My dad had an HO scale setup in the basement when I was a kid and I've been thinking about building one. I'm 47. Is this going to make me look like a total weirdo or is it actually still a thing people do? Seem to see some YouTube channels about it so maybe there's a community? Also how much does it cost to get started reasonable?
Not weird at all. Model railroading communities are huge right now and full of guys your age and older. Plus it's a legit hobby with real technical and creative aspects, not just sitting around.
I'd love to hear what your dad thinks if you tell him. That's kind of a full circle moment.
Do it. Seriously. Your kids will think it's cool and you'll have this meditative hobby that gets you away from screens. Plus there's something great about building something physical with your hands at that age.
The only weird thing would be NOT doing something you actually enjoy. Life's too short to care what people think about a hobby.
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47 is literally the perfect age for this. You've got the patience, the disposable income, and the technical skills. Start with the basics and see how deep you want to go.
HO scale is the sweet spot btw. Not too expensive, plenty of scenery options, good community online. If you want to start simple just grab a basic set and go from there.