Have loved trains all my life. Dad was a model RR at home and subscribed to "Model Railroader" for years. He built 3 different train layouts for me as a kid. When I was 10, I traveled from Chicago to Santa Fe New Mexico (via Lamy of course) on the Santa Fe Super Chief with one of my older sisters to visit an aunt and uncle. While she and I were there, they took us to Durango to ride the train to Silverton. Now that was back in 1959 and it forever hooked me to 'real' trains!
Recently I spent 2 weeks in Switzerland riding trains with a 'train tour'. 40 people running everyday all day for the train! Oh, it was grand! On my bucket list was riding on the Glacier Express-been waiting 25+ yrs for that trip. Finally did it!
I am looking forward to another 2 week train experience next year in Colorado.