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Secret Model Railroad

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  • Member since
    January 2019
  • 2,572 posts
Posted by John-NYBW on Thursday, December 9, 2021 8:12 AM

BEAUSABRE

Hey, ya gotta have yer priorities straight. It depends on whether you want a quality model railroad or a model quality girlfriend

 

I just turned 70. It's an easy choice now.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 170 posts
Posted by nycmodel on Thursday, December 9, 2021 7:42 AM

At least she knows where he is at night.

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • 6,449 posts
Posted by MidlandMike on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 7:26 PM

Colorado Ray
...but that doesn't look like a $330,000 layout to me.

Maybe it reflects the cost of renting a 200' long commercial space.

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 2:36 PM

This is what its all about.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBMAMWI_fZg

 

Here in the U.K.   we have seen it grow from humble beginnings.

His girlfriend has known about it for two years (just after they met).  As I said a good PR  exercise  that has the world talking.

There is plenty of film on youtube.  

David 

 

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    March 2013
  • 427 posts
Posted by Colorado Ray on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 9:49 PM

dknelson

Isn't there something just a tad improbable about this story?  I can accept the idea of the guy being afraid of a new girlfriend's reaction to his hobby.  I can accept that claiming to be a wine collector would be a good way to put up a smokescreen about the model train hobby - it explains both the basement and why there is no spare money available.

But a model railroader who doesn't talk/boast/complain/read/shop about the hobby almost compulsively?  An entirely secret second life?  Think of the self-control involved!  

Dave Nelson

 

 

what seems improbable to me is spending $330,000 on that.  I know a lot of folks complain about how expensive our hobby is, but that doesn't look like a $330,000 layout to me.  Must have some pricey rolling stock.

 

Ray

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • 6,449 posts
Posted by MidlandMike on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 9:00 PM

I never saw a reason to hide my hobby, until after it became known.  Then people buy me all sorts of stuff they thought I would appreciate.  Such as stuff in different scales, different time periods, toy trains, instant heirlooms, boilerhouse books, etc.  I put a loop of track on my train table, but before I could build a layout, the table got so full, I no longer have room for a layout.

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 2:50 PM

Good Point Dave.  Maybe he just made up the story to get exposure and recognition.  

 

I'm guilty of Secret model railroad tactics at times.  Sometimes I intercept packages from eBay and get it put away before the wife finds outLaugh

I don't know why, ...We both have our own separate bank accounts so spending the money is not an issue.  

I think it's the fact she knows as I do,  I have a spending spree problem from time to time as I get carried away with too many train purchases.

I've made slide-out trays under my layout to put all my stuff away and they are full now.  I'm going to make some more but now my layout is getting a little harder to roll the wheels across the carpet anymoreSad

 

 

 

TF

 

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Milwaukee WI (Fox Point)
  • 11,439 posts
Posted by dknelson on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 11:06 AM

Isn't there something just a tad improbable about this story?  I can accept the idea of the guy being afraid of a new girlfriend's reaction to his hobby.  I can accept that claiming to be a wine collector would be a good way to put up a smokescreen about the model train hobby - it explains both the basement and why there is no spare money available.

But a model railroader who doesn't talk/boast/complain/read/shop about the hobby almost compulsively?  An entirely secret second life?  Think of the self-control involved!  

Dave Nelson

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 8,173 posts
Posted by Track fiddler on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 7:00 AM

NorthBrit

Dawn doesn't know about my layout in the spare room!!!

Laugh

What if she looks behind the curtain?

https://youtu.be/ubIpoPjBUds

 

 

 

TF

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 5:49 AM

As I mentioned earlier the layout is well known here.  It  has been in a railway magazine.

A good bit of P.R.  and is now known around the world. Big Smile

 

Dawn doesn't know about my layout in the spare room!!!   Whistling  Laugh

 

David

 

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 1,314 posts
Posted by BEAUSABRE on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 5:17 AM

Hey, ya gotta have yer priorities straight. It depends on whether you want a quality model railroad or a model quality girlfriend

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 2,360 posts
Posted by kasskaboose on Monday, December 6, 2021 8:05 PM

Makes you wonder what else he's lying about?Oops - Sign

I bet the g/f wanted some of the $330K to include a large chunk of ice.

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 554 posts
Posted by Shock Control on Monday, December 6, 2021 6:04 PM

So, the guy:

1. Lies to his girlfriend about the use of the space;

2. Spends $330K on the layout; yet he

3. Can't afford to buy an inexpensive climate-controlled wine storage unit, along with a few $100 bottles to put inside?

I'd have dumped him.  

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, December 6, 2021 5:13 PM

BigDaddy

There's a pond?   Stick out tongue   

 

A big pond indeed.  Laugh

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, December 6, 2021 2:59 PM

There's a pond?   Stick out tongue

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Monday, December 6, 2021 1:28 PM

It's well known this side of the pond.  Wink

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Secret Model Railroad
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, December 6, 2021 11:51 AM

If I was the girlfriend, I would have preferred a wine merchant.
https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/man-hides-countrys-largest-model-train-railway-girlfriend

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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