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 […]
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Facts & features Name: Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers’ O gauge layout Dimensions: 35 x 80 feet Track: GarGraves flextrack (maximum diameter is 120 inches) Switch: Curtis Hi-Rail, Ross Custom Switches Motive power: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel (postwar and modern), MTH, Weaver, Williams Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel (postwar and modern), MTH, Weaver, Williams Accessories: […]
Also in this issue: EDITOR’S DESK, pg. 4 LETTERS, pg. 6 MODERN ERA NOTES, pg. 8 PHOTO ALBUM, pg. 10 NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 14 Items from the Amherst show QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, pg. 18 S GAUGE NOW AND THEN, pg. 20 VIEWS FROM THE UNDERGROUND, pg. 21 WEEKEND WORKSHOP, pg. 48 New life for […]
Let’s talk about toy train starter set basics. Whether you’ve been away from the hobby for several decades or are buying a beginner outfit as a gift, you’re in for some fun! These packages have gone high-tech in the past few years but – fear not! – they still offer an easy, straightforward path to […]
Lionel postwar Santa Fe F3s: Lionel O gauge Santa Fe F3 diesels have been star performers on three-rail layouts for almost 75 years. And why not? Every different version of the beautiful models, with red- and silver-painted plastic body shells detailed with yellow stripes and Santa Fe decals, looks stunning. So it’s little wonder that […]
Spring TCA York 2022 notes from the field. CTT Editor Hal Miller visits the April 28-30 Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association event in York, Pa. He checks out the O, S, and Standard gauge trains and talks to some of the personalities at the show, including YouTubers Chris’s Trains & Things, Sid’s Trains, […]
How to buy a toy train is a subject I’m frequently asked about. My focus is on trains and accessories from the post-World War II era, but I venture into the prewar and modern periods, too. In the past 25 years, Atlas, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Williams, Weaver, and others have produced locomotives and rolling stock […]
Menard’s Metropolis Theater and Aerial Bridge highlight the 80th Bob’s Train Box. Bob Keller and CTT editor Hal Miller have an up-close look at the new and colorful movie house and the sturdy industrial-looking bridge from the home improvement chain. Plus, Bob reminisces on the history of the LocoMatic control box, a digital accessory for […]
Frank Vodvarka’s layout, the 23′ x 27′ Eclectic Empire, is featured in the May-June 2022 Classic Toy Trains. It’s colorful and entertaining, with pre- and postwar Lionel and other O- and Standard gauge trains from the U.S. and abroad. Plus it has accessories, figures, and structures from multiple eras and manufacturers like Bayko, Britains, Bassett-Lowke, […]
O gauge locomotives General Electric P42 diesel locomotive. Amtrak Operation Lifesaver 50th anniversary unit (black, yellow, and white scheme). One road number. Die-cast metal truck sideframes, pilots, and fuel tank; two painted crew figures; and Proto-Sound 3.0 DCS. Model is scaled to 1:48 proportions. $639.95. Second quarter 2022. Premier line. Atlas O, 908-687-0880, shop.atlasrr.com O […]
Chris Raines’ O gauge layout is featured in the May-June 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains. It has neat scenery, structures, and lots of O gauge trains, primarily from the 1970s to today. The display has towns and areas named after Chris and his wife’s three children and there’s plenty to see! Chris runs the […]
