Lionel and LCCA Roll Out the Red Carpet!

Mark your calendar for March 22-23 and plan to attend this two-day Red Carpet Event that will be a memory-maker! This first-of-its-kind co-sponsored event will be a private showing of the Lionel facility presented to LCCA members. The general public will not be invited.

Participants get the opportunity to visit the NEW Lionel trains and NASCAR Die-cast facility in Concord, NC, for private showings of:

• Facility Tours
• Lionel Operating Layouts
• Informative Professional Seminars on HOBBY ELECTRONICS, REPAIR SERVICE, MODULE MAKING, and SCENERY BUILDING
• LCCA Member-only Pricing on currently inventoried Products
• Take advantage of the wide variety of Lionel Products offered at reduced prices. Limited to inventory on Hand - Sorry no rain checks
• Limited Sneak Peek at 2013 Lionel products
• Rail Excursion Trip
• Spencer Railroad Museum Tour, and more.

Friday -- Arrive a Day Early for a Train Excursion and Museum Visit Visit the Spencer Train Museum in Spencer, NC. Buses will leave the Lionel facility at 9 a.m. sharp on Friday morning for the museum. A ROUND TRIP bus ticket will be $ 25 per person, except for children under two years old, who will ride free. The bus trip is approximately 35 minutes each way. Refer to the Registration Form for the price of museum admission and a train ride. A “Ride with the Engineer” is available when the museum is running the F3 locomotive.

Saturday -- The Red Carpet Event The Red Carpet Event at the Lionel facility will start that morning at 8 o’clock and will continue until 7 that evening. There’ll be lots of time to take in all the activities! Food service will be available at the site for an additional charge. LCCA members, a spouse, their children, or a significant other will be admitted FREE. A guest -- such as a member’s buddy – must pay a $ 35 entry fee to be admitted. Lionel dealers who are members of the LCCA as defined in our Constitution will be admitted FREE.

LCCA members will receive a bag of Lionel-related goodies and will provide a special commemorative to the first 300 participants. The LCCA and Lionel have invited LRRC members and their families. Admittance policy is the same for LCCA and LRRC members. Non-members must pay a $ 35 entry fee at the door, but because of the special pricing on Lionel products they will likely get their $ 35 back in the form of savings. The $ 35 will also provide a one-year membership in the LCCA, which will be accompanied by all club benefits.

LCCA will staff the entry door and handle admissions. Kids will receive a FREE Lionel Engineer Hat at the door. Door prizes will be awarded every hour on the hour. On this day only, members will enjoy guided tours of the Lionel facility; located near the NASCAR Charlotte motor speedway, and the Z-Max Four Lane Dragway.

Informative, interesting seminars will be presented by: Lionel’s Mike Reagan, on parts and service for your Lionel trains

• Roger Farkash of TW Design in Dallas, TX, on scenery tips and effects
• LCCA’s Bill Schmeelk, on the new FasTrackTM modular railroad system
• OGR's Ed Boyle - on S-Gauge Discussion

Important Freebies

Persons who spend $ 500 or more will qualify for FREE ground shipping of purchased items back home in the continental USA by UPS Ground Service. Plan to stay at a nearby partner hotel and use the FREE shuttle service provided by Lionel to/from those hotels and their facility. Saturday shuttle service begins at 7 a.m.

An Option to Shop

The Concord Mills Shopping Mall is about two miles from the Lionel facility. It’s one of the largest outlet malls on the East Coast and is a destination venue. Spouses and SOs could enjoy going to the mall while club members are at the Lionel facility. See Door Busters here - other specials announced at event. Accommodations and Restaurants Modern hotels are located less than a mile from the Lionel facility. A list of nearby hotels is posted at the LCCA website for convenience in making your own reservations. To receive the best rate, make hotel reservations ASAP. Rooms will sell out quickly. Many restaurants are adjacent to the hotels and have reasonable prices.

The Lionel Facility is located at 6301 Performance Drive, Concord, NC 28027.  Well worth the drive!

First Look - ESM's X58 Box Car - 2nd Release

The first Eastern Seaboard Models release of its N-scale X58 Box Car model sold out quickly earlier this year. A second release has arrived for this 50-foot Exterior Post Box Car. The prototype dates to the early 1960s and was constructed by Pennsylvania. More than 2,500 examples were built and found service in PRR and its successor roads, including Norfolk Southern. Lehigh Valley also rostered a hundred X58 cars. Eastern Seaboard offers variations to its X58 tooling, based on prototype.

Pennsy examples recently released feature three different prototypes. Pictured is ESM’s Class X58C Pennsylvania #113906 (#222108) version that features ACI plate, SL loaders, and modern body.

Painted Deepwater Green with white lettering, this Penn Central #362303 (#222302) X58 example sports Hydra-Cushion underframe, and transitional body with running boards removed, but retains high ladders and brakes and is based on a prototype serviced in 1974.

Wearing a coat of Tuscan Red with white lettering, Conrail #362303 (#222403) X58A has a Hydra-Cushion underframe, plus transitional body style. The model shows a May, 1985 servicing date.

Eastern Seaboard Models’ fine N-scale X58 Box Car model rides on BLMA Models American Steel Foundries’ 70-ton Ride Control Trucsk with low-profile machine-cut metal wheels and includes Micro-Trains’ #1015 reverse draft angle body-mount short-shank couplers. The models retail for $ 34.95 each and may be found at your favorite hobby dealer or may be purchased direct from Eastern Seaboard Models

Athearn's New Genesis GP50 Available Now!

A new tooling EMD GP50 will join Athearn’s Genesis collection of diesel locomotives this fall. The model will debut with three roadnames: Chicago & North Western, Santa Fe, and Southern Railway. Variations offered to modelers will be many, from road specific detailing to EMD production phases.

Santa Fe GP50 examples will be Phase II models with late anticlimber, straight sill and “laundry chute” slanted blower housing, straight side sill, and hinged and latched battery box doors. Road specific Santa Fe features will include: Leslie S-3 horn on bracket, operating prime stratolite beacon (DCC mode), air conditioner on cab roof, standard sunshades with track, ground plate with Sinclair “ice skate” antenna, and more.

Chicago & North Western dressed GP50s from Athearn Genesis will feature C&NW’s distinctive gong bell in the unit’s nose, Leslie S-3 horn, Sinclair “ice stake” antenna, operating Western-Cullen rotary beacon (DCC mode), winterization hatch over forward radiator fan, and more. C&NW GP50s in the first release will be equipped with Phase I anticlimbers, rounded blower housing, stepped side sill, and bolted battery box with long louvers.

Southern GP50 models will include features found on early phase EMD’s GP50 examples, including rounded blower housing behind the cab on fireman’s side; notched anticlimbers, bolted battery box door with center stiffener, stepped sill, and more. Road specific inclusions for this new Genesis GP50 in Southern paint will include: high short hood, dual Nathan P5 air horns, firecracker antenna for Locotrol, Locotrol conduit line, walkway lights, drop grab iron, long hood mounted bell, and small sunshades. Four numbers will be presented for this Southern Railway GP50 with NS and CNO&STP sublettering, where appropriate and correct black or white background numberboards per prototype.

A Lucky (and Soggy) Group Goes "Backstage" at Lionel

Hundreds of Lionel fans converged on Charlotte, NC as Lionel opened their doors for a "backstage tour" of their newly opened office.  Co-Sponsored by Lionel and the Lionel Collectors Club of America (LCCA), the two-day event includes informational sessions with industry experts as well as a traditional show format.

The weather is wet here, but the spirits are high!  The eager early birds were also treated to some special treats by Lionel for braving the weather.

LCCA will staff the entry door and handle admissions. Kids will receive a FREE Lionel Engineer Hat at the door. Door prizes will be awarded every hour on the hour. On this day only, members will enjoy guided tours of the Lionel facility; located near the NASCAR Charlotte motor speedway, and the Z-Max Four Lane Dragway.

Through the weekend, we will be treated to several informative and interesting seminars. Lionel’s Mike Reagan will speak about parts and service for your Lionel trains. Roger Farkash of TW Design in Dallas, TX will give us all tips and effects advice on scenery. LCCA’s Bill Schmeelk will present and answer questions on the new FasTrackTM modular railroad system. Finally, OGR's Ed Boyle will moderate a discussion on S-Gauge railroading.

Participants get the opportunity to visit the NEW Lionel trains and NASCAR Die-cast facility in Concord, NC, for private showings of:

• Facility Tours
• Lionel Operating Layouts
• Informative Professional Seminars on HOBBY ELECTRONICS, REPAIR SERVICE, MODULE MAKING, and SCENERY BUILDING
• LCCA Member-only Pricing on currently inventoried Products
• Take advantage of the wide variety of Lionel Products offered at reduced prices. Limited to inventory on Hand - Sorry no rain checks
• Limited Sneak Peek at 2013 Lionel products
• Rail Excursion Trip
• Spencer Railroad Museum Tour, and more.

Activities are planned throughout the weekend, including a host of activities for the kids.

DASH in 165 Seconds - New Video Tour Available

DASH represents a new tool for collectors. We're all used to online marketplaces, and standalone collection management. We're used to price guides, and we have seen lots of pictures of people's collection and layouts.  DASH is none of these... and ALL of these.

By bringing many of the things collectors need all together, the promise of DASH is to simplify collecting, making it more fun and affordable.

The best way to begin to understand how DASH can help you is to watch the new video tour of the site. In under 3 minutes, you will see how to get started and get a glimpse of some of the key features.

DASH is implementing some major improvements right now, but even now it is the best tool for model train enthusiasts, and we hope you will register and start using DASH today.

Lionel's Archives - Wow!

One of everything...pristine condition. Touring the Archive Room at Lionel's new office in Charlotte was one of the highlights of this weekend's "Red Carpet" Event, co-sponsored by Lionel and the LCCA.

While you would expect Lionel to have the best collection of their own items, it is incredibly impressive and fun all the same.

Lionel opened their arms to those LCCA members that made the trip to Charlotte over the March 23-24 weekend. There were more than a few of us that had visions of this room dancing through our dreams that night!

You're Invited to the Brand New Collector-Diecast

We just launched a brand new site for diecast enthusiasts, and you're officially invited to visit Collector-Diecast to see all the cool cars, trucks, planes, tanks, and vehicles of every kind in the huge Catalog and bustling Marketplace.

Many railroaders will find that the diecast hobby crosses over with their own interests. Not only will you be able to find cars and vehicles for your layouts, but you might just fall in love with the various vintage-style cars that well up some nostalgia, and numerous high-quality stunning items that the industry produces. Here are some of the highlights railroaders will enjoy about Collector-Diecast.   

We hope you find something to love, buy a few new things for your collection, and put together a big new collection to manage on our latest site. It's great time to be a railroader, and an even better time to be a diecast enthusiast. 

Technical Improvements Are on Track

Although you might be experiencing a few delays during your travels through the site, we're hard at work improving Collector-ModelTrains. The ride may be bumpy, but significant improvements to the site are on track and arriving shortly.

We wanted to let you know that we're aware of a few problems you might be experiencing with the site, but they're all part of the construction and improvement process. Some of the issues you might be seeing include slow response times, a confusing texonomy in the catalog, and of course a closed marketplace. We recognize the significance of each, and believe me when I say they bother us just as much as they do you.

That's why we're working our cabooses off to get the site rolling smoothly, and we wanted to update you on our progress! In short: things are still on track. In a little more detail, take a look at some of the upcoming improvements we have scheduled for the very near future. 

• Faster site response while you are browsing and building your online collection
• Greatly expanded and more detailed Catalog taxonomy and data
• Totally renovated marketplace with a huge increase in available inventory 
• Increased social and community presence

Collector-ModelTrains is about to get very exciting very quickly. We just ask for a little patience right now as we work through these improvements and create the world's best website for model train collectors. 

Meet the DASH Team at York

York is almost here, and two guys from the DASH team will be there too. Keep your eyes out for Bill or Steve as they walk the halls with their new DASH shirts on, And be sure to introduce yourself, because both will be handing out goodies you won't want to miss. 

Both guys will have their iPads and would love to show you a few screens of the new and improved DASH site, featuring the ultimate catalog of almost 100,000 model trains, with DASH’s newly-designed browsing, simple collection management, and tripled site speed.

You will be hearing lots more about DASH in the next few weeks, and York is the perfect place to meet some folks from the DASH team. Don't be shy, come see us, and say hello!

Magnet Model Railway Insurance - Discover how much your model railway is worth

You spend thousands of pounds creating a layout, so why do so many have inadequate insurance or none at all?

Model Railways Live: Articles

Inside the Toy Train Museum

If you have never made the trip to Strasburg to visit the National Toy Train Museum, you should. Only 15 minutes down the road, you pass the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum which is a real bonus for your trip, so don't forget to allow time for a side visit there too.

The items on display at the Toy Train Museum are great, and the displays are accessible and clearly labeled.  

 

Of course, you can't be in a hurry around here since you might get behind an Amish horse and buggy along the way too! It is simply beautiful country.

The TCA has done a marvelous job with the Toy Train Museum. A great display of most of the major gauges, eras and manufacturers is set up. Each display is well labeled and has a brief history of the items on display.
An entertaining video runs showcasing many of the attributes that make collecting and operating fun. Best yet, there are painstakingly crafted operating layouts of most major gauges, each running several lines with numerous opportunities for visitor interaction with many of the accessories.

See the video to get a quick impression for how great a trip to the Toy Train Museum can be for you and your family.

Passenger cars and Kens workbench | Model railroad tips | Model Railroad Hobbyist | MRH

Uploads by Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

Detailed Preview of American Flyer S Gauge Polar Express Set

In the world of trains, the story of the Polar Express is one of the most memorable and accessible of them all, and Lionel will soon be capitalizing on the tale once more. 

In order to celebrate the popular Polar Express film from 2004 and further establish its S Scale offerings, Lionel is bringing the heralded train to its American Flyer line. You can check out all the details from Lional and see a beautiful preview image of the set below (click for full size image).

American Flyer Polar Express Train Set

The story of the Polar Express never gets old – and now the magic comes to our American Flyer line as one of our first new complete S Gauge train sets to help marks the tenth anniversary of the popular movie in 2014.

Whether you are just starting with American Flyer, expanding your collection or looking for a train around the Christmas tree, this set will be a perfect fit. You’ll also find the size of S Gauge American Flyer to be a very nice complement to collectible Christmas villages.

This set will feature completely new tooling. Like our O and G gauge versions, the Polar Express will be modeled after the train as it appeared in both the book and movie. The locomotive, based on Pere Marquette No. 1225, pulls two coaches and an observation.

The locomotive will feature:

• Transformer controlled forward, neutral, and
  reverse operation
• Die-cast metal locomotive body and frame
• Operating headlight
• Operating coupler on tender
• Whistle sound in tender
• Puffing smoke
• Powerful maintenance-free motor
• Two traction tires
• Large “Polar” pilot and headlight lens shield
• Realistic bell and whistle details
• Separately applied detail handrails

The cars will all feature operating couplers, interior illumination and silhouettes in the windows. The observation car will boast a rounded platform and railing with a drumhead.

The set will also include an oval of American Flyer FasTrack (12 S-36 curves, 3 straight and one straight with power connections) and a powerful transformer – everything you’ll need to get started.

The ready-to-run set will retail for $ 359.99. This set is sure to delight for years to come. And stay tuned for more American Flyer Polar Express announcements in the near future!

This set might not get every enthusiast's heart racing, but it would be a beautiful gift for the casual collector or family Christmas display. The Polar Express is synonymous with the holiday, and I'm not sure Christmas would be complete without a train circling the tree.

Lionel Customer Service Open House Details

If you're anywhere near Ohio when August rolls around, you won't want to miss out on Lionel's latest Customer Service Open House event.

The company just announced the details for the exciting day you can spend on-site at Lionel, and there are a bunch of fun activities planned. Keep reading for the full scoop from Lionel, and be sure to note the giveaway and bargain part orders!  

Lionel Customer Service Open House

Make plans to attend the 3rd annual Lionel Customer Service Open House on Saturday, August 17th, 2013. This is your opportunity to see the “behind the scenes” inner workings of Lionel.

This year’s Open House will feature:

• Meet the entire Lionel Customer Service staff
• Tours of the Lionel Customer Service Facilities, see where your trains are serviced, tested and our extensive inventory of service parts
• Two large operating train layouts
• Mini?clinics on servicing your Lionel products
• Legacy product demonstrations
• Complimentary 50% discount on all Lionel Service Part Orders the day of the Open House (offer extended to on?line orders August 17th through August 18th)**
• A large selection of Lionel products on sale the day of the event
• Hourly drawings for great prizes
• Grand Prize drawing for a Lionel Vision Line Locomotive (must be present to enter this drawing)
• Food Vendors on?site the day of the show
• Meet representatives from the LCCA and other industry

**Online part orders placed between August 17, 2013 (at 12:00 midnight) through August 18, 2013 (at
12:00 midnight) will receive a 50% off the order total!

Location of the event (Rain or Shine!) 8am to 5pm EDT
Lionel Customer Service, 6655 Seville Dr, Canfield, OH 44406, 586?949?4100 extension 2

Getting the opportunity to meet Lionel staff and tour the facility makes the trip worth it, but the chance to win a prize and participae in mini-clinics makes this event even better. This is the perfect place to meet up with fellow enthusiasts and see the industry from the inside out while having loads of fun along the way. 

Just be sure to take some pictures and share them on your DASH Collection Showcase so anyone that couldn't make the show can still enjoy it.

Long Black Friday - Days of Deals at $.99

Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year across the country, but one day just wasn't enough to hold all the auction deals we've arranged that weekend. So we've extended Black Friday by a few days, creating four full days full of incredible auctions starting at only $ .99 with no reserve. 

If you're looking for the ultimate model train bargain this holiday season, there's quite simply no better place to look. Start hunting for Black Friday deals using the navigational buttons below! 

Black Friday Auctions

Browse All Listings >>

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season, find a beautiful train, and maybe even grab a long black train for a steal during this Long Black Friday event. 

Lionel Spotlights New Command Control 1955 Trucks

There's nothing quite like seeing behind the curtain to the guts of the model railroading manufacturing process, and Lionel has given us a closer look at prototypes of one of their latest products. 

If you're looking for a new maintenance-of-way vehicle for your layout, then you might be interested in reading Lionel's latest new product spotlight on their Command Control 1955 Trucks. You can see the details and prototype images below, or check them out right on the official Lional blog.  

New Product Spotlight – Command Control 1955 Trucks

Maintenance-of-Way is hard work, but these new trucks will be all play on your layout. Made from all new tooling, decorated for thirteen popular railroads, and operable on Command Control, these new trucks may be small models, but they’re big on fun.

Railroads have used trucks for decades to assist in inspecting and repairing tracks, signals, structures and other elements of the right-of-way. They could be found just about anywhere on the system. Some were equipped with special wheels that would let them travel on the rails as well as beside them.

These all new models feature command control so they can be operated on a LEGACY, TMCC or Conventional transformer controlled layout. The trucks also feature working headlights and a flashing strobe light on the roof. All of these electronics and the motor are carefully housed in the body of the truck and beneath its tarp-covered bed to allow a clear interior in this 1:48 scale model.

The models will be available for Canadian Pacific, Great Northern, Missouri Kansas and Texas, New York Central, Nickel Plate, Northern Pacific, Pennsylvania, Rio Grande, Santa Fe, Southern, Southern Pacific, Union Pacific and Weyerhauser. They will be a great complement to the Command Control Inspection Cars as well as our other vehicles, work trains and accessories.

The trucks retail for $ 179.99. They will operate on O-27 curves – perfect to bring command control to any layout. The trucks are expected to ship in May and should be ready to go to work on your railroads just in time for the busy summer work season.

Despite how cool it is to see unpainted prototypes, I can't say I'm entirely impressed by the execution of this piece. You can see that it's much more square and angular than its more-curved digital design above. There are definitely some finer details worked in, but as an entire vehicle something just doesn't sit well with its appearance. And at $ 179.99 for a single small vehicle, I'd expect a much stricter adherence to its mockup.  

If you're still set on adding this piece to your layout, it should be available anytime. I'd love to see one in action to make sure I'm not being too harsh. Until then, I'm not going to get my hopes up. 

Athearn's May Announcements Listed

Athearn's extended delays finally seem to be behind them, and they've arrived with a new round of product announcements for the month of May. 

If you've been patiently awaiting the return of the manufacturer's monthly announcements, you can finally rest easy. They've revealed a huge lineup of new cars available for pre-order through May 24th. You can see some of the highlights from various lines and scales below, or visit Athern.com for the full reveals. 

Athearn Monthly Announcements Are Back

Here are a few highlights from this month's announcements. Preorders close Friday 5/24.

To view all of the announcements, visit our website. http://www.athearn.com/Articles/Hobbywire.aspx

Genesis
HO PC&F 14' Plug Door Boxcar

Ready To Roll
HO SD40-2: retail lowered $ 20 since 2011 announcement
HO RS3
40' Ballast Hopper
Clay Slurry Tank Car
Bay Window Caboose

Roundhouse
36' Wood Reefer

N Scale
SD70M, SD75I, SD75M
Husky Stack
50' FMC Plug Door Boxcar

There are far more individual road details and road numbers than we can include here, so be sure to check out Athearn.com for all the new options. The SD40-2's price drop is both welcome and significant, dropping from $ 155 to $ 135. That's something you don't see too often these days, but something to which most enthusiasts could certainly get accustomed. 

The preview images included at Athearn's website are gorgeous, but I can't wait until we see some actual prototypes. There's nothing like seeing those cars come to life for the first time. These releases are all slated to arrive in January 2014, and it'll be refreshing if they actually arrive on time. Just be sure to get your pre-orders in before time runs out! 

MTH Announces Return of HO GS-4 Steam Locomotives

If you've been in the market for a stellar new centerpiece to your layout, you won't want to miss MTH's latest announcement. 

Fans of MTH know they're getting a show-stopper anytime they buy a new MTH piece, and I'm glad to announce that the company has returned to their HO lineup to bring back the GS-4 and GS-6 steam locomotives in more than 16 unique configurations. You can read all the details and browse the new configuations below or visit MTH's website for even more information.   

HO GS-4 Steam Locomotives Return To M.T.H. HO Lineup

April 23, 2013 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be re-releasing its Southern Pacific Gs-4 and Gs-6 die-cast HO steam engine next month in Spring in eight paint schemes in a total of 16 different configurations. Each model comes equipped with the most advanced sound and operating system ever installed in HO scale. Command operators can choose DCC or DCS operation and unlock the richest set of features in model railRoading.

Operated in Conventional DC, DCC or DCS, M.T.H. HO engines feature incredibly smooth operation and the most amazing synchronized chuffing and smoking found in HO locomotives today. Each locomotive features a prototypically correct four chuffs and puffs, in time to the drivers' revolution. Controlled by sophisticated electronics, there are no mechanical parts that control the chuffing and puffing ensuring a smooth and quiet running chassis.

Despite the incredible advances found in M.T.H. HO locomotives, we know that our engines must be seen and heard to be appreciated. Dealers who demo M.T.H. models have consistently reported stronger sales and more customer enthusiasm and traffic. If you keep these locomotives locked up in the showcase, you're missing out on excitement and sales!

Choose from any of the following versions:

Available In

Item No. 80-3211-1 Southern Pacific Lines (Daylight, Cab No. 4434) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Item No. 80-3211-5 Southern Pacific Lines (Daylight, Cab No. 4434) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3E+

Item No. 80-3212-1 Southern Pacific Lines (Daylight, Cab No. 4449) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Item No. 80-3212-5 Southern Pacific Lines (Daylight, Cab No. 4449) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3E+

Item No. 80-3213-1 Southern Pacific (Daylight, Cab No. 4444) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Item No. 80-3213-5 Southern Pacific (Daylight, Cab No. 4444) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3E+

Item No. 80-3214-1 Southern Pacific (Daylight, Cab No. 4449) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Item No. 80-3214-5 Southern Pacific (Daylight, Cab No. 4449) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3E+

Item No. 80-3226-1 Southern Pacific (Black, Cab No. 4452) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Item No. 80-3226-5 Southern Pacific (Black, Cab No. 4452) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3E+

Item No. 80-3227-1 Southern Pacific (Black, Cab No. 4461) 4-8-4 GS-6 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Item No. 80-3227-5 Southern Pacific (Black, Cab No. 4461) 4-8-4 GS-6 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3E+

Item No. 80-3228-1 Western Pacific (Black, Cab No. 482) 4-8-4 GS-6 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Item No. 80-3228-5 Western Pacific (Black, Cab No. 482) 4-8-4 GS-6 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3E+

Item No. 80-3229-1 American Freedom (Cab No. 4449) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

Item No. 80-3229-5 American Freedom (Cab No. 4449) 4-8-4 GS-4 Steam Engine w/Proto-Sound 3E+

These cars are beauties, but a side profile image just doesn't do them justice. MTH isn't wrong when claiming these must be seen in action to be truly appreciated. Thankfully they've provided a video of a few running layouts, and it's easy to marvel at these cars.

If you're sold like me, start keeping your eyes out. These are set to ship this month, and begin at $ 500 per configuration. I don't think anyone who adds one to their collection will be disappointed.

Welcome to the New DASH

For a long time now we've thought DASH was pretty cool. But we always dreamed of something bigger and better. Today we finally delivered on that dream, and we'd like to welcome to the new DASH. 

You've probably already noticed the dramatic site redesign and increased performance, but those aren't the only changes that are a part of the new DASH. In fact, we've got lots of new things for you to see and do, and this post will help break down all those features and point you in the right direction. Check out each of the improvements below. 

The entire site has been redesigned from top to bottom so that it's easier to navigate and use on a daily basis. Performance is up more than 400%!	The DASH Catalog has been revamped with an improved taxonomy that will make managing your collection easier and quicker than ever before.	You can still manage your collection for free! Add and remove items with ease, or maintain a wanted list to help you buy from the marketplace more effectively.
The DASH Marketplace has been revolutionized with tons of new items to buy from quality sellers. And you can now purchase both auction and fixed price listings types.	Selling on DASH has never been easier thanks to the addition of auction functionality, lot support, bulk importing, buy it now options, and a PowerSeller program.	The one of a kind DASH Values and collection reports make estate planning or insurance estimates accurate, quick, and reliable. You can also see what trains are worth while on the move thanks to our mobile app.
We have changed the way DASH Upgraded Memberships work, allowing for more flexibility over your DASH user experience. You can now have a Free, Club, or Premium membership.	We'll now be providing regular content to keep you up-to-date in the world of trains and entertained with original articles and features over on DASH Flash.	DASH is a part of the bigger model trains community, and you can join us all by becoming a member, building your Collector Showcase, and commenting on the blog.

There's a lot to see and to do on the new DASH, so I'll leave you to explore it for a while. If you run into any problems or just want to tell us how much you love the changes, please don't hesitate to contact us. 

This is an exciting time to be a member of DASH, and we're glad to have you along board for the ride. 

Newly Listed O and HO Scale Modern and Vintage Auctions

DASH is only one day into our relaunch, but that doesn't mean we're waiting to build out our DASH Marketplace auction listings. Keep reading to find a few updates and featured items from our first round of new daily auctions.

If you haven't been over to the DASH Marketplace yet, you're in for quite a surprise. We have hundreds of trains and accessories already listed for sale, with hundreds more being added every day. The DASH Marketplace is already fantastic, and it's going to keep getting better every day.  

There are currently more than 500 auctions listed in four unique categories. Take a minute to browse through them all using the links below. 

• HO Modern
• HO Vintage
• O Modern
• O MPC

I've also included a few of my favorite pieces below, because they're just too awesome to miss. If you spot a favorite of your own, you can add it to your Favorites List to keep an eye on the auction or make a bid later. 

1. Lionel 6-38079 Southern Pacific GS-2 4-8-4 Steam Loco LN/Box (View Auction)

This is a beautiful Southern Pacific locomotive, and it just doesn't get any better than that. 

2. Marklin 39010 Steam Cl 01 Exp Loco DB NIB (View Auction)

I like to think this locomotive matches the colors of the site nicely. It's also just a really nice locomotive. 

3. MTH 30-7617 Flatcar w/2Ertl Die-Cast 1964 Mustangs NIB (View Auction)

Not every favorite has to be a locomotive! And I'm a big fan of mustangs, so this flatcar was an easy pick for me.

Those are only three auctions of the hundreds currently listed in the DASH Marketplace, so don't stop with my favorites. Go find some of your own! And don't forget that new items are being listed for sale daily, so keep coming back for more listings in additional scales.

Top 5 Celebrity Model Railroaders

There aren't many hobbies which draw the love and attention of celebrities, but model railroading is one of the few that's able to attract a lot of famous folks from Hollywood and beyond.

If you're wondering which celebrities share your hobby, you're in luck! I've identified 5 of the biggest and most dedicated model railroaders below, and you'll be happy to know they share your intense passion for trains. There are tons of celebrities which didn't make my list, but these are the most recognizable and significant in the hobby.   

5. Frank Sinatra

The Chairman of the Board took his trains so seriously that they had their own building at his Rancho Mirage, California home. The collection is reportedly worth more than a million dollars and still resides (and runs) to this day. It's clear that his ol' blue eyes were focused on model railroading for much of his life. 

4. Johnny Cash 

The Man in Black showed his support for model railroading by making commercials and endorsing Lionel through the 1970s. There's something about seeing the serious and stern Cash holding a model train set that just makes you smile. 

3. Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman's model train collection unfortunately received most of its time in the spotlight thanks to a controversy surrounding its ownership after his untimely death. But the actor's layout was featured in Railroad Model Craftsman magazine some years earlier, and he'll always be remembered as an open and supportive enthusiast.

 

2. Neil Young

When someone is a part owner of the world's biggest toy train manufacturer, it's not hard to imagine how much they enjoy the hobby. Neil Young is part owner of Lionel and still actively collects and runs his own trains. Even throughout his years as a troubador, Young was able to maintain an active interest in the hobby and has remained an advocate for decades.  

1. Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart's legend among model railroaders might be even bigger than his presence as a rock star! His unbelievable layouts twice-featured in Model Railroader magazine left many enthusiasts in awe. As much energy and passion as he put into his music, it's clear he put equal amount into his Three Rivers City model railway.

 

These fine fellows are far from the only model railroad enthusiasts in Hollywood, but they certainly represent some of the most impressive and dedicated passion for the hobby we've ever seen. I'd love to hear who your favorite celebrity railroader is, so please take a moment to leave a comment below. 

Lionel Previews New American Flyer Dockside Switchers and Set

If you've been looking for the perfect little switcher, Lionel's latest product preview is sure to switch your attention from anything else to their newest S Gauge offerings. 

Whether you're looking for an individual switcher in one of four new roadnames or a fresh switcher set to start you off, there's something of interest for you in Lionel's latest update. You can read all about it and see photos of Lionel's new Dockside Switcher below, or see even more details over on the Lionel blog. 

The rugged little 0-6-0 Dockside Switcher has been a staple of the American Flyer roster for years. Now you’ll have more ways to start or grow your collection with these reliable switchers.

The Dockside is perfect for layouts of any size. The prototypes were designed for switching in tight places (like bustling seaports.) Use them for switching in your yards and industries or even for hauling the local freight run.

Coming soon in four new roadnames for individual sale, the Docksides feature:

• Transformer controlled Forward / Neutral / Reverse operation
• Powerful maintenance-free motor
• Directional lighting including headlight and back-up light
• Puffing Smoke
• Operating couplers front and rear
• Traction Tires
• MSRP: $ 94.99

The Dockside Switcher will also be available as part of a great starter set. In addition to a Southern Pacific locomotive, this set will include a boxcar with working door, tank car and lighted caboose. All of the rolling stock features die-cast metal trucks and operating couplers.

To complete the set, you’ll get an oval of American Flyer FasTrack (12 curve, 1 straight and 1 terminal section) and a CW-80 Transformer.

This is the perfect size to get started in S Gauge – or just expand your existing empire at a great price. The set retails for $ 269.99. All of these exciting items should arrive at your dealers this fall. Place your orders now!

6-42563 Bethlehem Steel

6-42564 Reading

6-42565 Chesapeake and Ohio

6-42566 American Flyer Lines

6-49364 Southern Pacific Dockside Set

These fully-featured handsome pieces are sure to interest a few folks. They should prove useful for individuals with tight layout plans, allowing you to squeeze a little more depth and action in without compromising elsewhere. If a Dockside Switcher just made your wanted list, be sure to check back on the DASH Marketplace this Fall when they begin landing in dealers' hands.