Thought it would be a neat question to ask![:D]
I was given a set in HO about 1974. It took off from there.
I have been a die-hard hard core model railroader since the age of 4. Along the way I have modeled the BN, UP, BNSF, ATSF, two freelance roads, the SP, and now currently modeling the GN. I still have all my stuff that has survived my early years. and now have quite an extenstive model collection.
James.
avid modeller from 7 - 17, returned to the hobby some 4 years ago
Similar to lupo. My Dad and I modeled as a kid but I’ve been away from the hobby for 30 years. Just starting to get back into it.
I am a 5 year+ modeler. I started my semi professional skills a little over a year ago. I made two other Toys R us like layouts that were on 4x8s. I started my current layout and did it as well as I could about a year and change ago.
I was born with a train in my hand.[:D] That was 30 years ago.
How about one for us beginners like 0-3 months 3-6 months, 6 months to a year, etc.
I would fit in the above catagories. I’ve only been modeling since May 2004.
Tom
I started in 1971 when my wife gave me a train set for Christmas. I think she had a Christmas decoration in mind instead of a hobby, but the day after ChrIstmas I found Model Railroader in the PX bookstore and was hooked. My first layout (4x8) was built 5 months later, it lasted 2 months until our first son was born (I thought they could share a bedroom, but wife said they can not, though to this day I am still not sure why). But the master bedroom was big enough for a 6x6 1/2 ft layout. I worked on this until we moved home 2 years later.
Enjoy
Paul
Armchair model railroading about 25 years.
The real thing for two months and I kick myself for waiting so long.
Tom
Got a train set from wife at Christmas 1969 and fiddled with trains till I changed wives in !988 and this one really got me going into building nice layouts because she likes to build scenery.
Jack
Since 3 years old in 1947.
My childhood neighborhood, Magnolia junction
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aat.jpg
Can’t really remember a time I didn’t have a train of some kind. So I would have to say almost 50 as I’m 52 now. Really got serious as a builder starting about 8. I still have my first kit, a Silver Streak (craftsman kit) SRR 40’ wooden automobile car. Its has been updated with good trucks and KD’s but is basically still how I built it then.
I would have to say I’ve been modelling seriously for the last two years. However I started when I was about 13 stopped at 18 and picked it up again about 10 years ago.
Fergie
I got my first train set in 1957, 58 and my first HO set in 1961 or 62. I was hard into it for a couple years until cars and other teenage endeavors took over. After getting out of the ARMY in 1972, I got into R/C model airplanes and did that until 1992. In 1988 I got interested in trains again. I still go between airplanes and model railroading. I have always been interested in WW1 airplanes and build 1/48th scale WW1 airplanes when the MRR bug leaves me alone for a while. I might have mentioned that I enjoy building models in other threads.
Almost 19 years. Of course I did not have much time for it while in college. Now my power pack died and I am still trying to decide if DCC is worth the price for a small layout, so I have not replaced it yet which means no trains are currently running.
I got my first Mantua 0-4-0 shifter in 1952, and bought my first brass engine in 1959. We used to buy the Tenshodo 0-8-0’s in kit form for $29.50 and I had to put it on layaway because it cost so much. My first layout was completed in 1957.
Bob
Yeah I’ve had my trainset ,and love of the hobby for about 3 - 5 years but have loved trains all my life.
I said 1-5 since I am getting back in after a 20+ year hiatus.