I really appreciate all the guys I have met on this and other forums but I have yet to meet another woman, I realize this isn't a "girly girl" type hobby but I find it satisfies all of my artistic talentsand it seems there would be others like me.I thought it would fun to see if there were any other women who enjoy railroading too. But If I'm to the only lady on this forum, so be it, I may just change my name to "The Lone Lady".
Hey Lisap,
I bet you are right for the most part... trains have traditionally been a father son thing more than a father daughter thing in the past. I think this is changing (although both my children are boys!), and I see more and more little girls at train shows and hear more stories in this forum about grandchildren (including girls). I think times are changing and you are just a "pioneer" I am sure some other ladies will chime in... Perhaps you can give us tips on how to get our wives to enjoy the hobby as much we do (not including bribes with pedicures, massages or other gifts!). Nice to have you in the forum.
Brian
'I may just change my name to "The Lone Lady"
... or ' The Lone Arranger'... which makes your point of view even more imprtant to us 'shauvinistic pig's.
'Hang in there baby.' Our experience is were're spending too much on our hobby, instead of 'them'. (Ie: competition). Your input appreciated, regardless what you may read here.
I'm not really sure my self but I have found that the only way to overcome ignorance of a subject is to admit we are ignorant.
There are women in the hobby. Perhaps not on these forums proper.
Two weeks ago a Wedding Proposal was made and accepted by the bride to be at one of our LHS's during a class. I would think something like that is very special.
My wife thinks that I have dreams of empire and fill the house with trains. But she sees some of the work and is happy. Once construction starts I might enlist her with trees, people and other scenic materials.
Yea I agree and I'm pretty handy with paint it's amazing what you can do with some paint, a brush and alittle imagination.
Well I'm off to bed my boys will have me up at 7am regardless of what time I go to bed. So good night and thank you all for your imput.
James, Brisbane Australia
Modelling AT&SF in the 90s
Lisa,
My wife and I have two young boys (no daughters) also... Both show an interest, though my older boy is clearly a future model railroader, no question. My wife is very supportive, from helping ensure the budget is there for my hobby to accompanying me to the hobby store. She's helped me with scenery, with painting the benchwork and fascia, and with moving the layout(s) around. She didn't kill me when I tore down Layout #3 in preperation for Layout #4. She knows I was in this hobby long before I met her, and hasn't tried to change me! What she's not interested in are the trains themselves. Still, I use her as a critical eye for the scenery and structures.
Honestly, I'd love to see her more interested in operating the layout. She was intrigued when I went DCC (she's very computer savvy) but has yet to crack the throttle. I imagine you feel the same way about your husband...?
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Good morning and thank you to everyone who has posted, I wasn't expecting much, I've tried posting on other forums but Recieved very little feed back from any one, I'm pretty sure it was just the site either that or this is just a great bunch of modelers.
Electrolove, That must be so hard to be the only one around into trains, I don't have any friends who model but aleast if I run into a problem or have a question there are a few shops around that I can ask at. I don't have any pictures of this layout,I feel funny posting my work before it is done(it's the artist in me, I don't let anyone see my paintinga till they're done either).I am not modeling any particular place or time, I guess you could say I am try to create my "perfect" world.
James, I agree looks like I am a rare breed ,that's OK being Unique is a good thing When I was still in school(feels like 100 years ago) I tried so hard to fit in with the rest that I tended to get into trouble often, now as a grown woman with children, I try to show my Boys that we don't need to all be the same.
Dave, glad your wife is supportive my husband is great but some times he makes sugestions that sound good until I try to impliment them, that's when I realize my inexperience and have to call for help often I find that these good ideas are either to hard to do or they are not do-able at all.
Jsoderq, Yea that's very possible, I haven't found that to be a problem here but I tried posting on anothe site and was made to feel pretty stupid, though I don't know if it was because I was a woman or a Newbe(a double wammy is some peoples minds).