Born in 1946, I developed the train virus at an early age. Republic Steel had a plant where my dad worked, with a railroad overpass just three blocks from my home. When I was old enough to ride a bike, I would go the viaduct and watch the trains switching in the yard. In the beginning, a little 0-4-0 did the honors, replaced in the late 50's by a SW1. I received a Lionel O gauge set in 1958 or 59 for Christmas. It had the Wabash GP7 as an engine. (Wish I had that now..) I got into HO about 1972, and have been in and out ever since. Finally I have an 11X14 room that is all mine to build a permanent layout for myself and my grand kids.