Classic Toy Trains January/February 2022

⏹ WRITING THIS ONLY DAYS AFTER the Eastern Division of the Train Collectors Association’s show in York, Pa., I can tell you I’m out of “show shape.” This was my first real train show in two years due to the pandemic. I think that wass true of a lot of people who were at York; we all had sore feet after walking the aisles for several days. But walk we did, and buy, too. Attendance, understandably given the circumstances, was lighter than in past years. Nonetheless, those who were there appeared to be spending money almost like it had been smoldering in their pockets for the last 18-plus months. The other thing we did was listen. Here are some of the things heard and learned: MTH is still in business Several months ago, Mike Wolf…

For more than 35 years, Classic Toy Trains has been – and will continue to be – your premier resource for O and S gauge trains past and present. But over the course of that span, the publishing business has undergone massive changes. Paper, printing, and postage costs have risen exponentially. Readers of every age and interest level are increasingly looking for content online. The way hobby information is consumed is constantly changing, and we must change with it. Starting with this issue, CTT will be published six times per year. All current subscribers will receive the number of issues published in a year term. The amount of time remaining on your subscription will not be altered. The publishing schedule will be January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, and November/December. Despite the reduction…

Editor Hal Miller hmiller@ClassicToyTrains.com Senior Editor Roger Carp rcarp@ClassicToyTrains.com Production Editor Rene Schweitzer rschweitzer@Kalmbach.com Copy Editor Steven Otte sotte@Kalmbach.com Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno cgrivno@Kalmbach.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.…

JOHN LEBARON’S O GAUGE LAYOUT The enjoyment Louis Marx felt as owner of the largest toy maker in the world animates a fellow in Corning, N.Y., who loves playing with his Marx trains, especially ones he created by giving old bodies facelifts and new paint schemes. Modeler John LeBaron filled cracks in E7 shells with putty, stripped off windows and marker lights, repainted them in stunning Canadian National and Canadian Pacific colors, and finished with HO decals. He installed 19V light-emitting diodes for the headlights. So awesome are the O gauge diesels that the folks standing outside the church can barely remember the tune of the Christmas carol they’re singing. DANIEL BILLOW’S O AND STANDARD GAUGE LAYOUT Christmas in the Billow household was memorable for Daniel and his brothers for many reasons, however,…

⏹ IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 I founded the Silver Rail Club to provide O gauge model train activities to seniors, veterans, families, and the general public. Our motto – “Have trains, will travel” – became well known by activity directors at senior care facilities around Richmond, Va., and very soon throughout the entire state. My father or my wife joined me in traveling from one facility to the next. We could set up everything in 60 to 90 minutes, depending on whether some of the seniors helped us. Before long, we were taking our four tables to local shows. I added a fifth table and then Dad added four more so our operating layout could grow in size for the big events in Fredericksburg, Harrisonburg, Fishersville, Ashland, and the annual show at…

DIESEL CENTENNIAL. EMD at 100 is the companion special-interest publication from Trains. The 92-page magazine covers the 100-year history of Electro-Motive Division and provides an in-depth look at key locomotives in EMD’s history, such as the E7, F7, GP7, and SD40. Print and digital versions are priced at $9.95 each; a print and digital combo sells for $14.95. Digital editions are compatible with PC, Macintosh, Android via Google Play app, iOS via App Store, and Win8 devices. Order online at KalmbachHobbyStore.com WATCH IT, TOO. EMD at 100 is a 60-minute DVD presented by our sister magazine Trains. Noted videographer Rich Luckin looks at Electro-Motive Division’s origins and development plus its role today as an arm of Progress Rail. The DVD, priced at $24.99, includes exclusive footage from the Indiana plant and…