This is a heartwarming post. It got me thinking of my first train set.
Dad was very busy with his business, but he did make time for my brother, sister and me (I'm the eldest) for trains. (Fishing too!). It was an early '70's Christmas ( I would have been around 5 years old ) and we received an H.O. set. It was too small for our little hands to manage so it was promptly returned for a Lionel Set, purchased from Handicraft Supplies. The little steamer did many trips around a Figure 8 layout on a 4' x 8' sheet of plywood on the floor. A few years later dad bought a diesel engine. Even in the mid-to-late '70's I think dad paid close to $100 for the diesel engine - it was some of the last Lionel items Handicraft Supplies sold.
These gems take place on a shelf now as I run TMCC with my grandchildren. Dad will be gone 10 years this year and these Lionel trains still have a place in my heart. Dad must have sent in the 'warranty' card for the original steam set, but I still have the 'manual'. For my fellow Canadian friends, I've included some photos of the 'manual' showing the Canadian Lionel dealers from long ago..........
