I joined this forum in 2014 when I got back into the hobby-- this is my 175th post. I don't post a ton, obviously, but I read what's posted here daily and take in a lot.
Might be on the younger side here-- turning 31 next month.
I've always been in HO scale-- started with a 4x8 my mom built for me, then built my own 4x8 at age 12 and got rid of it at 18 when I went off to college. Returned to the hobby at 25 and started concentrating my interests (and layout space) down to what it is now-- I model a Colorado short line on an eight-square-foot shelf layout, with one locomotive.
My model work, layout included, is all designed to be portable because, since jumping back in, I've lived in five states: IL, PA, CO, CA and now NC. (Insert millennial jokes here.) And it looks like in another year I'll be moving states again, so right now I'm all about having my fun in small spaces that can be adapted to new living situations.
Phil
I live on the Gulf Coast in South Florida.
I am 52, retired earlier this year at age 52.
I have been married 32 years, have three adult daughters, but no grandchildren.
Grew up in Gainesville, Florida on the Campus of the University of Florida.
Except for a year in Slaughter. Louisiana, and a year in Nashville, Tennessee, I have lived in Florida my entire life.
Dropped out of college at 18, later went on to earn degrees in Diesel Engine Technology, Mechanical Engineering and Adult Education.
Worked for the same employer from 1990 to 2020. Went from "Apprentice Novice" to "South Region Manager of Technician Certification and Dealer Development."
I have built five layouts of my own, two for others, and been majorly involved in three more.
I joined this forum in 2017 right after I tore down my layout in the spare bedroom. I have been without a layout for 3 years. I have never been without a layout before.
Modeled in N scale from 1981 through the mid 1990s then switched to HO scale. I have always modeled my private roadname STRATTON AND GILLETTE railroad, although it has changed location, era, and scale several times.
Was a founding charter member of Scale Rails of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, Florida in 1982. Left the club in the mid 1990s.
I was a member of the Florida Live Steamers from 1984 through the mid 1990s.
Other hobbies are Board Gaming, Wargaming, Cosplay, and Photography.
I am a classically trained pianist, but a severe injury to my right hand & arm in 1982 put an end to that. I have played the guitar for 30 years, but still play like a novice because of my hand injury.
I am a master miniature figure painter, but have yet to win a Golden Daemon, Golden Sophie, or a Golden Paintbrush... that is a personal goal for someday.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Hmm, don't remember when I joined, but I have 28305 posts (28306 now )
Turning 54 in a couple of months
EE degree from Lehigh University, 1988, but I've pretty much been an IT geek apart from some of the time at my first job. Been witht he same company now for over 20 years (name printed on my paycheck has changed a few times though - at least they still pay me)
I live outside of Reading - so modeling the hometown road, though I've lived all over southeast PA over the years. A friend posed the question on Facebook the other day so I counted, I moved 16 times (not counting living on campus at college) to 14 different places (had to move back home twice to get regrouped).
Pretty much always been in HO, from age 2 on up (a working 8mm projector and I can prove it). Did have a few N scale layouts for a time, as it was the only thing I had room to leave up all the time - the HO except for one layout at home was seasonal only.
Not sure how I ended up modeling the Reading, actually - possibly memories from the Summer before I turned 5, so this would have been 1971. We went on a camping trip to Hersheypark, and the Reading tracks went by just down the end of the row where out campsite was, and every time I heard the train, I ran down to watch - but I don't recall what it was I saw exactly. But, it all works out, I'm close to the source, and my favorite loco is the Alco RS3, of which the Reading had an abundance.
AFter 6 years in this house, I finally had the basement redone to make a nice train room and I finally started a serious layout. Work progresses slowly. But it'll get there.
Other interests: reading (sf, mostly. my Kindle Unlimited is almost always maxxed out, I read a LOT), electronics, computers, listening to music and going to concerts (classic rock, prog rock, and blues).
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
RR_MelAge 83, next week.
A slightly premature "Happy Birthday Mel!!!"
May you have many, many more!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Started reading the Forum when I retired in 2007, joined in 2009.EE degree from Texas Western College 1960 (now UTEP).Age 83, next week.
Married to my wonderful wife Andra for 53 years. She participates in my hobby bulding scenery.
Raised 7 of our own and 1 grandson, 23 grand and great grand kids, three more in the hanger.Retired at 70, 49 years and 10 months in Public Saftey two-way radio communications.Stuck living in miserably hot Bakersfield CA.Started model railroading at 8, Lionel 027. Got into HO scale in 1951.First HO locomotive MDC/Roundhouse 0-6-0 kit purchased with paper route money in 1951. ($6.85)Started my fourth and final layout in 1989, 10’ x 14’.I model the early to mid 1950s. Favorite locomotive Southern Pacific Cab Forward followed closely by the Southern Pacific AC-9.Favorite portion of model railroading, reviving old clunker locomotives to look and run better than new.Like all kinds of electronic goodies related to model railroading. Got into CAD drawing in 1984 with Pro Design I, now using DesignCAD 20.When I need a break from the workbench/layout I draw on my computer, pictures and schematics.I am one of the grumpy old (older than dirt) men on the Forum.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Hi Brent!
Here is my story:
- I joined the forums in 2006.
- I have posted 11,597 times.
- I have a couple of threads that have had significant numbers of viewers. My thread on my old club's layout construction had almost 70,000 views, and my current thread on building my layout on a rotisserie is at about 16,000 views.
- I am 66 years old.
- I have been with my wife Dianne for 44 years. She fully supports my involvement in the hobby.
- I retired in 2012 at age 58, although I did do a short stint with Home Depot after that.
- I live in Bradford, Ontario, which is about 30 miles north of Toronto.
- After years of telling myself that my bad back wouldn't allow me to build a layout, I am finally building a 5'4" x 12' layout. The benchwork will be able to be rotated so I can do the wiring etc. without having to crawl under the layout. It will be 36" above the floor so I can work on it and operate it from a seated position.
- My main interest is in Canadian Pacific during the 50s and 60s, with emphasis on the F series locomotives.
Cheers!!
It has been a while since we had a poll as Kevin stated on the "Expense of hobby thread". This isn't really a poll, but you can tell us about yourself, though it would be interesting to find out how old we are and compare it to other grumpy old man statistics.
Partake if you wish.
Joined forum July 2006, 6745 posts. When I joined I could not see myself even hitting a 100 posts. Guess I needed more help than I thought from these fine people.
Age 63
Retired at 52
Blue-collar/high school education.
Lives, West Coast of Canada an hour SE of Vancouver.
Scale HO
Modelled Treble O scale as a kid.
Current layout fills a 15' x 24' room
Likes steam best but can't resist things from all eras.
Other current and past interests are guitar, skiing down a hill as fast as I can possibly go, golf, mountain biking, flying and travelling.
So tell us about yourself.....Or not.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."