Quinn's Tin Trains

Quinn's Tin Trains Hi, I'm Jason Quinn. This page is dedicated to my adventures in Lionel and others Tin plate pre war era model trains. My main hobby focus is prototype HO scale.

Tin Plate gives a good balance to my "rivet counting" in HO.

Some of my Standard Gauge items with a few O gauge restored pieces.
07/09/2026

Some of my Standard Gauge items with a few O gauge restored pieces.

A few Lionel 253's in progress. Terra Cotta/ Maroon. Maroon/blackDark Green/black, with cast headlights
07/09/2026

A few Lionel 253's in progress.

Terra Cotta/ Maroon.
Maroon/black
Dark Green/black, with cast headlights

07/05/2026

Lionel Layout update #10. A video this time!

Layout Update #9 Quinn's Tin TrainsThis update includes the finished back wall in the lake area, restored Lionel 101 an...
07/03/2026

Layout Update #9 Quinn's Tin Trains

This update includes the finished back wall in the lake area, restored Lionel 101 and two 110 bridges and finished bridge piers and abutments.

I created the back wall using Woodland Scenic Shaper sheets then sponge painted with colors found on original Lionel display layouts. The bridge piers and abutments I made out of wood. I covered them in G gauge brick print paper sheets I found on ebay. The paper they use is water proof, basically a thin plastic sheet. I covered my wood with it. I was going for a "tin plate" look. The paper is my solution to recreating a lithographed finish that likely would have been present if these were originals. I think the whole area is looking the part. That's was I'm going for the "look" not an exact replica of the 177 layout im using as a reference.

This a rare Lionel standard gauge 318 electric engine with New York Central Lines stamped 339 pullman, 339 pullman, and ...
06/28/2026

This a rare Lionel standard gauge 318 electric engine with New York Central Lines stamped 339 pullman, 339 pullman, and 341 observation car. This is from a Uncataloged Department Store Special. It was set number 342T the "T" stood for track included. I'm not sure which store sold this though. Glad to add this one to my collection.

This is a Mojave Lionel 253 from 1926-1927. This version has all brass details, some had Nickel air tanks. This one st...
06/22/2026

This is a Mojave Lionel 253 from 1926-1927. This version has all brass details, some had Nickel air tanks. This one started life as a Mojave engine. The paint was failing and falling off. Out of all the 253's I've done this one is the most boring color wise, but it's part of the line up so it needed to be represented. Train Enamel paints were used.

Lionel 253 in Pea Green. The special pea green color was only applied to a 1930 Macy's uncatalogued set. It came with ...
06/22/2026

Lionel 253 in Pea Green. The special pea green color was only applied to a 1930 Macy's uncatalogued set. It came with two 610 pullman's and one 612 observation passenger cars. Mine is not a original it is a tribute engine. It started as a peacock engine before the restoration work. This is my second one.

Layout Update #8 Lots of pictures on this one. Quinn's Tin Trains 177 Lionel tribute layout. In this update we now hav...
06/22/2026

Layout Update #8 Lots of pictures on this one.
Quinn's Tin Trains 177 Lionel tribute layout. In this update we now have some topography on the layout. The original layout used brass sheet shaped to somewhat resemble land features. I needed to mimic the brass sheets looked but also update the overall look. The Brass sheets were a bit crude. I used a product from Woodland scenic called shaper sheet. It is a foil faced with velvet. You can crush it and spread it back out to give you a natural look. I found it to create the formed brass sheet look but a more polished look. The shaper sheet is covered with plaster. I then used a sponge to dab my colors on. The last step was to add brass tacs along the top edge. This creates the look of the original layout. The brass sheets were tacked to the wood base on the original. Mine are purely for looks. I ran out of shaper sheet, hopefully the restock arrives soon.

The next 253 restoration is a second Pea Green and Orange. I actually completely goofed this one up. I failed to prope...
06/08/2026

The next 253 restoration is a second Pea Green and Orange. I actually completely goofed this one up. I failed to properly clean my airbrush, this caused a sporadic spray pattern. The finish was rough, I though I could level it out with clear...wrong! It went right back into the ultra sonic cleaner for another attempt. I broke down an unboxed my newest airbrush to use on the next attempt. It was a success.

Layout update 6.Quinn's Tin Trains 177 tribute layout is one step closer to complete. Today I picked up the switch board...
06/08/2026

Layout update 6.
Quinn's Tin Trains 177 tribute layout is one step closer to complete. Today I picked up the switch board and mocked up the wiring. I also painted it pea green and painted the light bezels to match the bulb color. I’m going to crate a retaining wall look and will add a door with sign stating “electrical room”. These walls will be removable to access wiring if need in the future. Not sure if I’m going to do the pea green or brick print on the walls. Leaning towards the brick print though. I also finished cutting out the second pier. They are now a brick red until my print arrives. Next item to accomplish will be wiring to the 126 station and 191 villas. I’m still looking for a 189 villa.

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Indianapolis, IN
46217

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