Eric's Tinplate Trains

For several years now, tinplate trains have been growing on me. There's something about the toy-like, shiny appearance of tinplate trains that captivates me. For me, tinplate trains are not about scale realism (like my O-Scale trains), but rather about watching a work of art in action. So in 2008 I finally took the plunge. Tinplate trains come in both O-Gauge and Standard gauge and I have decided to pursue both gauges. Obviously, the O-gauge will be nice because I will be able to run it on my current layout. The standard gauge trains, however, are just too beautiful to pass up so I and collecting those as well. Right now I've just got an O-72 loop of standard gauge track running on the carpet, but eventually I will probably hang it from the ceiling. I'd also like to have to standard gauge trains around the Christmas tree. I started off my tinplate adventures by joining MTH's tinplate club, which puts out a couple of tinplate club cars each year. I then turned my attention toward getting to motive power. My first tinplate engine came in the form of the Big Brute, which was finally produced by the new Lionel Corporation (Lionel tinplate trains made by MTH with Lionel's blessing). I'm planning on getting at least one or two more standard gauge engines and then some cars to go with them. I'm also planning on getting a couple O-Gauge tinplate sets as well. Because my main focus is modern O-Scale equipment and because tinplate trains and rather expensive, my tinplate collection will be a slow growing project. Ideally, I'd like to be able to add a couple pieces of equipment every year and just let it grow over the years. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my tinplate trains!

If you've got a question about any of my items, try the FAQ page!

Standard Gauge Tinplate (13 items)

10-203 200 Series Std. Gauge Cattle Car

MTH Tinplate Traditions cattle car. I got this from Forester's Trains in Le Mont, PA. Made in 1996, added to my set in December of 2012.

11-1003-1 Lionel Corporation Tinplate (MTH) 400E Standard Gauge Steam Engine

The legendary 400E, now made by MTH with Lionel branding. A classic tinplate engine that I had to have. Simply beautiful. Made in 2009, added to my set in April of 2010. Click here to see this engine in action

11-1018-1 Lionel Corporate Tinplate (MTH) Stardard Gauge #7 Steam Engine

This is a modern reproduction of the #7 steam engine, which was first introduced by Lionel in 1910. A beautiful piece, equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0. Made in 2011, added to my collection in January of 2013.

11-2010-1 Lionel Corporation Tinplate (MTH) Big Brute Electric Engine w/ Proto-Sound 2.0

When the new Lionel Corporation decided to finally produce this legendary tinplate engine, I had to have it. This engine is simply beautiful and it is the crown jewel of my entire collection (including my O-scale stuff). It's a work of art. It runs like a dream and the digital sound effects are great. Made in 2009, added to my set in November of 2009. Click here to see this engine in action Click here to read about the history of this legendary engine

11-2024-1 Lionel Corporate Tinplate (MTH) No. 8 Pay-As-You-Enter Trolley w/Proto-Sound 2.0

This is really cool little trolley. It's a reproduction of the original #8 trolley made by Lionel back in 1910, except it's outfitted with Proto-Sound 2.0 so it sounds really great! Made in 2011, added to my collection in March of 2013.

11-2041-1 New Haven Super 381 Electric Engine w/Proto-Sound 3.0

This beautiful engine runs with matching state set cars. Made in 2016, added to my set in December of 2016.

11-30017 No. 514R Std. Gauge Refrigerator Car Ivory/Peacock w/Brass Trim

My dad got this for me for Christmas 2010. This car was the first standard gauge freight car that I owned that was not an annual club car.

11-30032 Lionel Corporation Tinplate (MTH) No. 515 Standard Gauge Tank Car MTHRRC 2009 Club Car

A beautiful tank car was MTH's offering for their 2009 tinplate club. Made in 2009, added to my set in December of 2009.

11-30054 Lionel Corporation Tinplate (MTH) No. 516 Standard Gauge Coal Carr MTHRRC 2010 Club Car

A beautiful coal car offtered as MTH's 2010 club car. Made in 2010, added to my set in November of 2010.

11-30133 Lionel Corporate Tinplate Stardard Gauge No. 214 Box Car (MTHRRC 2012)

MTH's 2012 LCT club car. Beautiful! Made in 2012, added to my set in January of 2013.

11-30149 Lionel Corporate Tinplate (MTH) No. 215 Std. Gauge Oil Car (MTHRRC 2013)

This is the 2013 MTH Standard Gauge club car. Looks great. Made in 2013, added to my collection in November of 2013.

11-40057 Lionel Corporate Tinplate (MTH) 3-Car Std. Gauge Pullman Passenger Set

I bought these to go with the #7 steam engine. Absolutely breathtaking models. Made in 2011, added to my collection in January of 2013.

11-5010-1 Lionel Corporate Tinplate (MTH) No. 384E Steam Passenger Train Set w/Proto-Sound 3.0

The blue comet! Gorgeous set, with the great functionality of Proto-Sound 3.0. Made in 2012, added to my collection in August of 2013.

 

O-Gauge Tinplate (10 items, sorted by item number)

10-8075 MTH Tinplate Traditions 2817 O-Gauge Caboose MTHRRC 2008 Club Car

MTH's 2008 Tinplate Club Car, and my very first tinplate item! It's wonderfully old school and very beautiful. Sorta takes me back....to a time when I wasn't even born. Made in 2008, added to my set in January of 2009.

10-8080 MTH Tinplate Traditions 2814R O Gauge Reefer Car MTHRRC 2009 Club Car

MTH's 2009 Tinplate Club Car for O-Gauge. Made in 2009, added to my set in November 2009.

11-5505-1 Chrstimas Steam Passenger Train Set w/Proto-Sound 3.0

From my 2011 Lionel Corporate Tinplate catalog order, this arrived just in time for Christmas 2011. It's a beautiful set and it was my first engine to have MTH's PS3 system on board. Made in 2011, added to my set in December of the same year.

11-6062-1 Lionel Corporate Tinplate (MTH) #256 Electric

A beautiful reproduction of the original #256 from 1924...of course this one is in a Pennsy paint scheme. Gorgeous! Made in 2015, added to my collection in May of 2016.

11-70019 Lionel Corporation Tinplate (MTH) 814R O-Gauge Reefer Car MTHRRC 2009 Club Car

MTH's Lionel Corporation Tinplate Club Car For 2009. This was the first club car made for the Lionel Corporation Tinplate line. Made in 2009, added to my set in November of the same year.

11-70023 Lionel Corporation Tinplate (MTHRRC) No. 2816 O-Gauge Coal Carr MTHRRC 2010 Club Car

Lionel Corporation's (MTH) 2010 O-Gauge tinplate club car. Beautiful!

11-80062 Pennsylvania 3-Car 710/712 Series Passenger Set

These go with the Pennsy #256 that I also bought at the same time. Absolutely beautiful. Made in 2015, added to my set in May of 2016.

 

Back To Top

 

This page last updated: January 16th, 2023      Contact me at:  eric@ericstrains.com

© 2024 Eric's Trains

Eric's Trains on Facebook Eric's Trains on Twitter Eric's Trains on YouTube

 

 

Eric's Trains on Facebook Eric's Trains on Twitter Eric's Trains on YouTube