or two of silica gel inside the box helps keep moisture and humidity low so your boxes won’t get […]
Classic Toy Trains is updating our list of S, O, and Standard gauge of layouts open to the public. Do you know of a layout that’s not on our list in the link above? Please contact us at editor@classictoytrains.com and let us know. Requirements: Must be S, O, or Standard gauge Must be open the […]
Name: Grand Strand Model Railroaders’ O gauge layoutDimensions: 12 x 18 feetTrack: GarGraves flextrack (maximum diameter is 64 inches)Switches: Ross Custom SwitchesMotive power: K-Line, Lionel, MTH, WilliamsRolling stock: Lionel, MTHControls: MTH nos. Z-1000 (2), Z-4000 transformersAccessories: Gilbert American Flyer, Lionel, Marx, MTHStructures: Lionel, MTH, PlasticvilleVehicles: Corgi, Ertl, MTH, TycoFigures: Bachmann, MTH, Preiser, RMT, Woodland Scenics […]
There’s a switch on top of my Lionel No. 2332 Pennsylvania GG1. I’ve heard it controls how the engine reverses. I’ve run the locomotive on a test track, and without my touching it the locomotive reversed following the transformer direction switch. Is everything working right? – Jim Rohrbach, San Mateo, Calif. The switch on the […]
MTH Electric Trains and the Atlas Model Railroad Company announced a shared asset deal that will allow each company to use select models from the other company’s O scale tools and molds. The first of these shared assets will be passenger car tooling that can complement locomotives being produced by the other company. The program […]
Name: The Polar Express layout Gauge: ODimensions: 4 x 8 feet The Classic Toy Trains staff built the Polar Express layout over a five day period, from benchwork to final scenery. This layout, which was featured in the November/December 2023 issue of Classic Toy Trains, features scenes from the beloved 2004 movie. See the construction of the layout […]
In the toy train world, it seems that each year or so there is a common theme among manufacturers. 2022 seemed to be the year of Amtrak. With the 50th anniversary paint schemes announced on Amtrak’s P42s it was fitting for Lionel and Atlas to lean into these announcements with a few of their own. […]
Rolling stock & accessories Menards has released Jack’s Christmas Boxcar (No. 2759153). This red boxcar has a winter scene featuring Jack the German shepherd with a red LED nose that blinks when connected to track power. The boxcar navigates O-27 curves, and each car is uniquely numbered. Available as a single car or in packs […]
