Classic Toy Trains March/April 2023

◼ SOMETIMES I LOSE TRACK OF WHY I got into this crazy hobby in the first place. Do you have those moments too? Like when you think of the value of a train instead of considering how running it makes you feel? Then I run into people like Sean Morgan, who kind of recalibrates me in the hobby. If you haven’t seen his layout in person or on the Internet, be sure to have a look at the story starting on page 26. Sean is one of those people who truly finds joy in trains of all sizes, as well as almost anything mechanical or electronic. This really comes to light if you visit his YouTube channel, Sean’s Train Depot. He has tons of model train videos on there. His other interests are…

Editor Hal Miller hmiller@Kalmbach.com Senior Editor Roger Carp rcarp@ClassicToyTrains.com Senior production editor Rene Schweitzer rschweitzer@Kalmbach.com Copy Editor Steven Otte sotte@Kalmbach.com Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno cgrivno@ModelRailroader.com Contributing Editor Bob Keller editor@ClassicToyTrains.com TO SUBMIT AN ARTICLE and photos, email manuscripts@classictoytrains.com, or send materials to Classic Toy Trains, 21027 Crossroads Circle, P.O. Box 1612, Waukesha, WI 53186. Write the words “Manuscript Enclosed” on the envelope. Before preparing an article, contact us to determine interest. Article/photo guidelines are available at trains.com/ctt/magazine/contributor-guidelines/. Classic Toy Trains assumes letters, new product information, and other unsolicited materials are contributed gratis. We assume no responsibility for the safe return of unsolicited material.…

▪ THE ARTICLE BY DON HEIMBURGER on American Flyer flatcars with trailers in the September/October 2022 issue of Classic Toy Trains failed to mention one important change made to these cars. The original 1956 version has, as noted, two sheet-metal brackets that hold each trailer onto the flatcar. To install them or remove them, you have to lift or place them straight up from the flatcar. Then in 1959, when the A.C. Gilbert Co. introduced the No. 23830 Piggyback Unloader, it modified the top of the flatcar so it could be used with the brand-new accessory. Instead of two brackets as before, there was only one. The single bracket enabled the trailers to slide off the flatcar. – David Dewey, Oroville, Calif. Meet the next generation Readers of Classic Toy Trains may wonder…

◼ EVERY WINTER, FOLKS BREAK OUT “THE OLD TRAIN SETS.” In some cases, this may be for the first time in decades! Then they decide to visit a hobby shop, where they may not see anything resembling the track that came with their childhood set. What to do? This happens throughout the year, but the pre-holiday period is your best chance to see it occur in your local store. There’s an amazing array of competing O gauge track types. Some look pretty nifty, more modern than the stuff you bought in 1960! Accordingly, the prices can enter the “holy cow!” range when you consider a track conversion. These comments are based on my own experience over the past 30 years (and several different track systems). Type 1: Traditional tinplate track Traditional tubular track is terrific. It…

GREG HURD’S S GAUGE LAYOUT Modeling the famous Union Pacific RR in S gauge has been somewhat of a preoccupation for Greg Hurd since he received an American Flyer No. 20325 Union Pacific Diesel Freight set back in 1957. Ever since then, the Armour Yellow and Harbor Mist Gray used on the railroad’s locomotives and rolling stock have captivated him. No surprise, therefore, that Greg’s Glacier Gorge RR hosts plenty of UP cab units, road diesels, and streamlined passenger trains from the Gilbert and Lionel rosters. Look for more pictures of his huge layout in Englewood, Colo., in future issues of Classic Toy Trains. WANT TO CONTRIBUTE? Please send your best pictures to CTT Photo Album, 21027 Crossroads Circle, Waukesha, WI 53187-1612 or email them to photoalbum@ClassicToyTrains.com. Digital photos must be taken with…

BEER BOXCAR. This 40-foot plug-door boxcar is part of the Atlas O Trainman series. The ready-to-run model is decorated for Schlitz, National Bohemian, Old Style, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Rainer, and Schaefer Beer. The boxcar has an injection-molded plastic body; separate, factory-applied ladders, brake wheel, and see-through plastic running board; sprung, die-cast metal Barber S-2 solid-bearing trucks with metal wheelsets; and metal knuckle couplers. The O gauge boxcar is priced at $69.95 and can be found at your favorite Atlas O retailer. FLAG DAY CAR. On Flag Day, June 14, 2023, the Knights of Columbus Monsignor Sherman Council will release its “One Nation Under God” boxcar. It’s the eighth in a series of traditional O gauge cars manufactured by Lionel for the K of C. Each boxcar is $90, which includes shipping.…