Last evening Elizabeth and I played hosts at our home for our Christmas Open House. Most of those who attended this year's celebration had not seen our layout and none were aware of the many changes we made to it this year. At a point during the evening, we all went out to the layout and what then happened was magical. All of the gentlemen in attendance had in their past owned a Lionel or American Flyer train. They had not thought about trains since they were kids. The memories of their childhood playing with their train sets started pouring out of them. They all remembered the competition between the two toy train manufacturers for market share. Back then, you were either a Lionel or American Flyer kid. They all were completely blown away by the enhancements and features of the new equipment. The sounds, the sights, Legacy, and the Vision Line features were the topic of conversation for the rest of the evening. They were were all Senior Citizens, with the exception of a 12 year old, and many asked if they could come back during the Christmas season to bring their grand kids to see the layout and the Polar Express.
What made the evening very special, besides sharing a great time celebrating the Christmas season with good friends, was two of the guys asked me to help them restoring their trains to service from many years past and to assist with building a layout. They both said they have been looking for a "meaningful" hobby and last night they found one. Their wives shared their new found enthusiasm for trains. How good is that.
People who aren't or haven't been in the hobby for years are amazed by all the "Bells and whistles" we have come to expect from our trains today!
