How come one starts to be interested in trains (real ones) and especially model trains? I my case it started in the beginning of the 1950:s when our family moved to a small village, with the railway station in sight. Another thing that "helped" the situation, was when my Father brought some Märklin items into our House, after a visit to Germany. I remember it as it was yesterday.
It was the F 800 loco toghter with some cars. One of them was the green version of the 354 with sliding doors.
Later on came the Electric loco CEB 800, also with some new cars. There was a lot of playing around on the floor, there was never a fixed layout made. Maybe my father did not had the time needed to assist?
Well. There was never much discussion about the matter, and it was facinating every time the items came out of their boxes, and a new layout was created on the floor. I still very much like to create new layouts, and recall the feelings from wayback then.
But there is a big difference. Then it was the real three-rail system. Now a days I do use the C-rail, that in a sence, keeps the memories alive. I am sad to say, when boys grow older, they loose their interest for model trains for "a couple of years" so the Märklin items where sold, and the spare time was used to "other things".
I am still looking for an F 800 in mint condition with the origial box.
I have seen many of them, but sadly, not in the condition I want to remember. But when boys gets older they start their own families, and starts looking for a legal reason for playing with trains again. In my case, the firstbornes where twins (boys) and the eager father, once again, had a good reason to play with trains. Later on a daughter was borne, but she preferred dolls instead om trains. But this time, a fixed proper layout was done, with signalling and electic remote controlled turnouts. (Sigh!)
But also these boys grew up, and wanted to do other things than playing with trains on their spare time. But, as usual, history repeats it self. My childern also became mothers and fathers, and everything started all over again.
Many of our grandchilds facination for trains, started very early, in the lap of grandpa, checking in on the movements, sounds and smells. The natural next step for their parents, (my sons and daughter) was to buy their own trains to be played within their own homes. The train fans started with a Brio wooden kit for a later change to "the real stuff".
Everything seems to be following the standard Märklin patterns in our family. Allthough they now have their own trains, they still like to check in on grandpa and watch the trains moving, and check into the glass showcase if there are any new pieces to be watched.
If you also have a facination for trains, fell free to enjoy my favourites, here on my website.