Passing on the passion for trains

[Prowler901]

I just read this story at CNN. It's about a dad and his son taking a special day to ride some trains.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/wayoflife/08/16/train.ride/index.html

I got started in a similar way with my dad. And, now that I'm a father I've been on train rides with my sons. The Durango & Silverton, and out here on the east coast of the US. I'm not sure if the train bug has bitten them. But, they were great days with my boys. And, just maybe I've planted the seed.

Regards,
Todd

 

[Pencil42]

Cute story!
My dad was never big on trains, but I've taken my daughter on one already. *Way* too early to tell if the bug has bitten yet, though.

 

[goodell911]

My dad built a 4'x8' HO model railroad for me for Christmas when I was 9 years old.

It was a simple figure-8 loop with one siding. Landscaping was flat and the ground was painted, but there were trees and lots of pre-built structures and plenty of room for Matchbox cars.

I had one loco, a Tyco ATSF F-A and a few cars, plus a caboose. The whole thing ran off a primitive dc power-pack and never really ran that well because of the oxidation on the brass track.

That was 33 years ago... Both the model railroad and my dad have long-since past. But I'll never forget that train set and the endless hours of joy it brought. As simple as it was, it still holds a special place in my heart as the launching-pad for one of my lifetime love relationships (with trains.)

Just as special is the connection between that train set and my father, for I rarely think of one without the other.

Thank you, very much dad, for stoking the fire that still builds steam today; for it has taken me on many journeys past, present and future.

~Rick

 

[lornyk5]

Well the train bug bit me when my late father built me a 8x4 foot HO scale layout, I was five and it was easter. Mom and dad put eggs all over the layout, I'll never forget that morning. It's been trains ever since. Now as a dad I take my 2 and 5 yr old girls to shows and steam events and such. Even if the bug doesn't get them we're having a great time. And that's what matters, spending time and teaching them about long past history of the steam engine, and the importance of preserving it.

Regards,

Lorin

 

[JCitron]

I grew up near the B&M railroad and my dad used to walk me over the fence to watch the trains go through Bradford and on to Maine. I was 2 at the time, and I've been hooked ever since.

John

 

[Moojgoo]

The train bug bit me when I was born, I had a toy trainset when I was, I dunno, 2 mabye. Probobly comes from my grandpa, he drives real trains.

 

[bendorsey]

My dad built a double sided (4' by 8') RR for me. Ran a Lionel GG1 on one side and a HO Mantua 2-8-2 on the other. Never could make up my mind which I liked best (I still have both O/On3 and HO/HOn3 equipment).

Ben

Wish I still had that Lionel GG1.

 

[Michael_Evans]

My first train ride was when I was when I was a baby. I don't remember it but I was told I cried when ever I heard the horn. The odd thing is I caught the bug a day after. I got my first train set for Christmas when I was three, it was an HO scale sw7, two hoppers and a caboose made by Atlas. Ever since then I've been playing with model trains and riding real trains. Even though my Mom and Dad weren't train fans they'd still take me places where there were trains. And just a few weeks ago I had my first Amtrak and subway rides.

 

[AndreaLuigi]

The role of my dad in "infecting" me has been great too.
I allways have an image in my mind: Christmas 1958, early in the morning, A Christmas tree and a simple loop of rails with a small 0-4-0 and three freight cars going around. I was freezed looking the train. Age 4. Then my younger brother arrived and he started "collecting" his gifts...
After then I spent afternoon with my dad looking at the trains in the local depot til down.
It was 49 years ago... and I'm still train-infected.
I hope I can transmit the bug to my children too.