Little off topic but I thought I’d throw out a general question to help us new people better integrate into this site.
When did you start modeling and how? (and what!)
I started off at the ripe, but still young, age of 52 just nine months ago.
Going on eight years and still climbing the grade.
I’ve been a model railroader for 20 years. Started with the trains around the Christmas Tree.
Nick
My then girlfriend gave me an old LL train set she was going to throw out. I took it home set it up on my living room floor and ran that cheap loco around all night. Next day went to the LHS and spent a butt-load of money. That was five years ago and I am still spending a butt-load of money. Best thing I ever did was find this forum.
Terry and WILMA for now[:)]
I’ve just gotten back into MR about 3 months ago. (I wish I’d found out about my local MR club sooner) I am 28, and of course I had my “Toy Train Set”, which I still have. Albeit, 20+ years old, it does not run. I am working on my 2nd “Toy Train” engine to try and get it going. It’s only 15 years old, but it picks up power, but doesnt run - only lights. If I get it going, it will be relinquished to my 3 yr old daughter. She has quite a fascination with trains. (gramma / grampa, and her god parents all live by the tracks, so she gets to hear and see quite a few BNSF - PNW.) Looking forward to many years of enjoyment.
dsb77
60 years ago with a Christmas train. Then an HO English Yard Bird at age 14. Been hooked ever since through 5 layouts, 15 moves and a career. The best is now.
I got my first electric train set when I was five, which was a big upgrade from my die-cast Thomas the Tank Engine toys. I’ve been hooked on the trains that run themselves ever since.[:D][:p][;)]
Well lets see, how long have I been into trains. I’m almost 21 so I would have to say about 20+ years!
I started about 6 years ago. Saw a display layout in a hobby shop and said “I want to do THAT!”
I started in December 1971. My wife was pregnant with our first son. I kidded her that the following year for his/her first Christmas I was going to get him/her a train. She jumped the gun and gave me a train. I discovered my first issue of MR the day after Christmas, the November 71 issue (PX newstand in Germany was a little behind) and the December 71 issue the day after. The Dew Valley RR layout and the trackplan for the EBT hooked me on the hobby.
Enjoy
Paul
I started the day after Christmas when I set up my son’s Hogwart’s Special on the living room floor.
Christmas 1959. I was 8. I got a HO train set with a Northen Pacific diesel engine. My dad helpped build the layout; two sawhorses and a 5 x 9 foot piece of plywood. Those were the days.
Wayne
your not off topic at all…we ask lots of questions that arent building runing or modeling. For my self I started at the young age of only 12 years old, my first trainset was Tyco bought at the local Kmart in Wheeling Illinois. Now I’m 42 and have been in again and out again but always come back. Welcom aboard!!
I was a 6 year old army brat in Germany when my father built me a 4x4 Trix Express layout in 1957. A few years later I was given a Maerkiln starter set, but it wasn’t until I was about 14 or 15 that I switched from building airplane models to building my own train layout. I discovered MR at the Patrick Henry Village (Heidelberg, Germany) Stars & Stripes newsstand in 1965 and have purchased every issue since, along with RMC and Mainline Modeler (the scratch & kitbasher’s bible). So, that makes it about 40 years for me!
My Dad modelled 0 Gauge GWR so I grew up with trains… started a “fill-in job” on BR in 78… still there (more or less)… discovered a few years ago that my Great, Great Grandfather was a Driver on the London and Croydon (Would be 1840s-ish), my Great Grandfather was a Guard (Conductor) on the London Brighton and South Coast… already knew that Mum’s Dad drove trams at one stage.
Guess I never stood a chance!
Best thing about Rail as a hobby… all the different things it gets you into.
When I started? haven’t a clue! There’s a photo from the Evening News (long defunct) of me aged about 4 watching trains at the then annual Easter exhibition at Central Hall Westminster (Would be 1959). I exhibited a layout in about 1970 but haven’t had anything up to standard since… too busy with Motorbikes, LandRovers, wife, stepdaughter, work… but (when it stops raining long enough and i have some energy I should get a new train shed built…soon?
Oh yes, Tropical fish, Koi, Dogs, Cats, Russian Hampsters, maintaining the house / garden, church(es) [until I gave up in the interest of self preservation] and good beer and conversation have delayed things a bit as well.
Still; I now have more locos and cars than I can ever use and a great forum to answer my daft questions.
Hi all
5th of July 1965 with a Tri-ang pick up goods train set the one with the 4wh diesle loco
(just in case there are UK people reading this) I wish I stil had it.
it may not have the details of todays trains but it was a lot better made than some of todays trains
regards John