What Influenced You?

[Anonymous]

I chose "train set" but should perhaps mention that the "set" was a double track main line around a small bedroom and the "gift" was to my older brother and myself! Lasted until our kid sister grew out of her cot and had to have the bedroom. Never quite forgiven her for that. Other influences: we lived right next to the Manchester-London main line, also my granddad and one uncle worked on the railway.

[Anonymous]

Originally, it would probably be a series of articles in Boy's Life magazine in 1972-1973 on constructing a 4 X 8 HO layout. Another classic inspiration as the 'Model Railroading Unlimited' series with Linn Wescott shown on PBS in the 70's.

[Anonymous]

Originally, it would probably be a series of articles in Boy's Life magazine in 1972-1973 on constructing a 4 X 8 HO layout. Another classic inspiration as the 'Model Railroading Unlimited' series with Linn Wescott shown on PBS in the 70's.

[BodieBailey]

I stated it was a relitive and that is true, but there are other factors. I live still only live about a quarter mile from a freight line that is former Pacific Electric track. I always could hear trains and had to cross those tracks twice to go to grammer school. My family would go to Knott's Berry Farm about twice a month back in the old days when it was free. Back then about the only ride they had was the former Rio Grande Southern engine and rolling stock, including a Galloping Goose. About the same time I was taken to the Orange Empire (trolley) Musuem. Trains, trians everywhere I was hooked asked for a train set when I was six, They thought I was too young, but I did get my first HO at seven years of age. I still have all the HO a little N a little On30, but mostly I now work in "F" scale. I try to share my love for railroading with anyone intrerested I'm still a big rail fan and just got back from the railfest in Durango. Happy railroading.

[BodieBailey]

I stated it was a relitive and that is true, but there are other factors. I live still only live about a quarter mile from a freight line that is former Pacific Electric track. I always could hear trains and had to cross those tracks twice to go to grammer school. My family would go to Knott's Berry Farm about twice a month back in the old days when it was free. Back then about the only ride they had was the former Rio Grande Southern engine and rolling stock, including a Galloping Goose. About the same time I was taken to the Orange Empire (trolley) Musuem. Trains, trians everywhere I was hooked asked for a train set when I was six, They thought I was too young, but I did get my first HO at seven years of age. I still have all the HO a little N a little On30, but mostly I now work in "F" scale. I try to share my love for railroading with anyone intrerested I'm still a big rail fan and just got back from the railfest in Durango. Happy railroading.

[Anonymous]

Both GrandFathers worked on Railroads down south. Aunt and Uncle worked out of the Ft. Worth area for BNSF which I model. Plus my dad got me an old set when I was a kid. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Both GrandFathers worked on Railroads down south. Aunt and Uncle worked out of the Ft. Worth area for BNSF which I model. Plus my dad got me an old set when I was a kid. [:)]

[Anonymous]

Recieved my first train set as a child. I was 5 years old. It was a Marx train . I wi***hat I still had it !!!! I guess it got in my blood from then on.

[Anonymous]

Recieved my first train set as a child. I was 5 years old. It was a Marx train . I wi***hat I still had it !!!! I guess it got in my blood from then on.

[Anonymous]

I was about 3 or 4 when I was first exposed to model trains at the Puyallup fair in WA state. The layout was O guage I was captivated by the models of the cascade green BN engines that looked just like the BN engines that saw on my way there. I made a personal goal - one day I would become a model railroader. When I was about 5, my dad only encouraged me more by randomly buying a copy of MR magazine at a grocery store, i couldnt put it down as I stared at the pictures. I finally recieved an HO train set for Christmas when i was 8. Im 19 now, and in college. I dont have as much time for modeling, but i have a couple short trains on display on my desk to show off my modeling skills. Model railroading has been a great hobby and I hope I can stay involved in it for the rest of my life.

Josh Ziegler
Spokane, WA

[Anonymous]

I was about 3 or 4 when I was first exposed to model trains at the Puyallup fair in WA state. The layout was O guage I was captivated by the models of the cascade green BN engines that looked just like the BN engines that saw on my way there. I made a personal goal - one day I would become a model railroader. When I was about 5, my dad only encouraged me more by randomly buying a copy of MR magazine at a grocery store, i couldnt put it down as I stared at the pictures. I finally recieved an HO train set for Christmas when i was 8. Im 19 now, and in college. I dont have as much time for modeling, but i have a couple short trains on display on my desk to show off my modeling skills. Model railroading has been a great hobby and I hope I can stay involved in it for the rest of my life.

Josh Ziegler
Spokane, WA

[Anonymous]

After joining the Air Force in 1969 was sent to Rantoul, ILL Chanute, AFB. Out side the main north gate was Cap's Hobby shop Bought my first "N" guage train set from him. Put the loop and two maual switches for sidings on a peice of 1/4 inch plywood and on the other side of the plywood I place a black light poster and hug it on the wall of my barrics room. To all who saw it, it was just a young GI's poster of the times but to me it was a private world where my rail road imagination took flight.

[Anonymous]

After joining the Air Force in 1969 was sent to Rantoul, ILL Chanute, AFB. Out side the main north gate was Cap's Hobby shop Bought my first "N" guage train set from him. Put the loop and two maual switches for sidings on a peice of 1/4 inch plywood and on the other side of the plywood I place a black light poster and hug it on the wall of my barrics room. To all who saw it, it was just a young GI's poster of the times but to me it was a private world where my rail road imagination took flight.

[Anonymous]

I had an 8th grade, Junior High School electric shop teacher who used HO scale trains in the school shop to teach DC to us kids. I started building cars for him for extra credit and then staying after school to help on the layout. That was 50 years ago and I'm still using my first locomotive,

[Anonymous]

I had an 8th grade, Junior High School electric shop teacher who used HO scale trains in the school shop to teach DC to us kids. I started building cars for him for extra credit and then staying after school to help on the layout. That was 50 years ago and I'm still using my first locomotive,

[Anonymous]

I started with a Macy's Lionel Flying Yankee. Next was an Amerrican Flyer Royal Blue. Switched to 'N' scale while in military. Now in 'H.O.' on a 4 X 6 but enjoying it the most.

[Anonymous]

I started with a Macy's Lionel Flying Yankee. Next was an Amerrican Flyer Royal Blue. Switched to 'N' scale while in military. Now in 'H.O.' on a 4 X 6 but enjoying it the most.

[Anonymous]

have a grandson that is crazy about trains, ride on them when ever we can,go to the museums and train shows. Now have a set up in the basement for him. Always had an interest in them, was the official watch inspector in our area for the CN,CP and Chessie systems. Enjoy Model RR.

[Anonymous]

have a grandson that is crazy about trains, ride on them when ever we can,go to the museums and train shows. Now have a set up in the basement for him. Always had an interest in them, was the official watch inspector in our area for the CN,CP and Chessie systems. Enjoy Model RR.

[Anonymous]

I bought some n-scale (gauge, back then) stuff when I was in high school in the '70s, but never did anything with it... not even an under-bed layout. Two years ago, I discovered that my 3-year old nephew was intrigued by trains. As it turned out, my father had kept all my previous stuff in his attic, and sent it to me.

Now, at 45 years of age, I'm starting over. But this time, due in part to relationship building with my nephew, I've actually got a small operational layout. Next comes landscaping.

Somehow, I fell into transition era Western Pacific.

The great thing about it is that every time I buy something for me, my wife earns Sky Miles. With a sister in the UK, what's a loving husband to do?

[Anonymous]

I bought some n-scale (gauge, back then) stuff when I was in high school in the '70s, but never did anything with it... not even an under-bed layout. Two years ago, I discovered that my 3-year old nephew was intrigued by trains. As it turned out, my father had kept all my previous stuff in his attic, and sent it to me.

Now, at 45 years of age, I'm starting over. But this time, due in part to relationship building with my nephew, I've actually got a small operational layout. Next comes landscaping.

Somehow, I fell into transition era Western Pacific.

The great thing about it is that every time I buy something for me, my wife earns Sky Miles. With a sister in the UK, what's a loving husband to do?

[Anonymous]

"Hear that whistle blow ... clickety-clack, clickety-clack. The wheels a-sing with the railroad track. If you go you can't come back." Remember Terry Gilkyson's song, "Fast Freight," made popular by Dave Guard and the Kingston Trio? I grew up not far from the C&NW tracks in Wisconsin's Fox River Valley. At age 4 I already was in love with trains. I couldn't afford to buy a real RR, but at age 5, a cheap Marx set already under the Xmas tree. Mark Oliva in Bavaria, Germany.

[Anonymous]

"Hear that whistle blow ... clickety-clack, clickety-clack. The wheels a-sing with the railroad track. If you go you can't come back." Remember Terry Gilkyson's song, "Fast Freight," made popular by Dave Guard and the Kingston Trio? I grew up not far from the C&NW tracks in Wisconsin's Fox River Valley. At age 4 I already was in love with trains. I couldn't afford to buy a real RR, but at age 5, a cheap Marx set already under the Xmas tree. Mark Oliva in Bavaria, Germany.

[Anonymous]

I was pulled in by the cover of Small, Smart, and Practical Track Plans by Iain Rice. I came across it at a used book store and my interest in trains has been growing ever since. I am just an armchair engineer at the moment, but I have started building framework on one side of my garage as time allows. I also have a neighbor who is much further along on his layout so he keeps me inspired.

[Anonymous]

I was pulled in by the cover of Small, Smart, and Practical Track Plans by Iain Rice. I came across it at a used book store and my interest in trains has been growing ever since. I am just an armchair engineer at the moment, but I have started building framework on one side of my garage as time allows. I also have a neighbor who is much further along on his layout so he keeps me inspired.

[Anonymous]

Christmas present about 1940 or 1941 was an American Flyer set. Later, my first job helped me get HO kits. Now interested in 1930's short line type of operation.

[Anonymous]

Christmas present about 1940 or 1941 was an American Flyer set. Later, my first job helped me get HO kits. Now interested in 1930's short line type of operation.

[IRONROOSTER]

When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I told her that for his first Christmas he was getting a train set. Well she jumped the gun and bought me one the Christmas before while she was pregnant. The day after Christmas I found a copy of MR for sale in the PX newstand. This hooked me. Now after two scale changes (HO to O to S) I'm building an 11' x 18' layout.
Enjoy
Paul

[IRONROOSTER]

When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I told her that for his first Christmas he was getting a train set. Well she jumped the gun and bought me one the Christmas before while she was pregnant. The day after Christmas I found a copy of MR for sale in the PX newstand. This hooked me. Now after two scale changes (HO to O to S) I'm building an 11' x 18' layout.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

When I was 2 years old, my brother received a Lionel train set with the Santa Fe F3A&B, #2243. It happened that My brother ,who was 11 at the time, didn't get to play with them much, because I held on to them like a favorite stuffed animal. I was told I would put them on my pillow when I went to sleep. Also, we lived about 300 yards from the New Canaan branch of the New Haven Railroad. After church on Sundays in the mid fiftys, my Dad would take me to watch the trains at the Stamford RR Station. We would spend 1-2 hours watching freight and passenger trains run by. Wish I had a camera at the time!