Bob’s Train Box Episode 77: 2021 in review

2021 in review with Bob and Hal

It’s 2021 in review as Bob and Hal look back at the big toy train news and products from The past 12 months, including the breakup (mostly) and sale of pieces of MTH Trains and how it has been a net gain for the company and the hobby. They also discuss structure and rolling stock […]

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Issue preview: January 2022 Classic Toy Trains

Hal Miller with the cover of the 2022 January Classic Toy Trains issue preview

The January 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains features advice on modelling winter from Dennis Brennan, a master of scenery and photography. You’ll also learn at least five other design and construction techniques from him that could improve your display! Plus there are multiple layout visits – including one in S gauge – filled with […]

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Bob’s Train Box Episode 76

Bob Keller in the workshop with a Santa hat on for Bob's Train Box 76

We’re celebrating the happy holidays on Bob’s Train Box 76! In this installment, Bob Keller and guest Hal Miller look at new Menards buildings including the Ray’s Wrecker building flat. They also examine the O gauge Lionel Super Chief LionChief set. In addition Bob relates a story and a reminder about those oddball train gifts […]

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Bob’s Train Box Episode 76

Bob Keller in the workshop with a Santa hat on for Bob's Train Box 76

We’re celebrating the happy holidays on Bob’s Train Box 76! In this installment, Bob Keller and guest Hal Miller look at new Menards buildings including the Ray’s Wrecker building flat. They also examine the O gauge Lionel Super Chief LionChief set. In addition Bob relates a story and a reminder about those oddball train gifts […]

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O gauge Santa Fe F3 test sample by Menards

Santa Fe locomotive

Here’s a bold idea: Ask some 200 people to take a chance on a new product, test it on their three-rail layouts, and then report what the maker got right – and more importantly, wrong. It’s something I’ve never heard being done in model railroading. But that’s what Midwest-based home-improvement chain Menards has done, releasing […]

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Menards Santa Fe O gauge locomotive

Menards O gauge Santa Fe F3 model ¾ view top and side

Menards Santa Fe O gauge locomotive program is underway. Asking some 200 people to take a chance on this new product is bold. To request they test it on their layouts and report what the maker got right — and more importantly, wrong — takes even more guts. It is something I’ve never heard of […]

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Bob’s Train Box Episode 72

CTT editor Hal Miller and Bob Keller on the set of Bob's Train Box

On this episode of Bob’s Train Box, Bob and CTT editor Hal Miller have a look at Menards’ new O gauge Santa Fe F3 locomotive and find a lot to like about it when they run it on a layout! Bob also examines the visual advantage of controlling trains using apps on tablets and smartphones […]

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Bob’s Train Box Episode 72

CTT editor Hal Miller and Bob Keller on the set of Bob's Train Box

On this episode of Bob’s Train Box, Bob and CTT editor Hal Miller have a look at Menards’ new O gauge Santa Fe F3 locomotive and find a lot to like about it when they run it on a layout! Bob also examines the visual advantage of controlling trains using apps on tablets and smartphones […]

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Amtrak and abducted M&Ms?

Hal Miller next to some Menards structures

CTT editor Hal Miller takes a look at some recent accessory offerings from Menard’s, including the no. 2784523 O scale Amtrak station, and the 2796130 M&Ms UFO scene. Both have a lot of features that give them a ton of play value! […]

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