My first was a Lionel 2026, in 1951. I was three years old. And I still remember it clearly, because for some reason, I couldn't see it! There must be a psychological term for it, because a train was absolutely the last thing I ever imagined I would get for Christmas (we had very little money at the time). My parents kept prodding me to check out the special present that Santa had left under the tree. But although I looked and looked, I just couldn't see anything unusual. Maybe because it was black; I don't know.
Finally, I did see it. And I've been seeing it ever since. It lives in honored retirement on our coffee table today.
