Today marks the 50th anniversary of when I first started modeling a collection of miniature buildings with scale trains, roads and topographic scenery better known as a model railroad layout. It was HO scale (1/87) and built on a 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of 3/4-inch plywood. It was track plan number 29 of 101. Back on July 27th, 1974 my dad and I spent one summer Saturday morning visiting our local hobby shop located in the neighborhood strip mall three miles from our house. Although the name of the store is lost, I vividly remember the amazing miniature world that was directly behind the two large full-height glass and aluminum storefront windows. It captured your imagination outside on the sidewalk before you entered the glass door to the left. It was a wonderfully landscaped and detailed HO scale model railroad. We previously visited the store, but on this occasion my dad bought three hobby books written by Linn H. Westcott and published by Kalmbach. All three of which I still own tod...