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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Bob’s Train Box Episode 69

Bob Keller in the MR workshop

Bob Keller is back with an all-new Bob’s Train Box, Episode 69! He and CTT editor Hal Miller take a look at Lionel’s new Vision Line Western Pacific GS-6 steam locomotive to see what makes this O gauge beauty tick (and whistle, and steam)! Bob also examines Menards’ O scale Amtrak station, the Guide to […]

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Bob’s Train Box Episode 69

Bob Keller in the MR workshop

Bob Keller is back with an all-new Bob’s Train Box, Episode 69! He and CTT editor Hal Miller take a look at Lionel’s new Vision Line Western Pacific GS-6 steam locomotive to see what makes this O gauge beauty tick (and whistle, and steam)! Bob also examines Menards’ O scale Amtrak station, the Guide to […]

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Taking it easy in O gauge

Fred Laubie’s O gauge Buckeye Central RR

This 35 x 56-foot layout features postwar and modern Lionel power pulling impressive trains made up of Atlas O, Golden Gate Depot, Lionel, and MTH cars. It’s constructed with GarGraves track and Ross Custom Switches controlled by Circuitron and NJ International machines. Scenic highlights include a number of bridges and tunnels, a roundhouse, yard, coal […]

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Taking it easy in O gauge

Fred Laubie’s O gauge Buckeye Central RR

This 35 x 56-foot layout features postwar and modern Lionel power pulling impressive trains made up of Atlas O, Golden Gate Depot, Lionel, and MTH cars. It’s constructed with GarGraves track and Ross Custom Switches controlled by Circuitron and NJ International machines. Scenic highlights include a number of bridges and tunnels, a roundhouse, yard, coal […]

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