Old Timers in the Hobby

Nice message Popi.

I just lost my Dad who got me started in the O gauge hobby.  He built my first O, HO, and finally N scale layouts.  I was 'train nuts' in 1967 at 2 years old, and he built a Lionel 5' x 9' Postwar display layout (on Super O naturally).  He let me run his 1932 Lionel set and a 1958 Postwar set...

Then later we joined the TCA through his buddy, and in 1974 he built me a 15' x 30' Super O monster layout, with custom signaling so the signals would alternate blinking, not just light.

He had a guiding hand in my development and I learned so much...  He repaired all my engines, countless brushes were needed when Lionel trains ran for 6 hours a day in my early life.  Those were the days...  I miss you Daddy!

One of the best parts of this hobby is having the trains

from our youth, from our dads or from Grandpa.

Hope you still have yours!!!

Yup, still have almost all of them!

I got started in the mid 60's with two older Lionel sets that were my dad's, a 224E steam engine with three green passenger cars(1941 approx. date)
 and a 249E steam engine with two freight cars and a caboose
(1939 approx. date, coupler design helps to date it). The old sets still run pretty good for being almost 70 years old.

My dad bought me a freight set with a 235 scout engine, I liked the set but the engine was very cheaply made, so I bought a used 2016 steam engine.

I had three train sets to play and wanted a bigger transformer, I saw the ZW in the catalog and wanted one. My mom took me to the hobby shop and I looked around at a few transformers, the one I wanted was $40.00, asked the guy to show me how it worked, only had power to three handles, so I got it for $30.00. Worked on the ZW for an hour or so and got the fourth handle to work, wire was broken off inside to the D terminal screw, wrapped wire onto the D terminal and it worked! That ZW is still working on my layout today, replaced roller wheels and cleaned the inside.

My dad had two 022 switches with remotes and didn't know how to wire them, so I looked at the instruction manual and played around with the remotes and the switch terminals and got them working. Think I was 8 or 9 when I started setting up the trains by myself.

Lee Fritz

Popi,

   I agree the people make the hobby, and I know my Father and Grandfather are with the big Master Engineer who holds all the controls, I am sure Walker has a seat on that train, with an incredable view, the Supreme Architect always holds the controls.

PCRR/Dave

I lost my Dad is 2007, but without him & my Uncle (who is still alive)   I don't think I would be in this hobby today.   I remember my Dad letting me play w/ his postwar trains when I was little & then as I got older, building layouts, reading magazines, talking about collecting, railfan trips & going to train shows.   When he passed, I was pretty much out of trains & then I wound up with all his stuff. I knew that the perfect way to keep that connection - something that made a lasting impression on me, was to set the trains up - my Dad would have wanted it that way.  

Now, as we get ready to move into our new home in a few months and I have a daughter of my own & a second baby on the way I can't wait to share it with them. My Mom recently found a picture of the layout he was building when he passed away - 3 levels - classic postwar style.  I didn't even remember it, but I'm going to build it as close as I can - using that picture as guide - that's my tribute to him & run his 2358 GN  set around when it when I'm done

I am the "Daddy".  My postwar train sits on a shelf.  Alas my sons have no interest in my trains.  However, my Dad was a real train guy.  He worked for the Pere Marquette, and then the C&O.

.....

Dennis

My Dad got his first train set in 1932.  It still runs, and so does he!  He'll turn 89 this August.

Jon

I'm an old old old timer.

Dad and my Uncle got me into trains. Dad only got his trains out at Christmas.Too much work to have them out thru the year. He usually ran his 2023 UPs, or his 623 switcher. His 6110 was never reliable(but Dean Brausser fixed that !) and his 1684 would fly off the track. But I always loved the Steamers. One of my earliest train memories was of my Uncle's 2020 running around my Granparents tree. That red keystone just did it for me. A 671 was my second steamer I bought myself. A 675 ws the first. Dad gave me his trains a few years ago, and my Uncle has me in his will to get his. I told him I don';t want them for a long time. Whenever Dad visits, he always heads down to the basement to run the trains.

My grandpa got me started in trains in 1947. We ran trains together until his death in 1955. I took care of the layout after that. When my grandmother past I brought the layout to my home. It's been here until this day. When I run trains it feels like he is still with me.

Popi:

God bless you and your family. You certainly have your priorities in order and share the time you have left on Earth with your Dad.

Our prayers are with your family. My Dad who has long since passed got me started in this hobby and I will be forever grateful to him.

I had no relatives that were interested in trains...but my "German" Grandfather was really into Christmas trees and Christmas gardens under them. I was the one that later added the trains. My parents (Santa) got me a Lionel set when I was 5 in 1947.

Hey Popi

I love the Jesus part!  When this time is over, it's only having Him that matters.

Hi Popi, my dad bought me a Lionel LV 44 Tonner when I was a kid. He was a tailor by trade and had a 9 X 5 foot table in the basement that he used to work on. That table became my first train platform.

Now when I come into my house from the drive way there is a shelf with that set on it and everytime I walk into by basement I think of my father. I have a collections of 44 tonners now, I have many other engines but they will always have a special place in my heart.

He died from cancer as well so I know how you feel. Just stay close to the lord, he will carry us through anything. The pain of your loss will past friend and then the worm memories will fortify you forever.

God Bless to you and yours.

Popi,

Your message is beautiful.

Ginny and I send you and Donald our best wishes.

May his final days be peaceful and may the memories of your times together with the trains last for all time.

Eliot

Popi, What's the S. stand for? I'm a Donald S. myself. You have a good Pop. I'm sure he doesn't think of you as a in-law but a son. Both of you are lucky guys. Never got to meet my father in law, he was a SP railroad man. Guess that's why my wife puts up with my trains. He would take her down to the yard shops when she was a little girl and cook her ham and eggs with his welding torch. Don

Popi....may God Bless you and your family.....I know you will miss your "PaPa" as I understand what you are going through.  I lost mine 5 years ago this coming June and was with him on that last day he had with us.  I miss him so much.......

Alan

My dad got me started when I got my First set a Lionel 520 set in 1957 at age 4

My grandpa got me into trains when I was 2 or 3. Thankfully, he is supposed to come home from the hospital today

great comments. there are many many great memmories out there.

Donald S. Walker, the "S" stands for Stewart, after his father, my wifes

grandfather. They were both pastors in the Alliance Church on the east coast.

We lived in the Buffalo area for awhile, thats where I met my wife when I was going

to the University @ Buffalo "BULLS". Her dad was the pastor of the Amherst Alliance Church that I attended. I got my first glimps of his trains he had in the basement.

He had 4 running. That was 30 yrs ago, he now has 10 running and they live in Indianapolis. 6 trains on the board and 4 on plate rails up around the ceiling. When everything is running, you cant hear anything, and the smoke is overpowering, the Ladies stay upstairs.

Took my board to a show out in Indianapolis one yr and we stayed with them, Papa came to the show with me and helped run trains.

Popi,

I just wanted to add my prayers for your family as well. I lost my Pop to cancer, so I understand what you are going through.  What is nice to read in this post are all the memories that stay w/ you through the years for everyone

thanks for the prayers from fellow railroaders.

Sorry to hear that you all have lost your parents. I lost my mom last March to pancreatic cancer, found out in early January and by March 26 she was dead.

Cancer seems to be the worst way to go.

Lee Fritz

update,

My father-in-law has gone down hill.

150lbs, the cancer is wreaking its haveck

on his body. He hasnt been in cellar to run trains

in quite some time. They havent been able to go the church.

He can barely get out of bed now.

DRs give him about a month.

he will soon be crossing the river.

The owner of the LHS where I been shopping for the last 15+ years is in his final days due to cancer. The last day for the shop is next week. Said to see the time marching on and taking the good ones from us all

          Popi,

      Where have you been? I am sorry to hear about your Dad and if there is anything I can help with let me know. I am still having medical problems as you well know but if you would like to visit call me first and we can catch up on things.

          Bob K.~

Popi - Thank your for such a nice post.  We all become old timers in time.  Hopefully I will pass my memories on as well as all those who have preceded me.  My best to all of you.  I enjoyed reading the stories, it brought me back to my train loving Dad whom I lost 43 years ago.  My prayers are also with you tonight.

There were no train sets in the Nanuet, New York orphanage in which my father grew up. That’s why the Lionel set he got me in 1957 (trusty ‘ol 2037 steamer) is so dear to me.  I’m sure that was a major Christmas purchase for him and my mother that year. And he loved it as much as I did….and still do!

my grandfather made sure i got a train set.  he was born in a small town in italy came here when i was 9, he had to work to help support his brothers and sisters, and mother, he never had a train set but he loved the old steam engines.  he watched them as he lived in rock island IL.  i lost him when i was 9 i still miss him and it has been over 20 years.  still have the train set i got the year he died.  and now i am starting to collect pre and post war Lionel among other names.  love the trains and when i am gone i hope some one else will love them as much as i do.  

choo choo Bob,

havent been hiding!!

Im to big for that!!!

Ill call you, didnt want to stop over,

because i know you are resting!!!

and healing!!!!

Happy Training.

Malcolm

my wifie talked with her dad last night.

he has been sleeping, reading, eating

and pooping(as he puts it).

hasnt had the energy to stomp down intothe cellar

and play with trains.

The DRs give him about a month