I grew up a block from the tracks of the NYC.  The depot, water tower, and turntable were only two blocks away. The interest has always been there.

You won't find DCC or any of the new electronic gizmos on my layout.  It it breaks, it goes to my workbench, not back to the factory.  Block control with lots of  DPDT switches make me happy.

Much  of my time is spent doing paintings of railroad subjects.