Grew up with older brother who had Marx trains.
Every Christmas the trains were set up on two 4x8 tables in the basement with a few Plasticville pieces, plus Lincoln Logs, erector set projects, a large Guidancetown set and anything else we thought would add to the layout. Christmas tree lights (C7's) under all the houses. It was magical when we turned off the ceiling lights.
I also had a cousin that was an only child with a huge Lionel collection. Would see that at Christmas every year too. Guess what was on my list? I set a goal that one day I would own such a collection.
Finally got my very own first Lionel train at age 14 after asking for one since I was 5. We didn't have the money and trains were expensive I was told. No new trains until this time.
Started to buy more Lionel cars with allowance every year. Even through college.
Had some no train layout years when my children were young. House we lived in was too small. Then I joined a local O Gauge club and things really took off. Started purchasing items at swap meets and have been going strong in the hobby ever since.
A lifetime of happiness with O gauge trains. I guess it shows the power of a starter set and seeing examples of a large layout at a very young age.
