New socket for a prewar Lionel lighted bridge

Q: Ray, I have a Lionel no. 315 bridge with a red light on top. The light doesn’t work due to the light socket, which rests in a sort-of black square holder that’s corroded. I have checked several hobby parts sites but can’t seem to find the part number for a replacement part. Do you […]

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Puzzling postwar Lionel driver styles

Q: I am trying to familiarize myself with my postwar Lionel nos. 675, 2025, and 2035 locomotives by reading several of the Greenberg reference books. The more I read, the more confused I get. One book states that the no. 675 has Baldwin disc drivers. Another guide lists both disc and spoke drivers. One reference […]

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The C&NW at Milwaukee’s Jones Island

This amazing indoor large-scale railroad was featured in Garden Railways’ February 2007 issue. The following photos are a sneak peek of what you can see in the full article. William Zuback OverviewAlmost the entire 28′ length of Bay Street can be seen here. The high-speed electric line running atop the concrete viaduct is not operational. […]

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Athearn HO scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy video

Athearn HO scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy

Athearn HO scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy We reviewed Athearn’s 4-8-8-4 locomotive in the December 2006 issue of Model Railroader. Click the icons below to see a video clip of the 4-8-8-4 in action. All videos may take several minutes or more to download depending on your connection speed. […]

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Precision Craft HO scale 4-8-8-4 Big Boy video

Precision Craft HO scale 4-8-8-4

Precision Craft HO scale 4-8-8-4 We reviewed Precision Craft’s Big Boy steam locomotive in the December 2006 issue of Model Railroader. Click the icons below to see a video clip of the locomotive in action. All videos may take several minutes or more to download depending on your connection speed […]

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The Operators video special: Mail and express train car models

Andy Sperandeo next to layout

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page You’ll find tips for adding mail and express switching operations to your layout in the July 2010 installment of “The Operators” column in Model Railroader. In this video, Executive Editor Andy Sperandeo shows you some of the mail and express train car models […]

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The D.E.U. Line

Red Rock Mountain, just southeast of Hidden Valley. On top is the turntable and engine facilities. Scenery was made from recycled packing material. William Zuback The scratchbuilt power house building contains most of the controls for the D.E.U. Line below. Access is through the top. William Zuback It’s a busy day at the Hidden Valley […]

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Brushplate bushing repair

A cranky, old toy train locomotive with a terrible growl, a hot-running motor, and anemic power may be trying to tell you something. Before deciding to retire it, though, check the clearance in the armature brushplate bushing. A worn or defective bushing often results in one or more of these locomotive maladies. The solution is […]

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Repair traction tires

When it comes to replacing a broken traction tire on a steam locomotive, it helps to have a sense of humor. That and a third hand. I don’t have a third hand to lend you, but I can offer you the tips below to get a leg up on this friction-fraught task. Traction tires have […]

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Repairing Lionel’s smoke units

Fig. 1: Pry off the original smoke unit cover with a screwdriver to gain access to the inside. Fig. 2: Remove the heater coil and smoke unit lining, both of which will be replaced in the conversion. Fig. 3: After scrapping and cleaning out all the pellet residue, make sure the air hole is not […]

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