Terry Thompson took a Lionel GG1 in need of some care and brought it back for trouble-free operation. Learn how to repair and maintain the Lionel GG1 in the July 2013 issue of CTT, and enjoy this video of his renewed GG1 running on our D-146 project layout. […]
ManuFacturer: Lionel
A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels

Layout designer: Michael Tylick Scale: O Layout size: 11 x 11 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the May 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge railroad that travels schematic A Lionel FasTrack modular O gauge […]
ZW-L 620-watt transformer by Lionel

The most iconic power supply in model railroading is the postwar Lionel ZW. First marketed in 1948 as a 250-watt unit and in 1950 as a 275-watt product, it has been the Holy Grail for many toy train operators. The boxy middle, curved ends, and upright handles were captured in MTH’s no. 40-4000 Z-4000 400-watt […]
Video: ZW-L 620-watt transformer by Lionel

The ZW-L transformer combines an upgraded transformer package with the classic football-style case. Watch the video below to see some of the ZW-L’s features. […]
Video: ZW-L 620-watt transformer by Lionel

The ZW-L transformer combines an upgraded transformer package with the classic football-style case. Watch the video below to see some of the ZW-L’s features. […]
Curves & climbs track plan

Layout designer: Michael Tylick Scale: O Layout size: 11 x 16 feet Track type: Lionel FasTrack Minimum curve: O-36 Originally appeared in the March 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Curves & Climbs track plan Curves & Climbs track plan schematic […]
O Gauge Baldwin Centipede Diesel by Lionel

I don’t recall if I’ve ever proclaimed my all-time favorite diesel (real or model). If I haven’t, well, the winner is the Baldwin Centipede. It was long, imposing, and about as far away from the more delicate appearance of an Electro-Motive Division FT or F3 as you could get. The Centipede had a massive line […]
A Rocky Mountain railroad for your rec room

Layout designer: Michael Tylick Scale: O Layout size: 14 x 19 feet Track type: Atlas O Minimum curve: O-27 Originally appeared in the February 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. A Rocky Mountain railroad for your rec room A Rocky Mountain railroad for your rec room components […]
Project railroad: Create insulated track segments

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Project railroad: Create insulated track segments

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An O gauge layout that grows!

Layout designer: Terry Thompson Scale: O Layout size: 5 x 8 feet, expanding to 8 x 12 feet Track type: MTH RealTrax Minimum curve: O-31 Originally appeared in the January 2013 issue of Classic Toy Trains. ctt-An O gauge layout that grows! An O gauge layout that grows! An O gauge layout that grows! components […]
O gauge Blue Streak passenger set by Lionel Corp. Tinplate Line (MTH)

This is a reproduction of a clever bit of marketing from back in the mid-1930s. Take the then-popular Commodore Vanderbilt steam locomotive (the swankiest engine on the New York Central at the time) and pair it with a streamlined vividly colored train set. Profits will surely ensue. To get the job done, Lionel used its […]