Q: I have a Lionel no. 257 freight station with diesel horn that is equipped with a D-cell battery to operate the horn. How do I convert the 1.5 DC voltage to 14-16 AC voltage so I can operate it like my other accessories from a transformer? – Peter Douglas Beam, Pasadena, Calif. A: Peter, […]
Section: Modeling
A future for my American Flyer 18B transformer?
Q: I have two American Flyer no. 18B transformers with two Lionel no. 167 whistle controllers on my layout. My problem is that older Lionel steam locomotive whistles do not work at all, and the new sound systems and horns only work well when stopped. While moving, blowing the whistles tends to slow the engines […]
New technology in live steam
Jeff Young Full-size steam locomotives have been in existence for over 200 years, and live-steam models for nearly that long. On that basis, it might be easy to conclude that the hobby of small-scale live steam is one that would not see a lot of new technology. To the contrary, there have been a number […]
Video: Athearn N scale Challenger
We reviewed the Athearn N scale Challenger in the June 2007 issue of Model Railroader. Watch a video clip of this 4-6-6-4 steam locomotive in action. If you would like to view the video and are a Model Railroader subscriber, please log in below. […]
Mounting Kadee couplers on LGB’s passenger cars
Download this BONUS article on installing Kadee knuckle couplers on LGB passenger cars. Don’t miss the extra coupler coverage in the June 2007 issue: “Garden railway basics:” The basics of knuckle couplers Improve knuckle-coupler reliability for Bachmann and LGB couplers […]
O-27 track: thumbs up or down?
Q: Before I was born, my grandfather bought me a Lionel O-27 set, and over the years I’ve acquired many other O-27 items. I want to build a layout, but just about everyone I’ve spoken to has advised me against building my layout using O-27 track and switches. Instead, they advise me to upgrade to […]
Adding TMCC to a ZW layout
Q: I’ve got an 8- by 12-foot layout that is fairly complete, and I use an old Lionel ZW for track power and a few small transformers on a separate circuit for lights and accessories. Is there an easy way to add Lionel’s TrainMaster Command Control to run new engines in command-control mode? I don’t […]
Precision Craft Models HO scale Alco FA-1 cab diesel video
Click the play button to see a video clip of the Alco FA-1 diesel locomotive in action. […]
New socket for a prewar Lionel lighted bridge
Q: Ray, I have a Lionel no. 315 bridge with a red light on top. The light doesn’t work due to the light socket, which rests in a sort-of black square holder that’s corroded. I have checked several hobby parts sites but can’t seem to find the part number for a replacement part. Do you […]
Puzzling postwar Lionel driver styles
Q: I am trying to familiarize myself with my postwar Lionel nos. 675, 2025, and 2035 locomotives by reading several of the Greenberg reference books. The more I read, the more confused I get. One book states that the no. 675 has Baldwin disc drivers. Another guide lists both disc and spoke drivers. One reference […]
Heljan HO scale operating container crane video
Heljan HO operating container crane We reviewed Heljan’s HO container crane in the March 2007 issue of Model Railroader. Click the icons below to see a video clip of the crane in action. All videos may take several minutes or more to download depending on your connection speed. […]
The C&NW at Milwaukee’s Jones Island
This amazing indoor large-scale railroad was featured in Garden Railways’ February 2007 issue. The following photos are a sneak peek of what you can see in the full article. William Zuback OverviewAlmost the entire 28′ length of Bay Street can be seen here. The high-speed electric line running atop the concrete viaduct is not operational. […]
