Classic Toy Trains January 2004

DRESSED-UP DIESELS

Lights, horns, antennas, decals, and other touches can make any modern-era O gauge diesel stand out in a crowd. Kent Johnson of Waukesha, Wisc., shows you how.

BUILD THE COAL TERMINAL LAYOUT

In the second of a four-part series, the CLASSIC TOY TRAINS staff shows you step by step how to turn an O-27 train set into a fully wired and scenicked 4- by 8-foot layout.

DIGITAL DREAM LAYOUT

Ernie Emrich of Shrewsbury, N.J., dreamed of an O gauge layout as a child, but it wasn't until adulthood that he built a layout that features the latest command control systems from Lionel and MTH.

TMCC AND DCS

Steve Garofalo of Las Vegas, Nev., had a dilemma: how to add MTH's Digital Command System to his existing, multi-block layout, which was already extensively wired for conventional transformer control and Lionel's TrainMaster Command Control. Steve's solutions will help others with the same challenge.

TOY TRAIN INSURANCE

Our postwar expert Joe Algozzini, a former insurance agent, tells you what you need to ask when seeking adequate coverage of your trains.

CARAIL CHRISTMAS LAYOUT

Visit a charming Christmas O gauge layout full of Department 56 buildings at former Lionel owner Dick Kughn's Carrail museum.

TIME-MACHINE LAYOUT

With minimal work, Ray Stuber of North Potomac, Md., can change the time setting on his 1950s New York Central hi-rail layout to satisfy his passion for 21st century CSX diesels and Amtrak passenger trains.

HOT POSTWAR LIONEL TRAINS

Silver, white, and 1946 are the buzzwords for postwar trains today. CTT's own Roger Carp explains.

MEET THE EQUALIZER

Dick Teal of Horicon, Wisc., shows you how to install an Equalizer circuit board to convert an MTH locomotive to Lionel's TrainMaster Command Control.

LASSO TRACK PLAN

Neil Beougloff offers a fresh spin on an old track plan.

TRAIN FOR TRUMAN

Roger Carp shows how Lionel put a train in the White House.

LIONEL TUNNEL

Robert Pasztor reveals that the postwar no. 119 tunnel really does exist.

BIKE PIKE

Ron Antonelli tells of a decidedly low-tech way to power a layout.