|
The Little M & AF - a Study in Fun
by Ed Commander
 My
toy train interest began on Christmas1958 when I received my first
train set - an American Flyer S gauge set #20440 the Hot Shot,
with twin Seaboard Baldwin engines & six freight cars. Somehow
it survived years of play and abuse. (Thanks to my mom for not
throwing it out.) But like many others, my train interest began
to fade away as I grew older. In 1992, while living in St. Louis
(a train lover's paradise), I rediscovered my passion for toy
trains. With the help of T.C.A., train meets, auctions, and most
recently e-Bay, I have put together an eclectic collection of
pre-war Marx tin litho and American Flyer S gauge trains. In my
train room, I have shelves to display trains and an  operating
4'x8' layout. As you can see in the following photos, my primary
focus is pre-war Marx Army and freight sets that feature a 6"
flat car with a 4" vehicle. In Flyer, I pursue collecting
the various circus flat cars with different trucks and trailers.
My layout is fairly simple; one S gauge loop, and one Marx O loop,
with several Marx Home Town buildings featured, as well as a Marx
Grand Central Station. Flyer Mini-craft structures such as the
# 161 bungalow, the # 166 church, two different #273 suburban
railroad stations, and the #274 Harbor Junction freight station
also add color & variety. The layout showcases my vehicle
collection that includes pre-war Marx 4" Renwal and Manoil
cars and trucks. Everything in the collection is not only for
viewing, but also more importantly, operating. Remember, having
fun is what it is all about!
Church
Police Station
Grand Central Station
Seaboard Baldwin Engines
|
|
