January 2000

January 2000

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

TRAINS AT DUAYNE’S PLACE

By George Hall

Duayne Weinger’s showplace layout features the best of new and old trains.

LITTLE COLLECTIBLES MEAN A LOT

By Roger Carp

Buz and Norma Ray have built a fantastic collection by paying attention to Lionel’s peripheral items.

FLYER’S ALL ABOARD MODULAR SETS

In its waning days, Gilbert introduced an innovative line of train sets.

TIME LINE TRIBUTE

By Neil Besougloff

A century of Lionel people, places, and trains.

GOLDEN TOUCH 1958

By Jack Sommerfeld

A still-boxed freight set defines Lionel’s best postwar years.

TRAINS OF MY CHILDHOOD

By John A. Grams

For the author, real toy trains are made from metal, no plastic.

FOUR TRAINS THAT SAY LIONEL

By Neil Besougloff , Bob Keller

The 700 electric, 226 steamer, F3 diesel, and the modern Dash-9 embody Lionel’s century of train production.

POSTWAR CATALOG DIORAMAS

By Michael Jordan

Four displays bring the pages of postwar Lionel catalogs to life.

HANDCARS IN HISTORY

By Dave McEntarfer

Mickey Mouse and friends were stars for Lionel during the Great Depression.

STORING MEMORIES

By Harry Wheland Rado

“Poppa” sold refrigerators, toasters, and Lionel trains in his Manhattan store.

LIONEL’S TOP 10: THE AIR WHISTLE

By Bob Keller

We asked readers to list Lionel’s all-time most significant developments. At number 10 is the air whistle.

LIONEL’S TOP 10: THE MILK CAR

By Bob Keller

At no. 9 in our reader survey of Lionel’s top developments is the operating milk car.

PERSONAL TOUCH LAYOUT

By Skip Natoli

An updated layout based on a postwar dealer display captures the essence of toy trains.

SERVICING ANIMATED GONDOLAS

By Ray L. Plummer

A few adjustments will keep your hobo on the run.

BRIGHT IDEA: CONSTANT VOLTAGE LIGHTS

By Don Woodwell

Constant voltage lighting kits offer an easy way to boost the realism of your trains.

POP’S POSTWAR TRACK PLAN

By Anthony DiLapi

This action-packed plan is based on a 1949 original first published in the Train Layout Planning Book for Pop.

MAKE A WHEEL PULLER

By Will Grovender

Modifying an inexpensive car battery terminal puller does the trick.

Departments

Editor’s Desk

Correspondence

News & Notes

Point of View

Product News

MTH tow truck flatcar, K-Line wood-sided refrigerator cars, Flyer wheel tool, Nolan Ryan boxcar, sci-fi spaceport

Questions & Answers

Product Reviews

MTH Premier line SD90MAC

Pecos River Brass Santa Fe 3450-class 4-6-4

MTH RailKing Budd RDC car set

Showcase Express aluminum train storage shelving system

IC Controls BPC3000 block power controller

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