Hi, I thought it might be a fun post to see how many of us have the first train we ever had. I am lucky enough to have the actual train. my parents got it for me at a flea market when I was around 10 years old. it came in a wooden milk crate with track and a little transformer which has since been lost. I don’t know if it came as an actual set or was just cars put together from various sets. the numbers makes me think it was an actual set. please post your first set. and let us know the story behind it. let us know if it is the actual one or if you replaced it at a later date.
Thanks for sharing. That train still looks in great condition. Here is my first train set (2217ws):
This set is from 1954. I received it in 1972. My parents bought it used from friends. It did not come with a manual, or most of the accessories. However, it was still a blast to play with. Eventually it was given/sold/thrown away. While I have fond memories of that train, it was already pretty beat up when I received it and, as a kid, I gave it a pretty good beating also. When I got into this hobby a couple of years ago, I toyed with the idea of trying to recreate this set, but I fell for the newer, scale-sized, command control engines that are available today.
My ACTUAL firstwas a Lionel 2-4-0 with a Pennsylvania Chugging tender, with a red SP gondola, blue GN hopper, yellow UP flatcar, and a green Penn Central Caboose, with a Red transformer and alot of grimy 0-27 track, bought off of E-bay and given to me by my Aunt, who introduced me to Lionel trains with her set (a postwar 1060 2-4-2 and a few cars). It was given to me upon graduating elementary school.
But, the next was a Lionel “Riding the Rails” Hobo set, with an Erie Hudson, which I count as my actual first.
My first new set was a 8111 DT&I switcher set from about 1973. I pobably recieved a few Athearn HO engines and cars at about the same time. The first trains I played with were my fathers Marx 999 and 666 sets with an AF 596 water tower, Marx gateman, and Lionel #85 telegraph poles… Still have all of it although I did PLAY with those trains!
Its funny, I am noticing that my 2 yr old will pick out the same prewar trains every time over the new Santa Fe starter set I bought recently. In a way I wish he would “like” other trains so these particular ones don’t get beat up, but then that is what they were for and I don’t let him get to rough with them. We have a rule, If you throw, its time to go.
Great post and motivator. I will put these picture on Sunday photo fun as well. My first train purchased when I was less than two (for the family but actually by my dad for my dad) was this Illinois Central F3 2363 and freight set. It is the best running outfit I have, and has endured more drops, wrecks and repairs than anyone would believe. It’s valued at $50,000 dollars. No one of course would pay that much for it, but that’s about what it means to me.
First train…It is now 53 years old and runs perfect. My second train is only 47 years old and it runs great, too. I guess I take care of my toys. [swg]
What a beautiful first set! And the family history behind it makes it priceless.
I sold my first Lionel set, the Allegheny, when I got a car. If my memory is correct, the guy who bought it also bought all my HO stuff. That was it for me and toy trains until 3 years ago, when I bought a set for my kids. Who knew those kids and I would go so far with it in such a short period of time?!
You however have done so much in so short of time with your layout. I am still working out alignment and electrical snags with mine, and I’m so intimidated by the hydrocal scenery stage which lies ahead. I will do it though.
My first was the set that the 2020 came in in 1947. I’ve found the set number but I don’t recall where I wrote it down. I still have all the cars and the original Type “S” transformer. The transformer was the key to determining what year set I had since the 1947 was the only one I noted with that transformer.
The first train set given to me by my father, was the UP pulman passenger train with dome and obsevation car. HO made by Rivirossi. I was about 15. The irony of this was, my grandfather had taken me on a 29day tour of the United States much of which was by rail. (I was 13 at the time. 1966). My dad didn’t realize the set he had given me was the model of one of the trains I road on during the tour. I’ve treasured that set and still run it. The engine finally couldn’t run anymore about 20 yrs ago. (Long story short), At a Greenberg train show in Philly, a vendor had the Rivirossi trains. I hesitated, walked around trying to justify spending the $120.00 for a locomotive. Dad said I always do things for others and shouldn’t feel bad about doing something for myself. Yes I bought it and haven’t seen that locomotive at any of the shows I’ve been to since[:)]
cooltech[8D] PS. Really enjoyed reading all other posters on this topic.
i still have my first train set . was born nov 1933 and reveived the set for christmas the same year . it is a marx m 1000 brown and tan streamiler -still in original set box along with the original transformer . track has long been replaced . is still runs very well and has never been repaired except for brushes . a few scraches , but other wise very nice condition . about # 8 .
My first was a Marx 999 set just after WW2,First Lionel was 1949 the 2025 with the green maplewood cars set #1430WS. In 1951 A NYC F3 set,and haven’t been without a toy train since.
Santa brought me my first train set, a Marx, in 1949. The following year the Korean War (Police Action) put a damper on our family celebrations but Santa came through with a tunnel and light tower. Shortly thereafter, I beleive that the set was sold to “make ends meet”.
When I was a Freshman in High School, a got a part-time job at the local grocery store. I managed to save enough to buy a train for myself. It was a Rivarossi, 0-4-0, HO steam engine and three Varney cars. (Kits) This was the beginning of over 50 years into the smaller trains.
The original cars went their merry way but I still have that Rivarossi engine. The shell is cracked and one of the wheels is loose. It lights and the motor purrs. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Thanks for asking.
Well, 37 fleetwood, here’s to the best of my recollection.
I received my first electric train for Christmas 1955 at the age of 4. Postwar Rock Island 2031 AA Alcos and the silver 2421,2422, and 2423 Maplewood, Chatham, and Hillside passenger cars. The train was set up under the tree by Santa while I was asleep. I left the trains to eat, pee, and sleep for about the first week. And they are still running.
As the years unfolded, I received more trains at Christmas whose production year predated my birth. Apparently my father’s family planning included a son.
For us baby boomers who still have their original trains, these gifts represent more than a hobby. And the $38.95 original purchase price of the Alcos seems ridiculously low, works out to about .004 cents per operating hour based on my guestimated million hours of running time, many with my father, the VP of Finance and Chief Construction Engineer of my Sauganash Railroad.
