When Can I Be The Engine Driver?

December 12, 2012

Gary sent in these railroad memories:

I remember when my dad and my uncle bought me my first train set. I couldn’t have been more than about 5 years old. and I remember the first time it was set up on the floor at my grandparents house. A toy of wonderment and mystique it certainly was. Soon after the great unveiling it was “put away until you are older.”

I have solid memories from around 7 or 8 years old, of holiday & birthday presents always being some new rolling stock, and one one grand occasion, my grandfather bought me a Hornby Flying Scotsman, with glowing firebox and chuffing tender !!

I remember my father coming home from work , and both of us racing upstairs to “play trains” ,which he invariably won while declaring the phrase, “I get to be engine driver” !!

Over the years dad watched my interest in trains fade away as a teenager and young adult, until I got married and had kids.

One day I decided to resurrect the trains (for my son of course) and build a layout in the spare room.

Now my son and I share the interest along with my dad who still comes over and enjoys them.