significant other?

[CNW-400]

My wife enjoys trains & model railroading, and is darn good at building structures and scenicing. She never complains about how much I spend and I don't say anything about her scrapbooking expenses. We both work hard and if we want to spend our earnings on something we enjoy where's the problem?

Probably the only friction is that she likes lots of scenery: houses, buildings, streets & people, and I like lots of sidings & big freight yards. Unfortunately there's only so much space available. Oh well, guess we need to build a second layout!

Mark

[Anonymous]

My wife would probably like me to commit to one hobby or the other. My camaro restoration or trains. She never complains about money spent. Probably because I think long and hard before I spend and think of family first. We virtually have nothing in common othe than to make the other happy[:)] Being a carpenter though she would rather have me make our house look like the pictures I bring home than invest my time in a hobby. I going to start a garden railroad in hopes of including her. She loves flowers and planting.

Carpenter matt - If it's to be made from wood I can build it! It's the rest I have problems with!#%*$

[Anonymous]

I'm not married, but I wondered how my wife or g/f would respond to my 'toys.' I'd hope she'd think I had an interesting hobby, whether or not she shared my interest. One think's for sure: the moment she started 'cleaning house' and decided that my trains were ripe for the trash bin, she'd be OUTTA HERE. Nobody comes between me and my model trains!

[dave9999]

I've never had the problem of waiting for women to walk into my life. It's getting them to walk out thats
the problem! But I have to say that the one I have now is a keeper.We've been together about seven years
now. I've had to convert her from a Penn State football fan to a FloridaGators fan.
And when I decide to try model railroading, she was all for it. She helps out with what she can. She paints
the structures(I do the weathering) and helps with the trees and scenery. The rest, I'm on my on. Dave

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999
Hey Greyhound, I started this topic and I can ASSURE you that I am not your girlfriend. Dave

No But she did get us started on the side track of when the women of our dreams is going to walk in our life! Peace my friends.

James.

[Anonymous]

My wife IS THE BEST. You see, I labored long and hard on my own, discovering my own deficiencies and procrastinating my magazine-worthy layout, until finally she came along. Where my benchwork was shoddy, she built benchwork like kitchen cabinets, and where my trackwork proved a rough ride, she showed me how to create a silky-smooth right-of way which never derails my consists. My rat's nest of wiring got the treatment, too, and now it looks like a clear and functional full-size diagram, stapled to the underside of my joists. And, she insisted that ever last N-scale engine have a DCC decoder, work which she paid out of her own resources to have done. Meanwhile, I've been free to focus on my strengths, such as scenery, and kitbashing, and structure building, painting and weathering cars and locomotives, and the like. What's more, I don't even have to go downstairs to fetch a beverage when my hands are all covered in plaster... she runs down to the fridge long before I ever ask it.

The only problem is, and I'll grant you that it is a very serious difficulty in our marriage, is this: I HAVEN"T MET HER YET. ;-)

Where oh where are you, my love? I languish in your absence...

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Grayhound Challenger

I think my girlfriend started a monster.

Hey Greyhound, I started this topic and I can ASSURE you that I am not your girlfriend. Dave

[preceng]

My wife has no interest in the sport, but she buys me gift certificates. Good Girl

[METRO]

One of my girlfiriend's loves along with me, her Mini and her fashion designer job is travel and trains. On our layout I do the Canadian National, she does the Canadian Pacific and we share the VIA, Amtrak, Go Transit and senics.

[brothaslide]

QUOTE: Originally posted by krump

I feel compelled to reply with some thoughts, intended to encourage everyone[:)]... My WIFE ([:D]) walked into my life 8 yrs ago (I was 31)
- she's wonderful, spends more on Scrapbooking our Memories, than I do on trains,
- she has little interest in trains, while I am still developing the skills to do the hobby (I've also started a "guys version of Scrapbooking" - cars, vacations, camping...),

This sounds alot like my wife and I - She scrapbooks and I do the trains and we are both very committed to God.

[vsmith]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NTDN

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

My wife thinks it would be "significant" if I did something "other" than play with my "toys" .

we all agree....It would be Significant if you stopped playing with your toys and started playing with your trains :D

To me, they are "scale Model Railroad Equipment"[:D]

To her, they're "toys"[:(]

[Anonymous]

I think my girlfriend started a monster.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith

My wife thinks it would be "significant" if I did something "other" than play with my "toys" .

we all agree....It would be Significant if you stopped playing with your toys and started playing with your trains :D

[vsmith]

My wife thinks it would be "significant" if I did something "other" than play with my "toys" .

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

My wife thinks there is something developmentally wrong with me because I have what she considers a childs hobby and she can't bring herself to even visit the layout. She never really complains, she just looks at me like you do a new puppy that just crapped on the floor everytime I say trains, you know, slight smile with eyes rolled back in her head. I never buy anything in her presence and never ask to go to a hobby shop when she is with me. She has this thing for faries and it takes me an extra 10 min to mow because of all of them winged women in the yard. So I pay her back when she mentions faries or wants to stop at a yard ornament store. But you know, I don't really mind her faries, I can always use them in arguements, and some of them are pretty hot lookin'. FRED

You sound just like me and my wife. I must move 20 or so everytime I mow the lawn during the summer. At least with our trains, nothing has to be picked up, moved adn replaced everytime there is to be a picnic. [:D]

[krump]

I feel compelled to reply with some thoughts, intended to encourage everyone[:)]... This is a hobby, and a lifestyle, and it is nice to share it with others[^], however this post has shifted from (in my perpective) a general interest query to what I perceive to be a "not so uncommon" frustration[:(] wondering how to find happiness, and fulfillment perhaps involving a significant other. The last 20 posts or so have a flavour of "where, when is my significant other coming into my life? idea". So that you know where I'm coming from (with sincerity, I feel the pain) and at the risk of being too vulnerable... I'll fill in a few personal life circumstances intended to let you know that there is hope. Press on. Things do change...

I was born with a permanent physical disability (winter is tough for me to get around in as I noted in another post), - my physical perspective on life,
I was raised in a Christian home (in my case that made a big difference[^]),
spent much time in the hospital as a child between the ages of 1-15 yrs as I recovered from approx 30 (thirty) corrective surgeries, significant time in wheelchairs off my feet,
received my first train set at age 9 (I think ?)[8D]
saw friends dating, at a time when I was extremely self conscious (yet also quite outgoing and socially involved) - this was a constant burden for me, eventually I took some risks and began dating also,
like some others have also noted, I felt lonely, rejected, and reluctant to take risks...
My WIFE ([:D]) walked into my life 8 yrs ago (I was 31)
- she's wonderful, spends more on Scrapbooking our Memories, than I do on trains,
- she has little interest in trains, while I am still developing the skills to do the hobby (I've also started a "guys version of Scrapbooking" - cars, vacations, camping...),
we knew that we were unable to conceive children for several reasons,
the Lord (literally) allowed us adopt a little girl under seemingly impossible circumstances (not to mention that it's more expensive than model r/r and scrapbooking combined)- the year after we were married[:D][:D]------ though we had considered it, we had not yet applied, and none of the paperwork process (12-18 months) had started, yet there was our little miracle baby
three years later we adopted two children internationally
(if you are doing the math... at age 31 I was single, by age 35 I was married with 3 kids... [:)][:)]God is good).
I've worked for Corrections / Probation for the past 16 years - and there have been numerous difficult circumstances to deal with (who says that crime doesn't pay? I get paid every 2 weeks[:o)]... and I do have friends in low places) -can't bring work home, or even discuss it, so I need a good hobby.
our kids enjoy coming to see the Club's train railroads also

To those that need some encouragement, I hope that it encourages you to stay focussed and keep doing what you enjoy. We all experience a few setbacks along the way .
To those that do not share my perspective, I mean no offence - I am relating my circumstances to encourage others, and those details are part of it, I am not intending to "preach", and that is all that you will hear from me about it (I have been reluctant to give personal details, therefore my forum profile remains blank)

NOW, don't we all have some TRAINING to do???[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:)][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][:D][^][:D]

[BR60103]

My wife liked the trains as soon as she saw them. It must have been a combinationof that and the dancing that got her.
She keeps an eye on what I do. She makes sure that the railroad looks respectable and made sure that it was ready for the NMRA convention last year.
She talked me into adding a joining piece to make a continuous run out of my point-to-point and now I find that she expects it to be scenicked!
She is also the one who spots bargain lots at train shows -- we got a double box of cars and details for $5.
And we also spent 20 years going into the city together on the commuter train.
For the single fellows: keep looking. I was 27 before I found her.

[Z For Me]

My dear wife has very little intrest in the hobby.
I have tried and she has shown intrest but she just does not get it.
Her hobbys, livestock, horses, hunting, fishing and her lifted 1998 Jeep Cherokee. She is also an avid collector of firearms (mee too!) Damm, she even owns a NFA Class III registered fully automatic submachine gun! Go figure?
I love her dearly, she is 13 years my juinor, I am 43 she is 30 so maybe the generation gap is the reason that she has little intrest in model railroading. I don't think that she was ever exposed at a younger age to the addiction.
One more thing, Where we live in Ely, NV we have two live steamers that are fully operational during the warmer months and they are so nice to ride or to just watch. They were formally used almost 100 years old working the copper mines in our small (<3000 population) mountain town. Here is a link for anyone that may be interested in taking a trip up to see, ride or even rent these two steamers. http://nevadanorthernrailway.net/ Please have a look and I know that you will enjoy reading the history of our trains. One of them was even transported by tractor trailer to the last winter games used to transport folks to and from differant olyimpic sites. It made our town so proud to be a part of the winter games by providing one of our old steamers for all the world to see and ride.
Again, you can rent these trains for a somewhat fair price and it includes engineer training and you are the throttle man for the two hour loop to and from the old copper mine. If I can remember the the prices start at $500.00 to operate one of the steamers.
Please have a look and who knows, maybe one day I will see you blowing the horn wearing the biggest smile of your life!
Take care, Mark in Ely, NV

[eastcoast]

My model trains have been around me LONGER than my wife.
She married me knowing I did this hobby. Yeah, she thinks it's cool
and all but really never looks at it .She likes the fact that it keeps me
out of trouble and at HOME. She knows where to find me, but is pretty
much a widow to the trains. I will purposely do some structure kits up
stairs in the livingroom just to try to be with her. BUT SHE STILL DOESN'T
REALLY CARE. Her main thing is that she feels that I might get upset if
she makes mistakes. I want her help and love her, but will let her go her
own way. ME, I've got a three track mind.

[Anonymous]

Alas, I've never had a girl friend[V][V][V]. Maybe I'm just shy, or girls just plain flat out hate me[:(]. And when my friends see me reading my train books, they just look at the picture and say, "what's so special abot trains?".[:(] But hey[:)] I like trains and MRR so I'm happy 24/7.[:D] (no one can tell me what to like........rrrr[:(!])

[GerFust]

My wife hasn't really caught on with model railroading, or railfanning. I bought here a structure model to build so we could work on the layout together - it really didn't fly. She does, however, support my interest in the hobby by buying me subscriptions to MR, Garden Railways, etc. She also purchases additional magazines when I travel to read on the train. She watches out for train shows, train stuff at garage sales, encourages the kids to be involved, and makes trains a theme of cards, presents, etc.

Nor does she complain about the expense of the hobby, although I try to limit that. I think she is glad I have a stress reliever, and that is beneficial for her as well as me.

I can never get her to wear the engineer's cap, though!

-Jer

[Anonymous]

It's wonderful to have my husband who is into this hobby like I am. We are still in the planning stages of our layout, but are going to start buying are locos and stuff in a week or two. We are going to a train show this weekend, and are getting all excited about itlike a couple of kids (I'm 43) going to Disneyland. [:D]

I know what it's like to have a "significant other" who could care less. That would be my first marriage.[:(!]

Cindy

[sparkingbolt]

I'm obviously luckier than I thought I was. And beleive me, I thought i was perdy well off.
My wife doesn't model, but enjoys my models. Not only does she not gripe about the funds needed, she even warns me to get something I want before it's out of production! (anyone have a dead 44 tonner in SP?)

She kinda proudly points out to others certain things she knows are worthy of note, and she can appreciate the diff between a hard earned scratchbuilt model and something more easily attained. She loves protoype trains too!

That's a pretty fair break, doncha think? : ) Dan

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flee307

My wife thinks there is something developmentally wrong with me because I have what she considers a childs hobby and she can't bring herself to even visit the layout. She never really complains, she just looks at me like you do a new puppy that just crapped on the floor everytime I say trains, you know, slight smile with eyes rolled back in her head. I never buy anything in her presence and never ask to go to a hobby shop when she is with me. She has this thing for faries and it takes me an extra 10 min to mow because of all of them winged women in the yard. So I pay her back when she mentions faries or wants to stop at a yard ornament store. But you know, I don't really mind her faries, I can always use them in arguements, and some of them are pretty hot lookin'. FRED

ROFL...THIS POST IS HYSTERICAL

[Jetrock]

I'm married. My wife isn't really interested in model railroading, but she does like trains and enjoys joining me on railroad museum trips and other railfannish jaunts. She has hobbies of similar inclination (jewelry making) and so understands the fun I get from model building. She has been very supportive of my interests, not quite to the point of allowing a model railroad in the house (although I might sneak in a small display mini layout under the radar screens) but enough that it is obvious that she approves of my hobby.

I think she also likes the fact that model railroading keeps me home more nights, whereas the hobby it is slowly replacing (performing and promoting rock and experimental music shows, and running a monthly gothic/industrial nightclub) kept me out of the house a lot of evenings.

She doesn't even give me a hard time about money spent on the hobby--of course, I don't really *mention* how much I spend on the hobby... ;)

[Anonymous]

I grew up in Philly, went to a bad school too. Now I live in Seattle. Love my home and where I grew up, but the neighborhood is much nicer out here on the west coast. And the significant others are pretty good out here too.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by flyingscot

I don't have a special anyone, and if I had, I'm sure she'd loath the hobby, I mean, I don't know anyone who enjoys this whos under the age of 50.

Plenty under 50 that enjoy it, even women.

Jay.

[brothaslide]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AggroJones

[I went to an extemely ghetto high school, very dangerous [B)], safer if I didn't reveal personal information. [:(!]
I never in my life got the feeling a woman has had intrest in me [V][V][V]

There's railroaders in da' hood! Check out the website I do for Locke High just down the street from Watts in LA (www.lockesaints.com) I don't live there but my high school was pretty tuff as well. Athearn is "Straight Outta Compton".

AggroJones - The community needs you to be strong, have a wife, children and set a great example!

Peace

[Anonymous]

I don't have a special anyone, and if I had, I'm sure she'd loath the hobby, I mean, I don't know anyone who enjoys this whos under the age of 50.