Ever wanted to know a little more about that guy on the editor page
Well, here I am...everything you wanted to know about Matt Mason.
Years in the Live Steam Hobby:
A total of 30 – 13 as a kid growing up in the Sacramento Valley Live Steamers and
the next 17 as an active builder.
Motive Power Preference:
1)Steam
2)Electric
Scales Actively Modeled:
Primarily 1” scale and 4 3/4" gauge, but also actively building 1 1/2"and
2 1/2" scales in 7 1/2" gauge.
My Home Railway:
The American River Navigation and Railway, a 400-foot long, 4 3/4" gauge
track that proves you don’t need a lot of space as it sits on only a 1/8-acre lot.
Why I Like Trains:
I have absolutely no idea. It possibly may be the machinery or just the large mass
moving down the track. Either way, it seems to consume my life and always will.
Favorite Shop Tool:
My J-head, Bridgeport mill. I don’t enjoy any machine more than I do the mill.
This is probably followed by the 7” angle grinder.
Furthest I Have Ever Traveled for a Live Steam Meet over a Weekend:
Approximately 2825 miles on a weekend trip to New Jersey Live Steamers
with my 20-year-old 1” scale electric in checked luggage under the plane. It was a three-day trip.
I did travel to both Riverside Live Steamers and Los Angeles Live Steamers in a single day from
Sacramento, about a 900 mile round trip. (I told you I love this stuff.)
Professional Background:
I have been a radio producer, news reporter, advertising copywriter, media ad buyer,
PR person, and railroad track worker. The last one is just as important as the others as
without the pain of working during the summer on a track gang, I may have never finished
college. These guys work hard…physically harder than I ever want to do again.
Family:
Married for 8 years with two boys, Daniel (3 years old) and Riley (2 years old).
Got a question you’d like to know about? Send me an e-mail and I’ll add it to the list.
