I model the Pennsylvania Railroad's Grand Rapids & Indiana division in HO gauge, ca. 1950.  My inspiration for this interest is the GR&I that passed through my grandparent's farm north of Manton, MI.  Even though I came of age after the PRR was a memory, I do have fond childhood memories of train watching later operators of the line while visiting grandma. 

My father was an HO gauge modeler as well.  My interest in trains came from him... then Santa gave me my own HO train set when I was in second grade. 

Model railroading has been a terrific lifetime hobby because it requires knowledge of so many areas:  model building, history, mechanics, electricity, artistic talents, carpentry, and many others.  My career in information technology began in the 70's when I built several electronics projects from articles in MR.

Thanks, Dad.