Buying collectible toy train items can be enjoyable and rewarding if you proceed carefully and patiently. Be sure to do your homework on them and the person or business selling them. Once you’ve established personal guidelines about what you want, do some research about the item and its value in different levels of condition. Price […]
Scale: O Scale
The Lionel 2065 Hudson, ‘hair curler’ and all
The Lionel 2065 Hudson is not uncommon, and it isn’t particularly valuable. What makes it so important to me is all that I remember because of it. This middle-of-the-road Lionel steamer from my youth has left me with so many wonderful memories. I was born in January 1953, and my brother Steve came along 4 […]
Cool railroadiana, a dandy depot, and train repair parts on Bob’s Train Box 86
This episode, host Bob Keller shows an old New York Central coal service directory. It was a book the railroad gave to customers and those that needed to know the details of its lines in the Appalachians that served mines and loadouts. Then The host shows off a resin depot that looks at home on […]
Hop aboard the Lionel Trippy and Polar Express trolleys
The Lionel Trippy and Polar Express trolleys are recent releases of a well-known (and loved) product. The bump-and-go mechanism of these staple products makes these great operating elements on layouts that have enough room for a single track but no more space for a full loop. In the 2021 Volume I offerings from Lionel, deep […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 4 | Cutting curves and building backdrops
David has cleared the deck and marked his track configuration on the plywood, so he’s ready to cut things to pieces! No fears! In this video, he’ll show you how to make accurate measurements, so you can make equally precise cuts. Once those cut parts are assembled, David also shares how to install the styrene […]
TW Trainworx Company House kits
TW Trainworx Company House kits might be an ideal way to add structures to your layout. They are laser-cut and have easy to follow directions. If you’ve never built a building like this before, they might just move you beyond the track, power, and trains stage. Really, that’s all you need to participate in the […]
Olympia & Sand Creek, Episode 4 | Cutting curves and building backdrops
David has cleared the deck and marked his track configuration on the plywood, so he’s ready to cut things to pieces! No fears! In this video, he’ll show you how to make accurate measurements, so you can make equally precise cuts. Once those cut parts are assembled, David also shares how to install the styrene […]
Tangent Scale Models releases first O scale model
Tangent Scale Models releases first O scale model Tangent Scale Models released its first O scale model, the General American 1928-design 6,000-gallon three-compartment tank car. The brass model, produced in the Republic of Korea by SamModel, is available in O scale and Proto:48 versions. Road names include Cosden & Co. Petroleum Products, Tulsa, Okla. (1929+), […]
Polar Express layout tips
Polar Express layout tips: We at CTT had a lot of fun building our recent Polar Express layout. Despite building several project layouts over the years, I learned new techiques and ideas during the five days we spent working on this project. Perhaps one of these tips will inspire you too. Happy holidays! Polar Express […]
Lionel ES44AC locomotive personifies modern power
The O gauge Lionel ES44AC locomotive is a release that really captures the essence of modern rail power. This Legacy model has returned rather quickly to the train-maker’s catalog in 2022 with new road names. Those include several heritage paint schemes, like the Canadian National’s Elgin, Joliet & Eastern livery shown in this video. With […]
Tortoise Switch Machine topside installation
In the all-new series playing exclusively on Trains.com Video, you’ll discover scores of expert techniques and useful tools for making your model railroading efforts easy, more efficient, and even fun! To get the series started, Model Railroader magazine Editor Eric White shares his process for installing a Tortoise by Circuitron Slow Motion Switch Machine to […]
Tortoise Switch Machine topside installation
In the all-new series playing exclusively on Trains.com Video, you’ll discover scores of expert techniques and useful tools for making your model railroading efforts easy, more efficient, and even fun! To get the series started, Model Railroader magazine Editor Eric White shares his process for installing a Tortoise by Circuitron Slow Motion Switch Machine to […]