Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Some times I feel so alone...Am I the only woman here?

16949 views
234 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:52 PM

Karl, the more i think about it the more potential I can see, I have always thought of Wal Mart and the $ store as my friends but for some reason I didn't think of Michaels, mainly because I usually go there with a single minded pupose(oils and canvas) but now that has changed.

Thank you one and all for helping me reorder my thoughts on this subject, I'm going to be having some fun with all these ideas.                                                                           

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Mississippi
  • 819 posts
Posted by ukguy on Thursday, August 17, 2006 9:57 PM

but for some reason I didn't think of Michaels, mainly because I usually go there with a single minded pupose

I know what you mean................. one TRACK mind


Have fun & be safe
Karl

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 17, 2006 10:41 PM
Before I started modeling last year all my fun $ was spent on my painting supplies, now I'm still doing plenty of painting but of a different kind(other than my back grounds,of course I can't afford to do the in canvas) now I've "Switched Tracks"(two can play that game, HA HA)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, August 18, 2006 9:23 PM

 

I had a good day working on my layout finished with the plastering yesterday and got my mountain tunnel painted last step is to add "water" to the river and waterfall, will do that tomorow, Tom will be taking off with the boys for a few hours so I should be able to finish up that phase. Next step is to carve out the lake on the table and fit the two together. I'm still trying to photograph the lay out but as soon as I down load them on to my computer I realize they wouldn't work, so I'll keep trying .

Good night

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Mississippi
  • 819 posts
Posted by ukguy on Saturday, August 19, 2006 2:40 AM

Well it sounds like you are definately on the right tra....... no nevermind,,,, but you seem to be makining great progress... what is the prob with the camera? if the pics are on the computer then the battle is half won.... either way good to hear you are making good progress.

Have fun & be safe
Karl

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Coquitlam BC
  • 629 posts
Posted by fsm1000 on Saturday, August 19, 2006 4:19 AM
You can also wait for sales on paints for landscaping [one is on now by the way, well here anyhow]. Also you can use fima to make a root structure for your trees as well. Also people etc. I bet if you spent an hour or two wandering you could see tons of stuff there. I also use drywall plaster for scenery like mountains because it sets slower.
Try home depot for ideas also.
Wire can be used for trees as well.
I just built a bridge myself.
in the 'structures' section on my site. Maybe it can help you out.
http://fsm1000.googlepages.com

have fun. :)

Hopefully that will show a picture. Never tried that here.
My name is Stephen and I want to give back to this great hobby. So please pop over to my website and enjoy the free tutorials. If you live near me maybe we can share layouts. :) Have fun and God bless. http://fsm1000.googlepages.com
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 19, 2006 9:15 AM
Karl, yea I'm definetly making progress, The biggest problem I have with the pics is picture quality,they are Blurry or to dark, that sort of thing But I'm used to taking pics of larger things(like,my kids, garden ect.). I think I just need pratice ( although, I took some good shots of my old layout and they came out fine, I don't know)
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: PtTownsendWA
  • 1,445 posts
Posted by johncolley on Saturday, August 19, 2006 7:15 PM
Lisa. Don't give up! 'Way out here on the Olympic Peninsula in Sequim, WA at the NOPR club (North Olympic Peninsula Railroad, an HO Modular club) several of the wives are active, (two are recent widows of members), and we also have a single lady member who is also a barber! The guys go to get their hair cut and talk trains at the same time! She is getting quite knowledgeable! I hate to generalize or categorize people but I have found that the guys are usually (not always) more into the mechanics and electrical, and the ladies are more into the scenery and esthetic appearance. Happy railroading! jc5729
jc5729
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, August 19, 2006 8:46 PM

John, don't worry about my giving up, I won't. Inthe mean time I'm enjoying my trains and talking with everone here, Male or female makes no difference to me, never really did.

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Coquitlam BC
  • 629 posts
Posted by fsm1000 on Sunday, August 20, 2006 3:48 AM
For your pics, what I do is take them on a sunny day [my layout is in my living room] and then if need be I crop them. Sometimes the only way to get pics is like that. That's how I did the bridge. It was a larger picture and I just cropped it.
I hope that helps :D
My name is Stephen and I want to give back to this great hobby. So please pop over to my website and enjoy the free tutorials. If you live near me maybe we can share layouts. :) Have fun and God bless. http://fsm1000.googlepages.com
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 14 posts
Posted by kathymillatt on Sunday, August 20, 2006 5:32 AM

Lisa

You are definitely not the only woman.  I do find that some people don't get it but generally that the model railroading fraternity is very welcoming.

My group of the NMRA in West Midlands, UK has been great at making me feel welcome and I have regular meets at my house.  It is all about the people though and I never felt that welcome with the UK modelling clubs.

This week, the lady who was instrumental in my giving up modelling the UK to model the US is coming to stay.  3 days of female modelling!!

Food for thought: One of my male modelling friends tells me that women do better layouts as they look at it as a whole and are less "rivet-counting".  From the horse's mouth...

Kathy

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Monday, August 21, 2006 12:56 PM

Lisa,  I have been rock climbing with a friend and finially was able to check in.  I also am working on a tunnel portal.  As soon as I finish the ballast, I will attach the portal.  We have switched to geodesic foam by Bragdon Enterprises, with which you form the tunnel from a rock mold prior to its complete setup.  It seems to be a lot less work and is not as messy.  I have found that the paints that I used on plaster castings does not work as well.  You definately need acrylic paint.

John,  Are you modeling western Washington on your layout?

Kathy,  Great to hear from another female modeler.

Sue 

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 21, 2006 2:16 PM

Kathy, very good to hear from you , some times it's good to hear that there are other woman so I don't have to feel strange being a woman in a male dominated hobby, I know gender has very little to do with what we like but some times it feels like it must have when, women started compeating in "men's" sports, jobs, schools ect. so to any men reading this I am not talking about you, you haven't tried to black ball any one.

Sue glad you stop in, My moutain is complete, I even got some landscaping done on it, I took some potos but I'm not sure how they will come out, that  foam you wer talking about sounds interesting, Though I had a great time carving my out, guess whatever you like it the best for you. That's one of the great things about modeling we all share this hobby but we each can still be our selves at the same time.

Talk Later

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Monday, August 21, 2006 4:58 PM

Lisa,  My first layout had foam and plaster cloth mountains.  I am hoping that having foam where the plaster cloth was will help with tree attachment.  I will let you know later.  The web site is www.bragdonent.com.  When you do the hardshell, there is a stage where you can punch it into the shape that you want.  It has a lot of working time.  You just hot glue, staple, or use liquid nails to attach it.

The section that I am working on now has to be completed prior to connecting the upper to the lower track.  There is a 6% grade on the logging spur.  I am presently standing, leaning, or crawling where a section of track will be.  At least our main line is functional.

It is great to share.  It is amazing when the landscape starts going down.  Color really helps.  Did you paint trees and other ridge lines on your backdrop?

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, August 21, 2006 7:43 PM
I started to do my back drop but found it was getting in the way so I took it down for now, I not sure what I'm going to do yet.Just like my landscaping,I didn't decide to do fall untill I finished the mountain and it reminded me of an area up in the White Mountans that I remember from when I was a kid. So I had to landscape as I remembered.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 9:25 AM

Lisa,  It is always fun to model an area that you are familiar with.  We did a lot of studying on early 1900's logging in Western Washington.  We have one book that is autographed by the author and one of the loggers in the book.  We visited for 5 hours with the old guy.  He was really excited about our venture.  Our landing will be similar to one in the book.  I am trying to duplicate the type of rock formations that we have on the Olympic Penisula.  Because of the types of trees that we have here, we think that we will be doing spring.  The new growth on the trees should be interesting to duplicate.

Have fun with your space in the White Mountains.

I guess that I should go to work.

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: S.Easton , Mass.
  • 593 posts
Posted by smcgill on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 10:03 AM

Shy [8)]If you took over the back yard!!

You might be able to use the white mountains as your back drop?

Mischief

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 4:11 PM
 smcgill wrote:

Shy [8)]If you took over the back yard!!

You might be able to use the white mountains as your back drop?

Well I'm not close enough to see the white mountain(mores the pitty) but I could try for a full scale model of it(HA HA). Think of the fun I could have with the entire back yard, but we know HO doesn't like snow or rain and I can't convince my husband to close it in for me(BOO HOO< big tears falling)

Sue, I'm using some modelers license with my next stage which is an area of factories, there is this area in Exeter, NH that if you look down the tracks it looks like a long alley with factories and trees along both sides can't wait to get started.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 8:41 AM

Lisa,  It is sure easy to visualize that scene.  If you are doing fall, the color contrast will be great.  I can not wait to start a section of town.  Right now too many other things are in the way.  My main work bench is on the layout.  I will wait as long as possible to cover that.

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by claycts on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 11:50 AM

Lisa do you remenber the old joke about a guy looking for a wife and must have a boat, then wants a picture of the BOAT not her. You could reverse that and ask for a guy with right-of-way for trains and ask for a picture of the space Big Smile [:D]

I am lucky my wife loves this hobby and allows me to spend as much tine and money as I wish. She will help with the scenery and buildings.

How are you ladies doing with the wiring side of this hobby? This is usualy where people get stumped since it must be correct or POOF! I till me people when I do a seminar (when I feel like working) "there is no such thing as a dumb question it is only dumb not to ask it."

Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 2:21 PM

Well I used to be a woman but since the change a couple of years ago I am not anymore so you are yet still alone, sorry.   JUST KIDDING!! 

 

You should not feel alone because there must be more woman just not on this particular forum.  How about all the black modelers out there?  They could feel very alone because that is a minority in a minority hobby.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 10:39 PM

Zay, very cute joke but seriously I wonder if Modeling was stereotypicaly considered a "white man's hobby"Like so many other things used to be. I'm glad your here and who knows maby so black modelers will reveal them selves just like some of the woman decieded to let me know they were out there.

George, I like the one that says" Missing wife and boat reward for boat" I could use that one and change it to husband and trains.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by claycts on Wednesday, August 23, 2006 11:25 PM

Krysti, the wife, got her TOY a 2003 50th Anniversery Corvette. Last year she bought a 1971 Jagura "E" type and also a 300D Mercedes Benz, 1971. So my trains are no biggy in this house. We both enjoy the car hobby and the trains so no need for an add in this house. Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

More women are showing up in the collector car hobby which was a mans domain for years. Still do not care for a Pink Jeep but to each his/her own.

A point of fact is that in juding the cars you can tell when the wife/girlfriend details the cars it is always better than the guys do. reason is that they look for the small stuff and make it correct.

Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 24, 2006 2:27 PM

Lisa,

Count me as yet another woman that is into trains.  I have been lurking on this forum for awhile, picking up ideas and suggestions.  I am currently working on an N scale layout (my second one).  When I'm done I'm switching to HO because my eye/hand coordination isn't as good anymore (I'm 54).  I also have O scale and Z scale trains.  My husband is very supportive and its a good thing otherwise I would have a hard time continuing with my hobby.  He does my wiring for me and also built my tables.  I'm glad you posted - nice to know there are other women reading the forums.

Christine (Everett, Washington)

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Thursday, August 24, 2006 10:54 PM

Christine,  Welcome.  What area are you modeling?  Anything local?  My husband & I are modeling Northern Pacific with Weyerhauser.  We hope to add some S, P & S.

Lisa,  I did some more ballasting last night.  Hopefully, I will get my tunnel portal and my cardboard lattice done this weekend.  I need to get some photos prior to sealing things up.

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by claycts on Thursday, August 24, 2006 11:02 PM
 gear-jammer wrote:

Christine,  Welcome.  What area are you modeling?  Anything local?  My husband & I are modeling Northern Pacific with Weyerhauser.  We hope to add some S, P & S.

Lisa,  I did some more ballasting last night.  Hopefully, I will get my tunnel portal and my cardboard lattice done this weekend.  I need to get some photos prior to sealing things up.

Sue

Miss Sue, what kind of glue are you using over what type of roadbed? This is the stage where the NOISE comes in.

I am playing with about 4 different mixes looking for quit as possible.

Miss Christine (same age as my wife Krystine) Sign - Welcome [#welcome]

Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Thursday, August 24, 2006 11:28 PM

George,  On the section of mainline that I ballasted, it was on cork and I used 1 part elmer's carpenters wood glue: 1 part water.  On the stretch to the log landing, I have plaster cloth on woodland scenics foam inclines / risers.  I used elmer's all purpose 1:1 water.  It was a little shiney so I put some of the wood glue next to it to compare color etc. (Most of that will be covered, but a good place to experiment.)  On our previous layout,  I liked the color of the wood glue when I glued wood chips on the track. 

 The cork is probably much quieter, but we do not have enough  of the spur line finished to tell for sure.  I need to complete my tunnel and landscape before placing a rickety bridge.  You know, it's a puzzle.

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by claycts on Thursday, August 24, 2006 11:55 PM

Sounds , no pun intended, good.

I make my own mixture using a product called MBL Master Batch Liquid. It is a spin off of the base I use for our leather dye product line. It is latex base and never hardens. I use a dulling agent to flatten out the look. So far it works on cork and WS foam with no puckering on the WS.

We are doing the yard to test this putting down fine cinders around the TT and Roundhouse's With 750ft or track and up to 10 operators it was a big deal for the sound level.

This is a 3rd planet view of our phase one: red marks are operators.

this is the real yard

this is the other yard to do:

lots to do!!

P.S. Lisa, this is how you blow $30K in 8 months Big Smile [:D]

Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Olympia, WA
  • 2,313 posts
Posted by gear-jammer on Friday, August 25, 2006 8:10 AM

George,  We used 3rd planIt also.  We have been impressed that everything has been right on.

My husband, Larry, is a truck driver.  He has observed that often the sidings and yards are lower than the mainline, so we only put cork under the mainline.   We really have not noticed much difference in noise.  However, when we get our Shays operational that may be different.

The close-up of your yard is great.  How are your knees from working on the details?

Sue

Anything is possible if you do not know what you are talking about.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by claycts on Friday, August 25, 2006 9:32 AM
 gear-jammer wrote:

George,  We used 3rd planIt also.  We have been impressed that everything has been right on.

My husband, Larry, is a truck driver.  He has observed that often the sidings and yards are lower than the mainline, so we only put cork under the mainline.   We really have not noticed much difference in noise.  However, when we get our Shays operational that may be different.

The close-up of your yard is great.  How are your knees from working on the details?

Sue

Excellent, I was standing on a chair to take the pictures. The layout is 53" average height

I cheat, I put the 1st yard on flat cork and WS sheets, the nd yard is up on road bed sinec we had so much in stock at that point. Now I will build up the "GROUND" to the proper height with plaster and mold in the ditches, culverts, pits and whatever else floats my boat. THe club memebrs helping me think the 2nd yard with the roadbed will looke better since you can hide so much under plaster.

 

Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!