Review: Lionel Super Chief LionChief Santa Fe toy train set

The train on the track.

  Introducing the Lionel Super Chief LionChief set The Lionel Super Chief LionChief toy train set is a good-looking small passenger train set in a road name I really like. Lionel’s no. 84719 Santa Fe Super Chief LionChief set has been in the catalog since 2018, and there are good reasons the train maker keeps […]

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Lionel 6464 boxcars, including a New York Central version

6464-125 New York Central Pacemaker, Cataloged 1954-56

  Lionel 6464 boxcars help Lionel Corp. mark 1953 as a turning point. Yes, a year after blazing a new trail with classic streamlined passenger cars, the engineering and sales teams at Lionel fielded near-scale models of a modern flatcar, a triple-dome tank car, and a porthole caboose. Perhaps most important of all, the company […]

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Some of your favorite toy train Christmas scenes

Model steam engine in Christmas scene

Vintage toy trains in winter holiday scenes bring feelings of nostalgia. Relive the nostalgia with this selection of both current and vintage holiday-themed photos in O and Standard gauge scales. If you have a photo you’d like considered for a future gallery, contact editor@classictoytrains.com […]

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Meet the Modeler: Neal Schorr

A train on Neal Schorr's layout

Neal Schorr’s work has appeared numerous times on the cover of and inside Classic Toy Trains, as well as in our sister publication Model Railroader. He’s an excellent modeler and equally good with a camera. His Pennsylvania RR-themed layout is loaded with scale detail and memorable scenes based on actual locations. Questions & answers My […]

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A visit to Len Smith’s O gauge Reading layout

Len Smith's layout and the cover of the November 2021 Classic Toy Trains

Take a ride on Len Smith’s O gauge Reading RR featured in the November 2021 issue of Classic Toy Trains. Modern locomotives and rolling stock plus great scenery make this layout a terrific tribute to his favorite fallen flag. Have a look at the track plan here. […]

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On the track: Lionel’s new Legacy GP30 locomotive

Lionel Legacy GP30

We took Lionel’s new legacy GP30 in Chicago & North Western livery out for a spin on our City Transfer & Terminal RR. It runs just as good as it looks! For a full review, check out the December 2021 issue of Classic Toy trains or click here. It also makes an appearance on Bob’s […]

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On the track: Lionel’s new Legacy GP30 locomotive

Lionel Legacy GP30

We took Lionel’s new legacy GP30 in Chicago & North Western livery out for a spin on our City Transfer & Terminal RR. It runs just as good as it looks! For a full review, check out the December 2021 issue of Classic Toy trains or click here. It also makes an appearance on Bob’s […]

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Lionel’s Phantom train stars on this O gauge Halloween layout

Lionel's Phantom train on a small Halloween toy train layout

Lionel’s Phantom train is on the rails! We’ve all seen Lionel, MTH, and American Flyer model train sets running under the Christmas tree, but what about for Halloween? CTT editor Hal Miller builds a small layout he calls the Chaos, Tragedy & Terror RR. It captures the spirit of the season with accessories from Woodland […]

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Lionel’s Phantom train stars on this O gauge Halloween layout

Lionel's Phantom train on a small Halloween toy train layout

Lionel’s Phantom train is on the rails! We’ve all seen Lionel, MTH, and American Flyer model train sets running under the Christmas tree, but what about for Halloween? CTT editor Hal Miller builds a small layout he calls the Chaos, Tragedy & Terror RR. It captures the spirit of the season with accessories from Woodland […]

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Lionel Area 51 set a spooky and fun train

Chris Raines with Lionel Area 51 set

Get a look at the Lionel Area 51 set (no. 2123160)! Chris Raines of RBP Trains on YouTube reviews this spooky and fun O gauge train outfit. First is a close look at the GE “ET44” Tier 4 Bluetooth-controlled locomotive and the array of cars. Then Chris takes it for a spin on his great […]

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Lionel Area 51 set a spooky and fun train

Chris Raines with Lionel Area 51 set

Get a look at the Lionel Area 51 set (no. 2123160)! Chris Raines of RBP Trains on YouTube reviews this spooky and fun O gauge train outfit. First is a close look at the GE “ET44” Tier 4 Bluetooth-controlled locomotive and the array of cars. Then Chris takes it for a spin on his great […]

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