My best memories growing up were of trains, watching them and riding them. That is why Lionel's version of the Royal Gorge makes a daily run on the Plywood Empire Route. Among fond memories some of the best are of my rides on the D&RGW up the Arkansas River and over Tennessee Pass.
The model.
The real thing, working it's way up the Arkansas River.
Rather than scenic backdrop I chose to cover the train room walls with photos my Dad took and which I helped process in our darkroom:
There are about 100 photos on these walls, most of trains, and every one of them triggers a fond memory of some adventure.
Lew