Written By S. Vincent Anthony
I am currently working on a new book “Tracks of Time: A Lifetime with Model Trains” that I aim to complete by next year. This project has been a significant focus of mine, and I am dedicating a considerable amount of time and effort to ensure it is finished within the next twelve months. My goal is to develop the content thoroughly, refine the writing, and ultimately produce a polished and engaging book that I can be proud of by the end of next year.
Introduction: The Spark of Fascination
As I sit here in my workshop, surrounded by the gentle hum of locomotives chugging along polished rails and the faint scent of model paint lingering in the air, I can’t help but reflect on how a simple childhood curiosity blossomed into a lifelong passion. My name is S. Vincent Anthony, and I’ve spent decades immersed in the world of model trains—a world where tiny engines pull stories of history, engineering, and personal triumph. This book is my journey, from the wide-eyed boy peering into toy store windows to the seasoned enthusiast in my late fifties, now crafting expansive O Scale empires that feel as real as the railroads they mimic.
It all began in the early 1970s, in a small town where the real trains still rumbled through on their way to distant horizons. I was just seven years old when my grandfather took me to see his dusty attic setup—a modest loop of track with a Lionel steam engine that puffed imaginary smoke. The way it looped endlessly, crossing bridges I’d later learn were hand-built from balsa wood, captivated me. “This is your world, Vinny,” he said, handing me the controller. “You can make it whatever you want.” That moment ignited something profound: a fascination with recreating reality in miniature, where I could control the chaos of life with a flick of a switch.
Back then, model trains weren’t just toys; they were portals to adventure. I’d save my allowance for weeks to buy a single freight car from the local hobby shop, dreaming of the day I’d have a full layout. My parents encouraged it, seeing it as a harmless outlet for my restless energy. Little did they know it would shape my identity, teaching me patience, creativity, and the joy of building something from nothing. As the years rolled on, my hobby evolved with me—through the compact wonders of N Scale in my teenage years, the versatile realms of HO during adulthood, and now the bold, immersive scale of O Gauge that suits my wiser, steadier hands.
In these pages, I’ll share the highs and lows of this track-bound life: the thrill of a perfectly wired circuit, the frustration of a derailed dream project, and the deep satisfaction of watching a scale-model world come alive. Whether you’re a fellow railroader or someone curious about the hobby that has brought me endless fulfillment, I invite you to join me on this journey. Let’s start at the beginning, where a boy’s fascination set the wheels in motion.