And Merry Christmas to you as well.. Glad my starting this thread was able to re-ignite these feelings in you.. for me, trains, whether Lionels or the real thing have always been important to me.. even though my collection has been packed away for several years now, hasnt taken away my interest.. I still routinely pick up toy train magazines and keep an eye on the hobby, I always search for train videos on youtube (mostly Pennsylvania railroad stuff, and steam, whether it be Pennsy, New York Central etc..) and I still stop in at my local train shop from time to time.. I agree with you though, I remember when I was younger that hobby shops were a big thing.. not just train shops, but actually full blown hobby shops.. now I couldnt tell you where the closest hobby shop is in relation to where I live.. they have all closed up. And thats truly unfortunate. It appears computers and video games have chased away kids needs to use their imaginations, and built, create or explore wonders through hobbies... and has left those of us who came from a time where imagination and 'playing' with trains, model rockets, or whatever looking for an outlet.. which as you pointed out, appears to mostly be found only online.. its truly sad... I hope this thread continues, roughly 26,000 members there has to be more trains at Christmas stories and pictures.. lets keep em coming gang...
