How to rewire a Lionel RCS controller

Hands holding a 3-conductor cable

In this Classic Toy Trains How-to Minute, editor Hal Miller replaces the crumbling 3-conductor cable on a postwar RCS controller that goes with the Lionel No. 97 Coal Elevator. New 3-conductor cable is available from a variety of sources that deal in vintage toy train parts and the technique is applicable to a number of […]

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Professor Carp, with Roger Carp (Trailer)

Older caucasian male standing in front of a toy train layout.

Classic Toy Trains‘ own Senior Editor Roger Carp is returning to the role of Professor Carp. Roger hosts a video series that explores the histories and nuances of toy trains and the world of collecting — and sometimes repairing prized toy train equipment. Trains.com Unlimited members and video subscribers can see each episode. Only from […]

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Scale it Down, with Steve Brown (Trailer)

Older caucasian mail with shaved head gesturing and making a face while pointing at his model railroad layout.

It’s My Railroad star Steve Brown is hosting a new series on Trains.com focused on keeping model railroading small. N-scale small. Join Steve in Scale it Down, where he takes a classic HO scale layout from the editors and producers at Model Railroader and makes it small enough to fit in with his layout. For […]

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Back on Track, with Gerry Leone (Trailer)

Older caucasian male gesturing with two hands while standing inside a model track helix.

Host and star of MRVP’s Off the Rails, Gerry Leone, is returning to Trains.com with a new series on building a new layout for his home in the Pacific Northwest — Back on Track. In recent years, Gerry not only scrapped his old layout, but he moved from his existing home in a brand-new house […]

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MR Insider: A Virtual Visit with Hal Miller and David Popp

Trains.com staff members Hal Miller and David Popp stand along CTT O gauge layout.

What’s better than hanging out with Hal Miller and David Popp in the Model Railroader / Classic Toy Trains Workshop? The chance to repeat the experience! Enjoy this full replay of their hour-long trackside/layout-side chat, which was originally presented as a livestream session during the World’s Greatest Hobby Virtual Show on Saturday, April 17, 2021. […]

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Add Bluetooth control to your locomotives with BlueRailDCC

BlueRailDCC board, .57 inches by 1.5 inches, socket for connection plug on right

Everything runs on Bluetooth these days, so why not your locomotives? BlueRailDCC from Tam Valley has a solution (BlueRailDCC). This compact board (.57” x 1.5”) supports up to 2A of current, plenty for most HO scale installations. To connect, you’ll need to download the BlueRail Trains app to your Apple iPhone or iPad. Android support […]

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Duplainville, Wis.: Milwaukee’s hot spot

Duplainville, Wis.: Milwaukee's hot spot

Located just 20 miles west of Milwaukee in an easy to reach location, Duplainville offers up big-time railroading on two major Class I railroads, the Canadian National and the Canadian Pacific (plus Amtrak), a corner tavern with a great burger, and plenty of parking and other fans to mingle with. Join us for  a preview […]

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