Teenage Railfans

[zardoz]

Kathi-
You asked if our wives/significant others shared our train interest.

My wife went with me once when I was going out for some sunset and/or train photos. The only train we saw was the hot-shot intermodal that usually goes through Somers about 8pm. It went by us at whatever the maximum speed was for the location (at LEAST 60 mph). Scared the hell out of her. Now she stays home.

But that is ok, though. We have concluded that one of our secrets to our happy marriage (18 years and counting) was to have much "quality time" with each other, and also to have 'personal time' by ourselves, doing what we want without having to consider the other's wishes during that time.

She still good-naturedly kids me about my interest in sitting by the tracks waiting for a train to come by, and I kid her about her wardrobe collection (2 closets and counting).

Frequently we go out together to locations that offer lots of shopping and lots of trains. I drop her off at the mall and head to the tracks. She does her thing, and I do mine.

[zardoz]

Kathi-
You asked if our wives/significant others shared our train interest.

My wife went with me once when I was going out for some sunset and/or train photos. The only train we saw was the hot-shot intermodal that usually goes through Somers about 8pm. It went by us at whatever the maximum speed was for the location (at LEAST 60 mph). Scared the hell out of her. Now she stays home.

But that is ok, though. We have concluded that one of our secrets to our happy marriage (18 years and counting) was to have much "quality time" with each other, and also to have 'personal time' by ourselves, doing what we want without having to consider the other's wishes during that time.

She still good-naturedly kids me about my interest in sitting by the tracks waiting for a train to come by, and I kid her about her wardrobe collection (2 closets and counting).

Frequently we go out together to locations that offer lots of shopping and lots of trains. I drop her off at the mall and head to the tracks. She does her thing, and I do mine.

[Mookie]

Zardoz - we are just the opposite - HE shops, I train-watch!

Mookie

[Mookie]

Zardoz - we are just the opposite - HE shops, I train-watch!

Mookie

[edblysard]

Kathi,
I have often wondered why there arent more women in T&E service.
Of course we have female clerks, crew callers, our HR person is a lady, but only one female in T&E here at the PTRA.
A great deal is made of the physical labor involved, but in reality, besides having to climb on and off the equipment, the hardest physical thing you do is line switches and tie handbrakes.
But I think because of the culture involved, most ladys dont even think about trying railroading.

And just to show you, the lady in T&E here is a engineer, which means she had to start as a switchman, and work her way up to the seatbox.

So that means she worked outside, in all the weather, at all hours, for at least 5 years before getting into engineers class.

Once the "guys" understood they couldnt run her off, and she wasnt going to quit, her sex became un important to us, she workd as hard as the next person, and sure did smell a lot better!

She has turned out to be one of the best engineers out here, running a motor is a matter of skill, not strength.
She makes it look easy!
One thing though,

Do all women drive a car or run a locomotive while doing their nails and makeup?
It just bugs the heck out of me to look up there and see her in the cab fussing with her nails.
She hasnt missed a hand signal in the 7 years I have worked here, but its still kinda un nerving to see a 254000lb locomotive moving around while the engineer is painting her nails!
Stay Frosty,
Ed.

[edblysard]

Kathi,
I have often wondered why there arent more women in T&E service.
Of course we have female clerks, crew callers, our HR person is a lady, but only one female in T&E here at the PTRA.
A great deal is made of the physical labor involved, but in reality, besides having to climb on and off the equipment, the hardest physical thing you do is line switches and tie handbrakes.
But I think because of the culture involved, most ladys dont even think about trying railroading.

And just to show you, the lady in T&E here is a engineer, which means she had to start as a switchman, and work her way up to the seatbox.

So that means she worked outside, in all the weather, at all hours, for at least 5 years before getting into engineers class.

Once the "guys" understood they couldnt run her off, and she wasnt going to quit, her sex became un important to us, she workd as hard as the next person, and sure did smell a lot better!

She has turned out to be one of the best engineers out here, running a motor is a matter of skill, not strength.
She makes it look easy!
One thing though,

Do all women drive a car or run a locomotive while doing their nails and makeup?
It just bugs the heck out of me to look up there and see her in the cab fussing with her nails.
She hasnt missed a hand signal in the 7 years I have worked here, but its still kinda un nerving to see a 254000lb locomotive moving around while the engineer is painting her nails!
Stay Frosty,
Ed.

[Kathi Kube]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz1


My wife went with me once when I was going out for some sunset and/or train photos. The only train we saw was the hot-shot intermodal that usually goes through Somers about 8pm. It went by us at whatever the maximum speed was for the location (at LEAST 60 mph). Scared the hell out of her. Now she stays home.

But that is ok, though. We have concluded that one of our secrets to our happy marriage (18 years and counting) was to have much "quality time" with each other, and also to have 'personal time' by ourselves, doing what we want without having to consider the other's wishes during that time.

Oh, bummer it scared her so badly! But fair 'nuff on making the marriage work. It certainly does take a healthy mix of together and separate activities to keep yourself healthy and happy, as well as your marriage. Congrats on the 18 years!

Kathi

[Kathi Kube]

QUOTE: Originally posted by zardoz1


My wife went with me once when I was going out for some sunset and/or train photos. The only train we saw was the hot-shot intermodal that usually goes through Somers about 8pm. It went by us at whatever the maximum speed was for the location (at LEAST 60 mph). Scared the hell out of her. Now she stays home.

But that is ok, though. We have concluded that one of our secrets to our happy marriage (18 years and counting) was to have much "quality time" with each other, and also to have 'personal time' by ourselves, doing what we want without having to consider the other's wishes during that time.

Oh, bummer it scared her so badly! But fair 'nuff on making the marriage work. It certainly does take a healthy mix of together and separate activities to keep yourself healthy and happy, as well as your marriage. Congrats on the 18 years!

Kathi

[Kathi Kube]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Zardoz - we are just the opposite - HE shops, I train-watch!

Mookie

[:D][:D]Ha, ha, ha! That's great!

Actually, I was just talking to a woman executive involved in railroading today and we both chuckled at how the "spouses' activities" at trade shows we attend almost always include shopping and luncheon for the "little ladies." And how people sometimes come up to us and ask if we're there with our husbands. (Um, no.) The best part, though, is knowing there's never a line for the restroom during a coffee break.[:D][:D]

Kathi

[Kathi Kube]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Zardoz - we are just the opposite - HE shops, I train-watch!

Mookie

[:D][:D]Ha, ha, ha! That's great!

Actually, I was just talking to a woman executive involved in railroading today and we both chuckled at how the "spouses' activities" at trade shows we attend almost always include shopping and luncheon for the "little ladies." And how people sometimes come up to us and ask if we're there with our husbands. (Um, no.) The best part, though, is knowing there's never a line for the restroom during a coffee break.[:D][:D]

Kathi

[Kathi Kube]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Kathi,
I have often wondered why there arent more women in T&E service.
Of course we have female clerks, crew callers, our HR person is a lady, but only one female in T&E here at the PTRA.
A great deal is made of the physical labor involved, but in reality, besides having to climb on and off the equipment, the hardest physical thing you do is line switches and tie handbrakes.
But I think because of the culture involved, most ladys dont even think about trying railroading.

And just to show you, the lady in T&E here is a engineer, which means she had to start as a switchman, and work her way up to the seatbox.

So that means she worked outside, in all the weather, at all hours, for at least 5 years before getting into engineers class.

Once the "guys" understood they couldnt run her off, and she wasnt going to quit, her sex became un important to us, she workd as hard as the next person, and sure did smell a lot better!

She has turned out to be one of the best engineers out here, running a motor is a matter of skill, not strength.
She makes it look easy!
One thing though,

Do all women drive a car or run a locomotive while doing their nails and makeup?
It just bugs the heck out of me to look up there and see her in the cab fussing with her nails.
She hasnt missed a hand signal in the 7 years I have worked here, but its still kinda un nerving to see a 254000lb locomotive moving around while the engineer is painting her nails!
Stay Frosty,
Ed.

I think you're right about it being a culture thing and having to convince people that you're not going to be run off the property. There's no doubt women can do it. It just has to mean enough to them to put up with the culture, conditions, etc. to reach the payoff and be accepted. Ya gotta love it.

As for painting her nails, that is too funny. I can see where it might be a wee bit disturbing. But better that than picking one's nose or scratching somewhere, right?[:p]

Kathi

[Kathi Kube]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

Kathi,
I have often wondered why there arent more women in T&E service.
Of course we have female clerks, crew callers, our HR person is a lady, but only one female in T&E here at the PTRA.
A great deal is made of the physical labor involved, but in reality, besides having to climb on and off the equipment, the hardest physical thing you do is line switches and tie handbrakes.
But I think because of the culture involved, most ladys dont even think about trying railroading.

And just to show you, the lady in T&E here is a engineer, which means she had to start as a switchman, and work her way up to the seatbox.

So that means she worked outside, in all the weather, at all hours, for at least 5 years before getting into engineers class.

Once the "guys" understood they couldnt run her off, and she wasnt going to quit, her sex became un important to us, she workd as hard as the next person, and sure did smell a lot better!

She has turned out to be one of the best engineers out here, running a motor is a matter of skill, not strength.
She makes it look easy!
One thing though,

Do all women drive a car or run a locomotive while doing their nails and makeup?
It just bugs the heck out of me to look up there and see her in the cab fussing with her nails.
She hasnt missed a hand signal in the 7 years I have worked here, but its still kinda un nerving to see a 254000lb locomotive moving around while the engineer is painting her nails!
Stay Frosty,
Ed.

I think you're right about it being a culture thing and having to convince people that you're not going to be run off the property. There's no doubt women can do it. It just has to mean enough to them to put up with the culture, conditions, etc. to reach the payoff and be accepted. Ya gotta love it.

As for painting her nails, that is too funny. I can see where it might be a wee bit disturbing. But better that than picking one's nose or scratching somewhere, right?[:p]

Kathi

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

Jen et al,

I have to agree; I don't know of any teenage female railfans. In fact, unless someone's been holding out on me, all my adult female friends who are railfans#8212;including myself#8212;found their passion for trains after taking a job that had something to do with railroading.

But I contend that the exposure to railroading just awakened an interest that already was there.

My teen daughters have little interest in trains, but one is interested in photography and the other has been known to stand beside me in a local restaurant's parking lot feeling the whoosh of air as a loaded CPR train heads toward Milwaukee. Maybe this is a latent tendency toward being a railfan later. Maybe not.

Either way, teen girls aren't likely to just appear trackside. But if she likes a guy and he introduces her to railfanning, she might end up liking it herself.

What about you older guys who are married or dating someone? Does your "significant other" share your passion? Understand it? Or just tolerate it?

Kathi

I myself have yet to meet a girl my age who has even a passive interest in trains. I do agree that by gradually introducing your girlfriend to trains she could learn to like it. Speaking of such, here's a little story. A couple of years ago in school we were in groups doing some sort of a project that involved cutting pictures out of magazines. Someone in my group handed me one of those stupid teen girls' magazines because there was a picture of a train on one page. It turned out that there was a full-page article written by a teenage girl complaining about how she has to suffer because (get this) her father's a railfan! I very quickly skimmed the article. She mentioned that her father listens to albums like "Sounds of Steam" (what's wrong wit that?) and that whenever her family goes on a trip they plan out the route so that they drive by lots of railroads. Another thing mentioned was that they take Amtrak everywhere and that she's the only one in her class who has never been on a plane. To me that just says that her father has some class and knows how to travel in style. It's one thing to not have an interest in trains, but to rant and rave for a whole page about how there's something wrong with being a railfan? So what it he's a railfan? Is there something so bad about that? What if instead was a drunk, a drug addict, in prison or even dead? To me her father sounds like a great guy and not the geeky moron the article made him out to be. I feel sorry for the poor guy having to live with his daughter. As for the girl, well she definetly does not sound like anyone I would want to be my girlfriend.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

Jen et al,

I have to agree; I don't know of any teenage female railfans. In fact, unless someone's been holding out on me, all my adult female friends who are railfans#8212;including myself#8212;found their passion for trains after taking a job that had something to do with railroading.

But I contend that the exposure to railroading just awakened an interest that already was there.

My teen daughters have little interest in trains, but one is interested in photography and the other has been known to stand beside me in a local restaurant's parking lot feeling the whoosh of air as a loaded CPR train heads toward Milwaukee. Maybe this is a latent tendency toward being a railfan later. Maybe not.

Either way, teen girls aren't likely to just appear trackside. But if she likes a guy and he introduces her to railfanning, she might end up liking it herself.

What about you older guys who are married or dating someone? Does your "significant other" share your passion? Understand it? Or just tolerate it?

Kathi

I myself have yet to meet a girl my age who has even a passive interest in trains. I do agree that by gradually introducing your girlfriend to trains she could learn to like it. Speaking of such, here's a little story. A couple of years ago in school we were in groups doing some sort of a project that involved cutting pictures out of magazines. Someone in my group handed me one of those stupid teen girls' magazines because there was a picture of a train on one page. It turned out that there was a full-page article written by a teenage girl complaining about how she has to suffer because (get this) her father's a railfan! I very quickly skimmed the article. She mentioned that her father listens to albums like "Sounds of Steam" (what's wrong wit that?) and that whenever her family goes on a trip they plan out the route so that they drive by lots of railroads. Another thing mentioned was that they take Amtrak everywhere and that she's the only one in her class who has never been on a plane. To me that just says that her father has some class and knows how to travel in style. It's one thing to not have an interest in trains, but to rant and rave for a whole page about how there's something wrong with being a railfan? So what it he's a railfan? Is there something so bad about that? What if instead was a drunk, a drug addict, in prison or even dead? To me her father sounds like a great guy and not the geeky moron the article made him out to be. I feel sorry for the poor guy having to live with his daughter. As for the girl, well she definetly does not sound like anyone I would want to be my girlfriend.

[Anonymous]

Everything has its limits. My friends know i'm a railfan, but i don make them go sit by the rails with me for an hour. But family is bit different.(Talking bout that article) I think that girl and her dad should have found some sort of an agreement. You know that age, sometimes you think that your parents are the weirdest parents on the planet. Besides that article came from a teen girl magazine, which i consider silly and somewhat stupid. (Maybe because i'm not a teen girl?).
But respect everyone, people are different.

[Anonymous]

Everything has its limits. My friends know i'm a railfan, but i don make them go sit by the rails with me for an hour. But family is bit different.(Talking bout that article) I think that girl and her dad should have found some sort of an agreement. You know that age, sometimes you think that your parents are the weirdest parents on the planet. Besides that article came from a teen girl magazine, which i consider silly and somewhat stupid. (Maybe because i'm not a teen girl?).
But respect everyone, people are different.

[Mookie]

Gentlemen - substitute golf for trains. As you will find if you haven't already - many men love golf. Many women don't. But there are a few out there. I think a lot of women have taken up golf just to participate in something their spouse, friend, lover enjoyed and found that they liked it also.

Or let her look at the sunset while the trains go by. Something you can both enjoy! Sounds very romantic to me!

Mookie

[Mookie]

Gentlemen - substitute golf for trains. As you will find if you haven't already - many men love golf. Many women don't. But there are a few out there. I think a lot of women have taken up golf just to participate in something their spouse, friend, lover enjoyed and found that they liked it also.

Or let her look at the sunset while the trains go by. Something you can both enjoy! Sounds very romantic to me!

Mookie

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Zardoz - we are just the opposite - HE shops, I train-watch!

Mookie

NOW THAT REALLY IS TRUE EQUALITY OF THE SEXES!

[eolafan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Zardoz - we are just the opposite - HE shops, I train-watch!

Mookie

NOW THAT REALLY IS TRUE EQUALITY OF THE SEXES!

[JoeKoh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Gentlemen - substitute golf for trains. As you will find if you haven't already - many men love golf. Many women don't. But there are a few out there. I think a lot of women have taken up golf just to participate in something their spouse, friend, lover enjoyed and found that they liked it also.

Or let her look at the sunset while the trains go by. Something you can both enjoy! Sounds very romantic to me!

Mookie

golf? that game stinks! but having a picnic in the park is even better!
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Gentlemen - substitute golf for trains. As you will find if you haven't already - many men love golf. Many women don't. But there are a few out there. I think a lot of women have taken up golf just to participate in something their spouse, friend, lover enjoyed and found that they liked it also.

Or let her look at the sunset while the trains go by. Something you can both enjoy! Sounds very romantic to me!

Mookie

golf? that game stinks! but having a picnic in the park is even better!
stay safe
joe

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JoeKoh

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Gentlemen - substitute golf for trains. As you will find if you haven't already - many men love golf. Many women don't. But there are a few out there. I think a lot of women have taken up golf just to participate in something their spouse, friend, lover enjoyed and found that they liked it also.

Or let her look at the sunset while the trains go by. Something you can both enjoy! Sounds very romantic to me!

Mookie

golf? that game stinks! but having a picnic in the park is even better!
stay safe
joe

Joe - not if you take me with you - I play golf like I play pool - all by myself. I can make one shot on either and the everyone ducks, hides and leaves! I have absolutely no hand/eye coordination. But people who are really serious about either take me along, so they can have the place to themselves to practice! [8D]

Mook

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by JoeKoh

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Gentlemen - substitute golf for trains. As you will find if you haven't already - many men love golf. Many women don't. But there are a few out there. I think a lot of women have taken up golf just to participate in something their spouse, friend, lover enjoyed and found that they liked it also.

Or let her look at the sunset while the trains go by. Something you can both enjoy! Sounds very romantic to me!

Mookie

golf? that game stinks! but having a picnic in the park is even better!
stay safe
joe

Joe - not if you take me with you - I play golf like I play pool - all by myself. I can make one shot on either and the everyone ducks, hides and leaves! I have absolutely no hand/eye coordination. But people who are really serious about either take me along, so they can have the place to themselves to practice! [8D]

Mook

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

Jen et al,

I have to agree; I don't know of any teenage female railfans. In fact, unless someone's been holding out on me, all my adult female friends who are railfans—including myself—found their passion for trains after taking a job that had something to do with railroading.

But I contend that the exposure to railroading just awakened an interest that already was there.

My teen daughters have little interest in trains, but one is interested in photography and the other has been known to stand beside me in a local restaurant's parking lot feeling the whoosh of air as a loaded CPR train heads toward Milwaukee. Maybe this is a latent tendency toward being a railfan later. Maybe not.

Either way, teen girls aren't likely to just appear trackside. But if she likes a guy and he introduces her to railfanning, she might end up liking it herself.

What about you older guys who are married or dating someone? Does your "significant other" share your passion? Understand it? Or just tolerate it?

Kathi

The first time I took my wife train watching, she stood at the fence as a CN freight roared by at 60+ MPH, not more than 8 feet away fom her. After the train had passed, she turned towards me and had the biggest, silliest looking grin I have ever seen on her face. Now, she complains that we don't go train watching often enough. Guess I kind of created a monster. She is really improving on her railroading knowledge and vocabulary. She no longer refers to gondolas as "half box cars".

Admiral

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Kathi Kube

Jen et al,

I have to agree; I don't know of any teenage female railfans. In fact, unless someone's been holding out on me, all my adult female friends who are railfans—including myself—found their passion for trains after taking a job that had something to do with railroading.

But I contend that the exposure to railroading just awakened an interest that already was there.

My teen daughters have little interest in trains, but one is interested in photography and the other has been known to stand beside me in a local restaurant's parking lot feeling the whoosh of air as a loaded CPR train heads toward Milwaukee. Maybe this is a latent tendency toward being a railfan later. Maybe not.

Either way, teen girls aren't likely to just appear trackside. But if she likes a guy and he introduces her to railfanning, she might end up liking it herself.

What about you older guys who are married or dating someone? Does your "significant other" share your passion? Understand it? Or just tolerate it?

Kathi

The first time I took my wife train watching, she stood at the fence as a CN freight roared by at 60+ MPH, not more than 8 feet away fom her. After the train had passed, she turned towards me and had the biggest, silliest looking grin I have ever seen on her face. Now, she complains that we don't go train watching often enough. Guess I kind of created a monster. She is really improving on her railroading knowledge and vocabulary. She no longer refers to gondolas as "half box cars".

Admiral

[Kathi Kube]

Admiral, that rocks.

That's it, folks! We've got to convert them all, one by one. Teen guys, good luck. Teen girls are pretty stubborn, but there's hope you can turn at least one or two into railfans during your dating years.

Married guys...hmm. We don't get too much stubborn after we're married, do we. Well, good luck to you, too. Maybe a romantic picnic that just happens to be trackside. ("I think we should spend more time doing things together, honey—Whoa! Did you just see that SD70MAC?")

Mookie, and any other train chix here, we've got to convert our friends. Think: Dishes or diesels? Kidnap your best friend, pick up some lovely gourmet coffee and scones, and go for a stroll—"Oh, I didn't realize railroad tracks ran near here..."

First chance I get, I'm going to try it on my friend. (Don't tell her!)

We can conquer the world!!!!



OK. I'm done now.
[;)]

[Kathi Kube]

Admiral, that rocks.

That's it, folks! We've got to convert them all, one by one. Teen guys, good luck. Teen girls are pretty stubborn, but there's hope you can turn at least one or two into railfans during your dating years.

Married guys...hmm. We don't get too much stubborn after we're married, do we. Well, good luck to you, too. Maybe a romantic picnic that just happens to be trackside. ("I think we should spend more time doing things together, honey—Whoa! Did you just see that SD70MAC?")

Mookie, and any other train chix here, we've got to convert our friends. Think: Dishes or diesels? Kidnap your best friend, pick up some lovely gourmet coffee and scones, and go for a stroll—"Oh, I didn't realize railroad tracks ran near here..."

First chance I get, I'm going to try it on my friend. (Don't tell her!)

We can conquer the world!!!!



OK. I'm done now.
[;)]

[JoeKoh]

good luck Kathi
stay safe
joe

[JoeKoh]

good luck Kathi
stay safe
joe