Marx 490 0-4-0, 1964 (I was not yet a year old). That engine has a small piece busted out of the pilot and the cab roof (from many collisions with friends' Marx wind-ups), but it runs like a champ every year at Christmas. On the current 045 inner loop, I can really let it stretch its legs.
I wouldn't trade that engine for any other. Thanks, Grandpa!
My first was a Sante Fe....who am I kidding! MTH Premier SD40-2 Proto 1 in Chessie livery of course. Still runs like a champ! 
My first Lionel loco was in 1975 - a MPC blue and silver Alco FA-2 that I ran for many hours. Only had a 2 position E-unit but it was hearty and cheered me up at a time when I needed cheering up.
My first set was a #1575 freight set with 205 Missouri Pacific Alco AA's. It appeared on a layout that my Dad set up around the tree on Christmas eve. This "magic" occured for several years and I thought it was Santa who did it. I wish I had a pic of that layout, but here's the set.
Neil
Lionel 671 turbo, quite awhile back. Still have it and upgraded to TMCC. Tom
Born into an HO (mostly TYCO) family, I bought my first Lionel, the Cannonball Express in 1989 when I was 23. Golly, half of my life now has been spent with O.
This was my first O gauge set too!!!
My Grandpa gave it to my brother and I for Christmas when I was eight years old. I played with it so much I wore it out 
My first was a Lionel prewar 1688E, shared with my brother, around 1946-47.
No longer have the original, but did pick up a like-new one a year or two ago.
My first O Gauge engine was a Marx Diesel Switcher part of a freight set. The
Year was Christmas Morning 1954. My brother now has it, it still runs. Great
topic for this time of year.
Many thanks,
Billy C
My first engine was the UP 2023 in 1951. Silver with and gray roof. Still have the whole set (1467w). Just had it on the layout a few weeks ago. Runs great.
My first was the Marx Diesel Switcher set in 1954 also. My brothers kids inherited and it sill going strong.
Mort
A Lionel #736 set in 1954 that I shared with two brothers and I still have to this day.
Joe
Even though so many of us are really into scale trains with all the features, it seems like those no-frills starter sets really did their job well back in the day!
My first was the Rock Island Rail Blazer set from 1987. In addition to the loco (DC only) and caboose it came with a flatcar with fences, gondola and "plug door" boxcar, all bright magenta. There was also a stationary crane (pretty cool but kind of fragile), some crates and pipes to haul around, and some telegraph poles.
I still have the set, though the engine has "grown up" a little! (It had got pretty banged up, and I was always bummed that it didn't run on AC. It does now, and has TMCC, too.)
Christmas of 1948 I was surprised with a 4' X 8' layout. I remember watching my father and a friend of his building it Christmas Eve day and not having a clue what it was. On the layout was a 671 freight outfit and a mid 30's Lionel Zephyr set that had belonged to my uncle. Quite a Christmas for a 10 year old!
Lionel Sante Fe F3 in 1957.
Most of you folks had a much better first O Gauge engine than me. I got mine when I was a little kid!
Anymore want to share theirs?
Charlie
I got a 2065 Hudson with the 3 2400 series passenger cars, I still have it.
Mine was a hand-me-down Marx set with a 666. Still runs!
Mine was a SOO Line Yard Chief in 1977 (I was 9 years old). No lights, no sounds, but it came on a 5 x 9 layout with crossing signal, station, and flood light tower.
Don't have the layout anymore but still have the train, tubular track, and transformer.
Have a look:
675 Lionel O. Years ago I moved. Didn't get around to check all the train boxes from move for quite a few years. Several boxes were somehow "missing". One contained the 675 as well as other engines. The "movers" were friends of friends kids.
I see them for sale often at meets but can't bring myself to buy one. I replaced the others but my 675 was kind of beat up. When I see one that catches my spirit I will someday buy it. Great, smooth runner. I really miss that engine.
My first ever was a 1972 Southern Express scout set. Low end engine for sure but as a youngster I felt it was awesome. Fast forward 30+ years when my 2nd son found them in a box in the basement started almost 10 years in the fun very very expensive hobby.
First modern engine was a Lionel Santa Fe Berkshire starter set. First experience with smoke & railsounds. Wow - heft of the engine as well. Now it is considered a low end engine.
Christmas 1972: Marx 526 windup freight set, with a 401 locomotive pulling the classic Marx 6" tin cars! I still have it, but it is a lot worse for the wear...
The MTH Rail King Santa Fe Northern no. 2926 (first generation Rail King Santa Fe Northern).
Lionel MPC C&O 4-4-0 from Allegheny freight set.
I inherited 3 Marx 999's when I was 12 from my mom's uncle. I still have them along with all the cars, dozen switches, and a few American Flyer accesories. These I will pass on to my two boys.
Mine was a 726 Berkshire given to my father from my uncle because his son did not want it anymore and the rest became train history I have been hooked on trains since then back in 1952..............Paul
Mine was the 736 Bershire set that my Dad got me in 1950 when I was 3 years old. Still have it and it runs around my Christmas tree pulling the Madison Polar Express cars.
Mine was marx 666 thanks to my grandma who'd worked for marx's toys factory in Girard PA..Any of our moms or dads or grandma or grandpa worked at marx got some free toys at times.. some of us they used us to expairment with prototype toys too..
1967 received from Santa a Lionel 1061 steam engine set.
Still have it and still runs great!
1957 Lionel freight set pulled by the trusty 2037. Still runs like a top!
Mine was the North Pole Christmas Train, a Christmas present a few years back.
MTH RS-3 Proto 2...
My first, which was also my grandfather's first:
A Lionel 1664 from a 1087W set (I have the cars, too). It hasn't run in years, and currently occupies a place of honor on my bedroom dresser. Some day I plan on getting it back into running condition and giving it some light duty - perhaps around a Christmas tree.
Andy
I was six in 1964 when I received a third-hand 1947 2025. I have a lot of nice trains now, but that one still gets the most run time . . . by far.
My first O gauge engine was the New Haven EP 5 set.
Lionel 2037 from around 1960...I think. I still have it...though it doesn't look so good. I procured another just like it for old time's sake.
My first O gauge locomotive was a 736...that I did not come up with until 1984...when the train bug re-bit me.
All are packed away since 1990...when I moved to CA and went "modern."
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