Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (P&LE)

Shop Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Trains for Heavy Industry

If heavy industry is your favorite part of railroading, shop Pittsburgh & Lake Erie model trains for sale, including P&LE locomotives, hopper cars, cabooses, passenger equipment, and collectible railroad models. Find pre-owned, vintage, and hard-to-find releases as they arrive at Trainz.

Nicknamed the "Little Giant," the P&LE packed incredible freight traffic into a relatively small railroad, making it a favorite for steel mills, riverfront industries, and busy switching layouts. Explore more model trains from historic American railroads.

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Shop Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Model Trains

Discover Little Giant locomotives, industrial freight cars and steel-country equipment.

Shop Pittsburgh & Lake Erie model trains for sale, including diesel locomotives, hopper cars, cabooses, freight equipment and collectible P&LE rolling stock. Known as the “Little Giant,” the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie handled remarkable freight volumes despite its relatively short route network.

Find equipment suited to western Pennsylvania steel mills, coal and coke traffic, busy yards and riverfront industries. Our changing inventory may include new arrivals, pre-owned models, vintage pieces, retired releases and hard-to-find P&LE equipment.

Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Locomotives and Industrial Heritage

Explore the freight traffic and motive power behind the Little Giant.

Pittsburgh & Lake Erie is a favorite for modelers recreating heavy industrial traffic in western Pennsylvania, from coal and coke shipments to steel and manufactured goods.

GP7, GP9 and F7 Road Diesels

Collectors frequently search for P&LE GP7, GP9 and F7 locomotives. These hardworking diesels fit layouts depicting industrial freight service, interchange traffic and busy regional yards.

RS3 and SW9 Switching Power

RS3 locomotives and SW9 switchers are natural choices for layouts with mill tracks, sidings, freight yards and industries that require frequent switching moves.

Coal Hoppers, Cabooses and Steel Traffic

P&LE hopper cars, cabooses and freight equipment help recreate traffic around coal mines, coke facilities, steel mills and blast furnaces. These cars make a strong foundation for an operating-focused industrial railroad.

Build a Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Freight Roster

Pair recognizable P&LE equipment with industrial scenes and regional operations.

Manufacturers and Collectible Releases

Pittsburgh & Lake Erie equipment has been produced by Lionel, Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann, Broadway Limited, Bowser, Walthers, Rapido and InterMountain. Depending on the release, collectors may find diesel locomotives, freight cars, cabooses and passenger equipment.

Model Western Pennsylvania Industry

Build a roster of GP7s, GP9s, RS3s, SW9s and F7s alongside hoppers and other rolling stock. Steel mills, riverfront industries, coal facilities and interchange yards provide realistic settings for P&LE trains and switching operations.

Thinking About Selling a P&LE Collection?

Learn about Trainz buying qualifying railroad collections and estate collections.

Whether your collection focuses on Pittsburgh & Lake Erie locomotives, Appalachian coal traffic, steel-industry freight cars or other model railroad equipment, Trainz reviews qualifying collections from collectors and estates. Visit Sell My Trains to learn about selling a collection containing multiple pieces.

How It Works

Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Model Train FAQs

Answers about the Little Giant, collectible equipment and railroad history.

Why was Pittsburgh & Lake Erie called the “Little Giant”?

Despite operating a relatively small route network, Pittsburgh & Lake Erie handled exceptionally high volumes of freight, particularly for the steel industry, earning the nickname “The Little Giant.”

What are the most collectible Pittsburgh & Lake Erie model trains?

Collectors commonly look for P&LE GP7s, GP9s, RS3s, SW9 switchers, F7s, hopper cars, cabooses and freight equipment used around steel mills and industrial districts.

Who makes Pittsburgh & Lake Erie model trains?

Manufacturers including Lionel, Atlas, Athearn, Bachmann, Broadway Limited, Bowser, Walthers, Rapido and InterMountain have produced Pittsburgh & Lake Erie models in multiple scales.

Did Pittsburgh & Lake Erie become part of another railroad?

Yes. Much of the railroad's operation was eventually absorbed into CSX Transportation, but Pittsburgh & Lake Erie continues to be remembered for its important role serving Pennsylvania's steel industry.