A Pullman-Standard 4427 high-side three-bay covered hopper is making its debut in the Atlas O Premier line. The model, acquired when Atlas O purchased select M.T.H. tooling in March 2021, features plastic and die-cast metal construction and a mix of molded and separate, factory-applied detail parts. Prototype history The PS 4,427-cubic-foot capacity three-bay covered hopper […]
New ownership for the Choo Choo Barn Gary Russell of Stevens, Pa. purchased the Choo Choo Barn’s model train layout along with the adjoining Strasburg Train Shop in late April. Russell plans to increase the shop’s online presence, and expand the selection of large-scale trains in the shop. He also plans to upgrade the electronics on […]
Have you seen the Menards 2023 Halloween village items yet? My husband and I have been waiting for them to show up on shelves, and this past weekend, they finally were out. There are a number of pieces you might like to add to your layout, and figures too. Without delay, here’s a look at […]
Meet Jerry Dziedzic What was your first train set (or locomotive)? How about three, in different scales? Like so many youngsters, a Lionel circle around the tree greeted me one Christmas morning. I suppose this was in 1956 or 1957. My dad had fun, too. He used two sheets of plywood to build an 8 […]
The 9000 class steam locomotive was developed by Alco and built between 1926 and 1930. As if the twelve connected drive wheels weren’t unique enough, the 9000 class featured a third cylinder under the boiler which operated a second drive axle. This inner cylinder used Gresley gearing since the cylinder did not feature valve gear. […]
The Metropolitan Division of the Train Collectors Association (METCA) recently announced the following custom-run models from Atlas O, Lionel, and MTH Electric Trains. Here’s a rundown of the O gauge models the group is offering. Visit the News & Reviews section of the Classic Toy Trains website for the latest headlines in toy trains. Atlas […]
It’s the Atlas O Amtrak Genesis P42 locomotive, and not one of them, but two! We’re going to get up close to see some of the great features that these have. These are Premier line tooling, which means they are former MTH locomotives purchased when the company sold off some of its tooling a few […]
Why do toy trains have track with three rails? Q: Why are so many toy trains manufactured to use three rails? It seems to me that regardless of whether a train uses AC or DC, two rails are all that would ever be needed to deliver electricity to the locomotive. HO does just fine on […]
Can I buy a Flyer and Lionel crossing track piece? Q: Has anyone ever been able to develop a combination crossover to let two-rail American Flyer S gauge trains go through Lionel or other three-rail O gauge track without interrupting the current running through either track? – Dennis D. Orth, Burlington, Colo. A: Dennis, I’m […]
Should I quarter the drivers on my Lionel steam locomotive? Q: I have a Lionel No. 1615 steam switcher that runs well, but sometimes I wonder if the drivers are quartered correctly. They are not lined up together on opposite sides. What should I do? – James Thompson, Los Angeles, Calif. A: James, prototype steam […]
The Lionel Brass Hybrid Challenger is the latest offering in this program for the train maker. First announced in the 2022 Vol. 2 catalog, it’s all-new tooling. This Legacy model is based on Union Pacific’s CSA-2-class 4-6-6-4s, which were the railroad’s earlier, lighter versions. When built in 1937, they were numbered into the 3900 series […]
Where do I find paint for toy train projects? Q: I am looking to restore some of my trains. How do I get started? Where do I find the paint for the job? – Ray Fiorini, Endicott, N.Y. A. Ray, if you have a handy pile of CTT back issues or access to the online […]
