Like many people, I started off collecting what I had played with as a child. My Uncle, who was the main train influence in my life, had given me a Lone Star Locos 000 gauge layout when I was about 2 or 3. My first 'collector' layout was therefore a replica of this, built from memory. Over the years I have been able to purchase a surprising number of Lone Star Locos items, many of which are as new, and still in their original boxes.
Lone Star Locos were made in the late 1950's- early 1960's, and were push-along. The track gauge, I believe, was 8.5mm, making it very much the forerunner of N gauge, which came along soon after. There was quite a nice variety of Rolling Stock and Accessories available and I have strong memories of going to a toy shop near where we lived and occasionaly being allowed to buy a new item. A collector was born!! Nowdays, of course, I have way more items than I could ever have dreamed of as a kid!
I must admit that even now I have trouble keeping the trains on the track! With the fine flanges, small size of everything, and the need to push it along, I wonder how little kids coped with it. Compare it, say, to any of the Thomas sets that little kids play with today, which have deep grooves in the track for the wheels to run in.
There is a small but very enthusiastic group of collectors who enjoy Lone Star. In 2007 I had the great pleasure of visiting a museum at Whitewebbs, just north of London, where there was a very interesting display of all things Lone Star for the day. Very nice people, great displays and lots of wonderful trains to buy at very reasonable prices.
There is a yahoo group called Treble 0 Gauge dealing with all aspects of Lone Star Trains, for anyone interested.
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