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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Modeling seasons on your layout

Color photo of steam engine pulling freight train through snow-covered scenery.

Back in 2010, I was part of a group of contributors to Scenery by the Seasons by Kalmbach Publishing Co. The 98-page book featured stories on modeling seasons on your layout. Among the topics covered were spring backdrops; lily pads, cattails, and pond scum; easy autumn trees; and ice and snow. Though the title is […]

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Titletown Train Show this weekend

logo of train show

The Titletown Train Show will be held May 3-4, 2025. The event will be at the KI Convention Center, 333 Main St., Green Bay, Wis. Show hours are Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features 35,000 square feet of operating display layouts, vendors, hourly door prizes, […]

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Sound-deadening subroadbed

Color image showing sound-deadening material attached to medium density fiberboard layout surface.

Excessive track noise was one of the main reasons I decided to rebuild my HO scale Daneville & Donner River layout. I hadn’t paid much attention to the noise level until I started using locomotives with sound decoders. That’s when I recognized how the wheel noise from rolling freight cars nearly overpowered the sound of […]

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Micro Engineering acquires Tomalco Track

Micro Engineering acquires Tomalco Track: The logo for Micro Engineering Company, which features black text against a yellow background

Micro Engineering, the Macon, Missouri-based model railroad track manufacturer, announced in a recent press release that it has acquired Tomalco Track. “Micro Engineering Company is pleased to announce the addition of Tomalco Track and its S scale tooling to the Micro Engineering family. Micro Engineering will be adding six different S scale items to its […]

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Lineside Details under new ownership

The logo for Lineside Details against a navy blue background

Tennessee Valley Custom Models has been acquired by new ownership. In addition, the manufacturer has a new name, Lineside Details. In a press release shared with the editors of Model Railroader, Michael and Elizabeth Thidemann announced their acquisition of the Atlanta-based scale signage producer and distributor. “We’re excited to continue providing high-quality signs to help […]

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