How much grief does your wife give you about your trains.

[Anonymous]

Hello All: My Wife is actually GREAT about the whole train thing, We both appreciate fine art , awesome collectables and so on. She does keep up to the value of the stash & has commented " If anything should ever happen to you they will be sold real fast". At least I will leave her something. After 22 years I think I will stick with the devil I know, besides I love her dearly! Steve

[Anonymous]

either the trains or the tavern

[Anonymous]

I haven't even built mine yet, but I"ve been doing tons of research and have been eyeing the old childhood benchwork and boxes of trains in the garage. My boys are 4 & 2 and love all things toy and miniature.
We watch various nephews and neighbors zone out on Gameboys and Xbox and TV, and she is hardcore against that--so, for now, I think she is very much on board with a setup that really shouldn't cost anything but time.

I haven't mentioned that I'll be building a huge HO empire when the boys are older and whether they show continued interest or not!

Her dad had a trainset when she was a kid and her mom put the kabosh on it--I think she felt sorry for him, so I have that going for me too.

As many have mentioned...the alternatives are much worse.
Bottom line...make sure your priorities are straight...your relationship, kids and job come first. If you can dovetail the whole mess...good luck!

[AlanRail]

Since I have local friends out there that read these posts iI can't be too glib.

CANNON 1. Having disposable income is a must for any expensive hobby.

CANNON 2. As a result of Cannon 1., you have freedom.

CANNON 3. Freedom is the ability to do what you want, so my train hobby is like having sex with another woman not my wife.

CANNON 4. Don’t flaunt it except in posts. So It's not a good idea to either waive flags at bulls or train sales receipts at wives.

Following these basic Cannons; there's no grief to worry about, except being shot from one.

[Anonymous]

My wife and I have a very good relationship so for the most part my wife has been very supportive. For Christmas, Birthdays and sometimes even valentine's day she usually buys me trains. That said, it is an expensive hobby and getting what I want sometimes takes careful negotiation.

Some of the things I found helpful:
1) Be a "supportive" husband. When she sees something she really wants I get it for her. When I do this my wife often reciprocates.

2) We keep our finances together, so we decided to each open our own savings accounts and automatically have $100 a month deposited into each. We can use this money for anything we want without any grief from the other.


3) I also try to get her involved. For example, I ask her: can you make me a train skirt for my platform? What do you think I should do for scenery? Can you help me with ideas to decorate my layout for christmas? I found now when we go to the hobby store she will actually ask if she can get some stuff for me that she picks out herself.

Let's face it, there are much worse things to spend money on (excessive drinking, drugs, gambling, mistresses or all combined). With this hobby at least we are home staying out of trouble.

Best of luck to you,
Ron