Hi all, Crewman on line!
Just thought I’d introduce myself. I’ve been at this hobby for seven years, (I’m 15) and as such my mom is ready to kill me. The joke around the house is, “He doesn’t live with us, we live with him!” Bad, isn’t it?[
][;)]
See y’all later.
-Crewman
Welcome to the forum. 60 years ago I was in the same boat. Isn’t is a blast. Tell us what you are up to.
How’s it going, crewman. i’ve been in this hobby for 5 years, and I’m 13.
BTW, vist Teen model railroad place (a thread on here).
http://cs.trains.com/forums/27/1185199/ShowPost.aspx#1185199
[#welcome] Crewman1. Glad you found us. Tell us what yer about.
Hi!
I’m 64 and been “playing with trains” since I was 8 or so. Like most long term RR nuts, cars, girls, school, and kids of my own became a higher priority at times, but the hobby has stuck with me, and me with it. Its a terrific pastime, and I’ve never met an MR that regreted getting into it.
This whole forum is a wonderful place, with lots of info and a ton of folks to help you out with problems and advice.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Hello Crewman, welcome to the forum. I’m 48 and have been at this for 43 years. I’ve built layouts in scales from Z to Live Steam but my favorite scale is HO and is what I’m currently running on a layout that’s roughly 8x10 feet.
Welcome aboard! (Ha ha nobody else thought of saying that) When I was closer to your age, not THAT long ago, I had my Mom saying I was spending too much on my trains and threatening to “throttle” me. I was in no position to point out how appropriate a reference she used!
[#welcome] Howdy, Crewman. Just one question. What took you so long getting started?
I got my first Lionel set at the ripe old age of 5 - months. It was real tinplate - made out of tin can metal. I teethed on a box car.
Having been infected early, I can honestly claim to have 70 years’ seniority. My parents were always confused by their ugly duckling, but the layout in my bedroom kept me out of a lot of the things my peers were getting into. I also learned a lot of things that later came in handy in my professional life (not every aircraft mechanic can design a maintenance shop and have it built to his specifications.)
The most important thing I’ve learned? Make sure the person you intend to live with for the rest of your life likes trains, too. (I’ve been very lucky in that respect.)
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Crewman–
I just retired from teaching high school and the past two years, I had two young model railroaders (14 and 15 respectively) in my choir. We’ve had a BLAST discussing the hobby, and they’ve shown me some of their work which is really impressive. Frankly, I thought I was going to miss them in my ‘retirement’, but they’ve decided to keep in contact.
So welcome aboard–let us know what you’re doing, what gauge you’re in, what you like as far as layouts and motive power, okay? We’re a pretty darned good group on this Forum, and any questions you have, we’ll try and answer them. And any suggestions you might have, we’ll listen, too.
Have a good time with this hobby, it’s a GREAT one! [tup]
Tom [:D]
[#welcome]
Like many of the previous posters, I started about 60 years ago - and I still love to play with trains - but now it’s with my grandkids & trains!! Again, wwelcome aboard!![8D]
Welcome! Im Colin. I am right around the same age (14)! I have loved the hobby just about the minute I heard about it! Id love to see some pix of your layout if you have any.
Colin
[#welcome] Crewman1
Tell your mom that this hobby will teach you skills related to woodworking, electricity, artistry, planning, endurance and a host of other things, all while keeping you out of undesirable activities on the street.[:D]
So … what do you model?
Karl
[#welcome] to Crewman 1, the newest twain on the twacks, wooo wooo.
Crewman, get your Mom to read some of these threads, and let her see the diplomacy, integrity and civility that is shown amoung the members here. The Help that is so liberally and freely given, the family type laughs that we share and generally let her get to know us so that she will feel relieved and comfortable with the associations that you will develop and for the time you will spend on learning more about this wonderful lifetime hobby here in the “diner” and on the many other Model Railroad forums.
Believe me, if you have a question, there are many experienced members here that remember their early years when it wasn’t so easy to get answers and at times we had to learn by trial and error. (mostly error). They are most willing to help you sort out a solution for your problem. (It might feel like it is new, but rest assured someone has encountered it before)
I got started about age 7, so that gives me 61 years of interest in trains. I too came and went because of family responsibilities, but never completely left . I would build a model or kit every now and then just because I liked to do that and wanted to keep abreast of the things that were happening in the hobby.
But if the “bug” has bitten, you will probably be here for the long haul and 50+ years from now when the old boots like, ArtHill, T.White, Brunton, Chuck T. many others and me have long since gone to that big Roundhouse in the sky. You and the other young members will be offering help to others, that you have gained over the years. You see it is one eternal round. Keep your values high and your expectations in a normal range, focus on your goals and work hard, help others and Success will not fail to come your way.
Happy Model Rai
Hi! Just call me Flashwave. I;ve been in for ~14 years, starting around 2. The big trains a little before. Currently modelling SP, UP, C&O, B&O, CSX, Conrail, Amtrak, Private Varnish, Free Lance, CMPA, Monon, and various “unique” train cars and schemes I come across. Not all at once though.
Poke by The Diner some too. Lots of off topic laughs
Welcome!
You will find a wealth of information on this forum and will be impressed with the willingness of members to help with any questions you may have.
Nice meeting ya,
Wayne
Another big WELCOME!!! Hope you enjoy it 'round here! (now: What can I and a couple others round these parts can do to convert you into a fan of the NYC? [:-^] ) Seriously though, hope you learn alot here and stick with the hobby. It truly is the World’s Greatest IMHO…
Matt
welcome to the forums !
something to remember for yourself (reminding your parents of this will just get you in bigger trouble!) …
it was their decision to have children , how you turned out is a combination of how they raised you , and some totally random stuff that nobody really understands . so they really can’t complain since you are at least partly their fault !
ernie
Welcome aboard!
If your parents get weirded out by your hobby, remind them that many of your classmates are turning into vegetative drones in front of their video-game machines. You, on the other hand, are actually learning things about construction and electronics by building a railroad of your own. The research, learning and creativity involved in model railroading will fill in a lot of the gaps in your formal schooling, and it’s a lot of fun, besides.
I hear ya, dude. The rest of my family feels the same about me sometimes. And I’m 61 years old. But, when the house quiets down and I power up the layout and start running steamers and trolleys around, well, I’m 8 years old again…
Welcome aboard! Your parents are only preparing you for the same grief you will be getting from your spouse later in life [:)]
Jamie
Hi Crewman,
When I was 15, we were deep into WWII My heart murmmer kept me out of active army duty. I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and now live just North of Ann Arbor Michigan, in a hamlit called Hamburg. As most boys, I got my first Lionel O guage when I was about 10, and have been hooked on model railroading ever since. I have since switched to HO DCC and have quite an extensive layout. The main thing is to start with a small layout, but have plans for your Dream layout. On the Trains.com Forum you will find model railroaders from your age to “Old Duffers”, like myself (81 years young), who are more than willing to share our “expertise”… LOL Bob Hahn