Chris Montagna of the Chris’s Trains and Things YouTube channel is a contributing editor to Classic Toy Trains. He has done numerous reviews and how-to articles for Trains.com and the magazine. We asked him a few questions.
My first train set (or locomotive) was…?
My first locomotive was a Lionel Reading 4-6-2 (No. 6-18004) in the early 1990s. I was probably about 5- or 6-years-old and it, along with a KW transformer and some tubular track, was a birthday gift from my grandfather. I ran this locomotive like crazy until I received an Amtrak set a year later! This locomotive still runs, but mostly hangs out on a display shelf in my home office.
My trains are primarily from this era (i.e. prewar, postwar, modern, digital)…?
I fell out of the hobby when I was about 12 or so and didn’t get back into it until I was 25. When I got back into modeling I jumped into the digital command control era feet first. All of the engines that I’ve purchased since getting back into the hobby have been modern command-control locomotives.
My biggest modeling success has been…?
This is a tough question. I say this because what seems like a success is often being redone a year or so later. Over time I learn new techniques or strategies to create realistic scenes. As I learn and grow in my scenic vision, my older work looks dated and not up to my newer standards. That being said, I believe the engine servicing area on my layout is turning out to be a success. Anchored by the Altoona Model Works roundhouse and diesel facility, this scene is often a magnet for layout visitors to take pictures of and ask questions about.
My biggest modeling mistake was…?
This ties right in with the last question! I added a reversing loop and storage yard under my main table elevation after the layout was complete. I wish I had done this as I constructed, mostly to make my life easier. However, I think the biggest mistake was using No. 4 turnouts and not using No. 6 or No. 8s. Along these lines, also adding too many switches on my layout! Over the past two years I’ve been on a mission to remove some to increase the scenery to track ratio.
When I’m not enjoying my trains I’m usually (other hobbies or activities)…?
Spending time with family for sure! I also enjoy woodworking when there is a project to be built. I’m currently in the middle of a doctoral program, so that takes up a lot of my time. I try to spend as much of my free time as possible with my two kids (7 and 4) and my wife, Ali. This means the trains get attention after everyone else is asleep!
Advice I would give a new hobbyist is…?
Take your time. There are a lot of resources out there, especially on YouTube, of other hobbyists who have some pretty serious collections. Don’t compare yourself to them and try to buy every train that comes up for sale. Build a budget for yourself and stick to it. This hobby is not cheap and it’s easy to go overboard and get yourself into trouble financially. I’d also say, design your layout your own way. There are a lot of critics out there, but your layout can be whatever you’ve envisioned.
Welcome. I have enjoyed your you tube channel and look forward to what the future brings
Dave