I'm sixty-three, retire, and I'm still working on my layout when I get the time to do it. I'm doing a small MTH DCS layout. It's simple with two loops and structures. I wanted to keep it simple as I go forward with it. I started out with ho, then switched to the bigger ones, and I'm much happier with the bigger scale.
23. Grew up with 3 rail O scale and started going from starter sets to scale items as the years went on. To me it seems most young people in the hobby (Including myself) are into the scale modeling part since the detail and variety is greater than ever before. Something to consider is that many young people might not own a home yet, don't have space for a layout, or don't have much money which is partly why at times there might appear to be a lack of younger people in O Scale and the hobby. Smaller scales like HO and N make it easier to have a small portable layout with enough switches and buildings to do some operating and its generally more affordable than the bigger scales. This does not mean that newcomers or people in the hobby won't switch to O scale when they obtain more space and money. I think O scale and the hobby in general are doing great, in some ways better than ever.
44, been into trains since I was 8 or 9. I finally finished my layout so now it's just about collecting, and working on my YouTube channel. My other passion is Star Wars / Lego models.
bmccarron posted:23. Grew up with 3 rail O scale and started going from starter sets to scale items as the years went on. To me it seems most young people in the hobby (Including myself) are into the scale modeling part since the detail and variety is greater than ever before. Something to consider is that many young people might not own a home yet, don't have space for a layout, or don't have much money which is partly why at times there might appear to be a lack of younger people in O Scale and the hobby. Smaller scales like HO and N make it easier to have a small portable layout with enough switches and buildings to do some operating and its generally more affordable than the bigger scales. This does not mean that newcomers or people in the hobby won't switch to O scale when they obtain more space and money. I think O scale and the hobby in general are doing great, in some ways better than ever.
That is my experience. I messed around with HO & N (and even a little G outdoors) until I finally got to a station in life where I could afford O and have time/space for a layout. It's the best scale. It just takes a long time for most folks to get there!
I will be 33 in May. I've always been among the youngest, if not the youngest person, in the various train clubs to which I belong. I certainly brought the average age down in the club when I joined the National Capital Trackers in 1998 at the age of 13! No offense guys. 
40 next month, been into trains since I was 5. Neighbor's Christmas Lionel Setup infected me with the disease.
21. Loved trains since before I could walk and talk. Building a new 10' x 13' 3 rail scale layout. The train hobby is fantastic. I wouldn't trade it for any other hobby.
I'm 15 and I prefer everything to be as realistic or prototypical as possible. Got my first lionel set when I was 5 from my parents for Christmas and ever since then they have regretted that decision because trains are expensive and I ask for them for my birthday and Christmas.
Good to see so many young folks engaged in the hobby. We need 'em! Hopefully I'll see magazine articles from a number of them...the sooner the better!
I'm as old as dirt, with another layer being added tomorrow. Have been in the hobby since I was about seven or eight, and with just the usual years off to go to college, serve my country, and start a career. I have been back and active in the hobby since the mid 1970s, and have modeled (and in some cases still am modeling) in Z, N, HO, O, On30, Std. Gauge, and Large Scale (both electric and live steam). I enjoy trains of all sizes and scales, and firmly believe that this truly is the world's greatest hobby.
This thread reminds me of this SNL skit. For some reason 
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65 years old, and 'still plays with trains". Used to have only post war, now mostly have scale with all of the lights and whistles. P.S. Lionel is the only brand I own.
I'm 34 currently - I've been in the hobby since I was a kid.
i’m 48. My dad got me into trains at a young age. I had an 15 year hiatus, but came back into the hobby around 2004. I was amazed the advancements that were made during those 15 years.
-Ed
79 going on 80. Have too many trains. Have both O gauge and S gauge layouts. Only buy pre 2000 Lionel. Main interest is collecting. Would love to see a collectors only forum. Been into trains since I was 18. Still got all my parts and looking forward to100 years. Not into rivet counting, paint shades etc.
I feel the hobby is going strong. I am 15 and I have a 8x8 layout where I live. all my friends in this hobby are triple the age of me but are equally excited by trains. (I think I'm the youngest on in the thread)
I'm a 78-year-old great grandpa with two young great grandsons (Matthew, 5 and Hudson, 4) who enjoy my nearly finished L-shaped layout with Lionel Trains. Matthew can operate the four THOMAS-series trains equipped with LionChief technology. I created a DINOSAUR PARK feature on the layout to support his interest in dinosaurs as a young paleontologist.
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I'm 70, and I have two layouts -- one 3rs and another for tinplate/Marx/postwar.
I got my first Lionel at the age of three, a 2026 for Christmas, 1951. After I got married, I never had room for a layout in our various apartments, so I passed through N, HOn30 and HO. Then we bought our house, and I started on my 3-rail layout.
I still like HOn30, but I'm not sure where I'd put yet another layout.
Happy Birthday, Alan. Mine was a week ago.
80, turning 81 in April. Have 5 by 8 switching layout. Mix of K Line, Lionel, and Williams. Most run on TMCC with a Cab 1. Active in the Gadsden Pacific Division Toy Train Operating Museum and do a lot of picture and video posting on our Facebook page. Help run our museum’s Kids Club. Run trains at our twice monthly open houses. Help at birthday parties and school visits at the museum. Also drive a 350Z, automobiles being another interest.
71...and still counting.
With all due respect to the O.P. Wasn't this subject already discussed? It appears most ( that responded anyway) are "old guys" i.e. 50+
Heres the thread: New poll: Your Age and Type of Control You Use
Heres the OGR Survey: Age and and Type of Control You Use
True, we did this on another topic, but I'll post again. 
61 - I'm still a young guy!!
What, me worry?
Boy that one takes me back, Alfred!!
my real age, or my Facebook age?
In less than 3 months, I turn 65.......where has the time gone? I was 47 when I joined the Forum.....
Peter
Three weeks older but none the wiser.
Looking at 72 in May Rob
Well just a hair short of 70 chronologically, but still 18 or so upstairs! I have always been into trains as long as I can remember started with a Lionel set for Christmas about 1958 or so then made the jump in my teen years into more "realistic" HO. that lasted until motorcycle and Fast cars caught me. In the 1970's it was Live steam 1&1/2 inch scale ( I have also been into metal work-was a welder for 20+ years before my present work in healthcare) then I met my wife and she told me my trains were too small for live steam So we bought a Baldwin 3' gauge 0-6-0! So now in the winter it is O gauge (lionel mostly) and On30 with summertime mostly devoted to rebuilding the Big train along with laying track And hopefully finishing the 24x46 log train hall for the permanent layout. Caring for our 75 acres of forest along with SNOW removal this year makes me feel more like my age than my ambition level would lead one to believe! Just remember...The less YOU do the less you can do...And Think you can..think you can't-Your right!
Carl J Stevens
Tom M,
Enjoy every minute sir, it flies by so fast that you want to slow it all down.
PCRR/Dave
21 here
I’m furthest to the left
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60. And I'll be 61 in exactly three months. I was born into this hobby through trains my Grandfather had, and he continued the tradition through me. I love trains of any size, color or road name. But I've become even more enthusiastic in the last 20 years or so with the proliferation of scale models and command control.
As a kid I loathed being tethered to the ZW to run the trains. Something would always go wrong if I wandered away to get a different view. And I longed for the day I could have trains that looked like what I saw in the real world. But I still love my post war stuff!
I'll be 50 in a couple of months and have been playing with trains pretty much non stop since I was 3 or 4 years old. Like many of you, I've modeled, collected, and or played with many scales, N, ho, S, 00, O, STD, and some 1 gauge. I've also built some live steamers and have some projects their as well, 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4" scale. I certainly don't see myself stopping until they shovel dirt over me either. I know of at least 4 guys at work that also collect or play with trains, ironically all with O gauge. When I was in the Navy, I actually kept some in my foot locker until I could ship them home so I never stopped even while I was in the service.
24 going on 25. My very first model train was the Lionel Polar Express from Christmas 2004. But I've been interested in trains pretty much since the day I was born. You can thank Thomas the Tank Engine for that. I currently own maybe about 9 locomotives. I lost count.
Well two pages of replies says that people like the topic, even if it has been here before.
In many hobbies, the younger (less than 40) are not coming in at all. My point was: from this Board- I would say model trains have a life after all!!
The other point was- it seems like the newer hobbyists are gravitating toward more realistic (even if not true 1/48) trains??
People are eager to revel in their favorite topic.
What, me worry?
I am 16 years old and I have a small HO scale layout at home. I am more passionate about real railroading opposed to model railroading, and I am an active volunteer on Nickel Plate Road 765.
(Photo credits go to Adam Matthews)
Cutting coal on a VERY hot day!
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I’m a few months shy of 42 - which at least makes me feel young compared to most of the folks I have run trains with. I’ve been madly into trains since I was given my first set as a first communion gift. I have never been a huge rivet counter but lately I have dived deep into the shiny side and become seriously into tinplate. I finally have enough room to build a nice layout, and almost enough cash, now if only the time part would come together!!
