Meet the Modeler: Neal Schorr

A train on Neal Schorr's layout

Neal Schorr’s work has appeared numerous times on the cover of and inside Classic Toy Trains, as well as in our sister publication Model Railroader. He’s an excellent modeler and equally good with a camera. His Pennsylvania RR-themed layout is loaded with scale detail and memorable scenes based on actual locations. Questions & answers My […]

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A visit to Len Smith’s O gauge Reading layout

Len Smith's layout and the cover of the November 2021 Classic Toy Trains

Take a ride on Len Smith’s O gauge Reading RR featured in the November 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Modern locomotives and rolling stock plus great scenery make this layout a terrific tribute to his favorite fallen flag. Have a look at the track plan here. […]

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Lionel Area 51 set a spooky and fun train

Chris Raines with Lionel Area 51 set

Get a look at the Lionel Area 51 set (no. 2123160)! Chris Raines of RBP Trains on YouTube reviews this spooky and fun O gauge train outfit. First is a close look at the GE “ET44” Tier 4 Bluetooth-controlled locomotive and the array of cars. Then Chris takes it for a spin on his great […]

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Toy Train Layouts for Small Spaces

Toy Train Layout for Small Spaces issue cover

Plus much more! Toy Train Layouts for Small Spaces, pg. 6 Compact layouts have always been a part of the hobby. Get started on one now. Modest beginnings, pg. 7 Where so many of us got started with our toy trains Small workhorse: CTT’s City Transfer & Terminal, pg. 8 This multi-role 5 x 9-foot […]

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Richard and Mary Kay Doolittle’s O gauge layout

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Richard and Mary Kay Doolittle’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 51/2 x 201/2 feet Track and switch: Lionel FasTrack (diameters range from 42″ to 54″) Motive power: Lionel (postwar, modern) Rolling stock: Lionel (postwar, modern), MTH Controls: Lionel no. 22983 180- watt PowerHouse power supply with Legacy command control Accessories: Department 56, […]

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Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club’s O gauge layout

Track plan overview

Facts & features Name: Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Club’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 30 x 54 feet Track and switch: GarGraves, Lionel (diameters range from 72 to 120 inches) Motive power: American Flyer, Atlas O, Ives, K-Line, Lionel (all eras), Marx, MTH, Weaver, Williams Rolling stock: Atlas O, Ives, K-Line, Kusan, Lionel (all eras), Marx, MTH, […]

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Review: Lionel Legacy GP30 locomotive

Lionel GP30 locomotive

Electro-Motive Division’s GP30 was a pioneer of sorts: a herald of the second generation of diesel-electric locomotion on American railways. By 1960 most American railroads had an idea of what worked and what didn’t cut it in diesel operations. Watch Lionel’s Legacy GP30 run here. Builders such as Alco, Baldwin, Lima-Hamilton, and Fairbanks-Morse fell to […]

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Meet the Modeler: Stan Trzoniec

A Santa Fe and a Union Pacific locomotive in a railroad shop setting.

Stan Trzoniec’s modeling work has graced the covers and pages of Classic Toy Trains for a couple of decades. His eye for detail and excellent photography skills have made him one of the standouts in the toy train world. See his work in the in the September 2021 issue. We asked him a few questions […]

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