Been modeling long?

[Anonymous]

i started when i was 7, and i am 17 now so 10 years!! i started off briefly wit a lego train set. Then i graduated 2 a used HO life-like train set wit a cp rail F7 and several other cars[:D]. Since then i have switched over 2 buyin Athearn, Walthers, Intermountain, Proto 1000 and 2000, and Accurail all wit kadee couplers, and metal wheelsets!![^]

[jrbernier]

I am 54 and got stated with a Marx train set when I was 4 or 5 years old. Moved up to Lionel the next year and into HO when I was 12 or 13. I worked with N in the 90's, but never built a layout(just could not tear down the HO layout). About 2 years ago I got back into HO(my eyes are not as sharp!) and have been doing some rebuilding of the layout and have been upgrading to current state of the art engines and freight cars. The layout takes up a 'L' shaped 25 by 20 ft area in the lower level of my house and has been there since 1987.

Jim Bernier

[jrbernier]

I am 54 and got stated with a Marx train set when I was 4 or 5 years old. Moved up to Lionel the next year and into HO when I was 12 or 13. I worked with N in the 90's, but never built a layout(just could not tear down the HO layout). About 2 years ago I got back into HO(my eyes are not as sharp!) and have been doing some rebuilding of the layout and have been upgrading to current state of the art engines and freight cars. The layout takes up a 'L' shaped 25 by 20 ft area in the lower level of my house and has been there since 1987.

Jim Bernier

[ClinchValleySD40]

About 40 years.

[ClinchValleySD40]

About 40 years.

[Anonymous]

Started in Lionel with my older brother in 1948. Left him with the Lionel accessories, rolling stock, locomotives, track and what have you in 1952 when I just had to get into scale model railroading. Been at it pretty much continuously ever since. Great hobby.

Tom

[Anonymous]

Started in Lionel with my older brother in 1948. Left him with the Lionel accessories, rolling stock, locomotives, track and what have you in 1952 when I just had to get into scale model railroading. Been at it pretty much continuously ever since. Great hobby.

Tom

[Anonymous]

I've been for about 10 years now. Got into it when I was about 8 and about 5 years ago I became more serious. All HO scale. I dabled with N scale here and there but liked HO better.

[Anonymous]

I've been for about 10 years now. Got into it when I was about 8 and about 5 years ago I became more serious. All HO scale. I dabled with N scale here and there but liked HO better.

[AggroJones]

Since my early teens.

[AggroJones]

Since my early teens.

[Anonymous]

I'm 18 and I've been modeling for 15 years now.

[Anonymous]

I'm 18 and I've been modeling for 15 years now.

[Hawks05]

i voted 1-2 years. i got started in October of last year so thats almost a year. close enough for me.

for the most part i'm enjoying it. just wish i had more money to spend on stuff.

[Hawks05]

i voted 1-2 years. i got started in October of last year so thats almost a year. close enough for me.

for the most part i'm enjoying it. just wish i had more money to spend on stuff.

[atsf118]

40 of my 60 years at least.

[atsf118]

40 of my 60 years at least.

[Anonymous]

1950 - 1958 (8 years) Hornby O scale clockwork British
1960 - 1963 (4 years) Tri-ang OO scale British
1964 - 1968 (4 years) Marklin HO scale German
1970 - 1990 (20 years) Various N scale American
1998 - 2004 (6 years) LGB G scale German

57 years of life, 34 years of trains.

[Anonymous]

1950 - 1958 (8 years) Hornby O scale clockwork British
1960 - 1963 (4 years) Tri-ang OO scale British
1964 - 1968 (4 years) Marklin HO scale German
1970 - 1990 (20 years) Various N scale American
1998 - 2004 (6 years) LGB G scale German

57 years of life, 34 years of trains.

[Anonymous]

55 years total, the last 47 or so in H0.
regards
Mike

[Anonymous]

55 years total, the last 47 or so in H0.
regards
Mike

[Anonymous]

Received a used 1952 Marx passenger set at seven and then a prewar Lionel set. Discovered Athearn HO at 12 years and saved 6 months to purchase first loco, a D&RGW F-7. I didn't have track, so I ran the loco on Lionel O-31 and used an Aurora Model Motoring controller for power. Continued in HO, but was facinated by Aurora Postage Stamp trains. When a good friend decided to get out of trains, I bought his whole N gauge collection. Continued with three scales for a few years, sold the O gauge at the flea market, Kept the HO and N Scale. I got back into Marx and Lionel in 1980.
Have been an armchair modeler for the last 20 years. I still enjoy collecting(G,O, HO & N), set up a Christmas Layout yearly and just gave my youngest so the balance of my HO collection. The recent purchase of a home and the constant prodding of my son should produce a permanent HO layout in the near future. I have enjoyed model railroads and railroading for the past 35 years. It's now a family affair! This is a hobby that changes with my life but never gets boring.

[Anonymous]

Received a used 1952 Marx passenger set at seven and then a prewar Lionel set. Discovered Athearn HO at 12 years and saved 6 months to purchase first loco, a D&RGW F-7. I didn't have track, so I ran the loco on Lionel O-31 and used an Aurora Model Motoring controller for power. Continued in HO, but was facinated by Aurora Postage Stamp trains. When a good friend decided to get out of trains, I bought his whole N gauge collection. Continued with three scales for a few years, sold the O gauge at the flea market, Kept the HO and N Scale. I got back into Marx and Lionel in 1980.
Have been an armchair modeler for the last 20 years. I still enjoy collecting(G,O, HO & N), set up a Christmas Layout yearly and just gave my youngest so the balance of my HO collection. The recent purchase of a home and the constant prodding of my son should produce a permanent HO layout in the near future. I have enjoyed model railroads and railroading for the past 35 years. It's now a family affair! This is a hobby that changes with my life but never gets boring.

[Anonymous]

I have been modeling for more than 50 years. My father was chief mechanial draftsman for the NYC, in indianapolis, Ind. I played in the yards with the real stuff until the mid 50's. Have reun real steam freights east to New York. Have has about 20 model railroads and worked for athe D&RGW in Colorado , 1969- 1971.

Am in HO and have been working on a free lance Rio Grande branch, period 1947-1959. Have been taking MR since 1955 and have most of the magazines.

[Anonymous]

I have been modeling for more than 50 years. My father was chief mechanial draftsman for the NYC, in indianapolis, Ind. I played in the yards with the real stuff until the mid 50's. Have reun real steam freights east to New York. Have has about 20 model railroads and worked for athe D&RGW in Colorado , 1969- 1971.

Am in HO and have been working on a free lance Rio Grande branch, period 1947-1959. Have been taking MR since 1955 and have most of the magazines.

[starwardude]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I'm 40 now, off and on for 30 years
Lionel as a young kid

HO as an older kid

N in teen years

HOn30 in my 20's

Took time of for college

HOn30 again in my 30's

Now a G gauge indoor layout but I'm eyeing On30 and resurrecting parts of my HOn30 stuff for a micro layout (8" x 10").

P.S. You young kids out there starting now have it EASY today. The selection and quality in all scales is WAY superior to 20 years ago. Where was all this stuff when I started?

Probably in some snob's private hoard ,who bougt them all.
And I'm one of those kids that likes a little challenge.[B)]

[starwardude]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

I'm 40 now, off and on for 30 years
Lionel as a young kid

HO as an older kid

N in teen years

HOn30 in my 20's

Took time of for college

HOn30 again in my 30's

Now a G gauge indoor layout but I'm eyeing On30 and resurrecting parts of my HOn30 stuff for a micro layout (8" x 10").

P.S. You young kids out there starting now have it EASY today. The selection and quality in all scales is WAY superior to 20 years ago. Where was all this stuff when I started?

Probably in some snob's private hoard ,who bougt them all.
And I'm one of those kids that likes a little challenge.[B)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

How many years have you been an active model railroader? Vote below then share your comments.

If you were a modeler for a certain number of years, left the hobby, and then came back, count the total estimated number of years.

I orignally started in HO then went to college and to seminary. It was in seminary where I started with N guage! My first was a Micro-Trains Set with track an Kato GP38-2 and four cars plus a caboose! Since we had very limited room, I had to get a special dispensation just to have the train grace my bookshelf above the head of the bed! Just enough track to hold the train ...and that's all ! Never ran it, just displayed it! Later ran it and put it back. used a 6v battery just to watch it miove back and forth! Oh, By The WAY . . . the set caost about $48.00 new! Still with n n ow and use some HO model Locomotives for display ove the mantle and in lighted bookcases!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

How many years have you been an active model railroader? Vote below then share your comments.

If you were a modeler for a certain number of years, left the hobby, and then came back, count the total estimated number of years.

I orignally started in HO then went to college and to seminary. It was in seminary where I started with N guage! My first was a Micro-Trains Set with track an Kato GP38-2 and four cars plus a caboose! Since we had very limited room, I had to get a special dispensation just to have the train grace my bookshelf above the head of the bed! Just enough track to hold the train ...and that's all ! Never ran it, just displayed it! Later ran it and put it back. used a 6v battery just to watch it miove back and forth! Oh, By The WAY . . . the set caost about $48.00 new! Still with n n ow and use some HO model Locomotives for display ove the mantle and in lighted bookcases!

[Anonymous]

It all depends on what you term as active. One has to have a reason, it may be getting out of doing housework, it may be avoiding the relatives or the most common reason is "to educate the grandchildren".
For those that the "boss" wont let you free in the garded yet, try my trick. MNodel in "n" scale but when the train comes off get the "boss" to put it back on its tracks. I bet it will not take too long when she will say the obvous comment " why dont you model something a little bigger". Presto, your opening to model G scale, and of course once you start laying the track on the carpet you will be told to "take it outside". Hence the start of your garden layout.
In my mind at to the definition of active , as long as the mind is active and your actually donig something then your "active".
At least "g" scale you can actually see the rails and outside if it dont look right, put in another plant.
I must admit it gives you the warm fuzzies when you think your getting know where when theres a knock at the door and its 4 or 5 kids from the neighbouhood that want to see the train running.
Have fun, thats what its all about.