How old were you when you attended your first York meet?

It would have been the 1984-1986 timeframe, which puts me in my mid-20's.  

I remember the Yellow Hall under the grandstands very well.  That's where dealers like Charlie Ro had their stuff in those days.  I even remember Mike Wolf having product to sell in his booth back then -- it wasn't just a display.  And Clarke Dunham, one of the early custom layout builders (well-known for Citibank Station at the time), also had a booth in the Yellow Hall at the far end right near the exit to the small Gold Hall where Right-of-Way Industries had their big layout.

Oh how the landscape has changed!!!  

David 

I started in October 1978 at the age of 22.  I was in medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia.  Drove down and stayed with my younger brother in his dorm room at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster.  I had to miss the spring 1979 meet due to a test, but never missed another one since despite the rigors of medical school and residency.  This October will be my 35th anniversary.  I'm now 57.

The tender age of 50. Seems like only 6 years ago......

46 years old in 1995.

Sixty-one. Sure wish I had known about many years before. It is the best train show for me known to mankind.

Not until age 53 in 2009.  All the wasted years!!!!  

- Mike

44.

My first visit was in 1984.  I was 28 years young.  Just a young pup.

Rick

First York was April 1977. I was 46. I have missed only 3 since then.

56

32.  Haven't missed one since.

48.  That was last Oct.  I was not sufficiently well behaved to go prior to that point. 

Attended as a 31 year old guest in 1971.  Joined in time for the shows in 1972 and have been in regular attendance since.  Think I was first invited because I was young and agile and could jump over tables when the doors opened to reserve a couple of spots together for the older members in our group.

35.

What I find amazing is that 17 people out of all who replied so far were under 30 years old when they first went to York.  Many at a time when the internet did not exist for the most part.  I expected most to be in their mid 40's.  I feel lucky I found it by 37.  I guess the best kept secret about York is, no matter hold old we are, we are all little kids for the short time we are there...twice a year!  Thanks all.  BigRail

I rember the first time I went was in the late "70" with my father we were in the purple hall back then for dealers.  We were selling Lionel and the first of our parts.    I was in hight school at the time. I was about 15 years old.That is The first time that I can rember going to york with him. It was the first time he took me with him to sell trains there and it was one of those times you never forget.  

I was 42. I had become interested in early postwar Flyer, as well as having a Christmas layout. Belonged to TCA and went to York for a few years, but then quit. I was happy with just a "O" Christmas layout, which I built in 1986. Re-joined in 2005, and built some more layouts. I like the present-day York, in part due to the extra day on Thursday. Far less of a mob scene now, IMO.

First one was 1980 I was 27. Missed only 2 time since.

32 years old in 1994; looks like many guys started in their thirties

Sixteen.

In April 1982. Went as a guest with my Grandfather. Bought a brand spanky new Cascade E2 from Bob McCoy.

31 in April 2012.............. I am approaching my 1 year anniversary!

Have to get something nice to commemorate the occasion 

I was somewhere between 8-10 years old.  I remember sleeping in blazer with my father next to the red hall.  I was great time. 

45 in 1990.