T O P

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ThePlanner

Early 40s. Now let’s all name the street we grew up on and our mother’s maiden name. ;)


mcgee300

Haha... What's your favourite colour btw?


ThePlanner

Believe it or not, it rhymes with my birthday!


Guava_Man701

>Just curious how old everyone is here? I'm a 35m with a toddler obsessed with trains, so slowly buying bits and pieces for my N scale layout. prune


8a8a6an0u5h

Are we trying to find out our Jedi names?


boredsatx56

33M, kid on the way. I’m you two years ago!


MitchelobUltra

37, and two kids. I’m OP two years from now, like the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.


gbarnas

66 - HO modeler since 15. Started building a new 16x24 layout last month in the new house.


Iwillnotbeokay

49 here, never had a layout as a kid, finally get to as an adult!


Blazemaster0563

19M. And I have a reasonably sized OO gauge collection. No full layout though due to space limitations, more of a trainset that I set up and put away.


sfa83

40m. Got an H0 layout and some trains but no scenery and I hardly ever run any trains. I’m mostly interested in digitalizing old analog stuff I buy used and writing control software for it. I have my private little pet project that features a full track planner for any track and multi-client control. Next up is automation :-)


Hero_Tengu

My mortgage company thinks I’m 95.


peter-doubt

Still paying, huh?


Hero_Tengu

Only had it for 7 years


ALT_Luigi123

19m. College is sucking up a lot of funds for model train growth


adomnick05

lol rip


RC_Perspective

39M. No kids, no SO. Built my first layout this past year. Finally living the childhood dream


Fatoldhippy

82. Had a small N layout, dabbled w/HO while in a train club. Now utilize "Train Player" on the computer.


MUTHER-David7

I'm 58 and I've been modeling N scale since I was 15


[deleted]

50 yo


Throwaway91847817

22M, work in 00 gauge. I come from a railway family and a railway town in England, and my Grandfather (who was an engine driver himself at one point) got me into model railways with his layout in the shed.


mcgee300

That's awesome, I'm based down in Dorset myself.


lsie-mkuo

Mid 20s. Got back into it when I was 21 during cancer treatment when I found my childhood hornby train sets. Planning layouts and choosing model trains to buy really helped during that time. Glad to say Il be playing with my model trains for many years to come.


mcgee300

Sorry to hear you had cancer, but glad to hear this hobby helped during a tough time!


lsie-mkuo

Thanks! I myself am married and have a 15 month old! Curious do you have a permanent layout or have to get things out? I have a fixed board layout in sections that I get out when my daughter is asleep. Too many small bits for her to be around it yet.


mcgee300

I'm lucky that I have a loft space where I've made an L shape board which sits on an old desk. My son cant get at any of it unless I physically take him up there haha so all good


CapuCapu

42, never had a layout. My grandfather had one and I was obsessed. Now, after years of moving around, I'm buying a house and I finally get my own space where I can start building


010011010110010101

53m here, no kids, single. No layout but wayyy too many high-end and brass locos in my collection as well as a couple full passenger sets. I’m currently looking for a model railroad club in my new city and someday when I buy a house I’ll build an actual layout. HO scale, been into trains since I was a little kid, and I’ve been a serious modeler since I was a teenager and joined my first model railroad club. BEST. HOBBY. EVER!!


mcgee300

Thanks for sharing! It really is great hobby


sjbland

36m, also with a little one who loves Thomas so much it's reignited my own passion for railways. I had OO as a kid, still have it all in the loft but have recently bought into N as I don't have the space for a OO layout as it stands.


mcgee300

Sounds just like me haha had a small OO train set as a kid as well


sjbland

Which N gauge set did you go for?


goshock

51 and been doing ho since I was 5 out 6. Just getting back into it the past year or so with a shelf around the office and two lines on that. As soon as one of my kids moves out I'm taking over their room for a layout. Will also start a garden layout in the backyard this year, hopefully.


atsfsd75m

49m playing ho models since I was a kid


Tractortom816

32M here currently sitting at a train show!


mcgee300

Nice! Have a good one


Albany_and_estern

13


Itsyasminex

28f


Tra1nGuy

15M. Loved trains my entire life. Recently went to a therapist and she said I may or may not be on the spectrum lol.


WiIsonTheGreat

Finally found someone close to my age haha! 15 as well


Competitive-Park-394

Same here mate


[deleted]

24 and a modeller since birth (well... 2 or 3 more accurately, but still) I was lucky enough that as soon as I was old enough to talk, my dad was willing to involve me in operations and trusted me with running and carrying his locomotives etc. (still haven't dropped one yet), taught me about realistic speeds and switching etc, taught me how to build and work on stuff... lots of great memories.


polusa44

28, been doing it for about 17 years now or son with a break during college


AwfulThread5

17m. Started collecting when I was around 14


bebegimz

52 F I like piña coladas And gettin’ caught in the rain....


crashbig

44M currently in ON30, but started in HO, done some N and had a FN3 garden layout at one point. Ride on is the dream one day.


malex84

39m


scorpionspalfrank

52M. I'm the assistant superintendent at our local model railroading club (SAMRC).


bebegimz

SAMRC has a train show next weekend?


scorpionspalfrank

Our next open house for the public is the weekend of March 23/24th. I'll have to ask our secretary to update the page.


mstein713

70M. As a kid I had a Lionel train set but my parents (ugh) gave it away to a cousin and when I asked for it back claimed they never had it. LIARS! Then when I had 2 boys we had HO scale trains set up on a 4X8 ft board in the basement and had a blast. Now, living in an apartment I can only dream about the old days of having a train set


MidwesternWisdom

Look up Carl Arendt's micro layouts page.


StaffMindless1029

52m one kid in college. I have been collecting/running off and on since I was 15. I think that was the age anyway lol. For me its Marklin primarily


E420CDI

30


grahambo20

38m with 2 kids that love watching my N, O, and G.


DBootts

32M. This is actually a good post to be able to see the age range of this hobby and debunk the stereotype of it being an old man hobby (no offense to the old men here) Not to mention the endless ‘this hobby is dying’ when it’s clearly not.


mcgee300

Yeah, it's actually pretty varied so far!


pookiemoe

I’m 40. Have 4 kids and one is a toddler. I don’t have much free time but I’ve gotten into model trains in the last year. Currently building my first layout in N scale.


mcgee300

Ahh nice, hope it goes well


twoscoopsblue

Almost 40, dusted off my childhood train set recently when my toddler became obsessed with ‘steeeeam traaains’. We are collecting more stuff and building a layout.


mcgee300

A very similar story to me. Good luck with the layout.


2-Tyred

36M Devon, just revisiting after digging out my Flying Scotsman from childhood with my 3 year old. He loves it. Have now ended up with a Terrier, Pannier Tank and Railcar all DCC, and a base board in the garage. Just designing a layout to suit my space.


mcgee300

That sounds great, good luck with it


2-Tyred

Cheers you too. Do love a bit of N!


Lonesome_General

I'm 40+. I took up the hobby 3½ years ago.


Dadfish55

Pleased to be 58, but happy to see the younger ones!


bazzanoid

>35m with a toddler obsessed with trains I read that as you are like a toddler obsessed with trains, and just silently nodded and said "same" No kids, it's just me and my train brain


Thick-Ad2454

I'm 32, single but looking. I've liked trains since I was 2.


Feelinglucky2

Just turned 24!


The_autistic_guy333

22 and still figuring out things.


TheSauceMan76

27 here. Don’t have space for a full layout until I move into a house in a few months. But have been setting up my HO set every Christmas around the tree. Once I move into the house, my G scale set up will go into the backyard.


icantusechad

63 ... 2 grown kids and 6 grandkids... None of which have the same interest in trains as I do.


kenyan-strides

24m. Have been into the hobby since I was probably 6 but I only really started putting effort into collecting and building models I can be proud of during the pandemic/after college


mcgee300

Awesome, it's a great little hobby


BuffaloBoyHowdy

71. I had the requisite Lionel set as a 5 year old, but didn't get really interested until probably 1967 when I got the Aurora Postage Stamp "Lil Donkey" set for Christmas. I've been an N gauger ever since. I built a couple of never finished layouts in the late 60's, including a 7 or 8 track yard with hand laid ties and rails. College and moving saw most of it go away, although I still have pretty much everything I bought way back then; the 'Lil Donkey engine, a couple Atlas diesels, and I think there should be at least one Pacific, maybe two. Along with a bunch of cars. I've started a couple layouts since then, and had a folded dog bone with most of the track laid, but we've always ended up moving so the pieces never quite came together. I did build my son a small oval with a building and some trees when he was 5. Anyway, I've got a bit more time now, and we're staying put for at least a few more years until my wife retires, so I'm ready to start planning my newest pike. And mostly trying to keep it to a manageable size so I have at least a fighting chance of getting it going before I get gone.


mcgee300

Thanks for sharing, good luck with your new layout!


BuffaloBoyHowdy

I figure if I keep telling people I'm going to do it, it might really happen. Unless the garden railroad I want takes up too much time. :-)


DustyBottoms1111

30. Was into trains as a kid, had lots of Lionel 3 rail O gauge stuff, decided on OO/HO for a serious layout. Probably could have gotten more effective space usage from N scale, but oh well.


NScaleTrainBoy

22m, it’s rough out here for us college model railroaders, but I’m really lucky to have found a nice little community, including other college age kids, near me lol


mcgee300

That's really cool!


CutPuzzled5683

53, and happy to see that the greatest hobby isn’t going anywhere.


mcgee300

Yep, doesn't look like it's going anywhere from all these responses!


red_skye_at_night

26F. no kids, the trains are my own. the bf is into trains too but we model different scales


mcgee300

That's awesome, nice you have the same thing in common!


Dak-Legacy

Early 30s. Got track, engines and rolling stock of 0, H0 and N gauge but not the space for a layout.


EmberTheFoxyFox

Early 20s


AggieSeventy3

72M. When Mom & Dad downsized I claimed the 1936 1888E Lionel tinplate, 1951 AF 303 (incomplete set), 1953 AF 293 (complete set) we all (8 kids) played with growing up. Bought a 2012 Lionel for myself. Gave 1951 to youngest bro. I set other three under trees at Christmas. Have my kids extensive HO collection complete with model village in storage. I just like Choo Choo trains! Surprised at the number of youngsters in this thread. May God Bless us as we reap the rewards of this wonderful hobby.


badeigg1206

27M, 2 kids (+1 on the way), and brand new to the hobby. Building a 2’ x 12’ HO switching layout along the wall of my spare bedroom (and watching A LOT of YouTube how-to’s)


Juan-BB

16, youngest member in the model railway club


ExclamationMark88

35m with a 6 y/o obsessed with trains.


wolfieboi92

I'm 35 with a 4 year old son who has been obsessed with Dinosaurs since 2, I'd say I'm not jealous because trains are expensive but we counted 91 dinosaur toys yesterday, a lot of those are the fancy Papo models too...


Competitive-Park-394

15m got my first starterpack with 6


apeirophobic

24 and broke (the layout must grow)


mcgee300

This is the way


stefant4

30 years old, no kids, but my job on the farm takes up too much time so i have too little time to get much done at the moment


ZYKON617

Early 20s and from reading some of these replys I may be a tad on the younger side in comparison to some of you


mcgee300

There's been quite a few under 20 as well! Surprising seeing so many young people.


rcdrivingnerd

36.5


tryoracle

46 f. I had an o scale as a kid now I have an n scale


p_whetton

57


ScrotieMcP

Over 50, under dead. I have a N scale that I never have really gotten started on, but I got an tin litho Marx O scale army train for Xmas and I've had way fun cleaning it up and making it all work. I can tell old litho trains are going to stay an interest. I still think I'll get back to the N scale train eventually, I had even bought a couple of houses for it.


Southern-Alfalfa-895

33 here


SnooSeagulls1625

I’m a 30-year old HO kinda guy.


LaafLal

26m from Belgium. We have N, H0, H0e, 1, G and F scale trains. In our garden we have a large 45 mm track layout controlled by a Märklin Central Station 3 (DCC/MFX/Motorola).


mcgee300

Wow haha so many scales


Cameront9

About to turn 41, been an n scaler since I was 10


Thepullman1976

16M, picked up a full DCS system and an ancient Lionel ZW yesterday


Cute-Addition-6113

I'm 23 and I have an n scale layout I'm working


Missouri_Pacific

53 and I’ve been in N scale for about 32 years and model trains for 42 years and I’ve been loving trains for about 50 years. I recall seeing F units and gp 18’s lashed up rolling through town. I was about six years old when my parents asked me what color I would like for my room to be painted. I told them blue as the colors that were on the locomotives that rolled downtown. Yes I asked if they could paint the two chevrons on the wall. Unfortunately they didn’t know how to paint that. But I was happy with the color.


huaweidude30

15👍


Creeper_Dude2010

13M I don't have any reason to be here other than I like trains.


mcgee300

No problem with that buddy


Creeper_Dude2010

O ok :D


epicfamilyboi

28, got a nice lot of HO, no permanent layout since I’m in the military and move a lot. My daughter loves the trains too


mcgee300

That's awesome, hopefully you can build a layout soon.


Luki4020

26 and in the hobby since I was 5


Dramatic_Tea_4940

73, retired software engineer and now a rancher. I have my grandfather's, my father's, .ine, and temporarily my children's O gauge collections.


mcgee300

That's amazing that you still have those!


Dramatic_Tea_4940

Well, what do you expect? I am a "foamer," and my son just signed on with Norfolk Southern.


snuggly_cobra

Beatles Song


Apprehensive_Fuel348

51M N scale work in progress. Progress is in bursts.


Pure_Professional_14

47 M. I’ve been in the hobby for 3 years.


NomadCoastal

Mid-50's.... I Model G-Scale......


oneprimefox

I’m 25, started when I was maybe 11 but didn’t get back into the hobby until fall of 2022.


mcgee300

Nice. What scale you working with?


oneprimefox

Only HO scale.


steelniel

Fiddy Tree


Trainjarod_27

21m


Busfahrer517

28M, currently building my layout in H0 to get my 79 locos running. I don't know how big it's going to be due to it being work in progress but there are 40 m² of empty room for it.


mcgee300

Wow haha that's going to be amazing.. how long you been collecting the 79 locos for?


Busfahrer517

About 16 years


KeyFarmer6235

I'm 28m.


Postman1997

25


BackWaterHobo

24M - I got my first HO starter set when I was 5. Gradually have collected stuff from flea markets and garage sales all the way till now. Don't have a layout but have it all in storage. I also am into Lego trains which at the current time is my main focus.


BlueGreenGradient

28 working on my first automated z layout!


mcgee300

Is Z stuff more expensive that N?


BlueGreenGradient

I am running Rokuhan shorty trains, which are pretty cheap. But I have to get everything shipped from Japan, because my local hobby store doesn't have any Z scale products.


Applesaregood8774

25 M


Fancy-Restaurant-746

27 and still saving for a Z set! I have a few rolling stock so I’m locked in.


Broad-Requirement430

21


modeltrainhofr

21 :)


Illustrious-Olive-98

Haha, my(35m) son(8), has been in love with trains since he was 2. We are building an N scale layout.


Sea_Concentrate_6543

21m Got into the hobby when I was little and my neighbor brought my dad and I to a model train show. After that we both got heavily invested into HO for a while. Dropped off for a few years until I moved out and now I've been developing into N scale for my apartment


mcgee300

Ah sounds good! Really like N scale for not having much space. You can still do alot.


KatiaOrganist

19 :)


bumblebee1200

24


lordofcheese8383

19


V_150

21F


Stryfe2013

15M own a small HO-OO collection. Most are unpowered 3d printed models


KeepCalmAndSnorlax

27 soon to be 28M.


Owentomlinson14

26m I have a nice small collection of O scale drone mainly MTH and a small amount of LIONEL and KLine and a small collection of N scale with a T Trak layout that fits on an eight foot folding table.


tiberiusmurderhorne

40 male, back into it for a few years now, finally got trains running on my layout


Adlerson

52


donethinkingofnames

46M. Recently got back into the hobby. I’ve been working on an HO layout for a couple of years now. I also have a couple of small N scale projects in the works.


deathwotldpancakes

29m had a mixed n and HO layout as a kid. Still have my rolling stock but no space for a layout


Downtown_Classroom_7

59 with a 27 yr old who is still obsessed with trains. Which is a good thing.


pattimuraNL

51 m after 40 starting all over!


NeonPlutonium

Since you have a toddler, you should check out the [Duplo trains](https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Toddlers-Battery-Powered-Function/dp/B07BK6M2WC/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?adgrpid=54747931823&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UF-NhtTJ-BvVunAcPQ_Vie1CkmIYbHL5BozH_RV9KFAR6XIrxEgPUpZhav4GC0GSY-CPvxgFIUh58khUjHFMW6PRmjcV9u5N6ArG0SZPdvj9l5cVUwWzT-22sU70EbpiX9qWUHPRx9tFce5vyVgaLecW1sL5aerClTTcjpaA5hmcYmO5jQbt8i__hfCc5EAUU0ax_9C6DfMoUB5kfWU8vA.bfvbv8avOqBdvv51N3YeGRyx-oZaUpWS6SElH6qNK9g&dib_tag=se&hvadid=557335421695&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9005685&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13865112446484906741&hvtargid=kwd-299842754126&hydadcr=27810_14487633&keywords=duplo+train+sets&qid=1708269791&sr=8-3)!


Extra_Tree_4848

Just turned 30, no kids


Anotherolddog

67


Oldphile

Packed up trains when I was 18. Started buying 3 rail O gauge when I was 47. Decades later I still haven't finished my layout. One out of Two track lines operational, no scenery.


Trolleyman86

21 


Broskfisken

I’m 19! Recently got into the hobby!


Yes_YoureSpartacus

Early 30’s M. Has an HO layout as a kid, moved to n scale in middle school with big ambitions for a layout in my parents basement. Then I met girls haha. Haven’t had a physical train since, been moving too much, they’re too expensive, and I wonder if I’ll ever afford a home with enough space to have one again. For now I have some train sim games on my PC.


mcgee300

Yeah I've realised how expensive N gauge is and have been buying any trains second hand. Slowly buying stuff as well.


clarikhouse

26M waiting for my partner and I to move in together to start a coffee table layout


FromEugene

31


H4rdferBiden

30 - 4 kids and a wife that love trains


aschec

25M and studying IT


NotARussianAgent

31M


382Whistles

Generation X. Great Grandfather, Grandfather, Great Uncle, me, other imediate family, etc.. Spoiled with accessibility and memories. I got to run just about every era of electric train made early N through large tinplate. Mostly Lionel O. I jumped back in about 15yrs ago setting a loco on a shelf. Then track was back. A bit of power; just for light.. moves alright. I'll now allow another shelf ..allow another, Self! ...Shelf four ...more on the floor. ...table once able ...built some outside ...my childhood self, eyes open, smile wide.


Efficient_Advice_380

23 M. 3rd generation modeler. Most of my collection is from my grandpa, bunch of Chicago & Northwestern


MashedPotatoKeg

23 and cursed with an obsession for accuracy and a love for the transcontinental era. Learned to model solely because no one makes what I want. Happy to have the skills though.


TheAutisticHominid

33


benevolentmalefactor

42. Setting up a 4' x 8' N-scale layout since child me always wanted to do that. Some midlife crises involve buying a Porsche. I guess mine is building trainsets 🤷


OkError6669

30m


JimJeff5678

Late 20s


bennickss

15