After not having a train under the tree for a long time, the wife asked if we could this year. Years past we had too many things going on and just no room. We made room for a raised 4 x 4 foot under the tree 'layout'. We kinda wanted to go back to the 1990's when we had a 8 x 8 foot area for our train.....we could not space wise, but did go with Lionel O-27 track and ceramic buildings. I went to the barn and found my box full of O-27 track.
I guess it's part nostalgia, part simplicity and a dash of tradition. As I unloaded the box of O-27 track I was taken back to the era when I only had O-27 track and every section was VITAL. I remembered how when Dad would go to the huge Sears store in downtown Los Angles he'd give me fifty cents....I'd go to the toy dept and find 2 used sections of track. Amazing how much joy fifty cents bought with those two sections of track.
I've gone scale now and even the Gargraves track is somewhat a compromise appearance wise. (its good....but the scale snob comes out sometimes) Setting up the train under the tree just triggered a much more simpler time with many less cares and more joy. Funny how a little piece of metal train track carries that many memories.
Thanks
