MTH European Trains...

Go check out the MTH website. In lieu of having the new Lionel Tinplate Catalog uploaded.... This new catalog of MTH European Trains is spectacular. I was a huge fan of European trains when I was a kid and when you go to Europe and ride on the modern and "not so modern" gear it is even more impressive.

Check out these trains and don't discount them one iota. They're a brilliant idea and at least one should grace your pike!

Marc

This track is killin me!

 

All the tubular track is gone... I just need to figure out how to get this Gargraves rolling! Arrgh.

Marc

Track Hassles

 

I love this picture on the back of the Lionel Catalog. It's so well drawn, makes you think of Grand Central on a rainy, smokey night. I've been there plenty of times in real life and the Lionel lights really plug into the reality of that building well.

At any rate, I've been struggling with Gargraves Flex track on my layout. I got about 3 pieces down and they just looked all wrong. I ripped them up and started all over. I am getting really frustrated. I like the Gargraves wooden ties and the five rail track. It looks good and I've seen it on plenty of layouts. It's just been a bear to Dremel it properly and get the 72 inch curves measured up on my tiny layout. Yes, there is enough room for it on the layout. It just is really difficult getting these curves right. I am almost ready to pay someone to come help me with this! Once I see it done once I think I can replicate it, it's just getting it done correctly. Not running my trains is turning out to be easily one of the most frustrating things on earth!

Marc

In just three days the Standard Gauge Module Association, Inc. will be setting up what we hope will be the largest Standard Gauge operating layout ever at a public event. This weekend, the World's Greatest Hobby Show On Tour comes to the Dulles Expo Center located in Chantilly, VA (suburban Washington, DC.) The SGMA is planning a complex layout measuring 76 ft. by 40 ft. and featuring five sepatate Standard Gauge operating loops. It will be a sight to see! If you can make it to the show, don't miss this opportunity to see our largest ever layout. BTW, bring a train to run on one of our loops if you come.

Al's GG1

Al Merris bought a GG1 from me years back. He took out the failing old motors and put in two terrific Aristocraft Motors. This thing runs like a Rolls Royce now. Check out why GG1's were made for Standard Gauge...

Marc

NETTE Feb. 6th Auction Highlites

Hi All,

NETTE (New England Toy Train Exchange) sent over some pics from their upcoming Feb. 6th Auction. Please note they also are on Live Auctioneers if you can't make it to the auction.

Some very nice 200 series cars (near mint).
Marc

Olson Displays Blog

Josh posted a link to Olson Displays blog on Prewar Times. Very cool website with some nice pics of Madison Hardware. I do really miss that place in NYC. Unfortunately the train stores in NYC are few and far between these days. There are some whisps of toy trains here and there but nothing like Madison...

Marc

Very nice to see...

Well, I did see Lionel trains at Target this year and also at Stew Leonards in Connecticut. It was really great to see them, especially in a Christmas setting.

Here is a pic from Stews.

Marc

Wonderful Little Youtube!

Happy Holidays everyone! Here's a neat little Youtube from Bluecomet390.



I am going to post a new Youtube this weekend of a very smooth running American Flyer original!

Marc

Lionel On The Today Show

It isn't standard gauge. But it is nice to see Lionel at Rockefeller Center!

Marc
PS I can't guarantee NBC's link will last forever. They usually last a month or two so watch it while you can!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Lionel on the Today Show - Dec. 7 @ 8:30 am EST

Lionel Trains (ok, a representative) will be on the Today show on Dec. 7th at 8:30 AM EST. I'm very glad to see Lionel in NYC! Maybe I should roll over to Rockefeller Center and say hello!

For more info go to the Lionel newsroom at www.Lionel.com

Marc

Check out this cool building...

I was visiting some customers the other day in Jersey City and I saw this building.... I've seen it a thousand times before; it is an old manufacturing building that has been converted and refurbished for different uses. It is a really glorious old building and will remind you of what it must have been like when the Blue Comet actually ran to Atlantic City and the Brute was only a few years old... Blow up the pics as well. You'll get the idea.

Marc

PS - The fascinating thing about this company is that it is still in business. No, not at this location. But they are still in business and still making the same stuff. Tell me this wouldn't be a great name/logo on the side of a boxcar?

Breaking News - MTHs Website doesn't suck

Some breaking news: MTH Trains has fully upgraded their website. Here at:

http://www.mthtrains.com/

MTH's website (for years) has been a first stop for model railroaders and a frustration for many. Dead links, buggy pages and a poor representation of a great company. Mike Wolf and crew have done a great job re-inventing the site and launching a new look and feel. It's about time!

Nice job Mike, ya gotta keep it rolling and keep it up to date. Marc

Overhead Flyer Shot

Here's a shot of a Flyer Standard Gauge consist running past a Lionel factory. These are hard shots to take (at least on my pike) because there is no room to move on this side of the layout. At the moment, I'm just glad to have a layout.

Marc

The NYC Handoff

As has been written many times, steam trains are not allowed in NYC. I seem to recall this rule actually still being on the books. I think of this every time I ride the Metro North into NYC.

I also think the mail car is one of those really good ideas that still is completely viable. So much mail moves by truck across the country. I'd love to see trains used (again) for mail. It just seems like such a smart way to move parcels around the country. I just got to thinking this the other day when I was taking some shots of this Ives Mail car (sad, probably).

Marc

Another Day on the Pike....

I just thought this was a neat picture. A dimly lit caboose, heading into a tunnel, noisily clanking away with the rest of the rolling stock. The bright red cabooose color contrasts wonderfully with the cool, muted earth tones of the Olson Displays Tunnel.

Yes, I know the tunnel has a little overhang. It's to remind me to expand the layout sooner rather than later. It's so stable (both the layout and the tunnel) it won't budge one iota.

Marc

New England Toy Train Exchange Dec. 12, 2009

A really nice NETTE auction is coming up with some great Standard Gauge and prewar O gauge as well. Check out this gorgeous Ives set. I've seen some recent postings on the Tinplate forums where people are asking or looking for original prewar standard gauge. NETTE is probably one of the best places to invest in original prewar pieces.

Marc

Stout December Auction

Looks like if you are in the market for authentic American Flyer Wide Gauge, then you should take a look at the December 2009 Stout Auction. Some very nice Flyer and some pretty decent Lionel Standard Gauge as well.

Marc

Circus Train at Cal-Stewart

I've been invited to Cal-Stewart at least 15 times. 2010 is the year I'm going! I'm not a huge fan of Circus Trains (I have the MTH/Ives Flavor, nothing else). This flavor of the McCoy Circus train is pretty rare to see running and shiny in almost any state.

Marc

Another Brute Convert...

My friend and train colleague Mike V. just received his new Brute. He purchased the Buddy L flavor of the Brute. Apparently there were fewer pre-orders for this flavor thus it is officially going on the "rare" or "medium rare" list. Whatever the case may be, it looks pretty damn good on Mike's mantle. This engine was a work of art when JLC commissioned it from Italy and it still looks great in 2010. The fact that some dealers have sold out of both versions says volumes.

Marc