Dom,
What a great question and a neat way to get to know folks a little better
With me I guess it's in my blood... I having grown up in the Coalfields of Southern WV and having Grand and Great Granddads on both sides of the family as well as my Dad for a short stint before he became a Police Officer working for the Railroads ( Virginian and N&W ) and having lived by the tracks the biggest part of my life including the Virginian Yard (now NS) at Page, WV where one set Great Grandparents lived. Even as I grew and went out on my own I made it a point to live by the tracks, the first house that I owned was less than 100 yards away from the tracks and Virginian Yard (now NS) in Princeton, WV. Once I moved to Ohio I was one house away from the tracks that lead to the Ford Plant and Electric Company in Avon Lake, Ohio ....and having my Granddad on my Mom's side of the Family being a modeler and my dad being a modeler, It was something that I remember doing in my youth and all the fun and fond memories. Which is alot of the reasons I Model today. I have a better half that supports the hobby as she sees it, it keeps me out of trouble and when I spend money on the hobby I have something to show for it other than a hangover...
Not to mention I really enjoy all aspects of the hobby, all the people I have met, the design work and research, actual construction, Kitbashing and scratchbuilding, and it gives me a chance to try to recreate the stories that were told to me by my long time passed Grandparents. Even to this day when a train is coming down the tracks I remember the excitement my Great Grandmother had and rushing us all onto the back porch to wave as the trains went by...
And That's why I'm into Model Railroading and always will be until its time for me to take my Dirt Nap....
