How long have you been in the hobby?

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

I am a newcomer

2

On and off since 1948. Most recently, and intensely, 11 years.

3

While I have had a beginner’s train set all of my life, I really only consider myself new to the hobby. It wasn’t until this year that I gave any thought to building a permanent layout & started gathering reading material about the hobby.

I guess having a 3 year old son who likes trains has its effect!

Tony

4

I got my first Lionel train set when I was 10 yrs. old (1957). My interest in trains lasted about 5 yrs. at which time I put the trains away for the next 15 yrs. I got back into the hobby in the mid 70’s during the Fundimensions/MPC era. We moved 2 yrs.ago and I’m just getting my act together with a small layout in time for Christmas. Jack

5

I have been in the hobby off and on since I received my first train set for Christmas when I was four years old in 1972. I’ve been into it steady since the mid '90s.

6

a lot I like trains since I was born

7

Since 1956, when i was 5 years old.
Since 1992 with computer controlled Fleischmannn HO-trains. (13 pcs.)

8

I have just re-kindled my interest after watching an episode of Incurrable Collector on A&E, and I want something different than building model cars

9

SInce 1965, when I received my first Marx train set when I was 5 years old.

10

Hobbyist all my life. With trains and railroading sets, on and off since 10 (25 years). Thanks for the poll!

11

I’ve been obsessed with trains all my life. My first real train was a Playmobil G scale set and later I got HO. I still accumulate HO. As for toy trains though, I had always wanted a Lionel set as a kid. My uncle had a Scout set when he was young and I saw pictures of it. My first O gauge train was a Marx 4-wheel plastic set I got when I was about 9 years old. Later on I got more Marx stuff. I got my first Lionel train when I was about 11 (an M-K-T NW-2 with grey base and yellow handrails). I’ve just kept collecting and now have a very large collection and layout of tinplate O and S gauge trains of many different manufacturers, prewar and postwar. I’m 17 right now.

12

I have been in the hobby since 1950. I have my original Lionel set ( #671 steam loco).
My collection includes Lionel, Williams and MTH. I am presently working on a 22 x 14
room in my basement. I love toy trains.

13

I have had a life long facination with trains, and their models. Although I only became a “serious” hobbiest in the last five years or so.

14

I have loved trains since 1946 my whole life was trains even though I was from a poor family I managed to do odds and ends for money. Today I give train sets to my grandchildren as I did to my three boys when they were growing up. So you can see trains is my whole life from the days I worked as a paper boy after school.
RUSS D’ALLURA

15

I received my first train, a Marx steam set, for Christmas 1956. I was 6 years old. I still have it and it still runs. I got back in the hobby about 2 years ago at the suggestion of my new wife. I have some nice Williams, K-Line, Lionel , and MTH, but for fun I have several old Marx trains. I don’t have a “layout”, I have a 4X8 table that I constantly rearrange track on.

16

I’ve loved model trains all my life. My first was a wooden train, probably a Strombeker since I was only two or three years old. I got my first set in 1949 when I was about six. It was a Lionel 225, a Shell tank car, a tinplate boxcar, a dumpcar and a caboose. It came with a 97 coal loader. I don’t remember much else about that Christmas, but it was the start of a lifelong addiction to trains…I am 60 now. I have at various times worked in N, HO and now back to three rail where it all started. Odd_d

17

I’ve been “in” the hobby for around 12 years now. My first two sets were the Freight Flyer (that was in '91 I think), and the Cannonball freight (possibly '94). I’ve always found it faintly amusing that it’s the same consist for both practically. I’m now 17, and along the way I’ve kept at it, collecting what I’ve been able to on a teenager’s allowance. I’ve even been lucky enough, thank the stars, to acquire a long-stripe 746 in good, working condition for $60 at a garage sale (and that was a with at least $300 else of rolling stock!). No layout right now, though I keep trying to find a spot for one in our apartment…

I also have Battery-Op G-scale, a fair bit of starter-set HO, and quite a bit of L(ego)-gauge.

-Stefan-

18

My DAD, got me started in 1949,2020 enginer/with tender,log car, milk car,oil tank car, & caboose,late in 1949 ,My DAD bought me a single Alum vista-dome passenger,my passenger train is now called “THE FUNKY PASSENGER SERVICE”,1 alum dome car,1 K-line Club passenger car,two dark green( don’t recall name on sides)1 obervation,car with light on back,1baggage car & 1 amtrak freight car,I have retired the ,2020 steam engine…

19

I have been enjoying trains in one form or another since as long as I can remember. They have always been a part of my life. Heck I still have my first set that my mother bought me when I was about six months old. A Lionel set #11420. Sits on my mantle to this day.

20

My first set to [play with was my sisters 1934 set (standard gauge ) in 1945or 46(age 5).Back to it in 1975 for a small layout of HO for my sons.Again back to them in 1989 with HO and changed to O gauge in 2000(easier to see and more fun).I’m in love with MTH and will stand with them for ever I thinkl.