What Influenced You?

[Anonymous]

My friend had a N scale train set and I thought it was fun,so I decided to get an HO scale CN train set from Life Like Trains.I think it was called Thundering Rails.The sad thing is that my friend is giving up model railroading now.

[cacole]

I was raised in southern Illinois with the Illinois Central main line to St. Louis running right behind our house in the good old days of steam, and a Missouri Pacific track less than 1/2 mile away. When I was around 10-12 years old, I used to ride my bicycle out to the MP roundhouse and the hostler would let me ride around in the cab as he serviced the big mikados and other steamers. I had American Flyer S-scale trains as long as I can remember, and my older brother build an HO layout on a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the basement around the same time. I was drafted into the Army in 1960 and retired in 1986. I collected various HO-scale items during those years as I travelled around the world, but every time I moved items got lost or damaged. I never got into modeling on a more full-time basis until 1994, when I joined a local club. I don't recall ever wanting to become a railroader, but have always liked "electric trains."

[cacole]

I was raised in southern Illinois with the Illinois Central main line to St. Louis running right behind our house in the good old days of steam, and a Missouri Pacific track less than 1/2 mile away. When I was around 10-12 years old, I used to ride my bicycle out to the MP roundhouse and the hostler would let me ride around in the cab as he serviced the big mikados and other steamers. I had American Flyer S-scale trains as long as I can remember, and my older brother build an HO layout on a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the basement around the same time. I was drafted into the Army in 1960 and retired in 1986. I collected various HO-scale items during those years as I travelled around the world, but every time I moved items got lost or damaged. I never got into modeling on a more full-time basis until 1994, when I joined a local club. I don't recall ever wanting to become a railroader, but have always liked "electric trains."

[Anonymous]

About 1957 I received a Hornby O Gauge clockwork set for a Birthday present and was hooked straightaway. Have been modelling ever since although I now model US railroads in N Scale. Talk about a radical change. I wouldn't have it any other way. Still got some of the old Hornby. Sentimental fool!

[Anonymous]

About 1957 I received a Hornby O Gauge clockwork set for a Birthday present and was hooked straightaway. Have been modelling ever since although I now model US railroads in N Scale. Talk about a radical change. I wouldn't have it any other way. Still got some of the old Hornby. Sentimental fool!

[Anonymous]

I received a Maerklin starter set for christmas when I was 8 years old. It was
in 1954. My father had picked out the items individually and made a wooden
box for it. In Denmark where I live, the most popular brands at that time was Maerklin and Fleischmann,
and the scale was HO. It was the best christmas ever!

[Anonymous]

I received a Maerklin starter set for christmas when I was 8 years old. It was
in 1954. My father had picked out the items individually and made a wooden
box for it. In Denmark where I live, the most popular brands at that time was Maerklin and Fleischmann,
and the scale was HO. It was the best christmas ever!

[Anonymous]

Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper as the saying goes I was influenced by my grandfather who was a top link driver with the London Scottish Midland Railway. His numerous stories and pride in having driven the royal train led to my fascination with railways. My younger days revolved around steam locomotives, spending many days at Aberdeen's Ferryhill Locomotive Depot observing Gresley and Stanier Pacifics.
A4's, A1's,A2/3's, A3's, V2's, Duchess', Royal Scot's, Black 5's and many more. I like big steam consequently that is the reason I have moved onto American railroading
with its raw power and charisma. Pity more were not saved from the torch.

[Anonymous]

Ever since I was knee high to a grasshopper as the saying goes I was influenced by my grandfather who was a top link driver with the London Scottish Midland Railway. His numerous stories and pride in having driven the royal train led to my fascination with railways. My younger days revolved around steam locomotives, spending many days at Aberdeen's Ferryhill Locomotive Depot observing Gresley and Stanier Pacifics.
A4's, A1's,A2/3's, A3's, V2's, Duchess', Royal Scot's, Black 5's and many more. I like big steam consequently that is the reason I have moved onto American railroading
with its raw power and charisma. Pity more were not saved from the torch.

[Anonymous]

I think it was 1980 when all my children were at home. I remember we were sitting around talking about what we would have liked for Christmas presents.
I said being a kid in Scotland during the WW 2 was tough because presents were pretty hard to come by, I said I always wanted an electric train set. My middle son gave me a cheap little N scale and I loved it. Many years later, when we were in Germany, he was with the Army and I had retired, he said, "All right Dad. You always wanted to build a layout, we are in the perfect place for it."
So I started buying HO equipment. That was the start of Dalreada.

[Anonymous]

I think it was 1980 when all my children were at home. I remember we were sitting around talking about what we would have liked for Christmas presents.
I said being a kid in Scotland during the WW 2 was tough because presents were pretty hard to come by, I said I always wanted an electric train set. My middle son gave me a cheap little N scale and I loved it. Many years later, when we were in Germany, he was with the Army and I had retired, he said, "All right Dad. You always wanted to build a layout, we are in the perfect place for it."
So I started buying HO equipment. That was the start of Dalreada.

[ChrisB1962]

asked for trainset because of a prior interest in railroads.

[ChrisB1962]

asked for trainset because of a prior interest in railroads.

[Anonymous]

Must have been in the genetics. My mum told me she spent many miserable hours in the Scottish "mist"(pouring rain to anyone else) on a footbridge being smothered by coal smoke. Since I cannot remember these events I can only assume my interest is inherent. Modelling is a natural fallout to recreating the past. I am also a history buff so bingo, we have the perfect medium! Also love the old West, so have a turn of the Century(20th) layout, with some license to aquire some of the excellent out of period steam locos being produced today.

[Anonymous]

Must have been in the genetics. My mum told me she spent many miserable hours in the Scottish "mist"(pouring rain to anyone else) on a footbridge being smothered by coal smoke. Since I cannot remember these events I can only assume my interest is inherent. Modelling is a natural fallout to recreating the past. I am also a history buff so bingo, we have the perfect medium! Also love the old West, so have a turn of the Century(20th) layout, with some license to aquire some of the excellent out of period steam locos being produced today.

[Anonymous]

My dad have an old Lional set in a box that came out rarely. One year I got an HO set for Christmas and "we" built a 4X8 layout. A figure 8 with one siding. The engine could not make it up the grade with more than three cars. I lost intrest and it got packed into a box but not forgoten. A decade or so later and 6 moves the box was reopened. A layout was built and most of the old stuff was better off replaced (I kept the rolling stock to show how far the hobbie has come and memories). A year later and another move most of the layuot is on its side in a shop. Once a month I take some snap track on the floor and run the trains with my 4 year old son. We prefered the layout but you have to do what you can. Maybe we can get green carpet.

Scott.

[Anonymous]

My dad have an old Lional set in a box that came out rarely. One year I got an HO set for Christmas and "we" built a 4X8 layout. A figure 8 with one siding. The engine could not make it up the grade with more than three cars. I lost intrest and it got packed into a box but not forgoten. A decade or so later and 6 moves the box was reopened. A layout was built and most of the old stuff was better off replaced (I kept the rolling stock to show how far the hobbie has come and memories). A year later and another move most of the layuot is on its side in a shop. Once a month I take some snap track on the floor and run the trains with my 4 year old son. We prefered the layout but you have to do what you can. Maybe we can get green carpet.

Scott.

[Anonymous]

Now that we know we all started with a trainset as a gift the real question is:
Since every kid got a trainset at some time, what made some lead a normal life and other go bonkers with building basements, garages, and attics to spend a life time there building a minature empire.

[Anonymous]

Now that we know we all started with a trainset as a gift the real question is:
Since every kid got a trainset at some time, what made some lead a normal life and other go bonkers with building basements, garages, and attics to spend a life time there building a minature empire.

[Anonymous]

Chistmas, turkey, family, gifts and post war vintage Lionel trains!!!!
I will never forget any of it.

[Anonymous]

Chistmas, turkey, family, gifts and post war vintage Lionel trains!!!!
I will never forget any of it.

[Anonymous]

my grandfather did. he bought his first train set when he was 18, and hid it from his dad because his dad thought my grandfather was wasting his money. i still have the engines that he got with that set. every christmas he turned his dining room into a lionel layout. every year up until 1995 he did that. sadly, he passed away in 1996. in 1996. my dad and i started a new tradition of turning half the living room into a lionel layout.its odd though, that when i listen to the trains clatter across the tracks, somehow, i know my grnadfather is there enjoying them with me.

miss ya pap.

[Anonymous]

my grandfather did. he bought his first train set when he was 18, and hid it from his dad because his dad thought my grandfather was wasting his money. i still have the engines that he got with that set. every christmas he turned his dining room into a lionel layout. every year up until 1995 he did that. sadly, he passed away in 1996. in 1996. my dad and i started a new tradition of turning half the living room into a lionel layout.its odd though, that when i listen to the trains clatter across the tracks, somehow, i know my grnadfather is there enjoying them with me.

miss ya pap.

[Gunneral]

Living near the LNER East Coast mainline as a child in the late 1930`s and early 40`s and watching the Gresley A4 Pacifics in action, that included Mallard, the fastest steam Loco and world record holder!

[Gunneral]

Living near the LNER East Coast mainline as a child in the late 1930`s and early 40`s and watching the Gresley A4 Pacifics in action, that included Mallard, the fastest steam Loco and world record holder!

[relucas]

grew up by railroad tracks. amazed at the power .couldn"t have the real thing so i took the next best , and have had a ball since......

[relucas]

grew up by railroad tracks. amazed at the power .couldn"t have the real thing so i took the next best , and have had a ball since......

[Yampa2003]

My dad had a small layout and it just 'rubbed' of onto me and my brother.
I still model but he is only really interested in the full size trains.
Brian

[Yampa2003]

My dad had a small layout and it just 'rubbed' of onto me and my brother.
I still model but he is only really interested in the full size trains.
Brian

[Anonymous]

Of course reciveing a train set for Christmas so long ago was one reason,the other was growing up in small isolated Northern Canadian towns, I was abel to keep myself busy and enjoy the world of Model Railroading even though most of the time it was just me,but have always loved the ability to create a small world with track and scenery and watch it come alive on those cold winter nights,Always seemed a little warmer when I was building or running trains,and the same still goes for today,always love the fall and the chill in the air and the thought of going out to my hobby shop and warming up the heaters and spending the long winter running my trains and detaling my layout,can anything be better.