How did your love of railroads start.

[Anonymous]

when i was very young9-10 years old, the old L&N ran a coal train nearby my home.It was a daily train taking empty gondolas up to Buffalo and Kettle Island mines in the mornings a nd returning past in the afternoon.I had a friend that lived in the Buffalo camp,so,i hopped the train weekly,spent the day with my friend and hopped the return loaded cars back .The only bad thing was the black smoke from the engine ,but loved the smell and noise. Ah to be young again,with steam still around.

[Anonymous]

when i was very young9-10 years old, the old L&N ran a coal train nearby my home.It was a daily train taking empty gondolas up to Buffalo and Kettle Island mines in the mornings a nd returning past in the afternoon.I had a friend that lived in the Buffalo camp,so,i hopped the train weekly,spent the day with my friend and hopped the return loaded cars back .The only bad thing was the black smoke from the engine ,but loved the smell and noise. Ah to be young again,with steam still around.

[enr2099]

It all started when I was 5 years old, my parents took me for a trip on the E&N Railway Budd Cars. I was hooked ever since then. Even before that, I had been in love with trains, I used to live next to CN's Cowichan Sub and watch CN trains go by on the now abandoned Cowichan Subdivision when I was about 2 years old.

[enr2099]

It all started when I was 5 years old, my parents took me for a trip on the E&N Railway Budd Cars. I was hooked ever since then. Even before that, I had been in love with trains, I used to live next to CN's Cowichan Sub and watch CN trains go by on the now abandoned Cowichan Subdivision when I was about 2 years old.

[vsmith]

My grandparents lived in Los Angeles, three houses away from the SP line connecting the LA harbor with the Downtown yards . My Grandpa was an engineer for Santa Fe working a switcher engine. My older Brother got ridealongs but he was retired by the time I came along. The thing is, he got to ride the trains but never got involved in the hobby once. As a kid as long as I can remember, running out to the tracks from their house to watch the big diesels rumble by. This would be the 1960's. At the same time my Parents had friends whos kids were big into Lionel and had a huge setup that I could look at. We was po'folks so I didnt get my own trains until much later. Even then I could only dabeled in the hobby a couple of times HO, N, and HOn30 but couldnt do anything serious till we bought our own house a couple of years ago. Now its G in the garage and I'll still slow down a little to watch a passing train.

[vsmith]

My grandparents lived in Los Angeles, three houses away from the SP line connecting the LA harbor with the Downtown yards . My Grandpa was an engineer for Santa Fe working a switcher engine. My older Brother got ridealongs but he was retired by the time I came along. The thing is, he got to ride the trains but never got involved in the hobby once. As a kid as long as I can remember, running out to the tracks from their house to watch the big diesels rumble by. This would be the 1960's. At the same time my Parents had friends whos kids were big into Lionel and had a huge setup that I could look at. We was po'folks so I didnt get my own trains until much later. Even then I could only dabeled in the hobby a couple of times HO, N, and HOn30 but couldnt do anything serious till we bought our own house a couple of years ago. Now its G in the garage and I'll still slow down a little to watch a passing train.

[oltmannd]

Since before I can remember, my dad used to take me down to the train sta. on the Long Island RR many Saturdays to watch the trains. I think what cemented it for me was a trip from Long Island to Wash DC when I was 5 or 6 which included being in the old Penn Sta and a smooth, fast ride in a fairly new Budd coach behind a GG1. I even remember them adding/dropping some ratty P70s at Phila.

[oltmannd]

Since before I can remember, my dad used to take me down to the train sta. on the Long Island RR many Saturdays to watch the trains. I think what cemented it for me was a trip from Long Island to Wash DC when I was 5 or 6 which included being in the old Penn Sta and a smooth, fast ride in a fairly new Budd coach behind a GG1. I even remember them adding/dropping some ratty P70s at Phila.

[Kathi Kube]

Mine began with my first job after college (which I returned to after getting married and starting a family). I was hired by a trade magazine and began to learn about railroading from the industry perspective. There was (and still is!) so much to learn, but I loved talking to railroaders and other people involved in the industry, and learning about them and what they do. Three-and-a-half years later, I decided to leave that company, but I didn't want to give up my railroading contacts. So I waited patiently until TRAINS had an opening, and happily was hired here as associate editor in December. Now I still get to talk to people about this industry that fascinates me, and continue learning—this time from the enthusiasts' perspective. (Much more fun!) [:D]

Kathi

[Kathi Kube]

Mine began with my first job after college (which I returned to after getting married and starting a family). I was hired by a trade magazine and began to learn about railroading from the industry perspective. There was (and still is!) so much to learn, but I loved talking to railroaders and other people involved in the industry, and learning about them and what they do. Three-and-a-half years later, I decided to leave that company, but I didn't want to give up my railroading contacts. So I waited patiently until TRAINS had an opening, and happily was hired here as associate editor in December. Now I still get to talk to people about this industry that fascinates me, and continue learning—this time from the enthusiasts' perspective. (Much more fun!) [:D]

Kathi

[JoeKoh]

you work for trains and David didn't give you any stars?Welcome to the group.
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

you work for trains and David didn't give you any stars?Welcome to the group.
stay safe
joe

[Anonymous]

My father worked for EMD as a millwright (pardon the spelling) in McCook, IL and every year we would go to EMD open house. Plus he bought me my first train set. This is was back in the early 70's. So I'm hooked.

Q in Sacto

[Anonymous]

My father worked for EMD as a millwright (pardon the spelling) in McCook, IL and every year we would go to EMD open house. Plus he bought me my first train set. This is was back in the early 70's. So I'm hooked.

Q in Sacto

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

Mine began with my first job after college (which I returned to after getting married and starting a family). I was hired by a trade magazine and began to learn about railroading from the industry perspective. There was (and still is!) so much to learn, but I loved talking to railroaders and other people involved in the industry, and learning about them and what they do. Three-and-a-half years later, I decided to leave that company, but I didn't want to give up my railroading contacts. So I waited patiently until TRAINS had an opening, and happily was hired here as associate editor in December. Now I still get to talk to people about this industry that fascinates me, and continue learning#8212;this time from the enthusiasts' perspective. (Much more fun!) [:D]

Kathi

Kathi - I wondered why that name sounded familiar. Now I know why! Welcome!

Jen

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

Mine began with my first job after college (which I returned to after getting married and starting a family). I was hired by a trade magazine and began to learn about railroading from the industry perspective. There was (and still is!) so much to learn, but I loved talking to railroaders and other people involved in the industry, and learning about them and what they do. Three-and-a-half years later, I decided to leave that company, but I didn't want to give up my railroading contacts. So I waited patiently until TRAINS had an opening, and happily was hired here as associate editor in December. Now I still get to talk to people about this industry that fascinates me, and continue learning#8212;this time from the enthusiasts' perspective. (Much more fun!) [:D]

Kathi

Kathi - I wondered why that name sounded familiar. Now I know why! Welcome!

Jen

[Kathi Kube]

Hey, thanks Jen and Joe!

I guess I'll have to chatter much more often to earn my stars. I've been wanting to comment on the thread about remotes, but that's our cover story for September so I want to wait until people have a chance to read it. (It'd be pretty silly for me to just repeat the whole thing here, wouldn't it?) So I'll wait.

In the meantime, I'm lovin' life here and looking forward to getting to know all of you better.

Kathi

[Kathi Kube]

Hey, thanks Jen and Joe!

I guess I'll have to chatter much more often to earn my stars. I've been wanting to comment on the thread about remotes, but that's our cover story for September so I want to wait until people have a chance to read it. (It'd be pretty silly for me to just repeat the whole thing here, wouldn't it?) So I'll wait.

In the meantime, I'm lovin' life here and looking forward to getting to know all of you better.

Kathi

[jsanchez]

I've been hooked since about two or three, my Dad took me for a ride on the Strasburg Railroad, in PA, I've been hooked on trains since then, that must of been about 1969, I still remember that day pretty clearly, the yellow coaches and steam loco's made a big impression. I remember around 1970 being really saddened when my father told me the Pennsylvania Railroad didn't exist anymore, it was the Penn Central. The Pennsy is still my favorite line to this day. I also was always fascinated with the Trolleys in Philadelphia since I can remember, I am thrilled the Girard avenue line is being brought back with restored PCC's!!!

[jsanchez]

I've been hooked since about two or three, my Dad took me for a ride on the Strasburg Railroad, in PA, I've been hooked on trains since then, that must of been about 1969, I still remember that day pretty clearly, the yellow coaches and steam loco's made a big impression. I remember around 1970 being really saddened when my father told me the Pennsylvania Railroad didn't exist anymore, it was the Penn Central. The Pennsy is still my favorite line to this day. I also was always fascinated with the Trolleys in Philadelphia since I can remember, I am thrilled the Girard avenue line is being brought back with restored PCC's!!!

[Philcal]

Had a wonderful Grandfather who worked in Freight Rates and Claims for the Pacific Electric.He was simply a big kid who loved trains and the guys who ran them. Growing up in Los Angeles in the 40's and 50's was Heaven for a kid who loved anything on rails,and there was plenty to choose from. The PE rail passenger system was still largely intact,with Hollywood cars running west on Hollywood Blvd,to Van Nuys and Watts. The "Blimps" held down Long Beach,San Pedro,and Bell Flower,and LA Rwy successor LATL ran a fleet of well maintained "H and K" series cars,as well as Huntington standards on the "V" line. Throw in the SP.UP,and Santa Fe,and a kid like me was in Heaven.

[Philcal]

Had a wonderful Grandfather who worked in Freight Rates and Claims for the Pacific Electric.He was simply a big kid who loved trains and the guys who ran them. Growing up in Los Angeles in the 40's and 50's was Heaven for a kid who loved anything on rails,and there was plenty to choose from. The PE rail passenger system was still largely intact,with Hollywood cars running west on Hollywood Blvd,to Van Nuys and Watts. The "Blimps" held down Long Beach,San Pedro,and Bell Flower,and LA Rwy successor LATL ran a fleet of well maintained "H and K" series cars,as well as Huntington standards on the "V" line. Throw in the SP.UP,and Santa Fe,and a kid like me was in Heaven.

[Anonymous]

It started when I was a kid, and had my first steam train engine. It was such an incredible sight, that I had to get more trains. Funny thing is, is that the steam train engines have been the most reliable trains, I have ever had. But I like to collect all types of trains, and tracks. The accesories are also wonderful.

David Reid

[Anonymous]

It started when I was a kid, and had my first steam train engine. It was such an incredible sight, that I had to get more trains. Funny thing is, is that the steam train engines have been the most reliable trains, I have ever had. But I like to collect all types of trains, and tracks. The accesories are also wonderful.

David Reid

[JoeKoh]

David
Welcome to the forum pages.Be careful its habit forming!!
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

David
Welcome to the forum pages.Be careful its habit forming!!
stay safe
joe

[eolafan]

I grew up in the suburbs of New York City and remember hearing the Hanncock Air Whistles on the old NYC FL-9 units as they came through Bronxville station at night when we had the windows in our house open. Then I began commuting to Manhattan in the early 1970's and I bit on the proverbial hook. When my wife and I moved to Wausau Wisconsin in 1974 I began watching the trains of Milw.Road, CNW, Soo and GBW and I swallowed the hook all the way up to my gills, I have been a rabid foamer ever since. Now we live (for the second time) near the BNSF triple track "raceway" through the western burbs of Chicago and by now you know where you can usually find me in the nice weather (and usually in the not so nice weather)!

[eolafan]

I grew up in the suburbs of New York City and remember hearing the Hanncock Air Whistles on the old NYC FL-9 units as they came through Bronxville station at night when we had the windows in our house open. Then I began commuting to Manhattan in the early 1970's and I bit on the proverbial hook. When my wife and I moved to Wausau Wisconsin in 1974 I began watching the trains of Milw.Road, CNW, Soo and GBW and I swallowed the hook all the way up to my gills, I have been a rabid foamer ever since. Now we live (for the second time) near the BNSF triple track "raceway" through the western burbs of Chicago and by now you know where you can usually find me in the nice weather (and usually in the not so nice weather)!

[Anonymous]

My Father and I used to take the train(California Zephyr) to Ohio about every other summer to visit relatives who worked for the Nickel Plate Road and my grandparents house backed up to a very active yard in Dillonvale, Ohio. I am just not old enough to remember stream...wish I did.

[Anonymous]

My Father and I used to take the train(California Zephyr) to Ohio about every other summer to visit relatives who worked for the Nickel Plate Road and my grandparents house backed up to a very active yard in Dillonvale, Ohio. I am just not old enough to remember stream...wish I did.