I'm 76 and delivered the Miami News in Miami Beach starting at age 12 or 14.
Flip
I am OLDER than you, and I did NOT start out with Lionel, though I admit all my friends did. I started out with Gilbert's American Flyer. I liked it better because it had two rails like a real railroad. After I got my paper route, I switched to HO.
I wonder if the youngsters in here remember when young teenagers delivered the daily papers.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
If you're as old as me (mid-50s), you likely started out with Lionel trains. In July I visited the Saint Paul, MN Twin City Model Railroad Museum's Toy Train Division, which is filled with Lionel and other scales (about 20 layouts in all).
I've posted photos and info about it, including the beautiful layout made by professional layout builder Clarke Dunham, on my blog at http://cprailmmsub.blogspot.ca/2012/08/twin-city-model-railroad-museum-toy.html
John Longhurst, Winnipeg