ToyTrains1's Blog

In the previous video, I showed the complete State Set being hauled by a PS2 #381E from MTH under DCS control.  I also have the PS1 version which, as with the locomotive it reproduces, runs in conventional mode from the transformer.  Contrary to popular belief, you CAN double-head PS1 and PS2 locomotives, so long as they are as well matched as these two are.  You have to run them conventionally, and it can be a trifle tricky, but it can be done.  As this video shows!  Here's the complete set of six State cars being hauled by not one, but two #381E electric locomotives.  You're looking at over thirteen feet of train running on my ceiling layout.  Enjoy! 

Having been bitten very badly by the Standard Gauge bug, back in March 2012 I got the ultimate Standard Gauge passenger set — the State Set.  This set is a reproduction of the set that Lionel brought out in 1929 which, when you think about it, was not the best year to bring out an expensive toy train.  They are the largest and most elaborate passenger cars of that era (or any era for that matter), with the four cars alone stretching out more than seven feet in length!  This set is in the original two-tone State green color; later sets also came in two-tone State brown.  The cars have detailed interiors, down to lids that can be raised and lowered on the toilets!  Since then (it's just before Christmas 2012), I've been hunting for the add-on cars that MTH created to go with this set, as well as the matching #381E electric locomotive that originally pulled this set (I've previously shown it being hauled by a reproduction #400E steam locomotive).  Not that long ago, I finally managed to get all the cars and the locomotive, though it was the PS1 version.  I was disappointed that it could not be upgraded to PS2, and started hunting for the almost-mythical PS2 version (there were not many made and they seem to be as scarce as hen's teeth).  Just in the last few weeks, I managed to find and nab one!  This True HD 1080p video shows the PS2 version of the #381E hauling all six State cars.  While the original, from 1929, couldn't do a good job hauling the four cars it came with (which is why in subsequent years the set only came with three cars), this modern reproduction just walks away with all six.  And what of the PS1 version that I now also have (someone very wise once said that you can't have too many #400E's or #381E's)?  Stay tuned for a surprise coming in a few days.  That's all I'll say for now!

I've noticed for some time now that my collection of O gauge trains has been missing one locomotive in particular — a New York Central Hudson.  Now, I do actually have two (videos are on YouTube) but they aren't the standard Hudson that people expect — one is a "tinplate" Hudson, reproducing a Lionel prewar model, and the other is the Dreyfuss streamlined Hudson.  When the opportunity presented itself to get a new one (albeit one that was issued some years ago), well, I've never been one to turn down such opportunities! 🙂  Here then is a True HD 1080p video of my new NYC Hudson, a 4-6-4 steamer that was a mainstay of the NYC for many years, hauling their fast passenger trains.  I've paired it with my set of Lionel heavyweight passenger cars that came out more than 15 years ago but which are an ideal match for it.  They're full scale length and while they don't have the detailed interiors and passenger figures of modern cars, they look just fine!  Together, the locomotive and cars make for a stunning train as I think you'll agree!  😉  In the video, you can see the train running first at 10 smph and then at 15 smph under full DCS control.

As promised, here's the video of the Standard Gauge State Set in action.  I show the cars being pulled by my Lionel Corp. #400E steam locomotive; I will eventually get the matching two-tone State green electric locomotive (modeled on a Milwaukee Road bipolar).  Enjoy! 

I've been bitten badly by the Standard Gauge bug.  I've now obtained all nine of the 500-series freight cars (in modern reissues of course) that Lionel originally put out beginning in 1927.  This video shows all nine being pulled by my Lionel Corp. #400E steam locomotive.  The cars are the 511 flatcar with wood load, 512 gondola, 513 cattle car, 514 refrigerator car, 514 boxcar (please don't ask me why they used the same number for two different cars), 515 tank car, 516 hopper car, 517 caboose, and 520 floodlight car.  The video has two run-bys, the second one faster than the first.  Since people seemed to like the birds-eye view video of my O-gauge layout, now the I have the flatcar I was able to mount the video camera and the third segment of the video is a birds-eye view of the Top of the World layout.  There isn't all that much to see, but it is a very different point of view!