My parents worked to get me a train set from Santa for my 3rd Christmas in 1960. They put it together and to this day I still haven't been able to confirm if it was a true set, or put together by a salesman by the name of Sam at the old Lechmere Sales on 1st St in Cammbridge Ma.
The set was powered by the 1055 Alco A Texas Special with the 6012blue gondola with canister load, 6014 blue Airex box car, the 3370 Sheriff and Outlaw car and a red 6017 caboose brought up the rear. It had an oval of track and was powered by my uncle's old American Flyer transformer.
I still have the set and much later when I was in my late 20's, I asked my Mom about the set. She told me they saved for several months to afford it, she didn't remember the price they paid. But they were thrilled that every Christmas the set was placed around their tree till I got my own place.
