We answer your 14 most common questions

We receive many phone calls, letters, and emails every week in our offices. We've chosen some of the most common questions and are posting the answers here.

1. My issue arrived damaged or did not arrive. Can I get a replacement copy?

Yes, we will send a replacement. Please contact our customer service team at 800-533-6644.

2. When did you do an article on _____?

We have an amazing resource called the Magazine Index, which lists 70,000 model-train-related magazine issues. You need to register at trains.com (free). Narrow your search by clicking "advanced search" and choosing Classic Toy Trains from the pop-up box. You can also download PDFs of our annual indexes.

3. How do I contact an author?

Our policy does not allow us to give out an author's contact information. However, if you send an email or letter to us, we're happy to forward it to the author.

4. How can I get my layout/photograph in CTT?

If you have a photograph you'd like to have published in our Photo album department, contact Roger Carp at carp@classictoytrains.com. If you have a layout or another story idea, contact Carl Swanson at cswanson@classictoytrains.com.

5. Do you have a book about ______?

Please see our online catalog for available books. We also sell dozens of digital articles that are grouped by subject/theme.

6. What is my toy train worth?

We have information on our website to help:

What are my old toy trains worth?

How do I determine the value of my toy trains?

You can also visit online auction sites like eBay to see what items are selling for.

7. Where can I find this engine/car/accessory?

We have no means to determine what inventory is on the shelves of any O or S gauge retailer.

You might want to check dealer websites for what is currently in stock (see their ads in Classic Toy Trains magazine). The MTH Electric Trains website has a function that you can search and find which retailers (if any) have a particular product in stck.

8. Where can I find toy train parts?

As with product inventory, we have no insight into what parts a retailer or parts seller have offer. Check ther ads in Classic Toy Trains for website addresses.

9. How can I submit a question for the Q&A column?

Send your question to Bob Keller at bkeller@classictoytrains.com. You can also post a question in our forum to get an answer more quickly.

10. What track is "best?"

Which track system is “best,” depends on where you want to take your scenery – do you seek a vintage look of traditional tubular track, or a more realistic appearance? Actually looking at the various brands will help. Check out the following articles from Classic Toy Trains: Select your track in the January 2010, O gauge Track Brands, October 2006; Testing nine type of track, October 2004; 2015 Guide to O gauge track, January 2015.

You can download a free copy of "Select your track" from our website.

11. How large of a transformer do I need?

Locomotives, illuminated cars, and powered or illuminated structures all add up. Here are some overviews of power supplies and some guidance to determine what you need. In a pinch, the venerable postwar Lionel ZW is never the wrong answer. See the following articles in CTT: Toy train transformers today, February 2008; Picking your power pack, January 1999; The Power of Gilbert, May 1993.

12. How do I wire a block?

We've done a number of articles on this subject: A fresh look at block control wiring, March 2013; Changing train speeds with block wiring July, 2007; Two train wiring, Dec 2004; Handbook on layout wiring, Sept 2007.

13. Will locomotive “X” operate on “YY” curves?

Check your owner’s manual, or check the product on the manufacturer’s website.

14. When are you going to publish/reprint a book on ________?

The hobby market being the hobby market, if there is a demand, someone will fill the need. Chances are that if a book has been out of print for more than a year, it is unlikely to be reprinted. We do sell some older books as digital files (PDFs) in our digital store.

To find early, out-of-print volumes, check eBay.com, Amazon.com, or abeboks.com. Bob is also blogging about out-of-print Greenberg reference books.

Need more help?

Kalmbach Publishing also has an extensive FAQ section with answers to many questions.