1953, O'Misawa Machi, Honshu, Japan. Was teaching painting after hours in the enlisted men's club to earn some extra bucks, when a guy came up to me and asked if I'd ever done scenery for model railroads. I said no, but why? He then took me into the back of the building that I hadn't gotten around to exploring yet, and there was the largest HO layout I'd ever seen...and still is!
I started helping on the scenery (plaster of paris over screen) and da bug bit me! All the engines, and many of the cars were brass. I stayed with the layout until I was sent home and mustered out of the AF. Prior to this exposure, I had the usual Lionel set-up as a child.
Been in it ever since...and scenery is still my favorite aspect.