Bill Hildebrand’s O gauge Erie Lackawanna railroad layout

Bill Hildebrand used scale drawings and inexpensive hardboard material to construct an O gauge model of the famous Hoboken Terminal. Ornate architecture, magnificent concourses, and a seemingly endless parade of people and trains are just a few of the characteristics that make large passenger train terminals just as captivating on toy train layouts as they […]

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Kitbash a unique O gauge railroad station

Richard Van de Kieft formed an impressive O gauge passenger terminal out of two MTH structures. Photos by Michael Raynor 2. A motor tool with a cutting disk quickly removes a tapered support along the interior ledge. 3. Use a razor saw to cut the ledge and separate the walls. 1. Use a Phillips-head screwdriver […]

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6 hot postwar Lionel collectibles

5 postwar Lionel collectibles on the rise

F3s, Hudsons, and Girls’ trains – those are the postwar jackpots that everybody knows about. Here, though, are six underexposed Lionel items that are quickly moving up the charts. Models courtesy Joe Algozzini What’s hot today among postwar Lionel trains and accessories? I attend several train shows each year, check out eBay listings almost every […]

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Create your own Christmas train

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A GIFT FROM THE HEART IS SOMETHING TO TREASURE. If the gift happens to be a train, that’s all the better. Such is the case with the Christmas train I created for my club layout to operate throughout the holiday season. While a variety of special holiday sets are readily available from toy train manufacturers, […]

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Make your own billboards

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It’s easy and fun to create your own roadside signage. I love billboards, especially the Lionel billboards that have removable inserts allowing you to change what’s on the billboard. Until recently, you had to be content with whatever advertisement was printed on the thin cardboard that’s packed with the billboard. Wouldn’t it be more fun […]

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Ten tips for better O gauge track

If you’re just getting into O gauge, or even if you’re a collector getting the urge to build a layout, you’ll need to lay some track. After all, without track (and a transformer, of course), your three-rail trains are just expensive push toys! Where I refer to “tubular” track, I’m talking about regular Lionel, K-Line, […]

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Glenwood & Sierra RR.

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Name: Glenwood & Sierra RR. Layout designer: Sy Diamond Scale: N (1:160) Size: 7′-6″ x 13′-0″ feet Theme: freelanced Locale: various locations across North America Era: 1950s (steam to diesel transition) Style: around the walls with aisle Mainline run: 75 feet Minimum radius: 17″ Minimum turnout: no. 4 Maximum grade: 2.5 percent Click on the […]

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Milwaukee Road, Morton Branch

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Name: Milwaukee Road, Morton Branch Layout designer: Eric Williams Scale: HO (1:87.1) Size: 9 x 11 feet Prototype: Milwaukee Road Locale: Morton, Wash. Era: 1945 to 1950 Style: Around-the-walls Mainline run: 34 feet Minimum radius: 32″ (visible), 24″ (staging) Minimum turnout: Peco medium radius Maximum grade: 4 percent Click on the link to download the […]

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