Classic Toy Trains May 2003

Hi-tech and Hi-Rail in O gauge
John Shankland’s 44 x 46-foot Chicago, Burlington & Quincy layout is impressive above – and below – track level. John, of suburban Chicago, Ill., uses a computerized cab-control system to operate his layout.

American Flyer layout
Scott Plunkett of Menomonee Falls, Wis., has built a colorful version of a traditional postwar layout.

Command Control of dummy locomotives
Dick Teal of Horicon, Wis., shows you how to add TMCC-operated couplers and lighting effects to a dummy locomotive.

Buster Keaton’s trains
Silent movie comedian Buster Keaton featured electric trains in his films and American Flyer trains in his California backyard.

O gauge “dispatchers” track plan
Here’s another postwar-Lionel style track plan that you can build today.

Manufacturer’s visit: ETS
Visit ETS – European Train Systems – a Czech Republic manufacturer of tinplate O gauge trains for the American and European markets. Mike Matejka, of Bloomington, Ill., is your guide.

Build a scenic gorge
Stanley Trzoniec, of Northborough, Mass., shows you how to build a landscape focal point for your O or S gauge layout.

Postwar Lionel collection
Relive the glory days of postwar Lionel trains through the collection of Rick Dunn of Seattle, Wash.

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.

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

Also in this issue of CTT: Bob Keller reviews the newest trains from MTH, Lionel, K-Line, and others; industry news; Q&A operator tips with Ray L. Plummer; and our popular Collectible Classics column.