As a kid, we had a Lionel 'O' gage that ran around the Xmas tree every year. I don't know why ... Dad worked for the railroad so that may have had something to do with it.

In college, the railroad club have a house on campus. 3 full rooms, 'HO' setup with forest and field landscapes, mountains, tunnels, depots, switch yards, and towns. An ever growing project, build on by students every year. It was a multi discipline project: civil, electrical and mechanical engineering. 10 trains where always running during open houses along with cars, rail crossings, traffic intersection with lights. Unfortunately the setup was taken down years after I graduated when the building was demolished for redevelopment.

The Railroad Museum is in Green Bay, WI although I have not been there. They run locomotives and cars around the grounds, under power, at times is my understanding.

Looks like trains are like reloading. You buy a locomotive, then start spending money!

I wonder what my mom and dad did with mine. Had it in early 50s. You could put a smoke pellet in the stack of the steam engine. My neighbor had the same set so we made one big track set up in an unused front room.

Lionel has Steam Engines in the 2,000.00 range ...all the bells and whistles

… I bet if you’re a real good boy this year Santa might bring you one

My wife says I'm the best!

I don't have a train set. I would try to go modern and use diesel locomotives. Not trying to argue but those things move way more freight than the steam locomotives.

Nothing looks better on a model RR layout...than a Steam Train with all them moving Paahts

Here is one set up close to me. Bet if look around will find one close by as well.

Casey Jones

Yes, I found one in Omaha
A road trip may be in the future.

I'm another guy still has his train set from childhood. Mine's a Lionel O gauge from the late 50's early 60's, still have all the boxes (that's what we've always stored the cars in), Played with it quite a bit but still in great shape, one of those toys that I took special care with.