Classic Toy Trains May 2004

BETH, LIONEL, & 78S
See Tom Stange's layout, featuring prewar and postwar Lionel trains.

BUILD CUSTOM-FIT CROSSINGS
Peter and Gay Riddle show how to shorten 90-degree crossing-track sections.

LARGE OR SMALL LAYOUT
Terry Thompson reveals how this postwar-style O gauge track plan can stretch in length to any size needed.

JUMBO PLASTICVILLE STATION
Richard van de Kieft details how to make a grand city station from three Union Station kits and one bank building kit.

THIS IS A FIRST LAYOUT?
Pete Vollmer says his O gauge layout is only "practice," but it certainly looks perfect.

DUMPSTER DIVING AT LIONEL
Roger Carp unearths the history of two boys who hoped to find treasure in Lionel's trash.

GUIDE TO ELECTRICAL SWITCHES
Dennis Eichenberg explains which switch is the right one for different jobs on your layout.

NAT KING COLE'S LIONEL LAYOUT
Roger Carp highlights this famous father, his son, and their postwar trains.

AMERICAN FLYER MINE CARRIER CAR
Joe Deger spotlights this explosive S gauge classic.

PLASTIC AND TOY TRAINS
Joseph H. Lechner examines how experiments with plastics at Lionel and American Flyer is the 1930s and '40s laid the groundwork for postwar trains.