Scale Model Railroading

Model Railroading is a passion, but a passion that is sometimes shared alone in a family.  A modeller may spend decades and thousands of dollars designing their layout, but once they are gone, no one else in the family may appreciate the work.  This recently happened in my own family.  My wife’s step-grandfather passed away a few years ago, leaving his partially unfinished layout in the backyard workshop.  Being as no one else in the family had an interest in model railroading, my father in law and I disassembled the layout, packed up the trains, and moved them to his warehouse, where they have sat since.  I borrowed a few trains and some track to make a Christmas layout last year, but the rest remain unused, including some beautiful hand painted brass engines.  I would love to finish the layout, but I don’t have the time, money, or space to do so right now.

What has been your experience with this?  Have you known someone who passed away and their layouts have been subsequently sold, destroyed, or just forgotten? 

Prince George Citizen — Model citizens keeping things on track

My first experience with model railroading was Christmas when I was 7 in 1982. My parents and grandparents bought me a Union Pacific set, and set it up Christmas night around the feet of the dining room table. I remember playing with the train all day long, and even though it was just going around in a loop on carpet, it was cool! I was hooked, and I’m sure many of you had a similar experience. 24 years on, I still have that locomotive, and most of the cars, although they are the worse for wear. I’d like to hear how you got started, addicted, hooked, whatever you want to call it. Post a comment and share your experiences.