Classic Toy Trains December 2020

families and trains

Kind of like Laurel and Hardy, or cheese and caramel popcorn (seriously, try it), some things just go together. From the beginning of model railroading, trains and families have been such a combination. Maybe because of the need for a large swath of area – usually the living-room floor – to set up track, everyone is exposed to the fun of the hobby. The common trope is the father – er, Santa – bestowing upon his son a set for Christmas, and a lifelong enjoyment of toy trains ensuing. No doubt, it’s actually happened many times over. But let’s not discount the role of moms and daughters in this, too. I know my mother taught me a lot about making scenery, and toted me to the store early and often to spend…

your magazine team

Editor Hal Miller hmiller@ClassicToyTrains.com Copy Editor Steven Otte sotte@Kalmbach.com Senior Editor Roger Carp rcarp@ClassicToyTrains.com Group Technical Editor Cody Grivno cgrivno@ModelRailroader.com Production Editor Rene Schweitzer rschweitzer@Kalmbach.com Contributing Editor Bob Keller editor@ClassicToyTrains.com DO YOU HAVE A STORY? 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 CTT.trains.com. 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.…

brass returned in 2016

The article in the May 2020 issue of Classic Toy Trains about the brass door plates created by the Train Collectors Association for its national convention back in 1967 reminded me of what we members of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Lone Star Division of TCA did when the national convention was held in Houston in 2016. We decided to give away similar brass door plates. After getting permission from TCA to use its logo, we contacted a local printing company. Next to the logo we printed the convention emblem, which had references to honor the heritage of Texas. We had 300 plates made and gave them away in pairs as a token of appreciation to the many hard-working and generous volunteers that made the convention a success. – Michael Lewis, Houston,…

photo album your pictures

JIM STEED’S O GAUGE LAYOUT How many of the numerous holiday gifts you received as a child do you still have? How many of them do you even remember? O gauge enthusiast Jim Steed has no trouble answering either question, not when he continues to operate the Lionel trains presented to him back in the 1950s. A star on his layout (featured in the February 2011 issue of Classic Toy Trains) remains this no. 2344 New York Central F3 A-A combination, shown in a winter scene at home in Blairsville, Ga. MOSS FAMILY’S O GAUGE LAYOUT The colorful and entertaining O gauge model railroad Peter and Beverley Moss always put together for their family to enjoy at the Christmas season seems to demand more planning each year. In addition to tunnels, buildings, and…

news & products with the ctt staff

SMALL BUT MIGHTY. Bachmann’s latest locomotive is a General Electric 70-ton diesel switcher. Units will negotiate O-27 curves and feature True Blast Plus 16-bit polyphonic sound including diesel engine, horn, and bell; die-cast frame and trucks; flywheel-equipped motors; O scale dimensions; electronic reverse board with directional lock-out; LED lighting; engineer figure in the cab; and flush-mounted windshield with separate wipers. Roadnames include Southern Pacific, Canadian National (red-and-black scheme), Rutland, and Tropicana. MSRP is $429.95. Visit bachmanntrains.com FOR WHAT THEY’RE WORTH. The 2021 editions of Greenberg’s Pocket Price Guides for Lionel and American Flyer trains are available now. The no. 10-8621 American Flyer guide lists Gilbert as well as Lionel American Flyer production, along with modern S gauge models from American Models, MTH, and S-Helper Service for $15.99. The no. 10-8721 Lionel guide…

neil besougloff

The tragic news we at Classic Toy Trains received in July that former editor Neil Besougloff had died due to complications from COVID-19 brought on some thinking about him and his impact on our magazine and me. I recalled the situation at CTT in 1996, not long after I joined the editorial team. We were looking for a new editor, someone who could set the direction and flavor of the magazine. Neil Besougloff came in and filled that role wonderfully. He wasn’t a model railroader, but he’d had HO scale trains as a kid so he “got” the hobby. Other than some orientation as to who the players were in the industry, he was pretty effective from the get-go. CTT was at a critical point. We were covering large scale, standard gauge, O…