Lionel’s prewar competitors

box and train set

Note: This article originally appeared in the September 2000 issue of Classic Toy Trains. In celebration of Lionel’s 125th anniversary this year, we’re sharing it online.   The Lion has just entered the big-top for his first show. He has plenty of fight, although/ he’s no longer a sleek cub. His tail is a bit […]

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Broadway Limited HO UP Big Boy

Color photo showing smokebox front and headlight on HO scale steam locomotive. "Big Boy" written on front of smokebox; number boxes display "X4014"

Broadway Limited HO UP Big Boy Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Stealth (no sound), $749.99; with dual-mode Paragon4 sound decoder, $849.99 Era: 1941 to present (varies based on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Broadway Limited Imports, 9 East Tower Circle, Ormond Beach, FL 32174; 386-673-8900; broadway-limited.com Broadway Limited HO UP Big Boy features: Back-electromotive-force decoder Built-in capacitor pack […]

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Three superlative Union Pacific steam locomotives

People line fence to photograph smoking steam locomotive

No railroad was better equipped to shoulder the heavy burden of wartime traffic thanks to the three types of Union Pacific steam locomotives that constituted its front line of defense: the 4-6-6-4 Challenger, arguably the most successful simple articulated ever made; the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy, which easily wore the mantle “world’s largest steam locomotive”; and […]

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Lionel’s Paper Train

vintage paper of paper

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: “Lionel trains were […]

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Lionel’s O-27 locomotives on O gauge switches from 1931-47

Classic Toy Trains magazine logo

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: “Lionel trains were […]

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Creative track plans for every skill level

A track plan for a model railroad layout

Are you searching for inspiration for your next model railroad project? Whether you’re just starting out, have some experience, or are an advanced modeler, we’ve gathered a collection of creative track plans for every skill level to get your creative juices flowing. Based on designs from our staff and fellow model railroad enthusiasts, these plans […]

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Lionel’s 1945-46 roller pickups

underside of piece of toy train rolling stock

I found this manuscript from the late John Grams in our manuscript files. There was no date on the envelope but it’s likely from the early 1990s. The article discusses 12 Lionel products that, while great inventions, were fraught with problems or didn’t work exactly as advertised. He included the following disclaimer: Lionel trains were […]

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Quintessential New England

Quintessential New England

Montpelier & Wells River 2-8-0 No. 20, a former Boston & Maine engine, leads train 1 with a milk car behind the tender. A combine brings up the rear of the mixed train. The M&WR, which linked its namesake Vermont communities with a 44-mile route, operated six locomotives and one passenger car in 1944. William […]

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News & Products for the week of July 14th 2025

Four model locomotives in various paint schemes

News & Products for the week of July 14th 2025   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 14th, […]

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N scale EMD NW2 from Broadway Limited

Color photo of N scale end-cab switcher painted gray with yellow stripe.

Broadway Limited has released a new run of its N scale Electro-Motive Division NW2 diesel locomotive. The end-cab switcher features a die-cast metal body and chassis, all-wheel electrical pickup, factory-applied detail parts, and body-mounted couplers. The prototype Electro-Motive Division built the NW2 from February 1939 through December 1949. Production was paused from 1942 to 1945 […]

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News & Products for the week of July 7th 2025

A black and red model locomotive

News & Products for the week of July 7th 2025   Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 7th, […]

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The HO scale Willoughby Line layout

A multi level model railroad track plan

Facts and features Name: Willoughby LineScale: HO and HOn3 (1:87.1)Size: 13 x 22 feetPrototype: proto-freelancedLocale: California’s Central Valley and Sierra NevadaEra: 1935-1950Style: multi-deck walk-inMainline run: 180 feetMinimum radius: 30″Minimum turnout: No. 6Maximum grade: 2%Benchwork: L-girder and plywood brackets (upper deck)Height: 40 to 60 inchesRoadbed: HomasoteTrack: Micro Engineering codes 55, 70, and 83 flextrackScenery: Hydrocal hard […]

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