What Influenced You?

[Anonymous]

I'm probably one of the only ones who got started with a tv show. Shining Time Station was on when I was 3, and I loved watching all of the trains that they showed. It was because of this that my parents bought me a set for that Christmas.

[leighant]

In the baby book my mother kept, it says the ninth word I spoke was "choo choo". We had choo-choos going by on the Houston Belt and Terminal's former Houston, Brady and Magnolia Park branch about 100 feet from my bedroom window, and a diamond with the heavily-trafficed HB&T East Belt five houses away, and a diamond with the GH&H a quarter mile away. But it was the Lionel train sets every Christmas from when I was three years old to age fourteen that did it. When I was 7 or 8, started reading the Carstens "Toy Trains" magazines Dad bought and cutting out the cutout cardboard buildings, and soon started measuring houses and so on and scaling my own cutouts.

[leighant]

In the baby book my mother kept, it says the ninth word I spoke was "choo choo". We had choo-choos going by on the Houston Belt and Terminal's former Houston, Brady and Magnolia Park branch about 100 feet from my bedroom window, and a diamond with the heavily-trafficed HB&T East Belt five houses away, and a diamond with the GH&H a quarter mile away. But it was the Lionel train sets every Christmas from when I was three years old to age fourteen that did it. When I was 7 or 8, started reading the Carstens "Toy Trains" magazines Dad bought and cutting out the cutout cardboard buildings, and soon started measuring houses and so on and scaling my own cutouts.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by manitoban

Riding behind a smoke, cinders and steam belching CN Pacific 4-6-2 to the beach every summer in gas-lit, arched-windowed wooden coaches was what peaked my interest in railroading. The prime excitement every day was to meet the noon train, and hitch a ride in the baggage car to the wye, water tower and back, as the crew turned and watered her for the trip back to the city at 7:00 p.m. (The second highlight of the day.)

Oh my goodness!! What an opportunity! Gave me goose bumps. I can almost see it. (Volunteering at Mid Continent RR Museum restoring old wood coaches did help me see it.) No wonder you were hooked on modeling.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by manitoban

Riding behind a smoke, cinders and steam belching CN Pacific 4-6-2 to the beach every summer in gas-lit, arched-windowed wooden coaches was what peaked my interest in railroading. The prime excitement every day was to meet the noon train, and hitch a ride in the baggage car to the wye, water tower and back, as the crew turned and watered her for the trip back to the city at 7:00 p.m. (The second highlight of the day.)

Oh my goodness!! What an opportunity! Gave me goose bumps. I can almost see it. (Volunteering at Mid Continent RR Museum restoring old wood coaches did help me see it.) No wonder you were hooked on modeling.

[Anonymous]

I maybe should have checked 'Other'
This is how I got crazy about trains.
As a preschooler I rode a night train from Milwaukee (actually Waukesha- It was the SOO) to Northern WI to visit my grandmother. The trip was with my Mom. I was really excited. I even remember the cardboard box of 100 baby chicks waiting in the station for the same train I was to ride. You could even see them thru the ventilation holes. Mom put me against the window side of the sleeper so I wouldn't roll out. Good move! I stayed awake all night. I peeked out the window at every stop. it was a very exciting trip. I also remember going with my parents to one of the passenger depots in Milwaukee to either pick up or send off a visiting relative. I still remember walking along the cars, seeing the luggage, and wanting to get on that train and GO! I couldn't have cared less where it was going. I just wanted to go along. I think this experience was before my first ride.
Actually it was Model Railroader that got me started in the hobby. The RR interest might be genetic, although my brother doesn't have a layout right now. When I was in grade school my brother subscribed to Model Railroader. I read them every chance I got.
As an adult (sort of) I talked my husband at the time into the hobby. First N and then HO. We are no longer married but I'm into G and HOn3. This relationship won't end.

[Anonymous]

I maybe should have checked 'Other'
This is how I got crazy about trains.
As a preschooler I rode a night train from Milwaukee (actually Waukesha- It was the SOO) to Northern WI to visit my grandmother. The trip was with my Mom. I was really excited. I even remember the cardboard box of 100 baby chicks waiting in the station for the same train I was to ride. You could even see them thru the ventilation holes. Mom put me against the window side of the sleeper so I wouldn't roll out. Good move! I stayed awake all night. I peeked out the window at every stop. it was a very exciting trip. I also remember going with my parents to one of the passenger depots in Milwaukee to either pick up or send off a visiting relative. I still remember walking along the cars, seeing the luggage, and wanting to get on that train and GO! I couldn't have cared less where it was going. I just wanted to go along. I think this experience was before my first ride.
Actually it was Model Railroader that got me started in the hobby. The RR interest might be genetic, although my brother doesn't have a layout right now. When I was in grade school my brother subscribed to Model Railroader. I read them every chance I got.
As an adult (sort of) I talked my husband at the time into the hobby. First N and then HO. We are no longer married but I'm into G and HOn3. This relationship won't end.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fec153

NAGGING WIFE. Xmas 91, what do u want? After a week ,just to shut her up, I said
"Electric Train set.

And you're grateful too? I hope so .

I nagged my ex husband into the hobby. He tired of the hobby after 7 years and years later he tired of me. I'm back in the hobby to stay. I got the better end of the deal . It is the World's Best Hobby!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by fec153

NAGGING WIFE. Xmas 91, what do u want? After a week ,just to shut her up, I said
"Electric Train set.

And you're grateful too? I hope so .

I nagged my ex husband into the hobby. He tired of the hobby after 7 years and years later he tired of me. I'm back in the hobby to stay. I got the better end of the deal . It is the World's Best Hobby!

[Anonymous]

When I was in High School many a yarn ago, my dog ate my homework one night and I had to stay after school on detention. While there, a fellow student had a copy of MR, I belive it was April 1959. I asked if could thumb thru it and of course he let me. I was hooked, modelrailroading was what I wanted to do with my life, but as my folks told me, at the time, you can't make a living at MRRing. I was devistated, shocked all the way to the bone, but they did tell me it would be a great hobby. I was happy again...A hobby, WOW! Soooooo, I guess you can say that my dog influenced me the most[:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

When I was in High School many a yarn ago, my dog ate my homework one night and I had to stay after school on detention. While there, a fellow student had a copy of MR, I belive it was April 1959. I asked if could thumb thru it and of course he let me. I was hooked, modelrailroading was what I wanted to do with my life, but as my folks told me, at the time, you can't make a living at MRRing. I was devistated, shocked all the way to the bone, but they did tell me it would be a great hobby. I was happy again...A hobby, WOW! Soooooo, I guess you can say that my dog influenced me the most[:D][:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

My Grandfather alway set up a large O guage "Christmas Garden" every year, which facinated me. My mother tells me of countless hours I spent as a toddler watching him run his trains. Christmas of 1964, I was presented with a 4x4 Lionel HO garden of my own, that my Father and Grandfather built in secrecy. I've been hooked ever since. I still have all my original rolling stock, and have plans on repowering my old Texas Special set soon.
I also have my Grandfathers Lionel stuff,,,,,,maybe someday............[:)]

[Anonymous]

My Grandfather alway set up a large O guage "Christmas Garden" every year, which facinated me. My mother tells me of countless hours I spent as a toddler watching him run his trains. Christmas of 1964, I was presented with a 4x4 Lionel HO garden of my own, that my Father and Grandfather built in secrecy. I've been hooked ever since. I still have all my original rolling stock, and have plans on repowering my old Texas Special set soon.
I also have my Grandfathers Lionel stuff,,,,,,maybe someday............[:)]

[Anonymous]

Train set for me. Thats how I got started.
[:)]

[Anonymous]

Train set for me. Thats how I got started.
[:)]

[Anonymous]

I saw a tape about the Union Pacific Big Boy and was amazed by the sheer size of the engine. After that I wanted more information and after several months of reading about trains I decided to start a model railroad.

[Anonymous]

I saw a tape about the Union Pacific Big Boy and was amazed by the sheer size of the engine. After that I wanted more information and after several months of reading about trains I decided to start a model railroad.

[Anonymous]

I grew up across the street from the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Ca. We always went to the fair. The East Bay Model Rairoad Engineers? from Emeryville,Ca had a layout set up every year at the fair. My mom had to fight to get me out of that room. My wife still has problems getting me out of these displays. I was hooked.

[Anonymous]

I grew up across the street from the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Ca. We always went to the fair. The East Bay Model Rairoad Engineers? from Emeryville,Ca had a layout set up every year at the fair. My mom had to fight to get me out of that room. My wife still has problems getting me out of these displays. I was hooked.

[Anonymous]

I lived not too far from the Long Island Rail Road's Morris Park yard in Richmond Hill Queens. As a kid I spent many hours just walking around the place and watching those Alcos rummble by.

[Anonymous]

I lived not too far from the Long Island Rail Road's Morris Park yard in Richmond Hill Queens. As a kid I spent many hours just walking around the place and watching those Alcos rummble by.

[Anonymous]

3 railroaders in the family--grew up in Boston, Ma. & had Beacon Park Yard behind the house. This became my world outside of my home. Crews took me thruogh the roundhouse, rides on the turntable, cab rides in the switchers, taught me the basics of repairs in the shops. Seems like the 1950's was the last time it was fun being a kid in the city, you didn't get arrested for being curious! 50 years a railfan- 40 years a modeler.

[Anonymous]

3 railroaders in the family--grew up in Boston, Ma. & had Beacon Park Yard behind the house. This became my world outside of my home. Crews took me thruogh the roundhouse, rides on the turntable, cab rides in the switchers, taught me the basics of repairs in the shops. Seems like the 1950's was the last time it was fun being a kid in the city, you didn't get arrested for being curious! 50 years a railfan- 40 years a modeler.

[jjardel]

Dad was a Fireman on Pennsy (Philadelphia Div.) and brought home a Lionel set which I still put up at Chrstmas time. That grew to a layout in my bedroom that gave me enough room to walk in and either lie down or play with trains.
He took me on a lot of steam engines when I was little but he had no interest with model trains. I now model HO but neither of my kids have been biten by the bug.

[jjardel]

Dad was a Fireman on Pennsy (Philadelphia Div.) and brought home a Lionel set which I still put up at Chrstmas time. That grew to a layout in my bedroom that gave me enough room to walk in and either lie down or play with trains.
He took me on a lot of steam engines when I was little but he had no interest with model trains. I now model HO but neither of my kids have been biten by the bug.

[crzink]

Got my first Lionel set in 1954, at age 4, from my Granddad. My Uncle was ah HO'er, and a neighbor of my Grandmother was an O'er. Then my Dad gave me an HO setup at about age 11. So, I guess I've been hooked for almost 50 years!

[crzink]

Got my first Lionel set in 1954, at age 4, from my Granddad. My Uncle was ah HO'er, and a neighbor of my Grandmother was an O'er. Then my Dad gave me an HO setup at about age 11. So, I guess I've been hooked for almost 50 years!

[Anonymous]

I think that I was obsessed with trains when I was in the womb! I don't know eactly why I became so interested in trains, but ever since I could talk I've been crazy about trains. Of course it was only natural that I get a train set. My first electirc train was a Playmobil G scale set I got when I was about 3 years old. Extra cars and track were added to it and I still have it now. I got my first HO train (a Bachmann Warbonnet F9 circle set) when I was about 5. I've been accumulating HO trains ever since. My Dad built me my first HO layout when I was in grade 2. I've also been very interested in toy trains and wanted a Lionel set for as long as I could remember because my uncle had a Scout set when he was a kid in the 50's. I now am a collector of Lionel and all sorts of other vintage O and S gauge tinplate trains in addition to HO. I'm only 17 right now and the basement of my house is packed with trains. I have no intention of slowing down at all!

Glen Chenier, the Countess of Dufferin doesn't pull the Prairie Dog. That operation is run by a different 4-4-0 that used to work for Winnipeg Hydro. The Countess is on display at the Winnipeg Railway Museum in the Via station.

[Anonymous]

I think that I was obsessed with trains when I was in the womb! I don't know eactly why I became so interested in trains, but ever since I could talk I've been crazy about trains. Of course it was only natural that I get a train set. My first electirc train was a Playmobil G scale set I got when I was about 3 years old. Extra cars and track were added to it and I still have it now. I got my first HO train (a Bachmann Warbonnet F9 circle set) when I was about 5. I've been accumulating HO trains ever since. My Dad built me my first HO layout when I was in grade 2. I've also been very interested in toy trains and wanted a Lionel set for as long as I could remember because my uncle had a Scout set when he was a kid in the 50's. I now am a collector of Lionel and all sorts of other vintage O and S gauge tinplate trains in addition to HO. I'm only 17 right now and the basement of my house is packed with trains. I have no intention of slowing down at all!

Glen Chenier, the Countess of Dufferin doesn't pull the Prairie Dog. That operation is run by a different 4-4-0 that used to work for Winnipeg Hydro. The Countess is on display at the Winnipeg Railway Museum in the Via station.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunatly, the death of my gradfather flung me into model railroading (unfortunate that I could not share it with him.) My great Uncle (other side of the family) was actually the first person to show me scale trains. I'm still in High school and plan on having many years of fun.