Hi-rail O gauge modeler Peter Atonna’s work last graced the cover of Classic Toy Trains in October 2017, but his relationship with the magazine goes back at least two layouts to the May 1997 issue. His current one, the detail-packed Seligman & Paulden Lines, showcases the best of long passenger and freight trains […]
Looking for a budget Christmas train layout? Look no further. Classic Toy Trains Production Editor Rene Schweitzer and Digital Editor Steve Sweeney sort through garland, tinsel, ceramic buildings, and LED lights and more from Menards worth about $60. Watch them craft or place each piece for a winter-themed layout in less time than it takes […]
We’re celebrating the happy holidays on Bob’s Train Box 76! In this installment, Bob Keller and guest Hal Miller look at new Menards buildings including the Ray’s Wrecker building flat. They also examine the O gauge Lionel Super Chief LionChief set. In addition Bob relates a story and a reminder about those oddball train gifts […]
John Cunius is truly the “Chairman of the Board” when it comes to his O gauge layout. The display, in a corner of his train room, puts the “fun” in “functional.” It has shelves underneath that hold his collection of locomotives, cars, and other equipment. See this and many other space-saving designs in Classic Toy […]
Introducing the Lionel Super Chief LionChief set The Lionel Super Chief LionChief toy train set is a good-looking small passenger train set in a road name I really like. Lionel’s no. 84719 Santa Fe Super Chief LionChief set has been in the catalog since 2018, and there are good reasons the train maker keeps […]
Lionel 6464 boxcars help Lionel Corp. mark 1953 as a turning point. Yes, a year after blazing a new trail with classic streamlined passenger cars, the engineering and sales teams at Lionel fielded near-scale models of a modern flatcar, a triple-dome tank car, and a porthole caboose. Perhaps most important of all, the company […]
We celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club with video of their massive, 30 x 54 foot layout. See the full article in the December 2021 issue. […]
Vintage toy trains in winter holiday scenes bring feelings of nostalgia. Relive the nostalgia with this selection of both current and vintage holiday-themed photos in O and Standard gauge scales. If you have a photo you’d like considered for a future gallery, contact editor@classictoytrains.com […]
Atlas O has introduced the first three of four new holiday boxcars that salute traditional American celebrations. I’m very impressed with them. Most holiday boxcars that I’ve owned were simply a basic boxcar with some cheery graphics. Not so with these; Atlas O applies the fun graphics to a top-of-the-line car that the most dyed-in-the-wool […]
The MTH RailKing SW1 locomotive is a model of a humble but evolutionary piece of machinery. Steam locomotives truly were amazing transportation machines, but they basically shook themselves apart as they ran. As such they required lots of care and feeding to keep them service. Accordingly, railroads needed substantial support networks including engine shops, turntables, […]
Also in this issue: EDITOR’S DESK, pg. 4 PHOTO ALBUM, pg. 8 LETTERS, pg. 12 NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 14 Atlas O container, weathering materials MODERN ERA NOTES, pg. 17 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, pg. 20 COLLECTIBLE CLASSICS, pg. 22 VIEWS FROM THE UNDERGROUND, pg. 23 S GAUGE THEN NOW AND THEN, pg. 24 GREATEST FIND, […]
Bob and regular guest CTT editor Hal Miller have a look at MTH Trains’ new SW1 switcher. Check out the review in the January 2022 issue. The host also lights up Atlas O holiday boxcars, and shows some of his collection of railroad signs plus others available at Kalmbachhobbystore.com. […]
