Bob’s Train Box Episode 73

Bob Keller in front of CTT layout doing BTB intro

On this Episode of Train Box, Bob Keller and CTT editor Hal Miller put a new Legacy Lionel Soo 4-6-0 through its paces. Then Bob shows part of his collection of colorful tinplate O gauge Marx locomotives and rolling stock. Finally, he discusses railroad timetables and other paper memorabilia that make interesting and informative reading […]

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Bob’s Train Box Episode 73

Bob Keller in front of CTT layout doing BTB intro

On this Episode of Train Box, Bob Keller and CTT editor Hal Miller put a new Legacy Lionel Soo 4-6-0 through its paces. Then Bob shows part of his collection of colorful tinplate O gauge Marx locomotives and rolling stock. Finally, he discusses railroad timetables and other paper memorabilia that make interesting and informative reading […]

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Bristol brothers

Green and white diesel lines up beside streamlined black and maroon steam locomotive

Bristol brothers Southern and Norfolk & Western shared the N&W roundhouse, located on the Virginia side of Bristol. SOU F3 4151 and N&W J 602 wait to take trains west and east, respectively, on March 2, 1957. Steve Patterson photo   […]

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Pecos River crossing

Steam-powered passenger train on deck truss bridge supported by concrete piers

Pecos River crossing Southern Pacific’s crossing over the Pecos River 65 miles west of Del Rio, Texas, stands 362 feet above the river. It opened in 1944. Southern Pacific photo […]

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Chesapeake Western

Green and gray diesel locomotive coupled to boxcars with men in white hats in the cab

Chesapeake Western Chesapeake Western DS-4-4-660 No. 662 switches at Harrisonburg, Va., on September 15, 1958. It was one of three such 1946 Baldwins on the 54-mile road. J.W. Swanberg photo […]

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Cars of the ‘Century’

Three-quarter view of railroad passenger car with side loading doors

Cars of the ‘Century’ Mail-baggage car No. 5020 had a 60-foot Railway Post Office section. The 20th Century Limited typically carried one such car per consist. There were four cars in the 5020-5023 series. Pullman-Standard photo […]

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Lionel’s No. 6417 porthole caboose

Roger Carp with two variations of a Lionel N5c caboose.

Lionel’s model of the Pennsylvania RR’s N5c caboose has been a favorite since it was first added to the catalog in the 1950s. CTT’s Professor Carp details the history of these toy train stalwarts, shows some of the other roadnames and colors in which it was produced, and explains why one variation is worth far […]

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Lionel’s no. 6417 porthole caboose

Roger Carp with two variations of a Lionel N5c caboose.

Lionel’s model of the Pennsylvania RR’s N5c caboose has been a favorite since it was first added to the catalog in the 1950s. CTT’s Professor Carp details the history of these toy train stalwarts, shows some of the other roadnames and colors in which it was produced, and explains why one variation is worth far […]

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Ken Cook’s O gauge layout

A traditional Lionel layout with modern scenery

Visit Ken Cook’s layout, featured in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Ken mixes postwar Lionel trains with modern track, structures, details, and scenery to create a one-of-a-kind display that entertains your eyes, ears, and imagination. Click here to see the track plan. […]

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Ken Cook’s O gauge layout

A traditional Lionel layout with modern scenery

Visit Ken Cook’s layout, featured in the September 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Ken mixes postwar Lionel trains with modern track, structures, details, and scenery to create a one-of-a-kind display that entertains your eyes, ears, and imagination. Click here to see the track plan. […]

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Branch line service

Diesel locomotive with side handrails and a black roof

Branch line service The Milwaukee Road ordered the lightweight EMD SDL39 for use on its light-rail branch lines. The railroad bought five of the locomotives in 1969 and followed with an order for another five in 1972. The 2,300-hp unit is equipped with a 12-cylinder 645E3 prime mover and 1,200-gallon fuel tank. EMD photo […]

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Blue Ridge conqueror

Large smoking steam locomotive climbs upgrade with train on curve

Blue Ridge conqueror Norfolk & Western 2-8-8-2 No. 2174 climbs Blue Ridge Mountain east of Roanoke, Va., on Sept. 11, 1958. The railroad had 227 locomotives of the wheel arrangement in 10 classes. Ken Murry photo […]

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