Any Pre-War Recollection's?

Yes, I recall me Dad talking about it.  He had a wind-up Marx set - pretty basic and "cute" from our standpoint today - in 1933 or so, when he was about 12. I still have it.  

He said electric trains were something very exotic and "high end" - a bit mysterious to a kid like him - and utterly beyond reach - just unaffordable for lower middle class like his family was.   Not sure he ever used the word "awesome" like many do today, but clearly that was the overall effect.  They were also a bit mysterious - electric sewing machines were the same, I recall him saying.  Another thing that was exotic, mysterious, and not completely trusted (my grandmother used her treadle-powered sewing machine til her death, never going to electric, even into the early 70s). 

That is so interesting Lee!

So basically, even in the 1930s, although electricity was somewhat standard, depending on the item that was electric, would be construed as something exotic.

My grandmother was a seemstress, born in 1890s and passed away in 1987, and I recall her using a non electric sewing machine as well even thru the 1970s, as well.

It looked like the one they use on Downton Abbey!

What I remember from the 1940s is that our farm in Texas bordered the railroad track, and one of my cows was killed by a train - either MKT or T&P, so they paid me for the cow.  My grandfather gave me a heifer in about 1936, which was the start of my little cow herd.  Biggest mistake of my life was trying to return to ranching.  It cost me millions.  I think I had a toy train about that time, but don't remember much about it.  The land where that farm was is now a residential subdivision.  Se Le Gere (it's the war).

shane, That Christmas picture is a marvelous time capsule! Thanks for posting it.

Yes, thank you Shane so much for the Christmas picture.

Yes, I  chuccled as I have to admit soon that I am one of those "old timers"? I recal my 1st wnd up Marx set and still can see those sparks from the flint wheel on it's nose. That was the mid 30's  Then in the late 30's I got my 1st electric Marx. Believe it or not, I stil have it in it's original box!! Runs like a top!!

The next was a 2020 Turbin by lionel freight set in 1946. and soon afterwards a basement layeout in the old coal bin when most of the Buffalo area switched to gas, and we had free space. The story goes on from there to today where down here In Florida I am probably builoding my last layout, and have a mcuh to big inventory!! See you in York! I'm the guy with the beard, big smile and love for every toy train there!

Paul

What Shane?  What picture?  Some other thread?

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Dennis

It was during the war that the kid across the street had an electric train.  I could hear him blowing the whistle and I got a glimpse of it through the front door but he (or his parents) wouldn't let me in to see it.  I was astounded and envious.  At that time though, I got to ride on real trains because my Dad worked for the Pere Marquette and sometimes took me with him.

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Dennis

My Dad who is 90 recalls crawling on the floor around the boxes of electrical fixtures as the workmen removed the gas fixtures for replacement.

Dad's first set came from Macy*s, and included a Lionel #262, tender, and four or five four-wheeled freight cars.

Jon

WOW that is so cool!

I could spend hours talking to him about all that!

My late mother, when she was 90 and even the 25 years prior would tell me mostly stuff about WWII.

I have a very good long term memory, but when I woudl bring up stuff about our house or my grandmothers houses in the 1960s, she would say "I don't remember that, are you sure you are not making this up"?!

LOL