Staff

Rene Schweitzer, Editor
rene.schweitzer@firecrown.com

Rene has worked on and off for CTT since 1995, but rejoined the staff of Classic Toy Trains in May of 2014 as Production Editor.

Now as CTT’s editor, she will work closely with Senior Editor Roger Carp in selecting, editing, and preparing all content for both the print magazine and Trains.com. She enjoys working with contributors to find the best toy train content–so if you have a story idea, please send her an email.

She currently lives in Waukesha with her husband (who is a huge toy train enthusiast who belongs to the local 3-rail club) and three cats. There’s a former CTT project layout in their basement with a Halloween theme, and plenty of O gauge items throughout their house.

In her spare time, she enjoys a variety of hobbies including reading, watching movies, gardening, rubber stamping, machine embroidery, and bicycling.

Roger Carp, Senior Editor
roger.carp@firecrown.com

Roger Carp has been associated with Classic Toy Trains since its second issue came out in the Spring of 1988. He has also supervised the development of many of its special issues, including All-Star Electric Trains of the 1950s, More All-Star Electric Trains, and Lionel, the Golden Years.

The history of toy trains in America fascinates Roger, especially the development and promotion of prewar and postwar Lionel and postwar American Flyer. To advance his understanding of that history, he has conducted interviews with many former Lionel and Gilbert employees and written four books on the history of Lionel as well as special-interest publications on Lionel’s showroom in New York City and its different accessories. Roger regularly travels around the United States, photographing O and S gauge layouts for articles in CTT.

Roger collects postwar Lionel trains and accessories, Mini-Craft stations and newsstands, and Authenticast figures, all for the O gauge layout that he dreams of building.

Mitchell Horner, Associate Digital Editor
mitchell.horner@firecrown.com

Mitchell Horner joined Trains.com and Model Railroader in October of 2022. In 2023, he shifted his focus to Trains.com exclusively, where he has participated in the direction of editorial efforts for multiple brands, including Model Railroader and Classic Trains, in addition to regularly composing articles for Trains.com.

Mitchell came to Trains.com as a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where he received degrees in Film Studies and English. While in university, Mitchell worked as an undergraduate researcher for the department chair of Film Studies, and penned a film industry column for a Milwaukee newspaper. When not editing and writing, Mitchell enjoys long-distance running and watching movies.

Mitchell lives in Chicago with his wife and their two cats.

Lucas Iverson, Assistant Digital Editor
lucas.iverson@firecrown.com

Lucas Iverson joined Trains.com as a staff writer in October 2022, and has penned articles for Trains, Classic Toy Trains, and Model Railroader.

Iverson’s passion in railroading began at an early age, starting with Thomas the Tank Engine and Tracks Ahead on PBS, which continues to grow and evolve. Iverson is a Wisconsin native and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduate. His studies in Radio-TV-Film and communications paved the way for a career in TV broadcasting and now at Trains.com.

Iverson’s first career position was as a technical media operator for Lansing, Mich.’s CBS affiliate, WLNS-TV. A major highlight of his time there included directing fast-paced newscasts broadcasted throughout mid-Michigan from early mornings to late nights. Iverson regularly volunteered at the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Mich. The Institute is home to Pere Marquette No. 1225, a 2-8-4 Berkshire-type steam locomotive whose sounds and likeness were included in the 2004 animated film, The Polar Express.

While with the Institute, he oversaw the digital outreach to members, volunteers, and the public through the organization’s revamped website and expanded social media presence.

Lucas assumed the role of assistant digital editor for Trains.com in November of 2025.