I've been playing with trains my whole life, more seriously in the past decade. I retired from USAF in 1994, I worked as a Electronic Warfare Officer and I flew fighter aircraft, F-4D/E/G, F-16 and F-15. I have a small 8x8 layout in my garage, I like ho scale best, much easier on my eyes.  I like to model the 1950's Santa Fe steam/diesel era.