Action may be required on your Trains.com account in order to continue accessing content. Click here to learn more.
The year 1946, when both the A.C. Gilbert Co. and the Lionel Corp. brought out their first full lines of electric trains for the postwar era, saw both heralding new locomotives equipped with a mechanism capable of producing smoke. Another milestone in the quest to market more realistic miniatures had been achieved. Truth be told, […]
Come with us to visit Jon Balka’s S gauge layout that’s made of Flyer All Aboard panels. Trains loop through this relatively compact pike that features plenty of buildings and scenery. […]
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! […]
On this episode of Bob’s Train Box, Bob takes a look at a Lionel steam locomotive that he acquired, sold, and bought again. We’ve all been there, right? Then, he and CTT editor Hal Miller have a look at some structures for small and odd spaces on your layout. Then they both have a look […]
Tools Pull saw blade. 1.5” blade depth. 30 teeth per inch. Hardened serrated steel blade with soft metal backer. Use with wood, plastic, metal, resin, plaster, and foam. For use with Excel K2, K5, and K6 handles; will fit Xacto saw handles. $6.99. Produced by Excel Blades, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com Pliers. Wire […]
Hal Miller continues his Workbench Minute series showing how to clean a Lionel no. 97 elevator. He uses a cleanser that’s both safe for his skin and the model to wipe away decades of dust and grime. […]
Tools Model Builders saw tool kit. Includes compact coping saw with five blades, combination file and rasp, and sanding stick. Saw bow is 7” long and 4.5” deep. Cuts wood, plastic, PVC pipe, and thin metals. $33.99. Produced by Excel Blades, available from Kalmbach Hobby Store, KalmbachHobbyStore.com Straight Lexan scissors. Soft-grip handles. Use with paper, decals, […]
Professor Carp brings you the history and details of one of Lionel’s most entertaining accessories, its no. 364 Log Loader. Classic Toy Trains Editor Hal Miller is also on hand to take a look at the mechanics of this workhorse gem. […]
Facts & Features Name: Jon Balka’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 5 1/2 x 10 feet Track and switches: American Flyer All*Aboard panels Motive power: Gilbert American Flyer Rolling stock: Gilbert American Flyer Controls: Gilbert American Flyer nos. 8B and 22004 transformers Structures: Gilbert American Flyer, Littletown, Marx, Plasticville Vehicles: Marx, Renwal Figures: Marx Click here […]
Facts & Features Name: Gefken family’s O gauge layout Dimensions: 10 x 20 feet Track and switches: Lionel (diameters range from 48 to 72 inches) Motive power: Lionel Rolling stock: K-Line, Lionel, Williams by Bachmann Controls: Lionel CW-80 transformer (3), with Lionel Legacy command control Accessories: Atlas O, K-Line, Lionel Structures: Ameri-Towne, Atlas O, JV […]
Lionel’s 2020 Vol. 1 catalog celebrated the firm’s 120th anniversary, and what a catalog it was. For me, the most distinctive offering wasn’t a single locomotive, but a single style of locomotive: The Southern Pacific’s venerable GS (General Service or Golden State) line of 4-8-4 Northern steam engines. I don’t believe any manufacturer (in any […]
Also in this issue: EDITOR’S DESK, pg. 4 LETTERS, pg. 6 MODERN ERA NOTES, pg. 8 PHOTO ALBUM, pg. 10 NEWS & PRODUCTS, pg. 14 Companies acquire O, S gauge MTH tooling QUESTIONS & ANSWERS, pg. 18 VIEWS FROM THE UNDERGROUND, pg. 21 REVIEWS, pg. 50 Lionel Vision Line GS-6, Lionel LionChief 2.0 0-6-0T AD […]
