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Starting in 1935, Lionel cataloged six models based on the Commodore Vanderbilt. None had a 4-6-4 arrangement, yet the look of the Nos. 264E, 265E, 289E, and 1689E (2-4-2s) and 1508 and 1511 (0-4-0s) made it clear these O and O-27 toys were derived from the sleek, curved design of America’s first streamlined steamer. Louis […]
Lionel’s separate-sale items and accessories for 1959 Readers of our article on Super O and O-27 outfits cataloged in 1959 (September 2009 issue) will remember that the company experienced some earth-shaking changes in 1959. The turmoil started at the top, as Joshua Lionel Cowen sold control to Roy Cohn, his great-nephew. This confounding move by […]
Established as American Model Toys in 1948, AMT had challenged Lionel in three areas. First were streamlined passenger cars designed to be pulled by Lionel’s F3 diesels. Second, AMT brought out O gauge diesels, called F7s but more closely resembling F9s. The final niche AMT sought to fill was the one occupied by near-scale freight […]
In model railroading there are times where you may need a power reversing switch. A couple of examples are when you’re installing switch motors or adding a reverse loop to a direct-current layout. In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps of wiring a DPDT power reversing switch. What is a DPDT switch? For […]
For toy train collectors looking to up their game to include more and collectible pieces without breaking the bank, consider Lionel’s 2227W from 1954. Set No. 2227W, which had a retail price of $69.50 ($795 in 2023 dollars), relied on an iconic A-A combination of Santa Fe F3 diesels as its motive power. The […]
After Gilbert acquired the assets of American Flyer in 1938, it set out to develop a line of 3/16-inch scale models that ran over three-rail track. The firm announced the debut of a die-cast metal 4-6-4 Hudson and tender the next year. The men assembling Gilbert’s first S gauge line for 1946 were eager to […]
In the years after World War II, Lionel strengthened its presence in Canada by working closely with the heads of its sales office in Toronto. Roy Clarke and his son, William, represented the toy train giant and made sure Lionel had a significant presence in department stores and retail chains across Canada. Evidence of Lionel’s […]
Hardscaping, the subset of landscaping that includes outdoor paths, walls, and other things not made from plant or soil matter, can enhance the setting of many garden railways. Railway sites are also easier to maintain if they are elevated. I recently built a retaining wall for my railroad, the JS&A. The wall defines the railway […]
Facts & features Name: Missouri Pacific Joppa SubdivisionScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 27′-3″ x 31′-6″Prototype: Missouri PacificLocale: southern IllinoisMainline run: 131 feet (visible), 222 feet (including helix and branch to start of Freeman mine)Minimum radius: 30″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2.5% Download this trackplan! Buy the January 2023 issue of Model Railroader! […]
Modelers David Popp, Brian Schmidt, and Bryson Sleppy continue their series of projects to build a modular T-Trak N scale layout. T-Trak is a modular N scale railroading system that uses foot-wide boxes that can be plugged together to build tabletop layouts. In this second installment, the team demonstrates how to build RS Laser Kit […]
Facts & features Name: Freemont MillsScale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 3′-51⁄2″ x 7′-103⁄4″Prototype: freelancedLocale: Eastern U.S.Era: 1970Style: Free-Mo moduleMainline run: 94″Minimum radius: 60″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: noneBenchwork: open gridHeight: 50″Roadbed: corkTrack: Walthers code 83Backdrop: noneControl: Train Control Systems LT-50 Download this trackplan! Buy the January 2023 issue of Model Railroader! […]
Facts & features Name: Reading Co. Scale: HO (1:87.1)Size: 13′-6″ x 22′-0″ plus 2′-6″ x 5′-3″ West Philadelphia additionPrototype: Reading Co.Locale: eastern PennsylvaniaEra: 1930s to 1940sStyle: walk-inMainline run: 80 feetMinimum radius: 36″ (main)Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main), No. 4 (yards and industries)Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: modified L-girderHeight: 50″ to 58″Roadbed: cork on plywood (main), Homasote on […]
