So last night while I was trying to fall asleep, it suddenly dawned on me that this past Christmas marked 25 years since I received my first train set. I was 12 years old and my Dad took me and my brother to Charles Ro to pick out train sets (we lived in Massachusetts at the time). My Dad had trains as a kid, and still collects today. That Christmas he had asked my brother and I if we wanted trains, my brother finally being old enough in his mind (almost 8 years old). We went to Charles Ro's store in Malden, MA. and I was fascinated by the trains. They had a large gauge (maybe G) train running around some track hanging from the ceiling and lots of trains everywhere. We spent a couple hours there and I finally picked out an M-K-T (Missouri, Kansas, Texas) O-27 Steam Set. I still have the set today (because my parents are awesome and kept it safe for me). I remember running it around on the 8x16 layout we had set up in the basement with my Dad's trains, my set, and my brothers Amtrak Work Train Set. My brother being just a little young maybe, would place diecast vehicles in the way of the train and attempt to crash the train into the vehicles. I was quite annoyed by this at the time, but usually managed to stop it before any damage was done (couple derailments, but no damage to the engines or rolling stock). Now I look back on it and laugh.
During college and my mid-20's I didn't collect many trains. I had no room for a layout in my apartment. But once I bought a house, my love of trains returned. Well, technically it never went away, it was just on hiatus. And I bought a house with a train layout in mind. This weekend, my Dad, brother, and I are making a trek from Knoxville, TN. to Atlanta, IN. to visit Mr. Muffins (about a 6 hour drive each way). I'm really excited to go back into a train store with them and feel a bit like a kid again. Model trains have really given me a chance to connect with my Dad and my brother with a common interest and I am so grateful for that.
Anyways just a brief little story of getting my first train 25 years ago I thought I'd share.
), and your appreciation of your parents' safekeeping effort is itself awesome. Hope the upcoming trip exceeds your expectations and will be among your fondest memories when the calendar flips to 2043.
