When did you get your first model train?

[Chops]

What year, what scale, was space a concern? Did you favor one railway over another?

Mine was in 1n 1966, in Shiplake, England. We were following Dad around on his
academic career, which landed us in the UK for a year. It was a OO Wrenn wind up
set: I recall a few wagons, and oval of track, and somehow I managed to hang on
to this marvelous Robertson's Currant Jam Wagon, which I still use whenever possible.
Slowly, I was able to rebuild the original set to the general parameters I recall, in this
video, below. Over the decades, and the miles, my fascination with British OO only
became worse, not better! Two major developments were the invention of the internet
and The Model Railway Forum.

Wishing all my UK cousins a happy holiday and a creative new year!

https://youtu.be/iZel38A182E

[Walkingthedog]

About 1959, Triang OO Princess Elizabeth set.

[LC&DR]

My very first train was a Hornby (made by Meccano) No 501 LMS Passenger train set with a clockwork locomotive, tender and three carriages all in red livery. It came with an oval of tinplate rails. I cannot remember precisely but I guess it was Christmas 1951 or 1952. It lasted about four or five years when we got a Triang goods set bought from Gamages in London. It was battery operated from a large black plastic control box which held two 6 volt lantern batteries. The locomotive was an 0-6-0T 3F with three wagons and a brake van.

[Mountain Goat]

It depends what you mean as when I was about a year old onwards... Maybe a year and a half, I had a train set system with plastic track where though most engines were push along, I did have a battery one working.
I was about the age of six when I had my first set that picked up power from the rails, which was a GWR pannier tank, 2 coaches and three wagons with three points and other track with a lovely AGW controller.
I did use my Dads Hornby Dublo 3 rail under supervision at the ages of 3 going on 4 but I was told I was not gentle enough. We then moved house so he had it packed away for years. At about the age of 8 or 9, I was asked wat I wanted for Christmas. I had had such a vivid memory of the workings of the Walscharts valve gear working on the 3 rail locos that I asked if it was possible to have my Dads old set. I was promised it, and for the next few months I was daydreaming in school and at home about it. It was amazing! I remember my parents wanting to buy me something else that was new, but I did not want to do anything.

[teedoubleudee]

About 1959, Triang OO Princess Elizabeth set.

Same one I had though my dad had got the guy in Gamages to swap the loco and tender for the green version.

[Walkingthedog]

Painted mine green eventually. Mine came from Gamages.

[glencairn]

Like LC&DR mine was 1951 or 52? - Hornby Green clockwork locomotive with three trucks and oval of track. Followed shortly by a red clockwork loco, a point and track to make a siding.

Glencairn

[teedoubleudee]

Painted mine green eventually. Mine came from Gamages.

Ha Ha, small world. Didn't they have the best toy department in the world!

[Walkingthedog]

It was absolutely magic.

[cheshire lines]

My brother and I got some Hornby Dublo 3 rail locos and track etc. in about 1965 or 1966.
I had a green A4 loco with tinplate coaches and he has Duchess of Athol with maroon coaches .