In the waning months of World War I, the USRA worked to develop a locomotive that would provide mixed service to railroads across the country. The 4-8-2 Light Mountain, with its longer wheelbase and lighter build, can navigate railroads with light-weight track where its heftier cousins can’t. These locomotives were built between 1918 and 1930, […]
My son was quite proud of the Lionel FT diesel (No. 2334110) he purchased for me as a birthday gift. Unfortunately, the newer locomotive is LionChief, which needs a constant 18 volts of DC (Direct Current), with the center rail being positive. My layout was exclusively AC (Alternating Current). Here’s what I did to be […]
Len Carparelli knew The Lionel Story very well. This talented artist, who made a career from restoring trains, primarily locomotives, built by Lionel during the post-World War II era of production, understood deeply the heritage that had shaped him. Len respected greatly the painters and designers who had come before him, and he aimed with […]
Follow Rene Schweitzer, Editor of Classic Toy Trains magazine, as she visits the Lionel Trains LLC headquarters to chat with Parts Manager/Customer Service Manager Aaron Fraser. In this exclusive video, get an inside look at how Lionel catalogs and manages its extensive inventory of over 35,000 unique parts, plus more than 2 million on-hand items! […]
Name: Norm Jurgen’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 16 x 18 feet Track and switches: Lionel FasTrack (diameters range from 60 to 72 inches) Motive power: Lionel Rolling stock: Lionel Controls: Lionel Nos. 22983 180-watt PowerHouses (9), CW-80 transformer (5) with TrainMaster Command Control Accessories: Lionel, MTH Structures: Department 56, Lionel, MTH, Woodland Scenics Vehicles: Altaya, […]
Name: Jim Steed’s Blairsville & Georgia Southern RR Gauge: O Dimensions: 8 x 21 feet Track: K-Line, Lionel, Menards (diameters range from 31 to 54 inches) Switches: Lionel Motive power: Lionel (postwar, modern), MTH, Williams Rolling stock: Lionel (postwar, modern), MTH Controls: Lionel type-Z, MTH No. Z-4000 (3) transformers Accessories: Hafner, Lionel (postwar, mod-ern), Marx, […]
Fun and fancy fill Lionel 2025 Catalog Volume 1. What am I writing here? You will recall that I recently explored for Trains.com the latest additions to the roster of O gauge sets, locomotives, and rolling stock presented in Lionel’s brand-new catalog. There, I focused on a handful of great trains that impressed me because […]
Leonard Carparelli has passed away at the age of 75 on August 27, 2025. It seems fitting to share part of an article Roger Carp wrote for the November/December 2022 issue, where one of Len’s repainted engines was featured on the cover. We at CTT send our condolences to the Carparelli family. – Rene Len […]
Locomotives & rolling stock MTH Electric Trains, 7393 Washington Blvd. Ste. 101, Elkridge, MD 21075 has announced 50 Waffle Boxcars as part of the Premier line. The boxcars feature sliding doors, metal handrails, and O-31 operation (20-99481 shown). Estimated delivery in February 2026. Price: $84.95. Website: mthtrains.com Trainworld, 751 McDonald Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11218, is […]
The Lionel Collectors Club of American (LCCA) announces a custom-run Lionel Christmas boxcar for LCCA members. The car features a metal frame, silver painted die-cast metal sprung trucks, and features O-27 operation. Expected delivery in late November 2025. Price: $115 with free shipping. Members can purchase up to six boxcars, while supplies last. To become […]
Join Trains.com staff writer Lucas Iverson as he chats with Ben Fioriello, president of the New Jersey Hi-Railers, a model train club facing an unexpected challenge. A change in building ownership forced the club to relocate, a situation that can be “life or death” for such organizations. Hear the story of how the club is […]
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 […]
