Toy train smoke: Lots of scents available

Rene Schweitzer and Hal Miller with smoking O gauge steam and diesel lovomotives

Toy train smoke hijinx (and a minor train wreck) abound as Hal Miller and Rene Schweitzer try a variety of the scents in JT’s Mega Steam fluid line. The smoke fluids are now available from the Kalmbach Hobbystore. Rene and Hal discover with their tests that there’s a world of smells beyond coal and diesel […]

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Model railroad locomotive, freight car, passenger car, train set, structure, and detail announcements for July 29, 2021

BNSF Gunderson Multi-Max auto rack.

Product news Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. Here are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of July 29, 2021. HO scale locomotives  Canadian National GP9RM diesel locomotive kit. […]

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The Automatic Gateman

A trackside shed next to a railroad crossing sign.

Although Lionel has come out with a multitude of fantastic products over the years, one of the most amazing and important accessories that the popular manufacturer ever created was by far the Automatic Gateman. The Automatic Gateman is a structure that features a gateman emerging from his trackside shed to warn motorists of passing trains. […]

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How to clean old tubular track

Hand cleaning tubular track with old toothbrush

When it comes to buying used track, should you or shouldn’t you? While buying new track means a more pristine look, it also means more money. However, if you have the time, a more cost-efficient method is buying used track, since you can always clean it up to look like new. It only takes a […]

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MTH Trains O gauge EMD SD24

O Gauge Wisconsin Central SD24 by MTH

Introduction to MTH’s O gauge SD24 When I found out that the next locomotive for us to test and review was an MTH O gauge SD24 road diesel, my response was pretty much “Huh?” I needed to track down my old Diesel Spotter’s Guide for sure! I was familiar with SD7s and SD9s, but the […]

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News & Products for the week of July 22, 2021

Burlington Route General Electric 44-ton diesel locomotive.

O gauge locomotives  General Electric 44-ton diesel locomotive. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (black and gray); Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe (zebra stripe scheme); Erie Lackawanna (black and yellow); Maine Central (green and yellow); Napa Valley Wine Train (green, white, and black); and U.S. Steel (red, green, and yellow). One road number per scheme. Die-cast metal […]

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Neil Young’s O gauge railroad

Neil Young’s O gauge railroad

Neil Young’s O gauge railroad To begin, Neil created his layout, which covered approximately 1,000 square feet on his ranch in northern California, to run through an assortment of natural landscapes outside his home. That’s right – the unforgettable three-rail display was built not inside an immense train room but instead filled in space among […]

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How to clean old, rusty, and dirty track

Hal Miller in the workshop

Bought or inherited a load of tubular track? CTT editor Hal Miller shows his method of cleaning it up and getting it ready for trains to run properly on. This technique will help get rid of dirt and light rust, and help modelers avoid a few pitfalls that could be detrimental to operation. […]

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How to clean old, rusty, and dirty track

Hal Miller in the workshop

Bought or inherited a load of tubular track? CTT editor Hal Miller shows his method of cleaning it up and getting it ready for trains to run properly on. This technique will help get rid of dirt and light rust, and help modelers avoid a few pitfalls that could be detrimental to operation. […]

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Bob’s Train Box Episode 71

Hal Miller and Bob Keller

On this episode of Bob’s Train Box, Bob and CTT editor Hal Miller get an up-close and personal look at MTH Trains’ recently released Premier line SD24 (even more info on it here). Then Bob examines some Greenberg guides that are fun to read and helpful when it comes to collecting trains and accessories. Finally, […]

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