Received my first Lionel set for Christmas 1954 (I think Dad really wanted it since I was only 2 and too young to appreciate). Got swept up in the slot cars craze in the mid 1960's (still setting up the trains for Christmas) and like most, lost interest during college & early marriage years. The train interest was reawakened in 1981 by a casual question from my boss about whether I had trains as a kid. Fortunately they were still in Mom's closet & I have been adding to the collection ever since. Proud runner of changing carpet central layouts (and annual Christmas tree loop). Resident of Lynbrook, USA.