Please enjoy this selection of holiday-themed photos of toy trains from Lionel and American Flyer in O gauge, S gauge, and Standard gauge. If you have a photo you’d like considered for a future gallery, contact editor@classictoytrains.com See even more holiday photos! […]
I first encountered the Lone Star Treble-O-lectric system when one of my old school friends had a box full of play-worn equipment, which we would just set up on the carpet and get them to go! At that time, the last remnants of the Lone Star system were sold in stores such as Woolworths, among […]
A holiday toy train photo gallery is just the thing to get you in the Christmas spirit. Please enjoy this selection of holiday-themed photos of toy trains from Lionel and American Flyer in O gauge, S gauge, and Standard gauge (with some bonus N and large scale trains). If you have a photo you’d like […]
Dave Baule’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 11 x 25 feet Track and switches: American S Gauge (diameters range from 38 to 76 inches) Motive power: American Models, Gilbert American Flyer, S-Helper Service Rolling stock: American Models, American S Gauge, Downs, Gilbert American Flyer, Lionel American Flyer, S-Helper Service Controls: Gilbert American Flyer Nos. 16B and […]
Bob and Diane Zwieg’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 9 x 13 feet Track and switches: K-Line, Lionel (diameters range from 27 to 72 inches) Motive power: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Williams Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Williams Controls: Lionel, Model Rectifier transformers with Lionel TrainMaster Command Control Accessories: Department 56, Lemax, Lionel […]
Facts and features Name: Sun Parlour Lines Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 12 x 41 feet Prototype: Chesapeake & Ohio and New York Central Locale: southern Ontario Era: September 1955 Style: around the walls Mainline run: 150 feet Minimum radius: 28″ (main line), 22″ (hidden loop) Minimum turnout: No. 6 (main line) Maximum grade: 2.5% Benchwork: […]
Facts and features Name: East Troy Industrial Park Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 14‘-2“ x 19‘-0” Prototype: freelanced industrial switching Era: present day Local: southeastern Wisconsin Style: around the walls Mainline run: 33 feet Minimum radius: 28“ (main), 18“ (spurs) Minimum turnout: No. 5 (main) Maximum grade: 1.5% at interchange Benchwork: L-girder Height: 42” Roadbed: cork […]
“Dead Rail” or “Power on Board” — no matter what you call it, the concept is the same: a model locomotive that carries its own power source. This eliminates the need for alternating or direct current track power, along with multiple headaches such as short circuiting, dead frogs, and dirty rails. Rechargeable batteries have become […]
What do I collect? I collect original prewar trains in Standard and Wide Gauge, i.e. 2 1/8”. Lionel created the gauge in 1906, and called their trains the “Standard of the World.” Soon, Standard gauge caught on as a label, possibly to differentiate from other gauges at the time. When the Ives Toy Co. modified […]
By the time you’ve laid and wired your track and installed your train and turnout control system, it’s easy to let construction of your new layout take a back seat to running trains. After all, the entire purpose of building the layout is to be able to have a place to enjoy operating your model […]
When I cut a hole in the living room wall in order to expand my N scale railroad into the hallway beyond, I thought that was as large a model railroad as I would ever own. I was just happy that my wife agreed to my bizarre suggestion (see “Harlowton, Montana, in N scale,” Model […]
In the December 2006 issue of Classic Toy Trains, then-Editor Neil Besougloff presented his design for a “three times around the tree” layout. It has since become a favorite with many readers and has inspired several holiday layouts. We’re presenting Neil’s original plan, featuring Lionel O-42 tubular track curves, a tunnel, and a 45-degree crossing. […]
