Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Poll Thread

5256 views
42 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Poll Thread
Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, November 20, 2017 12:28 AM

This is a poll of eras, regions, scales, and time in the hobby please state all of the above and your age as of your last birthday. I'll go first 1940-1960, western US, HO scale, and two years in the hobby.

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 20, 2017 12:51 AM
  • Era:2005 - 2010
  • Region: Switzerland, Kanton Graubuenden
  • HO scale, Narrow gauge (12mm)
  • Age: 61 - 54 years in the hobby
  • Germany
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, November 20, 2017 1:21 AM

I meant to put region of modeling but also region of residence would be good.

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,248 posts
Posted by tstage on Monday, November 20, 2017 1:22 AM
  • Swing era
  • Midwest to East coast
  • HO
  • Practically all my life
  • Long time - Born in the 20th Century

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, November 20, 2017 2:24 AM

Era: 1940 to mid 60's

Mid west farther North

HO scale

Age:75- 67years in HO..3yrs. S scale

Chi-Town Burbs USA

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

  • Member since
    August 2011
  • From: A Comfy Cave, New Zealand
  • 6,247 posts
Posted by "JaBear" on Monday, November 20, 2017 3:11 AM
Era: 1950-5
Mid west to NE US.
17 years in HO scale
59 yrs.
New Zealand.
 
What are you going to do with the poll resultsQuestion

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, November 20, 2017 3:21 AM

What are you going to do with the poll results

Finding out, that the majority of us model railroaders roaming about this forum models the transition era west of the Alleghenies in HO scale, standard gauge, is male, over 55 years old, qualifying as old phart" and has chosen model railroading as his life time hobby.

One more fact - the number of "oddballs" modeling exotic eras, regions and/or prototypes is rather small.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Culpeper, Va
  • 8,204 posts
Posted by IRONROOSTER on Monday, November 20, 2017 6:05 AM

NWP SWP

This is a poll of eras, regions, scales, and time in the hobby please state all of the above and your age as of your last birthday. I'll go first 1940-1960, western US, HO scale, and two years in the hobby.

 

And your age? since you asked for ours.

Era is 1953 (+/- a couple of years)

Region is Middle Atlantic

Scale is S last 25 years Also I dabble in HO and O and have some Lionel trains.

Time in hobby is 45 years

Age 70

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
  • Member since
    January 2014
  • 1,500 posts
Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Monday, November 20, 2017 7:59 AM

The Era: Modern (1975 to present). I say 1975 because there is a type of structure on my layout that did not exist before then. I also have two passenger trains from the '50s and '60s I like to trot on occassion.

The Region: Varies, includes but not limited to:

Miami, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Green Cove Springs, Florida

Sylacauga, Alabama

Stevenson, Alabama

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Atlanta, Georgia

Macon, Georgia

Louisville, Kentucky

Ashland, Kentucky

Erie, Pennsylvania

Cleveland, Ohio

New York City

Woodstock, New York

St Louis, Missouri

Long Beach, California

Portland, Oregon

Casper, Wyoming

Powder River Basin, Wyoming

Wind River Canyon, Wyoming

Here's the part where I take a short pause to pat myself on the back: I think I can blend all these places into a cohesive narrative.

My Age: I'm a little older than my teeth.

 

Robert

 

LINK to SNSR Blog


  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, November 20, 2017 8:22 AM

NWP SWP

This is a poll of eras, regions, scales, and time in the hobby please state all of the above and your age as of your last birthday. I'll go first 1940-1960, western US, HO scale, and two years in the hobby.

 

Wow, a few years back I ask for members to add a bit of info to their Forum About Me and I got shot down in flames for bringing it up.
 
I enjoy reading about the members model railroad background.
 
Here’s my data.
 
I model the southern Pacific in HO scale in the early to mid 1950s.
 
My first layout was Lionel 027 from 1945 to 1950 and HO from 1951 to the present.
 
My teen years were in El Paso Texas so I model the Southern New Mexico – West Texas area.
 
My last birthday I turned 80 and I feel like 90. (my eyes must be failing, I misted your age NWP SWP and I’ve never seen one of your post signed with your name)Smile
 
I think you owe us for contributing our data.  
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, November 20, 2017 8:41 AM

Era: Tuesday, August 3rd, 1954, 2:00 PM.

Region: None in particular at all. Just classic Americana.

Scale: HO, Standard Gauge.

Time in the hobby: Entire life as long as I can remember.

Age as of your last birthday: 49

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Monday, November 20, 2017 8:45 AM

RR_Mel
My eyes must be failing, I missed your age NWP SWP and I’ve never seen one of your post signed with your name.

.

Yeah, good point Mel. The OP did leave out his age and name.

.

Boo! Confused

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    December 2010
  • From: Portland, Oregon
  • 658 posts
Posted by Attuvian on Monday, November 20, 2017 8:49 AM

RR_Mel

My last birthday I turned 80 and I feel like 90. (my eyes must be failing, I misted your age NWP SWP and I’ve never seen one of your post signed with your name)Smile

 
I think you owe us for contributing our data.  
 
Mel
 

 
Well said, Mel. Probably just an oversight attritutable to youthful enthisiasm.  BTW, can't believe you got shot down. Um, maybe I'd better rethink that . . .
 
Age 73; back into it after 1st break of 40 yrs, then another of 20.  Can shortly go full throttle - retire in 10 days!!  Boiler pressure is now up to 150 lbs and climbing. 
 
HO, Espee in So. Oregon, 1950-53.
 
John
Portland, OR
 
 
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • From: Nashville, TN area
  • 713 posts
Posted by hardcoalcase on Monday, November 20, 2017 9:01 AM

era - 1910

region modeled - NE PA to the west bank of the Hudson River, NY

scale - HO

time in the hobby - depends on what counts as a starting point - 58 years (got my 1st HO train set), or 53 years (started building my first layout).

age - 66

residence - Nashville Area

Jim

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 1,358 posts
Posted by SouthPenn on Monday, November 20, 2017 9:04 AM

Era: late 1950s

Region: north east US.  But it could be anywhere in the US depending on what rail line is running. ie: Great Northern, Western Maryland, CB&Q, PRR, NYC, B&O, South Penn, Blacklog, Tuscarora, EBT, etc.

Scale: HO

Time in hobby: ~30 years - Not counting the time with my Dad; 39 years

Age: 69

Location: Pennsylvania, USA

 

South Penn
  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: US
  • 973 posts
Posted by jmbjmb on Monday, November 20, 2017 10:18 AM

Era:  Late 1950s, with perhaps a squeek to 1963 to squeeze in those funky looking GP30s.  I also have a pull, but am not currently modeling late 70s (just as the mergers were happening so you had this wonderful mix of paint schemes) or WW2.

Region: South Carolina Piedmont, cotton mill region.  I grew up in a mill hill town that was trapped in the 50s culture wise so I'm trying to capture that unique culture of a southern mill town that is fast vanishing.  Though having lived in Colorado, I feel a connection to the vastness of the scenary.

Scale:  HO

Time in:  Since 1971.  I won a Tyco train set selling Christmas cards in 6th grade.

 

jim

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Posted by NWP SWP on Monday, November 20, 2017 10:20 AM

Sorry I'm Steven I'm 16 and live in the midsouth.

Well I really just started this thread for fun. So I guess the poll results are there for anyone to see.

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • 6,526 posts
Posted by RR_Mel on Monday, November 20, 2017 10:24 AM

Thank you Steven.  Great thread!
 
Mel
 
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
  
 
My Model Railroad   
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Monday, November 20, 2017 11:12 AM

OK, I'll play.

Era: 1953 (but a real rivet counter will find a few 1954 items)

Region: Mid Atlantic region of the US

Scale: HO

Theme: Freelance Class I double track mainline

Time in hobby: 50 years - my father built me a very nice layout and got me started at age 10 - been at it in some form ever since.

Age: 60 years

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Imperial, Nebraska
  • 29 posts
Posted by wyobraska on Monday, November 20, 2017 11:14 AM

Era: October 1999

region: western nebraska, southeast wyoming

HO scale

age: 44

Been in hobby for 10 years off and on- have 3 kids and a job, so time is at a premium these days!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Miles

 

Modeling the UP Sidney Sub in Nebraska & Wyoming in fall of 1999 in HO scale

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Monday, November 20, 2017 11:16 AM

Era: 1966-69, probably closer to 1969.  

Region: City of South Milwaukee WI on the C&NW, my hometown (so, "upper midwest")

Scale: HO (also have dabbled in N and I set up 0-27 at Christmas)

Time in the hobby: if you include wind-up and toy trains, about 62 years.  A bit less for HO itself.  

Age last birthday: 65 years.

 

THANK YOU for NOT asking "estimated total life-time expenditure on trains."  Zip it!

Dave Nelson

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,854 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Monday, November 20, 2017 11:21 AM

Era: 1940's

Region: Upstate New York

Scale: HO

Theme: Imaginary branch of the New York Central 

Time in the Hobby: 33 years?

Age: 41

Mike

Mike

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Monday, November 20, 2017 11:36 AM

Sir Madog

 

 
 
What are you going to do with the poll results

 

Finding out, that the majority of us model railroaders roaming about this forum models the transition era west of the Alleghenies in HO scale, standard gauge, is male, over 55 years old, qualifying as old phart" and has chosen model railroading as his life time hobby.

One more fact - the number of "oddballs" modeling exotic eras, regions and/or prototypes is rather small.

 

While all that is likely true, when the poll is over you may be surprised to find the north east/mid atlantic/ohio valley a very close second to everywhere else in the US combined. Why?

Because despite some population shifts recently, a large percentage of the people in North America still live east of the Mississippi and North of the Ohio and Potomac.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Monday, November 20, 2017 11:39 AM

hardcoalcase
era - 1910 region modeled - NE PA to the west bank of the Hudson River, NY

1900-1905

SE Pennsylvania-Delaware

HO standard

50+ years in the hobby, 37 years on the prototype

60's

Nebraska

Hardcoalcase:  Have you looked at the Yahoo Groups EarlyRail forum, lots of pre-WW1 modelers over there, plus the Railroad Line Forums has an Early Rail forum.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Monday, November 20, 2017 1:28 PM

Majority time era: 1980s-2006

Location: Northeast (CR) West (BNSF/UP)

Scale: N

Age: 31

Place: Arizona

Active: 28 years 

 

My fictional railway the Georgia, North Carolina and Ohio is located along those states but I hope I'll build it. 

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Southern California
  • 1,682 posts
Posted by Lone Wolf and Santa Fe on Monday, November 20, 2017 1:34 PM

Layout #1 1980s-1990s, southern California, HO scale, since 1970s.
Layout #2 1880s-1890s, northern Nevada, HO scale
Layout #3 2080s, Planet Mars, HO scale

Modeling a fictional version of California set in the 1990s Lone Wolf and Santa Fe Railroad
  • Member since
    April 2016
  • 252 posts
Posted by Lazers on Monday, November 20, 2017 2:20 PM

Region: Indiana, Chicago South Shore & South Bend + South Shore Freight

Location: Beverly Shores - Carroll Avenue inclusive + Industries along the Line

Era: Sumitimo Electrics / GP38-2's Orange Livery - Date      Scale: HO

Layout: Researching, Designing and making from Scratch - Buildings, Structures etc. Layout when I have moved to new house.

Residence: England   Age: Much too late to Emigrate, to the U.S.A.

Tags: Poll Thread

"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Monday, November 20, 2017 3:48 PM

I model the 1950-60 timeframe and the 1930s.  To switch eras, I replace trains and vehicles.  I have a few unfinished structures destined for swapping as well.  I model the northern Midwest with Milwaukee Road equipment in HO scale.  I've been back in the hobby for 12 years, but I really started when I was about 3 or 4 and put the trains in storage when I went to college, resurrecting them in 2005 to start again.  I'm 70 years old now.  I grew up on Long Island, New York and now live in the burbs of Boston, Massachusetts.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    July 2017
  • 201 posts
Posted by marksrailroad on Monday, November 20, 2017 4:33 PM

54 years old, from south east Texas, model 1955-60, model western US, N scale, 27 years in the hobby...

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Central Ohio
  • 570 posts
Posted by basementdweller on Monday, November 20, 2017 4:44 PM

49 years old and been in the hobby about 13 years or so. I model the Pennsy in the mid / late 1960's, along with a DT&I interchange. HO scale. No particular location, i just hope it looks believable. Sometimes i can't help but want to run some steam. 

Located in central Ohio. 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!