I don't like to go to the funerals of friends. I have 11 brothers and there families to attend to. I got interested in model railroading shortly after release from the army and the divorce that came with it. A coworker had friends that were big into Lionel more for the investment value. I had little apartments for 7 years and then a house with an almost empty basement and second floor. Was into N for my first two houses and young neighbors that were interested. I went to HO with a move and new house
I'm 43 and have been interested in all aspects of railroading from a young age. It helps that I grew up, literally, next to an active mainline. When I was about six, I have vivid and fond memories of going to a railyard with my grandfather to do some railfanning and getting invited to ride along on a Conrail SW9 running yard duty. Something that definitely would not happen in today's world, I imagine. I have a few other hobbies/interests that simply do not translate to today's youth - collecting 18th/19th century US currency and collecting signed books immediately rise to the top of that list.
51 back in Oct. started with an HO set years ago. Tried my hand at N Scale, back to HO, then changed back to N Scale. Kept a few select HO pieces. Started into MTH/Lionel several years ago, and got into G Scale about 12/13 years ago! More “stuff” in all scales, than I know what to do with! Not enough wall space to display everything!
That's not old! My first HO set was a Tyco set. At that time I think that Atlas only made track, don't remember them making train sets. Along with the Tyco set, I got a Varney "Little Joe" Docksider. I still have the docksider! I have also taken old Varney, Revell, Tyco/Mantua, etc. rolling stock and added details, Kadee body mounted couplers and weathered them to the point that it's difficult to tell these cars from more modern offerings.
16 and honestly I feel like I am one of the few model railroaders in my generation. I still enjoy it and hope to get others in my generation interested as well.
51, I have been messing around with trains since I could walk. Lionel was the first, then came brio. Then came Tyco. Progessed to more of scale railroading with HO for a bit in junior high and high school. I currently model in N scale, but op on various HO scale. Trains is trains. One thing that has remained constant..my favorite RR's ...Soo, Milw and the Cnw. Even worked on the 1:1 CNW after I got out of the Army as brakeman/conductor till the U.P. bought the CNW. Wyatt
30 years old here. Model railroading for 28 and railroading for 15! Started with Lionel on two 4x8s in the basement, then HO, and settled into N scale in college and beyond into working life since it made the most sense for space and long passenger trains.