Classic Toy Trains 20th Anniversary Issue – November 2007

[Kelly Shaw]

The November 2007 issue, which ships to subscribers on September 15 and hits the newsstand on October 2, marks our 20th anniversary. To celebrate, we've posted a lot of great online features.

In the past, our more-than-100 videos have only been available to subscribers. For this issue, we've made our 2-part MTH O gauge Coors Silver Bullet train video available to all CTT readers. Even if you're a hi-railer, you won't want to miss the video of this fantasy train, as CTT Associate Editor Bob Keller's charisma is worth more than the price of admission (good thing, too, since the 2-part video is free!).  

We've also posted a ton of content for our subscribers. To start, subscribers can check out a video of the MTH O gauge monorail in action, or read a 1992 interview with the late Bob Sherman.

In the November 2007 issue, we feature our 10 favorite layouts of the past 20 years. Subscribers can read the originally published stories of these 10 layouts.

And, if that is not enough, subscribers also have early-access to the November issue product reviews. 

Enjoy the 20th Anniversary Issue!

Kelly, CTT

 

[Anonymous]

 Wow, 20years. CTT was one of the first things I read. I am 45 now and look back on those memories. Just kidding, I am 23. Seriosly though, great magizine and love  every page.

[alexweiihman]

20 YEARS!!!!!!!!  Congrates to the CTT staff and Kalmbach! 

 

Alex

[lckiii]

Frighteningly, I am 29 and remember the 5th aniversary issue. (Unfortunately di dnot know of the mag until junior high)

[Blueberryhill RR]

Congratulations.

I have subscribed for every issue of CTT since the first one.

Chuck

[cnw1995]

Really, Chuck? That is cool. It is interesting to browse online and see how the magazine (or is it me) who has changed.

Congratulations to Classic Toy Trains !

[Kooljock1]

The first REAL issue had Richard Kughn and his collection on the cover, but what other geeks (other than me) bought the news-stand only "pre-issue" that CTT was based on? I've got it around here somewhere!

Jon

[mpzpw3]

I believe I can remember the "pre-issue". Wasn't it put out for Christmas the year before? I think it had a bunch of product reviews of ready to run sets, and maybe a few articles with Christmas Layouts and ideas.

I too, have every issue since the beginning. I would have been 16 when I bought the first issue. All of a sudden, I don't feel so good...

[Bob Keller]

They weren't exactly pre-issues. There were a couple of things going on at the same time (my memory was refreshed recetnly when the CTT staff went out to lunch withg the now-retired Dick Christianson who recounted the founding for us).

The two earlier pubs were targeted toward newbies and gift buyers, but they had a bit more content than some of the similar one-shots done by Kalmbach in the 50s-60s. Those tended to be more like simple catalog listings with photos.

In the meantime, Russ Larson at MR noticed all of the ad content that was three-rail/Lionel and they tested the water with a series called "The Heritage Fleet" in MR. The feedback was positive, so marketing analysis was done for a magazine to cover O/S/ and garden railways. When CTT was launched and was such a success from the start - the other title was cancelled.

[dwiemer]

CTT, way to go guys!  Look forward to 20 more years.

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

They weren't exactly pre-issues. There were a couple of things going on at the same time (my memory was refreshed recetnly when the CTT staff went out to lunch withg the now-retired Dick Christianson who recounted the founding for us).

The two earlier pubs were targeted toward newbies and gift buyers, but they had a bit more content than some of the similar one-shots done by Kalmbach in the 50s-60s. Those tended to be more like simple catalog listings with photos.

In the meantime, Russ Larson at MR noticed all of the ad content that was three-rail/Lionel and they tested the water with a series called "The Heritage Fleet" in MR. The feedback was positive, so marketing analysis was done for a magazine to cover O/S/ and garden railways. When CTT was launched and was such a success from the start - the other title was cancelled.

See what happens when they had a few drinks.  Their memory came back.   Would be better if you had been drinking sweet ice tea [which they do not have way up Nawth].  

Look forward to the issue.

[Bob Keller]

Aw man, we had to go back to work and like drinking and driving, editing and drinking don't mix!

[Buckeye Riveter]

Aw man, we had to go back to work and like drinking and driving, editing and drinking don't mix!

Fooled me!!!!

Bob, has CTT had other train cars, vehicles, etc, made to commemorate 5th, 10th and 15th anniversaries?  

[Bob Keller]

For the 5th, Robert Salerno did a licensed CTT boxcar (custom run by Weaver).

We did a Lionel boxcar for the 10th, an MTH boxcar for the 15th, and an Atlas O reefer for the 20th.

As for vehicles, Salerno did a CTT tractor trailer (I believe it was an Ertl products - I found one on ebay).

The Ink Well did two trucks, a panel van and a Divco truck, but I don't recall if those were just products of opportunity, or tied into an anniversary (if it was, it would have been the 15th).

Of course, we did an Athearn truck for the 20th.

I bought a neat one-of-a-kind thing - an Ertl prototype of a CTT panel van (1:32 scale I think) on eBay. It can with an inspection tag, and a believe the seller was Salerno - or someone near where he lived at the time.