1:1 or 160:1?

[Roadtrp]

My wedding anniversary is coming up, and I had what I THOUGHT was a great plan to celebrate it.

We'd catch the Empire Builder in St. Paul at 7:40 AM for a round trip to Milwaukee. We would get to Milwaukee at 2:05 PM, and then catch the west-bound Empire Builder at 3:50 PM. We would be back in St. Paul at 10:25 PM. We could have sleeper accommodations both ways for a total fare of $297.

I figured we would have a great train trip, the privacy of sleeping accommodations even though it was a day trip, plus free meals in the dining car. What more could a person possibly want?

My silly wife seems to think the purpose of taking a train is to go somewhere, so she didn't like my idea too much. She suggested that we split the $300; figuring that I would take my $150 to the Hobby Shop for more N scale stuff and she would take her $150 to Pier 1 Imports to buy stuff for the house.

I'm not sure whether to be disappointed or to take the money and run!!

What do you think?

[:D] [:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Jerry, hard to believe it's been year already. I seem to recall that last year you took the Builder to Chicago for dinner and a show. The Twins are playing the Brewers home and away this year. Maybe go coach both ways, and stay overnight, and catch the game. There are other things to do in Milwaukee, Walthers, Kalmbach, and some good hobby stores. The Zoo has a nice train ride too.

I know, I have a one track mind, I suspect that your wife may not.

I guess my plan would be a budget buster, however I have another idea that may work.

How about a nice steam excursion? Milwaukee Road 261 only has a couple of trips listed so far. The Duluth trip is a little expensive, but the evening first class trip sounds nice at $75 per person. Splitting the difference, you could have your cake and eat it too.

http://www.261.com/

There's always the Zephyr.

[Roadtrp]

Great memory Elliot!!

Yes, last year for our 25th we took the Empire Builder to Chicago to see a show, have dinner and stayed overnight in a FANTASTIC suite (free upgrade) at The Drake. Since this year is not a "major" anniversary, we probably shouldn't spend as much.

I checked out the two Duluth tourist trains, and they don't start running until June. There is always the MN Zephyr, but as I'm sure you know it is a little pricey. Besides, who want to dress up in a suit to ride the train? [:P]

I should probably not worry about it, since I have a VERY COOL train trip coming up in a couple of months. We've purchased tickets for my wife, my 21- year old daughter and me to take the Empire Builder and the Cap Limited to Washington DC for a vacation in early July. We will have a Family Bedroom for the entire trip, so it should be a great time. I know the Family Bedroom is meant for younger children, but my daughter is very short (just under 5'-0") so I don't think it will be a problem.

Good to hear from you again Elliot and I'm amazed at your good memory!

[:)]

[orsonroy]

Don't take the money. Insist on going, telling her it's a "cruise on wheels". Maybe a bit low budget, but she'll enjoy the relaxing trip in the end.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roadtrp

Great memory Elliot!!

Yes, last year for our 25th we took the Empire Builder to Chicago to see a show, have dinner and stayed overnight in a FANTASTIC suite (free upgrade) at The Drake. Since this year is not a "major" anniversary, we probably shouldn't spend as much.

I checked out the two Duluth tourist trains, and they don't start running until June. There is always the MN Zephyr, but as I'm sure you know it is a little pricey. Besides, who want to dress up in a suit to ride the train? [:P]

I should probably not worry about it, since I have a VERY COOL train trip coming up in a couple of months. We've purchased tickets for my wife, my 21- year old daughter and me to take the Empire Builder and the Cap Limited to Washington DC for a vacation in early July. We will have a Family Bedroom for the entire trip, so it should be a great time. I know the Family Bedroom is meant for younger children, but my daughter is very short (just under 5'-0") so I don't think it will be a problem.

Good to hear from you again Elliot and I'm amazed at your good memory!

[:)]

Certain things do manage to stick to my brain, though there are days when I wonder if I'm losing it.

Did you look ar the short trip behind 261? I don't know where it is going, or if there is a meal served, but it still sounds like fun. The date is May 21st.

Are you going to try to ride the Acela (if it's running)?

[MAbruce]

Putting on my best "Dr Phil" here:

I really don't think your wife is being all that silly by suggesting that you keep your hobby out of the Anniversary picture (in other words GIVE IT A REST!). I'd try to find something else to do together that she would like. Let's face it, in case you haven't learned by now, Anniversary celebrations are mostly about what the wife wants to do.

[Anonymous]

Buying model railroad stuff to celebrate your marriage (or doing anything train-related if your wife isn't into trains as much as you are) is a bad idea.

Even if an anniversary celebration isn't about what the wife wants to do (as MAbruce said), it should at least be something the two of you want to do.

Dude: Trains vs. Wife. Simple choice man. AND, if you focus your anniversary efforts on your wife, you will end up with more "train playing time" in the end, trust me.

Then everyone wins!

[Anonymous]

Alright man - thought of another one - MAYBE this is something you could pull off. Say you'll take the money for the trains, but then surprise her and spend it on her.

However, this is extremely risky, as it could backfire, and she could be pretty upset that you'd actually take the deal. And just because she says it's ok for you to spend the money on train stuff - don't be fooled. If you spent it on her, you'll be a hero, and have lots more fun time of all kinds (including trains).

If you spend it on trains, you may be in the dog house for a while, even though you thought it was a safe deal. Seriously.

[Roadtrp]

<<If you spend it on trains, you may be in the dog house for a while, even though you thought it was a safe deal. Seriously.>>

Nahhh...

We've been married 26 years now. I know it sounds strange, but over the past five years or so we’ve grown to the point where we love each other so deeply and so unconditionally that we can each pursue our own interests and it doesn't threaten the other.

I can spend a bunch of bucks on trains and my wife is happy because she knows it makes me happy. She can spend a bunch of bucks on house stuff and I am happy because I know it makes her happy. We are really to the point that we don't need to agree on everything... we know we love each other anyway.

So I really believe that each of us having some "mad money” would be a great way to celebrate our anniversary. Of course I also plan to take my wife out to a movie and afterwards go to the finest restaurant in our area for a great anniversary meal.

Besides... a month ago I let her spend 12 grand to update a kitchen that I thought was perfectly fine the way it was.

She has her "hobbies", and I have mine.

[:)]

[Anonymous]

Alright, the background info helps. This isn't your 3rd marriage, and you're spending the dough on your "toys".

I hear you.

[MAbruce]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Roadtrp


Besides... a month ago I let her spend 12 grand to update a kitchen that I thought was perfectly fine the way it was.

She has her "hobbies", and I have mine.

[:)]

Be careful there. It can be easily argued that the 12 grand is recovered in the increased value of your house, as well as the nice meals that doubtless come out of it (unless you like cold cereal). [;)]

But I have yet to hear how a permanent MRR layout generally increases the value of a home. I had an appraiser through last week and the layout did nothing for the overall value of my house. Can you believe it was not even on the checklist of items that they check the value for???

[Anonymous]

I think the Empire Builder trip sounds great! And yes, it is a cruise on wheels! But, as we all know, "normal" people don't think of a train as a crew. Perhaps instead of just taking a train trip, you could take the train somewhere, like Chicago or Seattle or someplace in California?

[Wdlgln005]

It may be too early, bit i'd check on taking the train to Wis Dells. I'd have to check to see if Baraboo attractions like the circus world museum could be open, then go a bit west of there to ride the New Freedom train?

Connections for a late EB Empire Builder may be easier than going all the way to Milwaukee. Frankly, if the ducks are running, it may be better to spend a weekend & go back on another day's train! hopefully, you could catch spring arriving .

[Roadtrp]

QUOTE: Originally posted by MAbruce


Be careful there. It can be easily argued that the 12 grand is recovered in the increased value of your house, as well as the nice meals that doubtless come out of it (unless you like cold cereal). [;)]

But I have yet to hear how a permanent MRR layout generally increases the value of a home. I had an appraiser through last week and the layout did nothing for the overall value of my house. Can you believe it was not even on the checklist of items that they check the value for???

I'm afraid my wife has figured that out. Last night she was talking about some new furniture she wanted to get, and I asked if we hadn't just spent enough on the kitchen. She said we'd get every penny back in resale. I know she is right because I checked with a friend who is a realtor before we did the work, and he said kitchen updating usually gets you AT LEAST 100% back in resale value, sometimes more.

But are you SURE that model railroads don't add value??


[;)]