Learn how to take it apart, fix it, rewire it, and make your Lionel train or accessory work again! Step-by-step instructions in this detailed 21-project book can help you get your collection running.

Teaches how to get old Lionel trains running again! Shows how to repair and maintain Lionel O gauge trains built from the turn of the century through the 1970s. Gives detailed explanations with photos and diagrams illustrating easy repair, lubrication, and maintenance tips and techniques.

Toy train mechanic Dick Teal demonstrates techniques for keeping toy trains from contemporary manufacturers in excellent condition. Includes steps for proper lubrication, TMCC/DCS troubleshooting, and the right way to replace traction tires, batteries, and light bulbs. It's the essential workbench guide for toy train operators. Edited by Classic Toy Trains editor Neil Besougloff.

Covers the essential techniques needed to make electrical connections for a three-rail toy train layout of any size or complexity. Addresses fundamental electrical concepts, wiring and expanding a layout, accessory wiring, automatic train control, and troubleshooting. By Peter Riddle.

An extension of the best selling "Gilbert American Flyer Operating and Repair Guide." This volume is full of new information and covers many of the aspects not found in the original book and adds an index to both volumes. This is a new book and not to be confused with the original book. The price is higher than Volume 1 because of the full color phorographs founs in this new volume.

Presents tips and techniques for designing and constructing layouts, control panels, track, and scenery for toy trains made before World War II. Includes photos, diagrams and explanations for restoring and operating vintage toy trains. By Peter H. Riddle. 8 1/2 x 11; 144 pgs.; 131 b&w and 34 color photos; 25 diagrams; softcover.

Do you like Lionel toy trains? Enjoy corporate history? Or just want to take a nostalgic journey back to your childhood? Then Inside The Lionel Trains Fun Factory: The History of a Manufacturing Icon and The Place Where Childhood Dreams Were Made is for you. It delivers a fascinating trip through the rise, fall and rise again of Lionel, one of the manufacturing and pop icons in modern American life. The impeccable research by Lionel historian Robert J. Osterhoff, along with hundreds of unpublished photos and images, tells the history of Lionel's trains, factories, employees and business practices from the late 19th century until today.

Build an inspiring toy train layout by including a layout design element, ranging from track crossings to subway configurations and more. Plans are designed for O gauge sectional track and include required dimension and an indication of track, accessories, and other considerations.

Text and photographs present a history of toy trains.

Following responses from numerous discussions/arguments with (mostly older) "train guys" as to whether American Flyer trains had two or three rail track, it seemed some clarification was in order. It also appeared that, while the post-war "S" gauge two-rail period is quite well covered, there is very little information still in print on their immediate ancestors. The purpose of this little guide is to present, to the people who are unaware of their existence, the three-rail "Tru-Model" toy trains of the A. C. Gilbert Company, of New Haven CT, which were introduced at the 1939 New York World's Fair, and which were produced until the war-imposed shutdown of non-essential manufacturing, in July 1942. Dimensions and color schemes are provided, throughout the work. Wheel arrangements follow the Whyte system of course. Lengths given exclude couplers. Locomotive lengths given include the proper tender. At LEAST one large color photo is included for EACH distinct item, and EVERY set is illustrated in catalog format, in color! Captions are self-explanatory. All (220+) photographs were taken by the author, of specimens from his personal collection, unless specifically credited otherwise. While an attempt was made to show 'better-grade, collectible' specimens, the cars are representative of vintage TOYS, and are not intended to represent the pristine, mint-in-the-box, items available to only a very wealthy few.It should be noted that when Gilbert brought American Flyer in 1938 there was a substantial amount of salable (but non-scale) "Chicago" inventory on hand. Prior to that time, most toy trains, in general, were quite unrealistic in appearance, particularly car length. If you wanted more realism, you had but one choice - build from scratch! This guide does NOT cover ANY of that pre-1940 "Chicago Flyer" material! The 1939 American Flyer catalog first introduced the die-cast 3/16" scale equipment, but only in the four most expensive sets, with would become the two top-of-the-line locomotives. By 1940, the conversion to 3/16" scale (including the first pressed-steel cars) was well under way, but it was not until the 1941 catalog that ALL offerings were of Gilbert's new 3/16" scale design. The first post-war catalog (for1946) does not list the very limited remaining stock of "O" gauge trains which was sold off as soon as possible so as to concentrate on the brand new - and more exciting - two-rail lineup.There is some intentional redundancy in the descriptions, since it is felt that many users are going to simply look in the index for "their" car(s), and I wanted them to be able to find everything in one place, without their having to crawl page by page. It should be noted that legitimate, factory produced, items are known with some feature(s) differing slightly from the "standard" versions of the items presented here. Money was saved wherever possible, and shortcuts were taken, particularly as to colors, and markings. Nothing was wasted - some cabooses were even made on tender frames! The most common off-beat example being that some cars will have two "American Flyer Lines" decals instead of the normal one, plus the car number. Paint shades may vary.It must be remembered that their intent was to produce operable toys, hopefully at a profit, for the enjoyment of (mostly) children, and they were not following any rigid rules to satisfy 'nit-picking' collectors in the then far-distant future. Within certain parameters almost anything is at least possible and, after 80 years, some repairs, repaints, etc. have themselves acquired the patina of genuine-ness and antiquity. The author takes full responsibility for the accuracy of any opinions regarding such specimens which may be stated in this work. The author welcomes input from fellow collectors having any corrections, or further information, regarding these trains, which may be incorporated into future editions of this work.