Charlie Bailey is passionate about toy trains. He collects Standard gauge (modern reissues from Lionel and MTH) and takes pride in the wonderfully detailed and expertly wired O gauge railroad filling much of the lower portion of the home he shares with his wife, Jane. We’re thrilled to be able to tour Charlie Bailey’s 42 […]
Section: Videos
Broadway Limited HO scale EMD GP35
A sample from the latest run of Broadway Limited HO scale EMD GP35 diesel locomotives paid a visit to our Winston-Salem Southbound layout. Join Model Railroader Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of the four-axle road locomotive and Burlington Northern No. 2510, points out the details on the plastic and die-cast […]
Ken Smith’s South Durham Ry.
Ken Smith’s South Durham Ry. is an HO scale shelf layout that fills a 9′-6″ x 11′-0″ spare room. The freelanced model railroad depicts a North Carolina bridge line connecting the Southern Ry. (SOU), Seaboard Coast Line (SCL), and Durham Southern in the 1970s. Second-generation diesel power moves grain, plastic pellets, perishable fruit, and other […]
Tom Kaiser’s O gauge layout
Name: Tom Kaiser’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 10½ x 11 feet Track: Lionel FasTrack (diameters range from 31 to 60 inches) Motive power: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Ready Made Trains, Williams Rolling stock: K-Line, Lionel, Menards, MTH, Ready Made Trains, Williams Controls: MRC transformers (2) Accessories: K-Line, Lionel, Marx Structures: Bachmann, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Plasticville U.S.A., scratchbuilt See more in the […]
Atlas HO Alco RS1 diesel locomotive
Welcome to our latest product review video, the first in the brand new Model Railroader workshop! This time around, we’ll take a look at the Atlas HO scale Alco RS1 diesel locomotive. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he talks about the history of the four-axle road switcher and Morristown & Erie No. 15; points […]
Art Volz’s O gauge layout
Name: Art Volz’s O-27 gauge layout Dimensions: 10 x 20 feet Track and switches: Lionel (diameters range from 27 to 31 inches) Motive power: Lionel (postwar, modern) Rolling stock: Lionel (postwar, modern), Menards Controls: Lionel Nos.1033, 1034, type-ZW transformers Accessories: Lionel, MTH Structures: Atlas O, Lionel, Menards, MTH, scratchbuilt, Woodland Scenics See more in the Fall 2024 issue of Classic Toy Trains! See Art’s track […]
Lionel Base3 control system unboxing and reveal
Lionel has released their Base3 control system, and CTT unboxes and tests the product. Editor Rene Schweitzer and Contributing Editor Bob Keller offer some tips and tricks for operation, and demonstrate the Polar Express engine on the CT&T in-house layout. Read a review from Chris Montagna about the Base3. Learn more about this system at control.lionel.com Find […]
Rapido Trains HO scale GP9RM
The Rapido Trains HO scale GP9RM, based on prototypes rebuilt by Canadian National in the 1980s, recently arrived at our offices. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he shares a brief history of CN No. 4000; highlights the many separate, factory-applied parts on the model; and demonstrates the sound and lighting effects (and a few […]
ScaleTrains HO EMD GP30
The ScaleTrains HO scale EMD GP30 is the subject of our latest product review video. Join Editor Eric White as he discusses the history of the Electro-Motive Division four-axle road switcher and Conrail No. 2229; highlights the various separate, factory-applied details on the Rivet Counter line model; and demonstrates the sound and light functions. Then […]
Harvey Simon’s HO F Line traction layout
Harvey Simon’s HO F Line traction layout is set in modern-day San Francisco, re-creating the route between the Castro District and Fisherman’s Wharf. The modified walk-in model railroad features open-grid benchwork, 6-1/4” minimum radius curves, and a mainline run of 40 feet. In this layout tour video, you’ll get an opportunity to see San Francisco […]
N scale Reading T-1 from Broadway Limited
An N scale Reading T-1 from Broadway Limited recently visited our Milwaukee, Racine & Troy State Line Route layout. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he gives a short history of the full-size 4-8-4; points out the many separate, factory-applied details on the model; and demonstrates the light and sound functions on the Paragon4-equipped steam […]
WalthersProto HO EMD SD9
A new run of the WalthersProto HO EMD SD9 was recently released. Join Senior Editor Cody Grivno as he provides a brief history of Great Northern No. 595, points out the many freestanding details on the six-axle road switcher, and demonstrates the various light and sound functions on the ESU LokSound 5-equipped model. Then see […]