My middle son is visiting over the holidays and I unearthed an old canvas sack of family photos and albums to go through, hundreds, some going back to 1906 - people I've never heard of! Anyway, we found this, from 1952, with my Dad's pre-war Marx (it's wind up, hence two rails). I told my son that we were just so poor, we could only afford two rails.
I still have the train.
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that's a great pic.
Wonderful picture Lee, thanks for sharing it! Love the cardboard box tunnel... I used to do the same thing when I was a kid.
I also started off in two-rail O gauge of the Marx windup variety. I can remember not being quite strong enough to wind it up, and pestering my mom or dad to wind it for me, over and over. I also remember my mom whispering something to my dad one day when he came home from work... he took my locomotive out to the shop for a few minutes and when he brought it back in, the bell no longer rang! Apparently the "ding, ding, ding" all day long was too much for mom...
I have a photo of me and a Marx 2 rail set......but it must not have lasted long as I do not remember it!!!! Cool pic!
Wonderful picture Lee, thanks for sharing it! Love the cardboard box tunnel... I used to do the same thing when I was a kid.
I also started off in two-rail O gauge of the Marx windup variety. I can remember not being quite strong enough to wind it up, and pestering my mom or dad to wind it for me, over and over. I also remember my mom whispering something to my dad one day when he came home from work... he took my locomotive out to the shop for a few minutes and when he brought it back in, the bell no longer rang! Apparently the "ding, ding, ding" all day long was too much for mom...
Mom's are funny that way. Dad probably would have done something similar if he had been home all day....
Lee, I think you are just as happy today, as you were back in '52. Ain't life grand? 
Lee, I think you are just as happy today, as you were back in '52. Ain't life grand?
Oh yes. I am just as happy. I think the reasons is because I act just the same now as in '52.
That's a wonderful photo, Lee. Wonderful attitude, too.
I can see you eyeing that train and you're thinking..now, if I disassemble the drive unit, increase the wheel diameter, add a sprocket or two...hmmmm.
Very nice, thanks for sharing
I agree with electro liner, just look close at his eyes. He is already thinking how he could make this better.
Lee, I view you and guys like you that grew up with model trains in the 1950s with total awe.
What was it like to see those vintage Lionel Trains from the 1950s, brand new?
I bet it was awesome.
Also, I think I can tell what your thinking in that picture....
"Hhhhm, would really cool if someone would invent electric streets with cars to run on them and to place on this layout".
Lee,
Just think of the 1000s(+) of hours of total enjoyment that Marx wind-up led to, through your continued, or later, interest, in this great hobby. Also, in the photo, it looks like you might be considering some modifications to the locomotive. Could it be that is when it started. "If no has ever done it that way, it might be fun to try".
George
Very cool Lee, you look like you're having a good time.
Since Lee shared his photo, I thought I would return the favor... here I am as a little shaver, opening up my Marx O gauge windup train set for Christmas:
Check out that couch! 
I still have the train, and it still runs, but it is very, very battered and beaten. The motor is held in the body with baling wire... a repair dad made just to keep my favorite train running after I broke the body!
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