Atlas Premier GP38-2 Conrail No. 8061

nose of a blue and white model locomotive

Atlas has continued the slow drip style of releasing their acquired Premier Line toolings from MTH. Over the past two years, their style of regular catalog drops created an almost consistent arrival of models to the market. In their Summer 2024 catalog, they announced today’s spotlight: the Premier GP38-2.  A partial shipment of the GP38-2s […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for June 2025

red, white, and blue boxcar

Locomotives & rolling stock   Dixie Union Station, 110 W. Main St., Mason, OH 45040, has released a custom-run MTH GP7 as part of the Premier line. The locomotive features Detroit & Toledo Shore Line graphics and requires O-31 curves for operation (20-22009). Expected delivery in September 2025. Price: $599.95. Website: dixieunionstation.com The Train Loft, […]

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Atlas O Premier Spring 2025 catalog

cover of catalog with red locomotive

The Atlas O Spring 2025 Premier catalog was recently published on the manufacturer’s website. Highlights include: New locomotives ET44 E6 New paint schemes SD40-2 Streamlined passenger car 40′ PS1 Boxcar   View the catalog at shop.atlasrr.com Read more news in our news section. […]

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Toy train parts suppliers

model train with screwdriver and assorted parts around it

One of the questions we receive quite regularly is where to find parts. Sooner or later, it’s likely you’ll need a part for your locomotive or rolling stock. It could be as simple as replacing traction tires or as complicated as a postwar rehab project. In either case, we’ve got you covered! For each retailer, […]

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5 tips for starting a toy train collection

Silver and yellow toy boxcar

I began collecting O and 027 gauge trains in middle school. Like many toy train enthusiasts, the trains were eventually packed away for various reasons. Years later, I unpacked my Lionel and Marx collection.  It had been a long time since I had seen these trains. I unpacked mostly postwar and modern 2-4-2 outline steam […]

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A look back: prewar American Flyer stations

screenshot of magazine page with model stations

The Winter 1989 issue featured an 8 page (!) article on prewar American Flyer stations (96, 104, and 237). This comprehensive article included variation charts for each of the versions, photos of the different bases, catalog art, and more. It’s a great reminder that CTT has been the authority for toy train history for more […]

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Lionel’s No. 671 Pennsylvania RR S2 Steam Turbine

vintage black model steam locomotive

Lionel’s No. 671 Pennsylvania RR S2 steam turbine is one of the classic O gauge locomotives of the postwar era. Lionel released it for the first full product line of the post-World War II era in 1946. But the brilliant minds in the Engineering Department at Lionel were almost certainly taking their first steps in […]

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How do I remove black marks from tubular track?

Sections of track on the table

I recently took out my old toy trains that have been packed away for about 25 years. The tubular track sections that were brand new back then now have black marks on them. How do I clean them and get them usable again? — Joe Rampe If it’s just dry corrosion, a Scotch-Brite pad will […]

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