Steve and Barbara Tapper’s O gauge layout track plan

Name: Steve and Barbara Tapper’s O gauge layoutDimensions: 8 x 16 feetTrack: Lionel, MTH (diameters range from 27 to 42 inches)Switches: MTHMotive power: K-Line, Lionel, MTH, WilliamsRolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, Menards, MTH, Weaver, WilliamsControls: MTH Nos. Z-750 (3), Z-4000 (2) transformers with Lionel TrainMaster Command Control and MTH Digital Command SystemAccessories: K-Line, Lemax, […]

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Brian and Riley Inch’s O gauge layout track plan

A toy train layout track plan

Name: Brian and Riley Inch’s O gauge layoutDimensions: 10 x 16 feetTrack: GarGraves (diameters range from 36 to 72 inches)Switches: Ross Custom Switches with Tortoise machinesMotive power: Lionel, MTHRolling stock: Atlas O, Lionel, MTH, WeaverControls: Lionel type-ZW transformer with Lionel Legacy and MTH Digital Command SystemAccessories: Gilbert American Flyer, K-Line, Lionel, Z-Stuff for TrainsStructures: Crescent […]

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Winter 2024

The Winter 2024 cover of Classic Toy Trains magazine

Also in this issue: EDITOR’S DESK, pg. 4 YOUR LETTERS, pg. 6 YOUR PHOTOS, pg. 8 NEWS & REVIEWS, pg. 13 Lionel Base3, MTH FP45, Atlas GP38-2, LCCA boxcar, and more COLLECTIBLE CLASSICS, pg. 17 Wyandotte Toys windup train set QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, pg. 66 Lionel F3s won’t run; 022 switches are sluggish, and more […]

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American Flyer postwar Baldwin switchers

green and yellow model locomotive

Founded in 1830, the Philadelphia-based Baldwin Locomotive Works grew into the world’s largest steam locomotive builder. Baldwin locomotives ruled the rails of countries large and small in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.  Baldwin’s legendary boss, Samuel Valcain, was intrigued with the diesel by l920, and BLW produced its first demonstrator in l925. In […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for March 2025

model of red flatcar with two trailers on top

Locomotives & rolling stock METCA offers an MTH custom-run 4-Bay Hopper as part of the RailKing line. The cars feature O-27 operation and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey graphics (30-75762 shown).  Expected delivery in March 2025. Price: $64.95. Order from metca.org Public Delivery Track is selling a custom-run MTH RS1 locomotive as part of the RailKing […]

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Lionel Disney D23 Mickey and Friends caboose

side of Disney caboose

Lionel sent a sample of their Disney D23 caboose (No. 2401565) for review. D23 is the Official Disney Fan Club and got its name from their fan/exposition events. Sort of like a Comic-Con International for Disney fans. This caboose is a familiar design. It’s a 5Nc porthole center cupola caboose, the prototype most commonly found […]

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Make your own Marx Missile Launcher and Carrier car

four model flatcars with rockets on top

Marx offered a Missile Launcher & Carrier car that was a neat item. Unfortunately, it was only available in 1957, 1961 and 1962, making it both rare and hard to find. If you want a similar-looking car, I have a less-expensive solution that’s an easy weekend project. A couple years ago, a friend brought over […]

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Use castoffs and parts to build something new

corner of toy train layout

Don’t have a lot of money to build a new layout? Perhaps you have a lot of odds and ends in your scrap box and want to put them to use. These “cast-off” items, along with common hardware materials, can provide you with enjoyable, innovative projects that could create a small layout. This layout could […]

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Build structures from stone and tile pieces

stone foundation for model structure

Stone has long been used as a building material in the full-size world. Cut stone can be long lasting as the Greeks and Romans showed us centuries ago. A more recent pair of examples are the stone railroad arch bridges from my home in Melrose, Mass., built in 1848 and the Canton Viaduct, which has […]

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Brian and Riley Inch’s O gauge layout

blue model train on layout

Brian and Riley Inch built a 10 x 16 layout using GarGraves track with Ross Custom Switches with Tortoise machines. This small layout features a marina, a small town, and a farm scene. Does the name Brian Inch sound familiar? He owns Model Rail Scenes custom layout services.   Read more about this layout in […]

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Can I use my handheld remote with the MTH WTIU?

Devices on top of a command base unit.

As I previously stated in the unboxing video with Classic Toy Trains Editor Rene Schweitzer, there’s going to be plenty to unpack on MTH’s DCS Wi-Fi Track Interface Unit (WTIU). One such curiosity for myself and many others regarding this latest edition to the Digital Command System family is “the remote of your choosing.” Which […]

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