Sentimental journey

[Dr. John]

In our recent move, I recently unpacked a Lionel "shorty" Hudson that my father gave to me a little over 20 years ago. It's one of the Joshua Lionel Cowen models that American Express had as a special offer back in 1983. At the time I was into HO and my wife and I lived in a small apartment in New Orleans. As I accepted the engine from my Dad, I thanked him and wondered to myself what I was going to do with an O gauge, 3 rail engine in my tiny apartment. Fortunately, it came with a nice plexiglas display case so it held a spot on various bookcases over the years. It was a handsome model, but I figured it wouldn't be anything more than a shelf queen - something to take up space and collect dust.

About 5 years ago when my father's health took a turn for the worse, I was looking for something he and I could do that would take his mind off of his health problems. As I sat and pondered, I was drawn to that Hudson, still in its display case, and a lightbulb began to flicker in my head.

To make a long story short, that was our venture back into toy trains after a nearly 40 year absence. Building him a small O gauge layout allowed us to spend some time together and have some fun. Dad's health improved and I rediscovered a love for toy trains.

I no longer live close to Dad, but I still have that Hudson. It may never run on a layout, but it will always have a prominent place, allowing me to take a sentimental journey to those days when my Dad and I could share some time and rekindle the love for an old hobby. Is the Hudson just a shelf queen? No, it's a wonderful reminder of a father's generosity and a hobby that spans generations.

[cnw1995]

A great legacy, Dr. John. Like others, I moved from a smaller scale - I got into O trains by running my dad's pre-war Lionel trains from his youth - along with a few MPC era sets from my brothers (on a sort of permanent loan). As he doesn't speak now with his Altheimers, I often wonder how he ran them or what he thought about when running them as a lad.

[1688torpedo]

Nice Story Dr.John. I suppose this is the case with most collectors/operators whose fathers bought them a train when they were younger many years ago. All I can say is hang on to that Hudson for your kids & grandkids to have someday.Thank you for sharing this with us....................Keith

[FJ and G]

nice story, John

i think a goodly portion of 3-rail train'ers are nostalgia buffs and sentimental

[ChiefEagles]

Great story Dr. John. My Dad never played anything with me. He always farmed. He did teach me the love for the land. Even though he never played anything with me, I always knew he loved me. He worked hard so I could go to college and have things that some kids did not have [including a Lionel Hudson set in 1952]. He gave me a lesson. Your neighbor comes first [with him it did]. He was not rich nor held high government positons like the rest of the family. His funeral was during the workweek. The church was full and people were standing outside too. He was richer than all of the cousins after all. He kept giving [even though I would say no] until he died. That gave me a farm and he is still giving today.

[Anonymous]

Dr. John thanks for sharing. Easter

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by easter

Dr. John thanks for sharing.

.[#ditto]

[dougdagrump]

Isn't it amazing that the older we get we realize how smart our parents were. Not in material gains but in what they teach by actions instead of words.
Thanks Dr. John.