On the fourth day around Christmas, David Popp shares professional tips for building a vehicle maintenance facility. He moves beyond basic instructions to demonstrate plastic part preparation, from using flush-cutting pliers to sanding away stubborn ejector pin marks. Learn how to ensure rock-solid wall alignment using a framing square and solvent-based adhesives—while protecting yourself with […]
Please enjoy this selection of holiday-themed photos of toy trains from Lionel and American Flyer in O gauge, S gauge, and Standard gauge. If you have a photo you’d like considered for a future gallery, contact editor@classictoytrains.com See even more holiday photos! […]
On the third day of the Trains.com seasonal mini-series, David Popp resuscitates a shed that has been roofless for two years. Using self-adhesive diamond-tab shingles, David demonstrates how to transform cardstock structures with ease. Follow along as David shares expert shortcuts, including using a spacing guide for perfect rows and splicing leftover scraps for seamless […]
On Day Two of the Trains.com seasonal mini-series, this episode features a long-awaited workbench rescue as David Popp finally applies custom decals to a boxcar two years in the making! Moving away from finicky dry transfers, David demonstrates the ease of using water-slide decals to bring the Alturas & Lone Pine Railroad to life. Join […]
As part of a Trains.com seasonal mini-series, this episode of “The Five Days of Christmas” highlights David Popp’s efforts to dust off a classic LGB train set—proving that even a 40-year-old engine can run like brand new! Join David as he dives into the essential maintenance, from reviving dull, oxidized track with specialized abrasive blocks to […]
A holiday toy train photo gallery is just the thing to get you in the Christmas spirit. Please enjoy this selection of holiday-themed photos of toy trains from Lionel and American Flyer in O gauge, S gauge, and Standard gauge (with some bonus N and large scale trains). If you have a photo you’d like […]
Dave Baule’s S gauge layout Dimensions: 11 x 25 feet Track and switches: American S Gauge (diameters range from 38 to 76 inches) Motive power: American Models, Gilbert American Flyer, S-Helper Service Rolling stock: American Models, American S Gauge, Downs, Gilbert American Flyer, Lionel American Flyer, S-Helper Service Controls: Gilbert American Flyer Nos. 16B and […]
If your industrial park or big city needs a power boost, Menards has you covered with a three pack of electrical towers. While doing research, I learned that the industry term for this item is a transmission tower, at least in the United States. The towers are usually made from steel, and support overhead power […]
News & Products for the week of December 15th 2025 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of December 15th, 2025. HO […]
News & Products for the week of December 8th 2025 Model railroad operators and builders can get the latest information about locomotives, freight cars, passenger cars, tools, track, and more by reading Model Railroader’s frequent product updates. The following are the products Model Railroader editors have news on for the week of December 8th, 2025. […]
An American Car & Foundry 40-foot wood refrigerator car is the fourth model to join the ScaleTrains S-Helper Service lineup. The reefer, based on a prototype from the 1920s, features plastic construction; factory-installed and painted wire grab irons; and sprung, die-cast metal trucks. Prototype history The review sample we received is decorated as Santa Fe […]
Atlas Model Railroad Co. has announced the acquisition of “substantially all assets” of Micro-Trains Line Co., a manufacturer of N and Z scale model trains and couplers based in Talent, Ore. This acquisition, announced on Nov. 19, 2025, marks a significant development in the U.S. hobby industry. As part of the agreement, Atlas assumes ownership […]
