Most Master Model Railroader awards are granted to people in their 50s and up. It takes time to master the many aspects of the hobby, and an MMR must show breadth of knowledge as well as depth. But because of the initial outlay cost (in time and money and space for a layout) of the hobby, the majority of "world class" modelers don't really get serious about it until they've settled into good-paying jobs and their kids are out of the house.