O gauge Premier line K4s locomotive by MTH

THIS PREMIER LINE model is a scale version of one of the world’s most easily identified streamlined locomotives – the “Torpedo” version of the Pennsylvania RR’s K4s 4-6-2 Pacific. The Torpedo was one of the Pennsy’s finest locomotives. With a streamlined nose, the body designed to lift the wind up and around the train, lessening […]

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Locomotive lubrication

Q: I know that this sounds silly, but I get confused about what you are supposed to lubricate, especially the difference between the old postwar Lionel steamers and modern engines with can motors. Can you explain just what gets lubricated? – Erik via internet A: One similarity between postwar steamers and modern steam locomotives is […]

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Mojave & Death Valley RR

Track plan at a glance Name: Mojave & Death Valley RR Scale: On2 1/2 (1:48) Size: 10 x 12 feet Prototype: Death Valley RR Era: 1915 Mainline run: 44 feet Minimum radius: 24″ Minimum turnouts: Peco medium Maximum grade: none Originally appeared in the May 2008 issue of Model Railroader. See a PDF version of […]

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Atlas O’s O gauge SD40

Conrail limited (edition, that is)O gauge SD40 by Atlas OThe SD40 hails from the early years of dieselization’s second generation of motive power. Cataloged from 1966 through 1972, the 3,000-horsepower locomotive utilized a common frame shared by the Electro-Motive Division’s SD38, SD39, SDP40, and SD45. More than 880 were built, and the model spawned a […]

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Atlas O scale RS-3 diesel

Atlas O scale RS-3 diesel

Atlas O scale RS-3 diesel This Alco RS-3 road switcher is a good-looking model that captures its prototype’s unique profile and can handle anything from passenger trains to yard switching. Made by Atlas O, the RS-3 is offered in two-rail DC or three-rail AC versions. Three-rail versions are available with factory-installed Lionel TrainMaster Command Control […]

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Lionel O gauge Postwar Celebration

While the reissue of Lionel’s no. 2551W outfit as a Postwar Celebration Series set did not include the no. 110 trestle set or any Super O track sections to assemble into the “Hairpin-Turn” configuration, this millennium version of that classic from 1960 is every bit as “super” as its predecessor. The Great Northern EP-5 electric-profile […]

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O gauge trolley set by Atlas O

During the original incarnation of the Industrial Rail line, one of the nicest products offered was that trolley car (see my review in the May 2001 issue). It was an authentic-looking, traditional-sized (O-27) model that ran quietly, had the popular bumper-activated reverse unit for point-to-point operation, and was offered in three paint schemes. Industrial Rail […]

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Running multiple trains with a ZW

Q: I know there are four variable voltage controls on my Lionel 275-watt ZW transformer, but how many trains can I effectively run at the same time? – D. O. A: The number of trains you can run with a ZW depends on the locomotives and what they’re pulling. Large steamers and dual-motored diesels use […]

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Atlas O Industrial Rail 4-4-2 Atlantic

Atlas O Industrial Rail 4-4-2 Atlantic

The new Industrial Rail 4-4-2 Atlantic by Atlas O is the firm’s first attempt to bring a nicely detailed, smoothly operating steam locomotive to the O gauge entry-level market. Its direct competition in the marketplace is Lionel’s 4-4-2 starter set and MTH’s old RailKing 2-6-0 starter set. All three are designed to provide a reliable, […]

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Lionel’s O gauge Hogwarts Express Train Set

We’re amidst another pop-culture craze, this one involving the adventures of a group of young student wizards. I’ve never seen the Harry Potter movies or read the books, but to me, the important thing about Lionel’s new O gauge Hogwarts Express set, based on the train from the movies, is that it is tied into […]

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