In the February 2025 issue of Model Railroader, readers got to learn more about Ted Van Pelt’s Sn3 Rio Grande Southern. The 22 x 22-foot layout, set in Colorado in 1930, features narrow gauge freight and passenger action, many scratchbuilt structures, and photo backdrops of prototype locations in the Centennial State. The walk-in layout has […]
In the February 2025 issue of Model Railroader, readers got to learn more about Ted Van Pelt’s Sn3 Rio Grande Southern. The 22 x 22-foot layout, set in Colorado in 1930, features narrow gauge freight and passenger action, many scratchbuilt structures, and photo backdrops of prototype locations in the Centennial State. The walk-in layout has […]
Classic Toy Trains‘ Editor Rene Schweitzer and Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson unbox and demonstrate the new DCS Wi-Fi Interface Unit (WTIU) from MTH. This long-awaited digital command system is an all-in-one system that is easy to set up and use. Learn the pros, cons, and watch a short demo of the unit! Read more […]
Classic Toy Trains‘ Editor Rene Schweitzer and Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson unbox and demonstrate the new DCS Wi-Fi Interface Unit (WTIU) from MTH. This long-awaited digital command system is an all-in-one system that is easy to set up and use. Learn the pros, cons, and watch a short demo of the unit! […]
Classic Toy Trains‘ Editor Rene Schweitzer and Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson unbox and demonstrate a battery-operated O gauge starter set from Lionel. This Thomas & Friends set comes with Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, accessories, plastic track, and a remote control. Learn what you’ll need to get this set up and running in no time. Read […]
Lionel Thomas & Friends battery operated starter set Classic Toy Trains‘ Editor Rene Schweitzer and Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson unbox and demonstrate a battery-operated O gauge starter set from Lionel. This Thomas & Friends set comes with Thomas, Annie, Clarabel, accessories, plastic track, and a remote control. Learn what you’ll need to get this […]
10 more helpful tips for your layout Smooth and steady steaming It’s not surprising that postwar Lionel steam locomotives are extremely underpowered. They’re single-motor locomotives that must tow a heavy tender, so you’ll seldom get them to pull more than a dozen freight cars. Keep the wheel axles, side rods, and smoke-unit mechanism properly lubricated, […]
From the first product releases, the Menards line of Plug & Play buildings have stood out from structures by other O gauge building makers. Interesting designs, add-on detailing, and often unique lighting features such as strobes and flashing signage add to the fun. Most of them look great simply sitting there. Powering them up, though, […]
Many of us have memories of visits to Grandma’s house from when we were kids. Menards is offering a way to recapture those memories in O gauge form with the release of Grandma’s House (2959376). This prebuilt structure is a two-level single family home measuring 8 11/16” wide x 8 ⅜” deep x 6 ¾” […]
My first train set (or locomotive) was…? When I was quite young, my parents bought me a secondhand Christmas train set. My best recollection is that it was probably a Marx set with strange couplers and lithographed tinplate sides. There was a small 0-4-0 steamer, a silver Gulf Oil tank car, a tan baby Ruth […]
The town of Cripple Creek expands! The latest addition to Menards Cripple Creek O gauge building line is the No. 275-9378 Cripple Creek Feed & Seed building. It features a compact 8 x 6 inch footprint that should make placement fairly easy. The design is a small farm supplier that is more warehouse than office. […]
Editor’s note: Kirk Lindvig reached out to Classic Toy Trains offering to send product samples for review. When he emailed photos of his U.S.-based manufacturing process, it reminded me of the behind-the-scenes manufacturer profiles CTT used to do years ago. I felt our readers would find the process interesting. I present this Q&A interview with […]
