Classic Toy Trains July 2020

As I write this, a few weeks before it goes to the printer and even longer before it gets to you, the world is in the grip of COVID-19, a virus that at this point only seems to be held at bay by physically distancing ourselves from others. That means many of us are either working from home or just staying there to avoid contracting or spreading the disease. It’s our sincere wish that by the time you read this, conditions have improved. Hopefully you, your families, and your friends are all safe and healthy, or are getting that way and we can gather again. The more realistic side of me, however, thinks it will be a while before the world returns to “normal” and we’re able to stand closer than 6…

Could the Navy whirlybird from the 1950s pictured on the right be the full-size helicopter that inspired the design of the various Lionel models used on flatcars during the postwar period? I purchased a Lionel no. 3419 operating helicopter flatcar. After looking at it, I wondered whether the ’copter was based on a real one. There is precedent, such as the model of the Beechcraft Bonanza airplane Lionel put on flatcars. I did some searching on the Internet and discovered that the Lionel ’copter was a dead ringer for the Bell 47J Ranger introduced in 1956 and pictured here. The timeline certainly fits, since the Lionel car was first cataloged in 1959. There was even a U.S. Navy version of the Bell helicopter (the HUL-1) and a training version (the HTL-7). –…

Last year I raised the idea of establishing the Digital Era demarcation for trains made from the year 2000 to the present. Here are a few potential landmark products (out of many contenders) that are good representatives of the new O gauge time period. These choices reflect my hands-on experience with each of the products. I’m always interested in different points of view, so think of this as an icebreaker to begin a conversation. ATLAS O F3 The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy unit, reviewed in September 2014, was the perfect model to be on the point of a line of streamlined extruded aluminum passenger cars. What struck me was how the silver Burlington Route livery showcased the finer details of the model, such as the see-through side vent screens that revealed structural supports for…

STAN LUDWIKOWSKI’S O GAUGE LAYOUT When O gauge modelers and railfans catch a glimpse of this dynamic shot taken by Stan Ludwikowski on his home layout, they naturally focus on the striking Chicago & North Western cab unit barreling by the switch tower. But the two guys relaxing outside care only about the stray dogs gathered for a handout. Stan, a resident of Yorkville, Ill., confesses to sharing their love of canines. You’ll see much more of his layout, although not the pups, in a future issue of Classic Toy Trains. JEFF MCCOMAS’ O GAUGE STEAM ENGINE AND TENDER If you own a prewar or postwar steamer or diesel in need of restoration, there are talented custom painters who will revive the majestic tones associated with a Blue Comet or the classic Santa…

NEW PAINT SCHEMES: Atlas O is offering its Master series 40-foot Airslide covered hopper with new road numbers and paint schemes. Features include ¼"-scale dimensions and details; realistic see-through roof walks and brakewheel platform; separately applied grab irons and brake line details; sprung die-cast 70-ton roller-bearing or Bettendorf trucks depending on road name; opening hatches, and die-cast articulated couplers. Minimum curve is O-27. All have two road numbers. Road names with new road numbers: Burlington Northern, Delaware & Hudson. New paint schemes: Brach’s Candies, Chicago & North Western, Con Agra, Conrail, Cotton Belt, Revere Sugar, Rock Island, Union Pacific, undecorated. MSRP $79.95; Undecorated $69.95. Visit shop.atlasrr.com. A COZY LITTLE STOP: The Melrose Park depot from Menards (no. 279-5551; MSRP $49.99) is a fully assembled, decorated, and illuminated structure with a footprint…

WHAT ARE YOU SELLING? WE ASKED RETAILERS ABOUT THEIR RECENT SALES. ANSWERS WERE COLORED BY THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19 QUARANTINING. THEIR RESPONSES: Joey Moretto – Nicholas Smith Trains, Broomall, Pa.: • “Business has just gone sideways.”• “(Currently) mostly selling track and new box rolling stock.”• “We were selling a lot of Lionel engines before COVID-19.”• “Our store is a 50-50 mix of foot traffic and phone and mail order so business is way down. We haven’t been buying any used trains.” Brian Sheffield – Legacy Station, Lilburn, Ga.: • “We’ve been busier in general - for April because it’s tax time. We’re busier than normal.”• “The Atlanta area is under a shelter in place order. We’ve been doing more internet sales.”• “Did you hear about the Trump train from MTH?”• “We’ve sold so much stuff…