How long have you been Model Railroading

[Anonymous]

Thought it would be a neat question to ask![:D]

[Anonymous]

I was given a set in HO about 1974. It took off from there.

[Anonymous]

I have been a die-hard hard core model railroader since the age of 4. Along the way I have modeled the BN, UP, BNSF, ATSF, two freelance roads, the SP, and now currently modeling the GN. I still have all my stuff that has survived my early years. and now have quite an extenstive model collection.

James.

[lupo]

avid modeller from 7 - 17, returned to the hobby some 4 years ago

[gmm1]

Similar to lupo. My Dad and I modeled as a kid but I've been away from the hobby for 30 years. Just starting to get back into it.

[Anonymous]

I am a 5 year+ modeler. I started my semi professional skills a little over a year ago. I made two other Toys R us like layouts that were on 4x8s. I started my current layout and did it as well as I could about a year and change ago.

[Anonymous]

I was born with a train in my hand.[:D] That was 30 years ago.

[SpaceMouse]

How about one for us beginners like 0-3 months 3-6 months, 6 months to a year, etc.

[tstage]

I would fit in the above catagories. I've only been modeling since May 2004.

Tom

[IRONROOSTER]

I started in 1971 when my wife gave me a train set for Christmas. I think she had a Christmas decoration in mind instead of a hobby, but the day after ChrIstmas I found Model Railroader in the PX bookstore and was hooked. My first layout (4x8) was built 5 months later, it lasted 2 months until our first son was born (I thought they could share a bedroom, but wife said they can not, though to this day I am still not sure why). But the master bedroom was big enough for a 6x6 1/2 ft layout. I worked on this until we moved home 2 years later.

Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Armchair model railroading about 25 years.
The real thing for two months and I kick myself for waiting so long.

Tom

[jdolan]

Got a train set from wife at Christmas 1969 and fiddled with trains till I changed wives in !988 and this one really got me going into building nice layouts because she likes to build scenery.
Jack

[leighant]

Since 3 years old in 1947.

My childhood neighborhood, Magnolia junction
http://www.railimages.com/albums/kennethanthony/aat.jpg

[cjcrescent]

Can't really remember a time I didn't have a train of some kind. So I would have to say almost 50 as I'm 52 now. Really got serious as a builder starting about 8. I still have my first kit, a Silver Streak (craftsman kit) SRR 40' wooden automobile car. Its has been updated with good trucks and KD's but is basically still how I built it then.

[Fergmiester]

I would have to say I've been modelling seriously for the last two years. However I started when I was about 13 stopped at 18 and picked it up again about 10 years ago.

Fergie

[Anonymous]

I got my first train set in 1957, 58 and my first HO set in 1961 or 62. I was hard into it for a couple years until cars and other teenage endeavors took over. After getting out of the ARMY in 1972, I got into R/C model airplanes and did that until 1992. In 1988 I got interested in trains again. I still go between airplanes and model railroading. I have always been interested in WW1 airplanes and build 1/48th scale WW1 airplanes when the MRR bug leaves me alone for a while. I might have mentioned that I enjoy building models in other threads.

[ericsp]

Almost 19 years. Of course I did not have much time for it while in college. Now my power pack died and I am still trying to decide if DCC is worth the price for a small layout, so I have not replaced it yet which means no trains are currently running.

[Anonymous]

I got my first Mantua 0-4-0 shifter in 1952, and bought my first brass engine in 1959. We used to buy the Tenshodo 0-8-0's in kit form for $29.50 and I had to put it on layaway because it cost so much. My first layout was completed in 1957.

Bob

[Anonymous]

Yeah I've had my trainset ,and love of the hobby for about 3 - 5 years but have loved trains all my life.

[Anonymous]

I said 1-5 since I am getting back in after a 20+ year hiatus.

[Anonymous]

i HAVE NOT YET STARTED BUT BADLY WANT TO START

[hoscalelarry]

I've been in the "planning" stage for the last 2 years. Now the addition to house is almost done and the 12 foot by 30 foot part of the basement will be ready for my 'vision' of the layout [latest version] I planed. I've been reading and reserching all I could and now I get to see if things will work like they look 'on paper'. Thanks to all of you who have given your knowledge and experiance ini these form's so us "new bees" can learn and not make to many mistakes. As always, anyone who has a layout this size, and has any "tips" on construction can always e-mail me. Thanks again to alll of you for your help. Larry

[trainboyH16-44]

My dad did something to his back in '94 when I was 4, and he built a model railroad to keep himself active. It was quite something to clean out that room, as we were using it for storage.(Techinically, we still use it for storage, when we store our rolling stock in the yard.) We built plan #48(?) from 101 Track plans, the virginia and trukee one. We had a real mish-mash of rolling stock back then, and we ran it all with 2 SW1200s and a SD40-2. I tell you, an SW1200 does not look right pulling a long drag over a high trestle on a 2.2% grade. OMG FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!G2gtrainboy

[Ibflattop]

When I got my 0-27 from Grandpa and Grandma for christmas in 66 and then my H.O. in 68. From there its only history!!!!!!!!!!! :-) Kevin

[Anonymous]

A couple of decades ago for me.

[Anonymous]

I think it wouold have been at the age of 3 or so, when I was given my first Hornby OO set (still have the loco, though it's had a few parts replaced since then!). Went through a phase of avoiding the hobby for about 2 years or so (aged 16-18) but got back into it in my last year of 6th form - bought my first HO scale loco that year (Athearn SD9) as I was fed up with unreliable British N scale models (anyone who's experienced old Graham Farish N products will know what I mean, and I couldn't afford Fleischmann then!), collection has grown ever since, though I'm now concentrating on G scale - I like the metre gauge equipment, which you can get in either HOm or G, and the G scale's not that much more expensive though it's a lot larger and more detailed!

[AggroJones]

Some people like to say from the point when they got some toy train. I say from when I bought my first real model locomotive at 13 or 14 years old. Thats when it began. I've been model railroading for about 9 years.

[Anonymous]

hey guys and gails,
Been doing this fantistic hobby for a week, long time huh? Well my grandfather started in '75 and did it for a few years and got horrible sick, he died in '85 when I was 4 and left it all to me. Now im 24 and starting to get into it. 4 by 8 piece of plywood and 30 year old track and its working. Wish he was here to enjoy it with me. I have loads ofquestions and low money, Im making 23 inch curves from 18 inch curves pieces by hacksaw. Most of my questions are on metal wheels verses plastic on rollling stock. but for now all enjoy this fantastic hobby.

[Anonymous]

Have liked trains since 1988, when I was 5. Have had HO, since '92. And have been into serious model railroading since about 1999.

Alvie.

[Anonymous]

Scince i was five. A little oval with santa fe!