Hitching a ride on the Lionel Hobo Sounds Boxcar

the Lionel Hobo Sounds Boxcar with Chris Montagna

Chris from Chris’s Trains and Things on YouTube takes us inside the Lionel Hobo Sounds Boxcar. This is the Erie version, originally released with a companion Rock Island model in the 2021 Volume 2 catalog. They were delivered in fall 2022. Why review this car? The best part of it is the sounds that come […]

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Sean Morgan’s O gauge Hellertown & Delaware layout

An image of a toy train layout

Name: Sean Morgan’s O gauge Hellertown & Delaware layout Dimensions: 18 x 20 feet with a central opening for viewing and running trains Track and switches: Lionel FasTrack (diameters range from 60 to 72 inches) Motive power: Lionel Legacy, MTH, 3rd Rail Sunset Models Rolling stock: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel, MTH, Williams Controls: Lionel ZW-L […]

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Keeping your layout clean and operational

A black rectangular abrasive block and a dark red block near HO scale track

As modelers we take pride in our work, especially our layouts, whether they be a shelf layout, or a sprawling rail empire. One thing that we may not spend enough time doing, however, is taking care of said layout, especially cleaning it. We may run a track cleaning car around the mainline a few times […]

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The Atlas O Premier Snow Plow rolls out

Atlas O Premier Snow Plow

The Atlas O Premier Snow Plow is here, and just in time for winter! It seems like whenever a fresh delivery of blue Atlas boxes hits the hobby shop shelves it’s like Christmas morning. I feel this way for two reasons: first, Atlas produces some of the finest rolling stock in the industry; and second, […]

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The Lionel Union Pacific Rocket Booster Train

Lionel Union Pacific Rocket Booster Train

The Lionel Union Pacific Rocket Booster Train is finally out, and as an aerospace engineer formerly employed by NASA, this set hit home! I knew I had to have it the second I saw it advertised in the Lionel 2022 Volume 1 catalog! The set isn’t a work of science fiction, either. The prototype Rocket […]

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Getting small: the Bobber Caboose comes to Lionel

Bobber Caboose comes to Lionel side view

The Bobber Caboose comes to Lionel with the 2022 Volume I catalog. Although new to the Orange & Blue, these models aren’t an entirely rare site on O gauge layouts since they were previously produced by MTH Electric Trains. Lionel purchased the tooling for these cars from MTH during the latter’s sell-off a few years […]

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Woodland Scenics O scale traffic lights hit the streets

Woodland Scenics O scale traffic lights

Chris from Chris’s Trains and Things on YouTube is back and checking out some new products from Woodland Scenics. He has the company’s much-anticipated traffic light system that looks great on any road. There are three different options, including suspended, pedestal, and mast-arm mounted versions. They are part of the Just Plug system that makes […]

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Model railroad snow plow rolling stock

Photo of HO scale snow plow painted Oxide Red and yellow on white background

In model railroad snow plow rolling stock round-up, we thought it would be fun to take a look at models of snow fighting equipment available in N, HO, and O scales. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list. Rather, it’s a look at some of the ready-to-run models and a few kits that […]

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