May 1999

May 1999

By Angela Cotey | October 19, 2020

| Last updated on November 3, 2020

In the pages of CLASSIC TOY TRAINS magazine you’ll find information about building, operating, and enhancing toy train layouts; track plans, repair and maintenance tips, profiles of collectible postwar and prewar trains, and more.

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Features

A HOBBY OF HISTORY

By Richard Tashijan

The history of Lionel as well as the trains it produced are the focus of Richard Tashijan’s postwar collection.

BUILDING A BETTER CONTROL PANEL

By Mark Horne

Follow these tips to keep your control panel sophisticated enough to maintain interest, yet simple enough to make running trains enjoyable.

CAST IRON FLYER CLASSICS

By Robert S. Butler

Cast iron was the material of choice for American Flyer when it first electrified its line of O gauge steam locomotives in the early prewar years.

WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AT LIONEL

By Robert J. Osterhoff

Robert Stein was one of only a handful of Lionel employees charged with closing the Hillside manufacturing plant.

EASY STEPS TO A REALISTIC DESERT RAILROAD

By Carl Swanson

CTT staff members create convincing desert scenery for the magazine’s newest project layout.

THE GRAND TRUNK WESTERN

By Martin J. McGuirk

This “auto-plant-on-an-island” sectional track plan provides plenty of action in a 7-by-10 1/2 foot space.

REPAIRING OPERATING MILK CARS

By Ray L. Plummer

The operating car’s durable mechanism is easy to keep in top shape.

NEW INDUSTRY FROM A FAMILIAR LIONEL KIT

By Art Curren

Lionel’s European-style coaling station can be reworked into an attractive trackside factory for your layout.

AUCTION ABCs

Knowing the basics can make toy train auctions enjoyable and worthwhile.

Departments

Editor’s Desk

Correspondence

News & Notes

Point of View

Product News

Custom Weaver Pennsy GP38, Lionel culvert loader, custom road name boxcars

Questions & Answers

Product Reviews

K-Line and Williams Hudson 4-6-4s

TrainAmerica Studios command-control upgrade board

USA Trains Large scale 44-ton switcher

QSI transformer spike protector

IC Controls track power controller

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