Tinplate Times

December 2008

Tinplate Times for 2008 is made possible in part by generous contributions from Rev. Phil Smith and Roger Davis.

Commentary Mailbag Links Archives About This Site Contact Us

Welcome to Tinplate Times, an online resource focusing on tinplate toy trains and the people who collect and operate them.

All Tinplate Times content is copyrighted and all rights are reserved. No images or text on this site may be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior consent of the publisher. No hot-linking to any content on this site is permitted without the prior consent of the publisher.

Boucher DeLuxe 2500 Undergoes Maintenance At The Standard Gauge Module Association Display in Syracuse - November 2008

New Feature Articles:

Massive Operating Standard Gauge Modular Association Layout Seen At The World's Greatest Hobby On Tour Show At Oaks, PA January 3 & 4, 2009 - Text and photos by Jim Kelly. For it's fourth outing the SGMA presented a record breaking layout to a huge crowd at Oaks.

Modern European Outline 0 Gauge Trains - What's Happening Today? - By Bryant Booth. Whether one’s interest is tinplate, die-cast, brass, course scale, or fine scale, steam, diesel, or electric outline, powered by an electric motor or live steam, for those interested in modern, European, 3-rail, 0 gauge trains, there’s something new for you. Bryant Booth gives us a detailed look at contemporary offerings from ACE Trains, 3rd Rail, Lionel, MTH, and Darstaed.

A Tinplate Christmas Putz - By Rev. Philip K. Smith. Rev. Phil presents the history of an authentic, old-fashioned Christmas putz that survives and thrives in the care of its original owner: The Lutheran Home at Topton, PA., where arranging a putz was a beloved family tradition.

Tinplate Times Profile: Joe Mania. Joe Mania collects and operates tinplate toy trains, but he's gone a step further than most tinplate enthusiasts. Joe makes and sells reproductions of some of the great vintage tinplate trains and trolleys from long ago. Here's a look at his collection and his shop.

Rails From The Past - By David Linton with photos by Edward Hartman. Here's a look at a 1905 vintage Carlisle & Finch 2 inch gauge strip rail layout that has been preserved in its original configuration by its current owner, Russ McFall.

A. C Gilbert Heritage Society Publishes Article On The Standard Gauge Module Association Oaks Display. A newsletter article written by SGMA and ACGHS member Jim Kelly has been published in the March 2009 A.C. Gilbert Society Newsletter. The article focuses on the Erector models on display at the Oaks, PA WGHS show in January 2009.

Commentary - by Jim Kelly... musings of the publisher.

Mailbag - Letters to Tinplate Times

See our archives page for past tinplate profiles and feature articles.

Call for articles: our next update depends upon you, the readers!

Contributions of articles focusing on tinplate* toy trains are needed. Articles appearing on the Tinplate Times web site focus on tinplate history, repair and restoration, modern tinplate, shows and events of interest to tinplate enthusiasts, and personal profiles of tinplate operators and collectors. Submissions should be emailed to:

Tinplate Times Submissions

All submissions will be acknowledged and proper author credit will be given for all articles that appear on the site.

© 2008 Tinplate Times - All rights reserved.