Do you remember that first train set?

[VernonDozier]

If I recall correctly, my first set was an N-scale Bachmann kit with CPR rollingstock, lots of track and a clear plastic (red) rheostat type controller. I'd gone to an N-Scale exhibition in Ottawa with my Dad and was fascinated with the modelling aspects ( many years later used those skills to build scenery for Warhammer and Warhammer 40k miniature gaming). I joined the American headquarters for N-Scale to receive their journal and build a couple of sections of track to their specifications (hobbyists would then gather and plug into each others sections and supposedly make one giant layout...never saw that myself sadly). What I was really wanting was UK kit because my Dad had these ancient but awsome Hornby Duplo catalogs that I poured over almost nightly wishing that I might have that chance to collect all the incredibly neat looking items yet knowing my Mom would never let me mail order from overseas. Thats probably why I soooo like the UK locos, stock and routes in RW. I suppose that now with such internationalisation of the market place I should really start looking at getting back into the hobby I loved a young teen back in the '70's. Can I assume Hornby are still high quality? Good memories

Kind regards,
Dave

Hahaha
I remember some of my buddies were heavy into Warhammer. One even turned me onto using ground up Kitty Litter for ballast.

[BenBlairL]

Mine was probably a Bachmann G-Scale set that included a Rio Grande 0-6-0, a red Caboose, a gondola, and a good loop of track that I inherited from my Grandfather. We kept it out during the holidays then it all exploded into a garden railway.

[Leaf85]

Awsome, I've always thought garden railways would be a great past-time




Kind regards,
Dave

[markwhale]

I had to smile at Ash's remarks about running down toy soldiers, something I took great pleasure in. It reminded me of a film which was actually on the tv recently, "Von Ryan Express". A school friend of mine, had a layout on a 6 x 4 piece of plywood which we constructed two mountains out of chicken wire and paper mache then joined the two together with an opening in the middle to view the train passing in between. Spent hours building this only to find we built it to high and the gradient was too steep at each end for the train to climb.
Now there was a hobby shop in the town where you could buy just about anything for model train but I just cannot remember the name of it. It had everything from track, tree's, fences, houses and every train engine and carriages in existence. Did note that this stuff was not cheap, even back in the seventies! Who would have though back then we would have home computers and a virtual railway software that allowed you to re-create any route anywhere in the world!!!

[stephenholmes]

Good morning
I used to have an hamster named "Nell" and she loved climbing into a wagon and riding around the layout.
The beauty of virtual railways is the fact you can readily make changes without causing damage.
It is good though that there are still model railways for those that enjoy the hobby.
Don't let growing old prevent you doing the things you enjoy. Let the things you enjoy prevent you growing old
Kind regards Stephen

[davejc64]

My very first trainset was a hornby clockwork with its little black 0-4-0 clockwork tank engine and circle of 00 gauge track.

[Retro]

My first Trainset was a Triang. It had and American Diesel and Coaches with second floor Viewing Area. I eventually painted the Loco in Deltic colours because it looked very much like the Prototype with its Horns on top. I also had the Black Princess Elizabeth as Brian mentioned. Because of the occasional bad connections between sections of Track my Dad soldered wire onto each side of the Fishplate and hid them under the Baseboard. I had a Twin Level layout at that time. I also remember the first Steam Engines to have smoke puffing out and the little bottle of Oil that came with them. Happy Days.
Kind regards James.

[gswindale]

I'd have to say that my first train set was probably a "brio" set when I was very young.
Then when I was about 5/6 (I think); we were given a mixed set of n-guage stock & track by the parents of one of my parent's university friends. It never really got very far in terms of building an actual model - layouts were built but never finished. I think it's now mostly in our loft; although some of it is probably in my parent's loft.
Would be nice to dig it out and re-create something though. Just hard finding the space; although I am tempted by a shelf-top layout if we ever move

[gptech]

....although I am tempted by a shelf-top layout if we ever move

To me, that sounds like a good reason to move............