Items in the Collection

 On this page, you will see a close up look of all the items in my collection. This includes off the shelf items as well as custom items. Typically, everything shown off on this page is not only in the collection, but is usually on display or running on the Little Strasburg layout. I do like to stick to the company Lionel for most of my items, but as you will see there is one MTH item and I have been suggested to grab some of the MTH passenger cars as well so we will see what happens in the future. Until then though, let's take a dive and see every item.

Lionel O Gauge Strasburg #475

This was the first Strasburg locomotive that ran on my layout back in 2018. Coincidently, it is also Lionel's first operating Strasburg loco they ever made for O Gauge! If I remember correctly, this item released sometime around 2008-2010 although my memory should be taken with a grain of salt. Strasburg and rail fan buffs alike will all shout it out so allow me to say: yes, I know it is not accurate. And it is a shame, really. The actual loco Strasburg #475 is based upon would look great on any O Gauge layout as it has a truly unique design. This locomotive is a conventional control model, which means it does not have the fancy Bluetooth or sounds modern Lionel models come with. This is just your standard transformer controlled model but does have an operating light and a conventionally controlled whistle... with a sound unique to itself to say the least. A valiant effort though. Frankly, I am just happy to have this loco as it is becoming incredibly rare and expensive (although not on the same level as Lionel's #89 mogul... that is a whole 'nother story!)

Lionel O Gauge Strasburg Cherry Crest Observation Car (2)

Here it is: the very first Strasburg piece I ever had. A wonderful Christmas gift surprise from my great friend, Caleb (who can be found on my "Making the Layout" page). This was such a wonderful gift, as it was with Caleb and our great friend Brenden that I ever went to the Strasburg Railroad at all! Yes, back in 2016 the three of us traveled there together and it was a wonderful time. So wonderful, Caleb sent me this passenger car. I think this is what truly sparked the idea for a Strasburg themed O Gauge layout. Before receiving the gift, I did not even know Lionel made Strasburg items! And then, the journey down the rabbit hole began. But you did read the title right, I do have two of these. Honestly, just to have more rolling stock. Considering how rare the passenger cars are, especially the observation cars, when I saw another for sale I had to grab it. Not very realistic to have two observation cars coupled together, but really only one operates on the layout and the other sits on a shelf for display. 


Lionel O Gauge Percy #6 (2014)

Strasburg Railroad hosts "Day Out With Thomas" events a few times throughout the year so for once, putting a few Thomas related items on a layout isn't annoying or "unrealistic." I wanted to make my own Thomas to resemble Strasburg's real life Thomas (that was built upon an existing 0-6-0T saddle tank) but I found Lionel's official Percy model was a spot on rendition of the character. Percy does operate at Strasburg in real life, although he is a dummy unit and can only be pulled and does not move under his own power. On the layout I have the incredibly rare and sparingly released 2014 version of the Lionchief Percy. This one has no Bluetooth or anything, just the remote control sounds of a whistle, a bell, and "All Aboard!" This model features eyes that move side to side which the newer models lack. It's a cute little thing but usually sits in the shed. Which reminds me...


Lionel Strasburg Railroad O Gauge Half Covered Bridge 

You call it a half covered bridge. I call it a small little shed. This is where my creative liberties with the Strasburg Railroad really begin to be noticeable on my layout. Right at the end of the yard is a large engine and maintenance shed where the locos stay after hours. But on my layout, I figured this Lionel half covered bridge would make for a good small shed. Not even remotely accurate to the shed at Strasburg, but accurate in use and placement! Tiny victories, people. It has interior lighting but I personally never wired that up. Someday I will however. But as it stands, it is just a nice little display that makes the yard area look a bit more "busy." 


Lionel O Gauge Strasburg Box Cars (2)

These two box cars were both gifts from Brenden if I remember correctly. The first one I received is towards the back in this photo, the one that simply reads "Strasburg Railroad." This one is mostly all plastic and lightweight but a wonderful addition. The second one, closer in the photo was absolutely a gift from Brenden when he, my dear Jay, and myself visited the Strasburg Railroad in November of 2017. This was at one of the shops and Brenden graciously bought it for me. I am unsure if it is a Lionel model or something else. This one is sturdier and mostly metal which makes it contrast some to the first box car I received. Both are lovely however and help to fill the yard. Wonderful additions, although I am unsure of their release year. 


Lionel Strasburg Railroad O Gauge #90 Lionchief 

Of course I bought the whole set, why wouldn't I? I preordered that thing so fast! Anyways, here is Lionel's most recent Strasburg release as they brought the line back in 2019. And how wonderful is that? Now kids and young modelers can start their O gauge journey with a modern rendition of #90 with all the (bare with me now) "bells and whistles!" Unfortunately, sound is the only thing this model has going for it. As a model of Strasburg #90, it fails. Do not get me wrong: it runs well, has some good weight, and is a quality model train for entry level modelers. But it is Strasburg #90 in name only. Be that as it may, I still love the thing a lot. Again, it is nice to have an official piece of Strasburg merchandise and not a custom model. This is quite literally Lionel's 475 model with a bit less paint, molded hand rails, and sounds. Of the two, I think the #475 is better (it is closer in wheel arrangement to the real life counter part than #90) but for what it is, it's cute. I'm happy to have it and that is all that matters!


Lionel O Gauge Strasburg Railroad Passenger Cars (3) 

These three passenger cars came from the Lionchief Strasburg 90 set and dare I say, they are closer to the real thing than the original Lionel releases! We've got Gobbler's Knob, Walnut Hollow, and the William McFarlan cars. They also light up when power is applied to the track. Pretty cool! Easily the best part of the Lionchief Strasburg set. 


Lionel O Gauge Strasburg Railroad Original Passenger Cars (3)

Not much to say on these ones. Somewhere along the way I did get all three original passenger cars from Lionel's first conventional Strasburg Railroad set. It is weird. The newer ones are more accurate but these just "feel" nicer. They also light up! Wait, does that mean I now have three Cherry Crest observation cars!? Good Lord...

Lionel O Gauge East Strasburg Station 

I do not actually have a nice and full photo of this yet, but recently I added Lionel's East Strasburg Station to the layout. It is a quaint little thing. Structurally not very close to the real thing, but color wise looks great! Interior lighting will be added to this in future to give the layout some more life. I got this for only $70 at Charles Ro Supply Co. so if you are interested in one shop around, as the $120 Lionel is asking for it is a tad steep. 


MTH Strasburg O Gauge #89 Shell 

I am convinced I will never obtain Lionel's O Gauge 2-6-0 Mogul Strasburg #89 as the last time I saw one on eBay was 2016 and it sold for above $600! I like to keep things semi affordable, and if that makes me "cheap" then that just makes you a whiny nit picker. But, some time ago on eBay I saw the shell for MTH's o Gauge Strasburg #89 for like, $25. No one bid on it, so it was an easy win. Did this just fly under the radar? This is a model people really want! Of course, MTH's offering depicted #89 as a 4-4-0... which is nothing short of befuddling. But hey, I've got the shell! So I intend to make my own custom Strasburg #89 using a proper chassis and tender. It should not be too difficult to do, the hardest part is just finding a suitable chassis. But once I get this one all built, I'll have the whole roster of Strasburg's Steam Fleet on my layout! 


Custom O Gauge Strasburg Railroad Thomas the Tank Engine #1 

There he is: Big Blue himself! This model took years to finish but I am so proud of it as it was the culmination of some truly talented modelers, great friends, great memories, controlled finances, and many hours of measuring! This is not your stock standard O Gauge Lionel Thomas. This is a completely custom modeled 3D printed body shell mounted on top of Lionel's Lionchief release of the BEDT 0-6-0T Dockside Switcher chassis. Which is exactly how the real Strasburg Railroad made THEIR full size, steam operated Thomas for their "Day Out With Thomas" events! He is the jewel in the collection. An entire post will have to be made about how I made Thomas, but to sum it up: it took a lot of cutting, sawing, scraping, and ripping of the Dockside Switcher chassis. Many cuts and bruises became all because of this model. But it was absolutely worth it. As it stands, I am the only one crazy enough to have done this mod in this scale. But I would love to see some other attempts, because mine is not perfect! But there he is, complete with his cow catcher, outside cylinder's, giant dome, and American knuckle coupler at the back. Do you remember when Alec Baldwin was Mr. Conductor in Thomas? Well, it's a good thing 30 Rock took off!

And There You Have It!

There is my complete O Gauge collection of Strasburg Railroad items on the layout! Despite all these locomotives, the most commonly ran model is the Lionchief Strasburg #90. With all the sounds that it makes, it really is a lot of fun running compared to Lionel's Strasburg #475. Despite how proud I am of the custom Thomas, he hardly runs. Mainly because he is a finicky little thing that hardly responds to his Lionchief remote. Percy honestly just sits in the sidings usually. In future, I do intend to get an SW2 Diesel switcher to serve as Strasburg's 8618 and the little Plymouth switcher as well. But until those days come, I would consider this a pretty impressive roster of engines and rolling stock. Thank you for taking the time to read, I hope you have enjoyed.