Well, I did see Lionel trains at Target this year and also at Stew Leonards in Connecticut. It was really great to see them, especially in a Christmas setting.Here is a pic from Stews.Marc

Happy Holidays everyone! Here's a neat little Youtube from Bluecomet390.I am going to post a new Youtube this weekend of a very smooth running American Flyer original!Marc

It isn't standard gauge. But it is nice to see Lionel at Rockefeller Center!MarcPS I can't guarantee NBC's link will last forever. They usually last a month or two so watch it while you can!Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Lionel Trains (ok, a representative) will be on the Today show on Dec. 7th at 8:30 AM EST. I'm very glad to see Lionel in NYC! Maybe I should roll over to Rockefeller Center and say hello! For more info go to the Lionel newsroom at www.Lionel.com Marc

Here's a shot of a Flyer Standard Gauge consist running past a Lionel factory. These are hard shots to take (at least on my pike) because there is no room to move on this side of the layout. At the moment, I'm just glad to have a layout.Marc

A really nice NETTE auction is coming up with some great Standard Gauge and prewar O gauge as well. Check out this gorgeous Ives set. I've seen some recent postings on the Tinplate forums where people are asking or looking for original prewar standard gauge. NETTE is probably one of the best places to invest in original prewar pieces.Marc

Looks like if you are in the market for authentic American Flyer Wide Gauge, then you should take a look at the December 2009 Stout Auction. Some very nice Flyer and some pretty decent Lionel Standard Gauge as well. Marc

I've been invited to Cal-Stewart at least 15 times. 2010 is the year I'm going! I'm not a huge fan of Circus Trains (I have the MTH/Ives Flavor, nothing else). This flavor of the McCoy Circus train is pretty rare to see running and shiny in almost any state.Marc

Here's a fellow who restored a Lionel 840 Power Station...what a project!

Some Ives cars humming by a 116 Station...Marc

Wow! I just saw some new pics and wonderful posts on the Facebook page of MTH! Could the train companies be falling into the 21st Century? Will I get to see Mike Wolf "Twittering" his meeting with his manufacturing team discussing the deliveries of new tinpate and O gauge? When I searched on Facebook for Lionel I found quite a few hits. None of them really had much going on though. MTH on the

Check this out - for the next upcoming NETTE auction a real Voltamp Trolley will be up. I got to see this thing in person last week and it doesn't disappoint. I could never understand why Voltamp enthusiasts liked this stuff so much. That is until I started seeing them up close. There's just nothing like these anywhere. Lionel never stole squat from Voltamp but they should have!!!marc

A little off topic; was over at the Smithsonian last week in Washington, DC and they have the original Enterprise model from the series. When you see what these guys made with the materials they had at the time, it is inspiring. We all bellyache about MTH not making this or Lionel not making that. Yet these modelers (who weren't really modelers) came up with one of the most memorable icons in

Check out Pipes American Flyer Youtubes. Here is one (they are pretty darn neat). Try on HD and blow it up to full screen.marc

Debating about what trains I'm going to run next. I hate pulling off this Ives Prosperity Special. It's special. I just can't stop looking at the damn thing.Marc