Women model railroaders

[IRONROOSTER]

30 years ago my wife expressed a liking for the Campbell schoolhouse so I bought it for her. It's still in the box waiting to be built. When she goes to a train show with me it's to shop the old plate dealers[:)][:)].
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

Both of my daughters LOVE model RRing, the 6yr old will run the trains, but she isn't quite into scenicking(yet...). The 10yr old just switched from HO to N, and has some ideas she'd like to use when we build her N scale layout. Now..... If only we can get [:D]Mom[:D] interested[:D]!!??!! I'm not holding my breath, because you can't win them all...........[:(]

[rambo1]

Hey Cb&Q I made a similar deal with my wife but to have a second child!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Women model railroaders are rare "birds" indeed. I have met a few, but not many. I think the problem is certain aspects of this hobby just don't appeal to most women.

Construction and technical matters that men find fun and interesting, bore most women, or possibly perplex them. Many like trains but few will jump in and take action.

It is more likely that a wife will want to participate in certain more artistic and creative segments of the hobby, leaving the technical issues to the man. These are my observations after over 30 years in the hobby.

Please don't think that I'm being sexist. My current partner is a bit of a "tomboy". When I met her she knew nothing about trains and model railroading. She has taken a real liking to this stuff, and will follow me anywhere. She is even willing to help me with layout construction, and I am happy to teach her. She is a far cry from my ex wife. [swg]

[Fergmiester]

Watch yourself BB. Once they take a liking to something, they become the experts and what you thought you knew was little as to their need for knowledge and ability to read and understand instructions before hand is awesome.[:D]

[lupo]

I got the june edition of the MR magazine last week, featuring
the ATSF Emporia Subdivision a layout by Stephen and Cinthia Priest,
the Deer Mountain by Dave and Maggie Methlie
and the Monida & Yellowstone RR by Claude and Cindy Leglise
they made awsome stuff!

[Anonymous]

I think cwclark needs to switch to outdoor railroading. Any scale is possible, so you don't have to go to G scale either. Bob T

[Anonymous]

no way

[ClinchValleySD40]

There are some really great women model railroaders. I had the real pleasure of meeting one last weekend (Mary Miller) and we've actually had some attend our ops sessions. My wife does some model building (buildings and such) and helps with scenery.

[Anonymous]

My wife was instrumental in my start with this hobby. Unknowingly she purchased my first lionel set as a Christmas present. She was not prepared for the onset of my obsession, financially or time -wise. But for the most part, she tries to act interested when I get excited about a new building kit, or a sharp layout I have discovered. The rest of the family just shakes their heads a lot. One bright spot is my niece, who disappears to the basement at every family gathering to "run" the trains. Hope springs eternal.

Lee

[moparman48]

My wife does ALL the detail work, landscaping, weathering, builds all the structures, fine details rolling stock and locomotives.
She also does the diagrams for the control boards, (one board for each section or yard).
However, she just can't figure out which way the turnout is set, straight or turning, I have a lot of fun with that.
My daughter with her busy life (teenager) tried switching a yard a couple of times, she was very quick to point out to her mother how well she did, including setting the turnouts.

[Anonymous]

I am an avid supporter of women in the hobby. My personals add reads:

"Wanted Girl with Train!. Send Picture of Train.

james

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Grayhound Challenger

I am an avid supporter of women in the hobby. My personals add reads:

"Wanted Girl with Train!. Send Picture of Train.

james

Now here's a guy with his priorities straight.[tup][tup][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][swg]

[JPowell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by Grayhound Challenger

I am an avid supporter of women in the hobby. My personals add reads:

"Wanted Girl with Train!. Send Picture of Train.

james

Now here's a guy with his priorities straight.[tup][tup][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][swg]

If only I was as smart as Greyhound.... [:(]
But then again, who knows how "she" would have turned out either....

[MAbruce]

I’d have to conclude that this hobby mainly draws men. Sure there are women in this hobby, but it’s more the exception than the rule. I’m not sure of the reason behind this. Perhaps it’s cultural, or maybe just one of those things that appeals mostly to men?

When I restarted in the hobby (my last attempt was well before marriage), my wife thought it an odd thing that a grown man wanted to play with trains. But as it involved our boys, she thought I was doing it more for them. However, when she started to see the layout take shape, her perceptions changed. Now she brags about (and shows off) my layout to all her friends. She’s more proud of it than I am! Go figure!

[Anonymous]

Maybe she has embraced the pure form of the old age axim that reads.

"Ye who dies with the most trains, WINS!!!!!"

[Anonymous]

I'm one of those rare women model railroader [:)] I have not yet build my first layout, mostly because I'm still a student living at her parents, studies cost a lot, but the money I'll get from a good job will go into trains, it's a long term investment [swg]

I must admit that most people look at me funny when I mention model trains and scenery and how much it's something that's always interested me, but who cares, that's what I like. My mother doesn't really like the idea, my father loves it and my girlfriend thinks it's very very cool. She herself is into modeling, just into model houses, who knows, one day, she might be the one making the buildings for my layout [8D]

To each their thing, but when it comes to model trains or modeling in general, I think it's just a stereotype and this same stereotype is what drives many women away from the hobby.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neerie

I'm one of those rare women model railroader [:)] I have not yet build my first layout, mostly because I'm still a student living at her parents, studies cost a lot, but the money I'll get from a good job will go into trains, it's a long term investment [swg]

That makes us about the same age. and we both have similar living arrangments. Want to compare notes?

James.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neerie

I'm one of those rare women model railroader [:)] I have not yet build my first layout, mostly because I'm still a student living at her parents, studies cost a lot, but the money I'll get from a good job will go into trains, it's a long term investment [swg]

I must admit that most people look at me funny when I mention model trains and scenery and how much it's something that's always interested me, but who cares, that's what I like. My mother doesn't really like the idea, my father loves it and my girlfriend thinks it's very very cool. She herself is into modeling, just into model houses, who knows, one day, she might be the one making the buildings for my layout [8D]

To each their thing, but when it comes to model trains or modeling in general, I think it's just a stereotype and this same stereotype is what drives many women away from the hobby.

I think that's wonderful that you want to get into this hobby. Just one word of advice, buy the trains because you like them, and don't consider them an investment in terms of dollar value. They are not that kind of investment. There is a lot of value in this hobby, but it comes from the time you spend learning facts and skills, and making things.

Oh and watch out, I think a lot of the guys here want dates.[swg]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Oh and watch out, I think a lot of the guys here want dates.[swg]

Dates?

Well, yes, it is true.

BUT: What I am really looking for is someone special who will come into my life, spend the time it takes to get to know me and my model railroad... and then wire my layout for DCC.

I mean, dinner and a movie, that's gone and forgotten in a week, but operational trackwork, that's something that sticks with ya!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neerie

I'm one of those rare women model railroader [:)] I have not yet build my first layout, mostly because I'm still a student living at her parents, studies cost a lot, but the money I'll get from a good job will go into trains, it's a long term investment [swg]

I must admit that most people look at me funny when I mention model trains and scenery and how much it's something that's always interested me, but who cares, that's what I like. My mother doesn't really like the idea, my father loves it and my girlfriend thinks it's very very cool. She herself is into modeling, just into model houses, who knows, one day, she might be the one making the buildings for my layout [8D]

To each their thing, but when it comes to model trains or modeling in general, I think it's just a stereotype and this same stereotype is what drives many women away from the hobby.

I think that's wonderful that you want to get into this hobby. Just one word of advice, buy the trains because you like them, and don't consider them an investment in terms of dollar value. They are not that kind of investment. There is a lot of value in this hobby, but it comes from the time you spend learning facts and skills, and making things.

Oh and watch out, I think a lot of the guys here want dates.[swg]

What I ment in investment was that I'm keeping my money for my studies now so I can get a good job and more money that I can use for trains later. And as for dates, read again, I'm taken [:D]

[AlcoRS11Nut]

To few are in the hobby!

[Anonymous]

My ex-wife despised model trains. I think any man who has a woman that enjoys or even helps with the hobby is the luckiest man alive. I have been quite surprised that every once in awhile in a train store is a woman is along with her husband telling him what to pick out and how to add it to the layout. I am really surprised how many women I have seen at model train shows, selling, buying, looking! Quite personally, I hope if I ever do decide to hook up again with a woman, I would enjoy having someone help with the hobby. But the last woman I had interest in told me "what do you want something like that for!" I threw her out and kept the trains!

[Anonymous]

my girlfriend with is 12 enjoys putting up trees and the scenery on my dad and I layout.

[mtoda]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neerie

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by Neerie

I'm one of those rare women model railroader [:)] I have not yet build my first layout, mostly because I'm still a student living at her parents, studies cost a lot, but the money I'll get from a good job will go into trains, it's a long term investment [swg]

I must admit that most people look at me funny when I mention model trains and scenery and how much it's something that's always interested me, but who cares, that's what I like. My mother doesn't really like the idea, my father loves it and my girlfriend thinks it's very very cool. She herself is into modeling, just into model houses, who knows, one day, she might be the one making the buildings for my layout [8D]

To each their thing, but when it comes to model trains or modeling in general, I think it's just a stereotype and this same stereotype is what drives many women away from the hobby.

I think that's wonderful that you want to get into this hobby. Just one word of advice, buy the trains because you like them, and don't consider them an investment in terms of dollar value. They are not that kind of investment. There is a lot of value in this hobby, but it comes from the time you spend learning facts and skills, and making things.

Oh and watch out, I think a lot of the guys here want dates.[swg]

What I ment in investment was that I'm keeping my money for my studies now so I can get a good job and more money that I can use for trains later. And as for dates, read again, I'm taken [:D]

When I first read your posting I wondered about the girlfriend you mentioned. My Gaydar kind-of did a little blip.

Whenever I see those layout articles that mention the layout owner and his wife, but there's no mention of the wife's participation in the article, I just figure that it's probably just an honorary mention (casual heterosexism). I've wondered what MR would do if someone wanted to mention their same-sex partner in the same context.

By the way, I'm available, if any of the other single (Gay) guys are interested…

[jsanchez]

Being a train dealer, I have had the pleasure of selling to a few women model railroaders. I have noticed most came from railroading families and had a historical interest in railroading. I have also noticed that I sell a lot of model railroad figures (Preiser, Woodland Scenics, Merten) to women customers, they seem to be the number one way women try to contribute to their spouses or boyfriends hobby interest. The other women customers I have dealt with are mothers who have sons or daughters that are interested in trains, yes many kids still find trains interesting. I met an 8 year old the other day who could explain all about the different steam locomotives the Union Pacific had or Norfolk and Western used, he dislikes diesels which is unique for a modeler under 50 years of age.

[Anonymous]

My wife enjoys painting. If I give her a tankcar to weather or ask her to paint the bricks and mortar on a building, she's more than happy to do it. If I ask her to help me make trees or even (shudder) to operate, she isn't interested. Painting, yes; everything else involved in model railroading, no.

[CNJ831]

If the original question posed is considered seriously and if one doesn't consider women who are simply acting in support of their husband's/boyfriend's/faimily relation's (mother, daughter, young niece) interest in model railroading but are truly independently interested in the hobby, the number of women in MRRing becomes dwindlingly small. Currently I'd guess their number at well below one-tenth of one percent of hobbyists - say a couple of thousand, at most (assuming a quarter million hobbyists, total). The driving forces behind the hobby seem to have virtually no appeal to women on a personal level. It's easy to cite many other hobby interests that are essentially male-only too. It's simply that way and not a sexist thing, just a difference in the way humans work.

CNJ831

[Anonymous]

Well last time I responded to this forum, I soon realized that as a woman with a
French flair for high speed rail and a subtle sense of humour for the obvious...
that perhaps my response to Tranzrail should have been read after at least one
full glass of Merlot followed by an episode or two of the Marx Brothers.
Laughter is good for the soul.
Anyway, as a female 'railroadess' ...I (no jibes please) have begun my journey
into railroading by starting off with a standard oval track of ATLAS code 22/100
main track, a Bachmann UP GP-40, BN well-deck container cars and finally just
for something different...DRGW & CSXT 65' mill gondolas (Walthers) that I feel would look great in a modern multi themed 5'x9' layout.
Though I have read many negative comments about Bachmann, I feel that my
locomotive is both quietly efficient as well as being value for money at this time.
"For everything under heaven...there is a first time for all new beginnings..!"

[Anonymous]

Interesting discussion. I have a few comments:
My mother builds most of the buildings for her boyfriends railroad. She could care less about trains, but she is one hell of a modeller. She has built several craftsman kits, and I have no trouble choosing a gift for them- he gets trains and she gets buildings!
My roommates niece frequently runs my sound equipped locomotives. She has no trouble figuring out Digitrax- unlike me! She is 6 [:D]
The gentleman who is looking for a date should watch out. I don't know if I could share my C&O basement with a NYC modeller![;)]