Original Thomas & Friends models up for auction

blue and red model train with face

Want to own a piece of toy train television history while also benefiting a worthy cause? You’ll have that chance this month. In a press release sent to Classic Toy Trains, auctioneer Propstore, in partnership with Mattel, is hosting an auction featuring more than 200 items from the iconic Thomas & Friends television series. This […]

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Increase to prices of Lionel Hallmark ornaments

Christmas tree with ornaments on it

Hallmark recently released its 2025 Dream Book. An addendum in the back in the catalog increased the prices as of May 2, 2025. Lionelville Table Decoration,QFM3972), was $129.99, now $142.99 Lionel NYC 700E Hudson gold, QXE3502, was $22.99, now $28.99 Lionel NYC 700E Hudson, QXR8233, was $22.99, now $28.99 Vanderbilt tender, QXI 81225, was $23.99, […]

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Previewing Trainfest 2025 with NMRA President Gordon Robinson

Wide view of train show booth

Trainfest will return to Downtown Milwaukee’s Baird Center Nov. 1-2, 2025. The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), celebrating its 90th anniversary, will take over as this year’s event producer. NMRA President Gordon Robinson previews the upcoming show with Trains.com Staff Writer Lucas Iverson, while also discussing plans for the future of the event. Watch the […]

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A look back: CTT’s first cover

cover of magazine

Each week, I will pick a random page from a back issue of Classic Toy Trains and talk a little about it. I’ll kick off this series with the very first cover. It was one of the few covers to feature a person, Richard Kughn, next to part of his collection. You’ll also notice the […]

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Behind the scenes: Cover photo shoot

woman holding camera

Ever wonder what happens when we design a cover? We recently shot some images at the Milwaukee Lionel Railroad Clubhouse for our upcoming special issue! Assistant Art Directory Lisa Schroder, Group Technical Lead Cody Grivno, and Editor Rene Schweitzer were there to make sure we got the best possible photo.       […]

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Why I collect Marx

red, silver, and yellow model diesel locomotive model

I’ve been collecting Marx since the 1990s. Growing up with American Flyer S gauge and Lionel, I had largely not gotten to know Marx. Eventually I started to take interest, especially in the plastic locomotives and cars. Plastic molding is something I like to look at and study. I did have a Marx plastic set […]

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MTH RailKing Skyline Chili Bump-N-Go Trolley

Blue and yellow model trolley

MTH has sold a “Bump-N-Go” trolley for many years, but I could not find evidence that CTT ever reviewed one. This version (No. 30-5249) was a custom-run for Dixie Union Station, as part of the RailKing line. The blue and yellow paint is well done. The Skyline Chili logo is on the lower center side […]

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Classic Toy Trains new products for May 2025

orange and black model boxcar

Locomotives & rolling stock Mr. Muffin’s Trains, 165 E. Main St., Atlanta IN 46031, has announced a custom-run MTH Husky Stack Car as part of the Premier line (20-95790 shown). The cars feature Monon graphics and O-54 operation. Expected delivery in August 2025. Price: $109.95. Website: mrmuffinstrains.com Trainworld, 751 McDonald Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11218, is […]

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Lionel’s 2025 Catalog Volume I celebrates the 125th anniversary

catalog page with blue, red, black, and gold locomotives

Lionel’s 2025 Catalog Volume I updates some landmark prewar and postwar locomotives individually and in incredible sets certain to delight operators and collectors. While exploring the brand-new 252-page full-color catalog as legwork for developing the upcoming edition of Greenberg’s Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains, 1901-2025, I discovered several impressive and desirable new models. Frankly, […]

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Hornby: Book of Collectable Toys

cover of book with toys on it

Frank Hornby, British businessman and inventor born in 1863, is a name known across the globe for model trains and toys alike. This book, Hornby: Book of Collectable Toys, takes a deep dive into the history of the Hornby manufacturing company and its many subsidiaries. This book isn’t just about model trains–it includes all of […]

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Menards O gauge Main Street

Front of structure

Menards continues to release an interesting variety of structures for your O gauge layout, from industrial, to whimsical, and anything else you might see in Anytown U.S.A. This latest structure, called “O gauge Main Street,” fits squarely in that Anytown category. A sticker on the clamshell box states that this is part of the Main […]

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