Water tower:American Flyer No. 596

Model railroading developed as a hobby for grown-ups nearly as soon as the first generation of boys to play with electric trains grew to adulthood. By the 1930s, adult modelers (mostly men) founded the National Model Railroad Association with local chapters in every state in the union. The hobby flourished for decades, and many active chapters developed their own intricate railroad layouts for personal pleasure and public delight. Whole industries developed to supply modelers with materials for building layouts: trains, of course, but also buildings, bridges, scenery, landscaping, power sources, wiring, and tools. By the end of the 20th century, hobbyists numbered about 500,000 throughout the USA.