April 23, 2025 - M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing a special Christmas themed Tinplate Traditions O Gauge Detroit Monorail Set this Fall. The set will be available as a traditional model and a contemporary model with Proto-Sound 3.0 and are expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in August 2025.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

ABOUT THE TINPLATE TRADITIONS O GAUGE DETROIT MONORAIL SET OFFERINGS

One of the most unique connections to the tinplate era and U.S. industry can be found in the form of a tinplate toy monorail system that was manufactured in the late 1920s by Leland Detroit a company headed up by men who helped found Cadillac and Lincoln Motor Company.

That a car manufacturer had a hand in the development of this unique tinplate set is interesting enough. That the manufacturer introduced the world to both Cadillac and Lincoln, two of the most well known luxury automobile nameplates in the U.S. is even more fascinating.

The original 3-car monorail set operated on 6 to 12 volts AC from any common toy train transformer and featured a single motor that was mounted above the powered car. The other cars were unpowered, but all shared the same body stamping tools and all utilized bayonet interior bulbs, the first toy trains to do so. Reversing direction was facilitated by a hand reverse lever. The track itself was composed of parallel rail sections attached to wire hangers. Each hanger was inserted into a cast iron red base.

The Tinplate Leland Traditions Detroit Monorail captures the essence of the original 3-car monorail set and can be purchased in a Traditional version with the hand reverse lever or a Contemporary version fully equipped with Proto-Sound 3.0. Whichever you choose, the bright shiny colors and durable tinplate construction will bring a long-missing touch to any tinplate layout.

• (1) Powered Car w/Interior Lighting
• (2) Non-Powered Cars w/Interior Lighting
• (16) Die-Cast Hanger Bases
• (16) Metal Hangers
• ((8) Curved Rail Sections
• (8) Straight Rail Sections
• Assembled Monorail Oval Measures: 42 1/2" x 118"
• Maximum Height Below Car: 6 3/4"

  Powered Car Features

• Stamped Metal Body Construction
• Overhead Motor
• Fully Assembled
• Fully Painted
• Lighted Interior
• Contemporary Version Features Proto-Sound 3.0 w/Passenger Station Proto-Effects
• Powered Car Measures: 8 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 5 1/4"

  Non-Powered Cars Feature

• Stamped Metal Body Construction
• Fully Assembled
• Fully Painted
• Lighted Interior
• Each Car Measures: 8 1/4" x 2 1/4" x 5 1/4"

  Check out each of these offerings HERE.

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M.T.H. Show Schedule For the Week of April 20, 2025

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be attending the TCA Eastern Division York Meet on April 24 - 26, 2025, at the York Expo Center in York, Pennsylvania! You can learn more about the York show by visiting the Eastern Division of the TCA Website.

Model railroading fans attending the event will have an opportunity to meet and ask M.T.H. Representatives questions about the M.T.H. product line, company direction, and future plans.

• April 2025 York TCA Meet
  - Thursday, April 24, 2025
  (Members Only)
  12:00pm - 6:30pm
  - Friday, April 25, 2025
  (Open To The Public)
  9:00am - 6:30pm
  - Saturday, April 26, 2025
  (Open To The Public)
  9:00am - 3:00pm

M.T.H. Chats Trackside on the Miniature Models Podcast

In a special episode of the Miniature Models Podcast, Rich and Bradley from M.T.H. Electric Trains join Matt Z, John S, Johnny and Sid to talk all things trains!! Check out the Podcast HERE.