I've been into model trains since I was quite young. It started with a Tri-Ang set my parents got me for Christmas when I was about 5 years old. Later I got an N scale layout when I was about 7. At age 10 I got the HO bug and my parents bought me a Tyco Via Rail set that was in the Simpsons catalogue. That small oval soon grew into an L shaped layout that was 8x4x5. I sold most of it when I turned 16 to buy my first car. I didn't get back into trains for quite a while until I saw an interesting Z scale layout at a model train show. I was so impressed with how well these 1:220 locomotives ran and noticed nobody in Canada was really into selling them. I started an online business (Small Wonder-Z) selling Z scale trains. I did that for about 5 years but never really had the passion for Z like I did for HO. I sold the business last year and now have started accumulating HO pieces. Nothing is set up yet as I have one spare bedroom that I have to renovate into my "man cave" first. I did keep one Z scale layout that is actually in a suitcase. Here's a short video I made of it. It was about 80% completed at the time I filmed this
I'm excited to get the HO layout going and have the track plans already made. There's an interesting computer called "AnyRail" which allows you to design your layout and it gives you a complete materials list. Technology has come a long way since I was last into HO. Now you can control trains with your smart phone!
That is so cool Todd. You need some toy Pontiacs around your houses and on the roads. I still have a Lionel set from when I was 5 years old.
Love trains.
Brian
Well, yeah. I had Lionels as a child, of course, and bought some HO and made some simple 4x8 layouts for kids, then later, grandkids, but discovered N (sorry, Z just too small for aging eyes and hands, plus less rolling stock to choose from) when wife, in response to "What do you want for Christmas?" said "Brother got trains, I got dolls, I wanted trains." So I built her this layout (in a coffee table that started life as a jewelry display case), complete with power pack to run 2 trains at a time, electric switches to operate turnouts with reversing loop, etc.
And since then we have collected over 900 rolling stock, about 80% on display (only so much room without a basement, eh?), here is a small sample:
I am not a model train but but had lots as a kid and even multiple tables that my grandfather built for us. All ho scale. Now my wife an I have a Lionel large scale that runs around the Christmas tree every year
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
Here's an interesting video from the late 1930's explaining how the New York Central's huge "Hudson" locomotives were maintained and operated. I had no idea these locomotives could pick up water "on the fly" and they had a primitive "black box" of sorts.
I still have the Tyco HO train I got as a kid. Thinking it's mid '70s. More into slot cars of the HO scale. At the last house I had built 22x4 ft 4 lane race track. Still have lots of cars even though I've been selling them off whenever I can.
What Tyco train do you have? My first set was a Tyco Via Rail freight set (even though Via was strictly a passenger railway!). I also had a number of slot car sets. My favorite was an AFX set called "Blazin' Brakes". The set consisted of a Trans Am and a Corvette. There was a thumb switch on the controller. When you activated it the cars would come to a halt and the brake lights would come on. I loved that set!
As mentioned in another thread I am reconfiguring a storage room and will put our
old '027' gauge Lionel and Marx trains back in service. Have had them since the 50's and
my son and I last ran them 25 years ago.
Will post pics when done......might be a while though.
-- Edited by bjburnout on Wednesday 1st of February 2017 10:03:11 AM
Got our first train set in 1954 and added over the next couple years. All Lionel and Marx '027' gauge.... Original set up was 8 x 8 table with farms, (mirror for a river) and some city stuff, tunnel and a forest. Packed away in 1962 until 1993 when I got them going for my 9 year old son. Packed away again in 2002 and finally got them out (2017) on a small table (4x8). Had to buy all new track and a new transformer..... Fun to just let them run.................sure brings back memories........
I just picked up some trains here in PEI made by a German company called Fleischmann. The trains I got are form the late 1950's/early 1960's and are HO scale. The quality is incredible. This one has a switch that allows electircal pickup by either the rails or by overhead wires.
Both locomotives run like new. I also got the original power pack, track and accessories for a mere $80! (excuse my scratched up antique dresser. It'll get restored some day!)
Like Todd I received my first N scale gain set at age seven, and like most of you if it moves and makes noise, I'm interested! Just finished fixing this F Scale model (F Scale are narrow gauge trains that run on LGB(45mm) track) for a co worker. A gear had split and replacement required disassembly and pressing on a new gear and putting it all back together. These models are meant for garden railways and are quite large, this engine is about two feet long with the tender. It is also equipped with sound which can really make the neighbors wonder....
1956 Pontiac Pathfinder 2dr sedan, 496 - dyno'd 545 hp, stick shift, 4.11 posi - Hot Rod
........sure brings back memories........
