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My first train came at Christmas, 1947.
We lived in Kansas City, MO at the time.
Then my dad went into business with an Army buddy who had started a
boat manufacturing company on a lake near Three Rivers, MI.
After only a few months, the whole thing went belly-up (fitting for a
boat company, no?).
All the time, that train survived moves, being hauled around on the
roof of my dad's old '42 Chevy, and even for almost a year when we lived in the
old car.  Dad finally got back to work about October and we moved into an
apartment that fall of '49.
Have to tell you that train running around the tree was sort of like a
symbol that things were back to what we then called "normal." One of
the few times I ever saw dad cry.
The train, however, was NOT an American Flyer. It was the three rail
variety.
While I was overjoyed with the L set, I really wanted a Flyer.
So, lo those many years later when I could buy my own toys, I started a
modest AF collection; first the vintage Gilbert, then the LAF, and
shortly thereafter,  added SHS and AM.