The West Palm Beach Terminal Co. layout in HO scale

The HO scal West Palm Terminal Co. layout

Facts & features Name: West Palm Beach Terminal Co. Scale: HO (1:87) Size: 9-0′ x 12-0′ Prototypes:  West Palm Beach Terminal Co. Locale: East coast of Florida Era: Late 1950s Style: Module Mainline run: None Minimum radius: 1821″ Minimum turnout: no. 5 Maximum grade: None Benchwork: Hollow-core doors Height: 45″ Roadbed: Cork sheet Track: Micro engineering […]

Read More…

The Great Northern layout in N scale

The Great Northern layout in N scale

Facts & features Name: Great Northern Scale: N (1:160) Size: 10-0′ x 16-0′ Prototypes:  Freelanced Locale: Pacific Northwest Era: Mid-1960s Style: Walk-in Mainline run: 86 feet Minimum radius: 15″ Minimum turnout: no. 6 Benchwork: Modified L-girder Height: 46″ Roadbed: Commercial foam roadbed Track: Micro Engineering code 55 (main), Peco code 80 (staging) Scenery: Extruded-foam insulation […]

Read More…

The 2022 Lionel American Flyer EP-5

American Flyer EP-5 locomotive by Lionel

The Lionel American Flyer EP-5 is the latest version of a locomotive with a lot of history in S gauge. The General Electric prototype gained fame in service with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. A.C. Gilbert first produced its model numbered 449 in 1956-57 with one motor and a horn. In 1958 […]

Read More…

General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper in N scale from Athearn Genesis

General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper: An illustration of a red model boxcar against a white background

General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper in N scale from Athearn Genesis Scale: N (1:160) Price: Single car, $39.99; two-pack, $69.99 Era: 1957+ (varies depending on paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com General American Transportation Corporation 2600 Airslide hopper features: Factory installed wire grab irons and brake piping […]

Read More…

The Lionel Scout locomotive that meant ‘Christmas’

The Lionel Scout locomotive No. 1655 on a layout

The Lionel Scout locomotive has been for many an entry point to the toy train hobby. For me, it was the little engine that got me back into it. I’ve been in the toy train hobby for many years and have amassed an impressive collection of Lionel’s postwar F3s, Berkshires, Turbines, and other locomotives. But […]

Read More…

The American Flyer Legacy 2-8-8-2 by Lionel

American Flyer Legacy 2-8-8-2 by Lionel

The American Flyer Legacy 2-8-8-2 by Lionel was first cataloged in S gauge in 2012. The current offering appeared in the 2022 catalog. This time around the train maker is offering locomotives decorated for Norfolk & Western, Santa Fe, Clinchfield, Baltimore & Ohio, Virginian, Denver & Rio Grande Western, Union Pacific, Pennsylvania, and Northern Pacific. […]

Read More…

Athearn PS-2 2003 covered hopper

A gray model freight car illustration against a white background

Athearn PS-2 2003 covered hopper Scale: HO (1:87.1) Price: Single car, $34.99 individual; three-pack, $94.99 Era: 1956+ (varies by paint scheme) Manufacturer: Athearn Trains, 2904 Research Rd., Champaign, IL 61822; 800-338-4639; athearn.com PS-2 2003 covered hopper features: Injection-molded plastic body Photo-etched roof walks Metal wheels with RP-25 contours Body-mounted McHenry knuckle couplers Minimum radius, 18” Release […]

Read More…