This review of the Lionel Legacy Acela High Speed Train Set is by Chris Montagna of the popular Chris’s Trains and Things channel on YouTube. One of the more highly-anticipated models from Lionel in its 2021 Volume 1 catalog was the re-release of the Acela High-Speed Train Set. We’ve come to expect Lionel to re-release […]
Section: Reviews
Review: Lionel Legacy Acela train sets are sleek and super
This review of the Lionel Legacy Acela High Speed Train Set is by Chris Montagna of the popular Chris’s Trains and Things channel on YouTube. One of the more highly-anticipated models from Lionel in its 2021 Volume 1 catalog was the re-release of the Acela High-Speed Train Set. We’ve come to expect Lionel to re-release […]
4-8-8-4 ‘Big Boy’ locomotive models in HO and N scales
Big Boy locomotive models: Union Pacific’s 25-strong fleet of 4-8-8-4 Big Boy steam locomotives evoke images of fast freight, vast Western scenes, and the pinnacle of steam railroading in North America during and just after World War II. Model makers over the years have helped model railroaders capture the essence of that special 1940s to […]
Menards O scale Sacred Heart Hospital
Menards O scale Sacred Heart Hospital: One thing I’ve noted about a lot of O gauge railroads is that while they may have plenty of police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances, they tend to be a bit short on the hospital or clinic side. The Sacred Heart Hospital helps solve that situation by offering good […]
Lionel’s new baby K4 locomotive is a solid runner
Back in the steam era, many railroads had a particular locomotive that symbolized that railway in the minds of the public. The New York Central had the 4-6-4 Hudson, the Milwaukee Road had its streamlined Hiawatha 4-4-2 Atlantics, and the Pennsylvania – which branded itself The Standard Railroad of the World – had the K4 […]
Lionel Legacy Boston & Maine No. 801 SW8 locomotive
Lionel Legacy SW8 locomotive Lionel has released an SW8 switcher locomotive in its Legacy line. Classic Toy Trains editor Hal Miller gives you a first look at this engine, which is loaded with extra details like a fan-driven smoke unit, operating couplers, unique number boards, a bell, a single smokestack, two horns, and so much […]
Menards O gauge Valley Motors car dealership building
Menards has released a new O gauge auto dealership building called Valley Motors. It features lighting, die-cast vehicles, figures, and lots of detail. It would be at home on a layout set in the 1940s to today. The structure harkens back to an era where American cars and trucks were heavy – probably made of […]
B&O Steam DVD review
You’ll relive the glory years on the Baltimore & Ohio steam operations in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. A wide area of the B&O is covered during the steam era including Cincinnati to North Vernon, Ind.; Cincinnati to Pittsburgh via Columbus; and around Wheeling, W.Va. Also shown are scenes at Cincinnati Union Terminal, including […]
Lionel Santa Fe set pays tribute to the Super Chief
A close-up look at the O gauge Lionel Santa Fe set featuring the Super Chief passenger train (no. 6-84719). There’s a reason it’s a perennial catalog favorite. This entry-level LionChief outfit comes with everything you need to get started in the hobby including a great-looking passenger train, an oval of track, and a remote control. […]
Review: Lionel Super Chief LionChief Santa Fe toy train set
Introducing the Lionel Super Chief LionChief set The Lionel Super Chief LionChief toy train set is a good-looking small passenger train set in a road name I really like. Lionel’s no. 84719 Santa Fe Super Chief LionChief set has been in the catalog since 2018, and there are good reasons the train maker keeps […]
Atlas HO scale ACF 5250 covered hopper
An American Car & Foundry (ACF) 5,250-cubic-foot-capacity covered hopper makes its debut in the Atlas Model Railroad Co. Master Plus line. The HO scale model has prototype-specific hatch and outlet configurations; separate, factory-applied wire grab irons and wire brake lines; and metal couplers. The ACF 5250 Center Flow made its debut in November 1964. The […]
Atlas O 40-foot high-cube refrigerated intermodal shipping container
To borrow a phrase from Disney, “It’s a small world after all.” At least that’s how it seems as manufacturers’ abilities to ship just about anything around the world grow. Many – and perhaps most – of the products we use every day have traveled to our doors at least partially in an intermodal container. […]