Any Train Guys Here? Model Trains or Real Ones

[TSJMajesty]

My father was a big train collector back in the day (70's-early 80's), a Lionel Standard gauge fan all the way. So it rubbed off on me, and I was into O-Gauge, so as a kid I collected Lionel 6464 box cars. We used to go to these big "train meets", where I would only buy them if they were mint, with the original box. Learned how to haggle, lol.

I built a big layout in our garage, complete with all sorts of operating accessories, and 2 tracks controlled from a controller/pedal board of sorts. Wired it all up from under the huge table. It was fun. Really cool to operate with the garage lights off.

I had this set in near mint condition, and still kick myself for selling it.

This is an example of the pre-war std gauge Lionel my old man collected:

He had some really expensive stuff- Blue Comet is one I recall. Then just up and decided to sell it all one day. That's the way he was with hobbies.

I got away from it too, but also dig real trains too. Got a cab ride on a switcher in Baltimore as a kid. That was cool. Can't do that today.

So I watch videos of older trains, real ones, while I practice.

Just wondering if we have any others here who dig that sort of thing.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Can't say I'm into collecting trains, but can see why someone might. They look really interesting and hefty. Raw power. And I do like the older Art Deco stylings you see from way back.

 

[HotRats]

Me and my brother had a small collection of trains as kids. Lima and Rivarossi were the popular brands here.

At some point our father made a big table in the basement for us to start building a full layout, but we never really made it.


We also had some passion for building plane models but that one didn't stick either.
The F4U Corsair is my favorite IIWW one.

I still like trains and planes. First time I went in the US I hoped to see one of the famous infinitely long convoy you have there. I spotted one somewhere in California, stopped the car, found a place along the rails, took some pictures and made the driver honk the horn for me.

 

[TSJMajesty]

We also some passion for building plane models but that one didn't stick either.
The F4U Corsair is my favorite IIWW one.

Yep, did the planes too. One day my father came home with a real simple 'U Control' Red Devil I think it was called, "trainer" kit..., real simple to build, solid wings, so no coverings to deal with. Had an .049 engine, I think. It was small. The engine took this special fuel mix, that if I smelled the exhaust fumes today, I'm certain it would transport me right back in time. Very unique, recognizable smell. Probably have a "green" version of it today. Lol

Dad was my tech, and I flew them. Next thing you know, he's got several big models (~3' wingspan) in various stages of completion..., these were radio-controlled. Bought the radio & servers, and I think the engine was an .60..., BIG fucker. 12" prop, and when that thing backfired (we hand-started it mounted on a workbench), it could break your fingers. He'd get cuts on his hands from starting the .35 engine I eventually graduated to.

But he never finished any of them, and then lost interest. So we never made it to flying the radio-controlled ones, and I was too young to take over his unfinished planes myself. I remember really looking forward to getting out and flying one of those.

One time we were out at the ball field, flying one, and for some stupid reason that only a kid could think up, I decided to see how close to the ground I could fly it. And I crashed it, and boy was he pissed! And rightfully so, I suppose.

But it was some good father/son memories. I actually have an F-15 Eagle model that I have never finished! Like father, like son.

 

[HotRats]

A radio controlled plane was my dream when I was I kad but those was really expensive back then, for a kid. Maybe they are still now.

One summer I've made a balsa wood glider, though. Was a kit with pre cut wood, paper coverd wings. It was somenthing like this.
I really loved building it.

To make it gain altitude, you had to tow it, at least with a bike, and then let it fly freely.
Had the back wing aileron that was kept in horizontal position by a thread with a fuse which you lit before take off.
Once the fuse burned through the thread, the aileron would move upward (using rubber band), forcing the glider to slow down and “land.”

Landings looked more like crashes. LOL the glider didn't make it to autumn.


Now I have a small drone but no time to fly it.