Going In Circles

Varney in the late 1960s

September 25, 2020

Varney in the late 1960s

An HO pioneer, Varney was nearing the end of its run in the hobby by the late 1960s.

The Big, Small, and Surprising Things to Watch for when Collecting Catalogs

July 20, 2020

The Big, Small, and Surprising Things to Watch for when Collecting Catalogs

Annual catalogs and back issues of hobby magazines provide a wealth of information to help educate and guide the collector on what was made and when by various companies.

Things We Never Kept

January 17, 2019

Things We Never Kept

What makes vintage HO literature challenging is not the lack of publications and related materials produced over the years, but the lack of retention of those now-precious items.

Auction Excitement

July 26, 2018

Auction Excitement

Looking over a local auction ad, I saw that an assortment of HO-scale model trains was promised for the offering at this event. How could I pass it up?

Modeling Nostalgia

May 21, 2018

Modeling Nostalgia

Model too seriously, and face derision for losing sight of the fact that model railroading is supposed to be fun. Model for pure fun, you’re derided for simply playing around because after all, it’s supposed to be a model railroad, not a toy train. Where is the line in the balance?

From Current to Classic?

January 2, 2018

From Current to Classic?

When does something in your life go from being current everyday over to nostalgic memory? I can pinpoint when my interest in older model trains was sparked and when I began to see those items in a different light.