An interview with Jay Escamilla of Third & Townsend and Sunset Models

Mode diesel and yellow box in front of a white screen

In September 2025, Sunset Models Inc., along with its subsidiary 3rd Rail Division and Golden Gate Depot, found a new home in the form of Third & Townsend Models. From this recently-established partnership will be the distributor overseeing the companies’ continual and expanding productions of high-end, O and HO scale models in brass, plastic, and […]

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Atlas O Premier Fall 2025 catalog

orange and black model engine

The Atlas O Fall 2025 Premier catalog was recently published on the manufacturer’s website. Highlights include: New locomotives GP30 The locomotive includes Proto-Sound 3.0, onboard DCC/DCS decoder, detachable snowplow, O-42 operation, and road-specific ditch lights. Available roadnames: BNSF; NKP; Indiana & Ohio; Norfolk & Western; Raritan Central. Available in 3-rail version only. Price: $729.95. New […]

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Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Interview with Rich Foster and Bradley DeLeon of MTH Trains

Hear about the future of MTH Electric Trains directly from company principals Rich Foster and Bradley DeLeon. Even as MTH founder Mike Wolf annouced his retirement, Rich had a plan to keep the company going. Today, custom/specialty products now account for about 30% of the business. MTH has also made commitments to its RailKing One Gauge […]

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An interview with MTH Electric Trains

Model train products together

In 2020, MTH Electric Trains President Mike Wolf announced his May 2021 retirement and the subsequent closure of the company after 40 years in business. It’s now 2025, and MTH remains alive and well, continuing to produce products for the model railroad and toy train industry at a more modest pace in O, Standard, and […]

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Lionel Legacy Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003

O scale steam locomotive on a layout

Lionel Trains is no stranger to modeling preserved steam locomotives we know and love, including those still operating today. The latest offering is Soo Line 2-8-2 No. 1003 (No. 2531120), a local steam star here in southeastern Wisconsin. The locomotive is one of six O-scale, 3-rail United States Railroad Administration (USRA) heavy Mikados that were […]

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Lionel Legacy 2-8-2 USRA Heavy Mikado steam locomotive

Join Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson as he reviews the Lionel Legacy O gauge (1:48) USRA 2-8-2 Heavy Mikado Soo Line No. 1003 , featuring video of the model operating on the Milwaukee Lionel RR Club and the 1:1 scale steam locomotive too! This Legacy model boasts detailed construction, stack and whistle steam, and is easily […]

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Trains.com Insider Exclusive | Lionel Service Repair Manager Savathdy My

Join Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer and Service Repair Manager Savathdy My as they discuss the Lionel Trains LLC warranty program. Savathdy relays how contacting Lionel via talktous@lionel.com is the best path for the fastest service, which sets up an RA (Return Authorization) and prepaid label. When shipping, he encourages customers to use bubble […]

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Lionel’s No. 520 Lionel Lines Boxcab Electric

red model train

Lionel’s No. 520 Lionel Lines Boxcab Electric stands out among other postwar O-27 locomotives because there is so much about it that’s different from what you find on other models from that celebrated era of production. The 520 is far from scarce and so is commonly overlooked by avid collectors and operators of postwar trains. […]

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Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 28 – part 2 | Adding authentic waterfalls

As the waterworks continue, David details his process for creating realistic waterfalls for the Olympia & Sand Creek On30 logging layout. He starts by making flexible waterfall sheets using multiple coats of Woodland Scenics water effects paste on plate glass. He also shows how to build containment dams across the river rocks using clear silicone […]

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Menards Union Station

O scale station/platform structure

The O scale Union Station from Menards (No. 2759531) is another excellent offering from the home improvement chain, providing a readily made structure that requires minimal fuss for setup. Out of the box, with hardly any assembly needed, the structure measures 13-1/16” wide, 7-7/8″ deep, and 8-1/4″ tall. Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer and […]

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How to use servos on your layout

A cemetery on a toy train layout

I enjoy animating scenes on my O gauge layout, and have come across a great way to get slower, more-precise realistic action: using servos. A servomotor, or servo, is a small, inexpensive device that provides control over the position, speed, and acceleration of a mechanical system. The device is readily available, easy to program, and […]

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