Lionel’s 75th Anniversary Commemorative Train Set arrived in stores in 1975. Fundimensions, a division of General Mills that was overseeing production and merchandising of Lionel trains, then created an outstanding and very colorful diesel freight set consisting of nine pieces to honor the grand heritage of Lionel. Lionel is, of course, about to celebrate its […]
Lionel Trains announces the start of its 125th-anniversary celebration. Since its founding in 1900, Lionel has stood at the forefront of the model train industry, captivating generations with its commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and timeless appeal. Marking this significant milestone, Lionel’s celebration will pay tribute to its illustrious past while looking ahead to the exciting […]
O gauge locomotives & rolling stock Atlas O, 378 Florence Ave., Hillside NJ 07205, has announced a 55-ton coal hopper car as part of the Premier line. The model features wire grab irons, opening sprung doors, and operates on O-31 curves. It’s available in six paint schemes (3005826 shown). Price: $99.95. Website: shop.atlasrr.com. Atlas O, […]
Charlie Bailey is passionate about toy trains. He collects Standard gauge (modern reissues from Lionel and MTH) and takes pride in the wonderfully detailed and expertly wired O gauge railroad filling much of the lower portion of the home he shares with his wife, Jane. We’re thrilled to be able to tour Charlie Bailey’s 42 […]
The town of Cripple Creek expands! The latest addition to Menards Cripple Creek O gauge building line is the No. 275-9378 Cripple Creek Feed & Seed building. It features a compact 8 x 6 inch footprint that should make placement fairly easy. The design is a small farm supplier that is more warehouse than office. […]
What toy train locomotive means the most to you? It just has to be Lionel’s famed 2-6-2 Prairie type locomotive that is still in my collection. How did you acquire it? This adventure started in 1947 at the early age of 5 years old, when Dad unpacked the Lionel train set he’d purchased downtown. We […]
USA Track LLC has been in business for 15 years, manufacturing Standard gauge track. Owners Kirk Lindvig and Chris Bogus offer four diameters of curve track and four lengths of straight track. All components of USA Track are made in the U.S. Classic Toy Trains received four pieces of the Super Standard gauge track. It’s […]
One of the great things about having a model railroad is that you can populate it with things that evoke happy memories. Menards has tapped into this with buildings that touch both the nuts and bolts of railroading (manufacturing firms, oil wells, and power plants), and the lighter side as well with hobby shops, cow […]
Editor’s note: Kirk Lindvig reached out to Classic Toy Trains offering to send product samples for review. When he emailed photos of his U.S.-based manufacturing process, it reminded me of the behind-the-scenes manufacturer profiles CTT used to do years ago. I felt our readers would find the process interesting. I present this Q&A interview with […]
Editor’s note: I’ve found a number of unpublished manuscripts in our file cabinets. This one dates from around 1999. Does it still apply today? Do you think that simplifying or finding a new aspect of the hobby can re-invigorate your love of toy trains? Leave a comment and let us know. As railroad enthusiasts go, […]
In July of 2024, Lionel Trains’ long-awaited Base3 arrived in stores, homes, and our own Firecrown office here in Brookfield, Wis. This new command control takes all of the manufacturer’s previous systems in a backwards-compatible manner and centralizes them into one package. Out of this sole setup, you can control Lionel Legacy, TMCC, LionChief, LionChief+, […]
Display Layouts and Showrooms is the latest 100-page special or extra issue of Classic Toy Trains. The editors and artists responsible for the magazine are working overtime to make this unique publication the most informative and attractive it can be. The question, “Want a sip?” usually causes another person to ask about the beverage in […]
