Arnold I'm not young, except at heart. I grew up in the '70s in the Northeast U.S.; probably the last generation of children who experienced electric trains before video games, remote control cars, etc. However, I think the answer to your question is YES! It's definitely possible to integrate video game concepts with electric trains.
As for ideas, I posted this a couple of years ago on the Forum. But that post grew from an idea that I first shared on a V-scale (virtual railroading) forum eight years before in 2010.
One of the inspirations for the "train game" that I described in my post earlier in this thread, was a Pac-man like video game called SideTrak that was part of the first or second generation of arcade games, and perhaps the only one I know of with a train theme. It debuted around 1980 and I think it was ported to the ColecoVision home system. But once Pac-Man came out, SideTrak faded into obscurity, which is a shame because IMO Pac-Man was an obvious rip-off of the SideTrak game play.
In the last 10 years, technologies have been introduced into 3-rail O that have the potential to make running trains more interactive and game-like than ever before. I'm convinced that it's doable, but it won't be simple or cheap. Perhaps a travelling Lionel demonstration layout for train shows? Or a special interactive exhibit at one of the nation's premier railroad or science museums.
Over the years I've refined my vision, but I would probably need help from some of the genius on this Forum to make it a reality. The idea of running trains as a "game" might not appeal to Boomers and older Americans. But if it's sufficiently interactive, varied, and engaging, it could draw in younger generations, game fans, and help ensure a broader, healthier future for the hobby!
