Model Train Journal

Besides the dramatic and obvious changes in media from print to online, the segment of the hobby mostly devoted to collecting and to running vintage trains has for many years been declining relative to the segment mostly devoted to operating new trains with a high level of detail and technological f...

It’s both, I think.

Lionel's 2023 Vol. 1 Catalog has some really cool offerings, for those who can afford them. As a retiree living on Social Security and a small amount of investment income (when the market isn't in the tank, as now), Lionel's catalog has truly become a dream book for me. At least I can enjoy window s...

I'm just glad MTJ is back up. Thanks to whoever got the problem fixed. I don't post often (40 posts in 17+ years!), but I like to stop by once in a while to see what's going on. MTJ is the closest thing we have left to the AOL train boards. Now that was fun!

Run 322 (Feb/Mar 2022) of OGR magazine has an article on the new command system by Dave Olson, Lionel's Director of Engineering. It's titled, "Creating Lionel’s Latest Innovation in Train Control." At this time, only the digital edition of this issue is available, and I don't have a digit...

The Real Toy Trains YouTube channel has more info, including the 2-page presentation in Lionel's 2022 catalog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3gYLECNInI

Yesterday evening, on Facebook, Lionel's Dave Olson showed off engineering samples of Lionel's 2-10-10-2 and Veranda locomotives. Very cool engines and features. I don't have a chance of being able to buy either one when they arrive later this year...unless I were to sell my house out from under my ...

Roger was a friendly voice and a gentleman. I will miss him. My deepest sympathies to his family.

From the MTH e-newsletter... New M.T.H. Parts Site Update July 28, 2021 - M.T.H. Electric Trains is slated to begin again taking parts orders later this summer as the new online parts store spins up online. The new store will replace the previous parts order site that was shut down during the compa...

I have DCS and use the WiFi app more as a learning tool than operating engines. My plan for future, possible TIU failures is to sell my DCS equipped engines. Personally I have only about 7 so when the TIU dies I'll be selling them. I stopped buying MTH engines when PS2 came out because I didn't wha...

Williams is still around in the form of Williams by Bachman but they are only 60 years old (and still kicking). They've kind of become the new "Marx" but with a much nicer/upscale product. Williams did produce a great alternative line of trains that were well-made and economically priced....

Call me nuts--my wife does--but I think when the dust settles, Lionel is going to be part of the picture with some of the remaining MTH tooling.

From MTH's website: M.T.H. 2021 Transition Plans Revealed May 18, 2021 - One year after announcing M.T.H. owner Mike Wolf's 2021 retirement plans, the company's evolution is coming into focus with the move from the current Columbia, Maryland facility at the end of May to a smaller location in nearb...

I don't know how much stock can be put in this, but this is the first time I've seen Dun & Bradstreet show declines in three of the four credit indicators for MTH. Is this typical when a private company is winding up?

https://creditbuilder.dnb.com/report/su ... =132201682