Classic Toy Trains January 2003

Lionel’s 1955 trains
Top postwar collector Joe Algozzini of Indiana adds another chapter to his popular series of stories about Lionel's postwar train production. Joe analyzes the 1955 lineup and offers insights for postwar operators and collectors.

An O gauge visit to the heart of Pennsylvania
Attention Pennsylvania Railroad fans: Jim Simpson has built an O gauge city of Altoona layout in his New York City home.

Christmas layout track plan
Paul Reimold of Pennsylvania offers an interesting yet practical track plan that you can use beneath your tree.

What is toy train smoke?
What is toy train smoke made from? Why does it seem to float in the air? Will it set off my smoke alarm? Chemistry professor Joseph Lechner of Ohio has all the answers.


Prewar with an artistic flair
Howard Godel's prewar American and European train collection reveals an artistic side to collecting.

Keeping it simple under the tree
Bob Flores has built a bullet-proof O gauge layout for Christmas.


Build an action-packed layout
Toy train book author Peter Riddle of Nova Scotia builds a traditional O gauge layout that's sophisticated enough for adults, basic enough for children, and full of tips and tricks that apply to your layout.


American Flyer’s “Airplane Car”
The Curtiss-Wright aircraft company had a plan for a propeller-driven passenger train. To demonstrate, the company cleverly modified an American Flyer passenger car set. Jeanne Gingles of New Jersey explains.


How to photograph trains and layouts
Disappointed with the photos you took of your toy train layout? Then follow CTT's Roger Carp as he explains the do's and don'ts of toy train layout photography.


Reader showcase
How can you get a photo of your layout into Classic Toy Trains? Easy, submit it to Reader Showcase, our new regular feature that highlights the trains and layouts of our readers.

How to wire Lionel accessories
The latest in a series of wiring diagrams by Louis Koumoundouros of Chicago, Ill., shows you how to wire Lionel's block signal three different ways.