Jeff Young here.
I started in the model railway hobby at the tender age of four with Tri-ang OO gauge. Growing up, I modelled modern day mainline railway operations in HO (didn't we all, at one point?). At university (while obtaining a B. Sc. in mechanical engineering), I got interested in live steam- which lead to a stint playing with a full size steamboat and a used 3/4" scale Atlantic live steam locomotive. With the renaissance of small-scale live steam in the early 1980s (and inspired by the writings of the likes of Jack Wheldon, Dave Rowlands, Dave Pinniger and Marc Horovitz), I bought a Mamod SL-1 locomotive and was drawn in, never to return...
Today, my primary modelling interests are 1/19th scale models using gauge O track (otherwise known as 16mm to the foot scale) of Canadian and Welsh two-foot narrow gauge railways, and 1/24th scale models of 42" gauge Canadian narrow gauge railways using gauge 1 track (specifically the Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway). I am currently experimenting with clockwork-powered trains and coal-fired o gauge live steam locomotives. I have recently started a bunch of models of Sir Arthur Heywood's 15" gauge Eaton Hall Railway in 1/12th scale.
I also enjoy writing about model railroading (that's a hobby in itself). Currently, I write a column on small-scale live steam for Garden Railways magazine and contribute on a regular basis to Steam in the Garden magazine. I founded the Central Ontario Garden Railway Association in 1990 (Canada's oldest and largest garden railway society) and I am a member of the 16mm Association of Narrow Gauge Modellers, Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway Society and an enigmatic group known as Wednesday Night Water Boiling.
My webpage is here:
http://ca.geocities.com/jeffery.young@rogers.com/Regards,
Jeff.
