Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Childhood Memories

Cathey and I made a trip a few weeks ago that really brought back a lot of childhood memories. We were in Bryson City North Carolina getting ready to ride the Great Smoky Mountain Train Express through parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountains. The scenery on the train ride was spectacular along the Nantahala River, but what really got my attention was the huge Lionel Train display in Bryson City. The display was a theme recreation of the ’50s and 60’s complete with a working drive-in theater and numerous other displays that were present in those early years. I spent over an hour filming and talking to the conductor of the six trains that were running and viewing the hundreds of models that Lionel has on display there. The little model train sets my brother and I played with back in the day were not on this level. 


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12 comments:

  1. Feather ChuckerApril 27, 2017 at 8:59 AM

    That sounds like an awesome trip. I love trains. There's an old steam engine near where I live that does small 3mile runs. My family goes about twice a year.

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  2. Mark KautzApril 27, 2017 at 9:03 PM

    I know how that trip back in time goes. In 1999 we went back to South Florida where I "grew up". I still get goose bumps when I think about that trip.

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  3. Bill TrussellApril 27, 2017 at 10:06 PM

    Kevin
    I didn't mention my wife and I will going back in July when it gets good and hot to do a rafting trip on the Nantahala River, which is one piece of beauty!! Thanks for the comment

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  4. Bill TrussellApril 27, 2017 at 10:07 PM

    Mark
    Have you thought about making another trip back? Thanks for the comment

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  5. penbaymanApril 28, 2017 at 5:31 AM

    That set up is amazing...takes me back to my childhood and my Lionel's. A simple oval setup but I loved them. Thanks!

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  6. Brk TrtApril 28, 2017 at 6:11 PM

    A Christmas gift when I was 10...a Lionel train set.
    Wish it was still in my possession.
    That is some museum.

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  7. cofisherApril 28, 2017 at 10:09 PM

    Oh my! What I wouldn't give to have my old Lionel train set. I loved that as a kid and still love it today. That's some amazing set up Bill. Thanks.

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  8. rivertopramblesApril 30, 2017 at 7:09 AM

    Sounds like a fun trip through the southern mountains, Bill. That train display would certainly bring back the kind of magic that a kid's imagination could get lost in, not to mention in the older folks, as well!

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  9. Bill TrussellApril 30, 2017 at 9:40 AM

    Pen
    I was blown away by the magnitude of the display and how realistic it was. thanks for the comment

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  10. Bill TrussellApril 30, 2017 at 9:50 AM

    Alan
    How I wish I had mine back as well---thanks for the comment

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  11. Bill TrussellApril 30, 2017 at 9:53 AM

    Walt
    Saw a few fly fishermen on the Nantahala; wish I would have had the time to wet a fly, hopefully on my next trip. thanks for the comment

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  12. Bill TrussellApril 30, 2017 at 10:00 AM

    Howard
    The older sets are harder to find today. Most all the models I saw at the museum were plastic reproductions. I saw a few vintage Lionel models which were on display and not being used. Thanks for the comment

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