During the past week, I found myself fascinated by comments in this forum under various topics about what we find most meaningful about our trains. I thought it might be fun for us to focus on this topic. Many of you are "off the charts" creative, talented and articulate, and I'm excited about what you all have to say on this subject.
I will start us off by sharing a few things I find most meaningful about our hobby.
Although objectively speaking, model railroading is a hobby, and that is a very good thing, for me it is much more than a hobby (I suspect many of us feel the same way).
Childhood memories: my father helping me set up the trains around the Christmas Tree, putting the track together, connecting the wires from the track and accessories to the ZW, giving his pack of L&Ms a ride in my red gondola. Here are some pictures of my first Lionel O27 train set led by a 2065 steam engine:
My recollection is that the above post war set (the stock number escapes me at the moment) includes a tender, operating milk car, yellow cattle/horse car (not operating), green operating log dump car, red gondola, and Lionel Lines illuminated caboose with round portals. I rarely run these particular trains because I have others that are bigger, pull more cars and are otherwise better, but this set plus the gang car, yellow trolley and little black US Army Diesel engine (is it # 51?), that I got as Christmas and birthday gifts as a young child, mean much more to me than my other trains.
Connection with loved ones spanning multiple generations: parents, aunts and uncles, cousins (mine had bigger layouts and better trains than me but not anymore, LOL), children and grandchildren.
A great way to be creative and play, as an adult as well as a child. This not only brings joy and happiness, but it can be important therapy, even medicinal, to reduce stress, provide peace and sanctuary from life's troubles and provide feelings of accomplishment.
I would love to find out from you all what your trains mean to you.
