Lionel Legacy GP30

A toy locomotive in a yellow and green paint scheme on a toy train layout

Just before the spring TCA York Show in April, Lionel started delivering some of the diesels from the 2023 Volume II catalog. One of those diesels was the GP30, the gritty workhorse from EMD. This Legacy-equipped model is packed with features and pumps out some serious sound, all in a frame that can safely navigate […]

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Preview CTT May and June 2024 content

part of model train layout with wheelchair in background

We’re always adding new content to our website. Here’s some recent items you may have missed. Buyer’s guide to structures The one that got away   Coming soon! Handicap accessability for toy train layouts Bob Keller writes about a locomotive he loves: Lionel’s No. 41 Army Switcher […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products May 2024

black and red model diesel

Locomotives & rolling stock MTH has a series of Christmas items as part of their RailKing line. Available items include an O gauge Railing Alco PA A unit diesel (30-21253, $399.95, shown), an ES44AC Imperial diesel engine (30-21238, $399.95), a 4-car double-door plugged boxcar set (30-70131, $349.95), and much more. Delivery expected in October 2024. […]

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Williams by Bachmann E-Z Street vehicles

red and blue model cars

I grew up around cars; my dad managed a tire/repair shop until his retirement. So when Bachmann offered to send a couple of their new E-Z Street vehicles for review, the answer was an easy yes. These vehicles are part of the former K-Line “Super Streets” line, renamed by Williams by Bachmann as E-Z Street. […]

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What are you working on?

Color photo of two-story brick railroad office on model railroad.

Through our Trains.com website and the pages of Model Railroader magazine, you get a pretty good idea of what some of the hobby’s well-known names are working on. But not everything they do becomes an article for the website or magazine. In “What are you working on?” I surveyed some of our regular contributors to […]

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6 things I learned at the TCA Eastern Division York Show

group of people near a booth

I’ve attended numerous shows during my tenure at Kalmbach, from the local Trainfest show to garden railway conventions, but had never made it to the TCA Eastern Division York show. Finally, I attended my first one April 17-20. It was a whirlwind of activities, meeting contributors and vendors, and getting ideas for stories and layout […]

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Model Railroader After Hours | April 25, 2024

Model Railroader After Hours | April 25, 2024. After Hours is an informal livestream hosted by Trains.com staff members… after the “work” of the day is done, there’s aways something else fun! When David Popp needs to get away for the day, Cody Grivno returns to host this matinee edition in the MR Workshop. Our […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Sidetrack Ep. 4 | A horse apiece

Back on the sidetrack, David resumes construction of the drivers, plus the horses and mules used to pull the various wagons and carts he’ll place into his On30 layout scenes. Initial efforts in this episode involve the basic material prep and assembly of all the white metal parts and pieces in the selected kits. By […]

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Structures buyer’s guide in O and S scales

model gas station

Even the smallest layout needs at least a few structures on it. We’ve compiled a list of manufacturers offering products in O and S scale. We’ve noted each manufacturer’s contact information, what type of structures, the material(s), and if the kits are lighted. Please contact the manufacturer directly if you have questions about their products. […]

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Three rumors from the TCA Eastern Division York show

line of people waiting by door

While working the recent TCA Eastern Division York show, Roger Carp and I heard three rumors about the magazine. We’d like to share the questions–and answers–here. Classic Toy Trains is no longer printing issues Yes, we are still printing issues on a quarterly schedule. We also offer digital issues. If you’re a print subscriber, nothing […]

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Atlas O Spring 2024 Premier catalog

Cover of product catalog with steam engine and passenger cars.

The Atlas O Spring 2024 Premier catalog was recently published on the manufacturer’s website. Highlights include three locomotives, assorted 60-foot heavyweight passenger cars, four freight cars, a snow plow, pedestrian walkways, and an upgraded 24”-diameter turntable. All of the models are scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2024. Steam and diesel locomotives The […]

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Lionel No. 151 Semaphore with unique feature

model semaphore next to orange box

Lionel No. 151 Semaphore signals made their debut in the cataloged lineup for 1947 and remained popular members right through 1969, the final year of the post-World War II era of production. During that two-decade span, Lionel must have produced tens of thousands of the out-of-proportion trackside accessories. Collectors and operators of O-27 and O […]

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