wow you guyshave evil familys i my famely love trains. except my sister.
even my cats love them. one of them will sit and watch for hours and hour depending on how long i use them.
Ben
All in my family builds models of one sort of another.
My Dad likes to build model airplanes and ships,
My brother Justin likes to build science fiction models. (Mainly Star Trek & Star Wars)
My Brother Jeremy does Bigger Model Airplanes than dad, (Mainly 1/48 scale) And model cars.
I do the trains. While I am considered the non-conformis of the family in that regard, my family at least understands as far as the model building goes. As for the extented family. All of us are a little off plumb.
As for the dog. I can’t tell. I put some E-Z track on the Dining room table and invited the dog to watch. At first, when the train was coming towards her, she would back off, but as it rounded the corner and went the other way, she would come back and watch. After she realised it wasn’t some monster trying to attack her she sat ther and watched it go round. After about 10 minuts of sitting and watching though she apparently got board and walked off.
James
[#ditto] I have never met anyone or any critter that hate trains. Quite the opposite, everyone even all our visitors are fascinated with them. Even our cats (when I had them) participated in the fun.
Speaking of cats, one of my favorite cartoons from Model Railroader during the early 70’s depicts a model railroader sealing his wife’s cat up in a hole in the wall with brick and mortar. The man’s layout is in shambles, the cat has been bound and gagged and this guy’s wife is standing at the top of the stairs, “Honey, have you seen the cat anywhere? I can’t find him.”
CANADIANPACIFIC2816
Hi all
I come from a railway family so I am the odd one I have model trains.
They don’t understand why I would want one.
I now get to play with some of the real thing and get paid for it.
With reletives the chances of them geting it wrong for the gifts for the train set
is inversely proportional to the number they buy
regards John
I have at least one family member who shares my interest in model trains, and it’s one of my older sisters. When she was a youngster she had asked Santa for a train set at Christmas time. And for girls to show an interest in trains, model or otherwise at a young age I think is a bit unusual.
I have a friend who’s wife is very supportive of his hobby of model trains. She used to do electronic assembly work, and I think my friend told me that she had actually built one of the power packs on his layout. A lot of us are not that fortunate to have wives or other family members who are supportive of our hobby and will also tag along with us to swap meets and open houses.
CANADIANPACIFIC2816
Well, frankly I’m just not sure for the most part:
Most of my non-immediate family, being family and knowing me, probably also knows enough to keep their yaps shut if they have something negative to say! I don’t say anything about their wives spending half their income on scrapbooking supplies, and I don’t expect to hear anything about my trains.
The exception here is my mother, who post-retirement has decided that they’re pretty great and it’s her prerogative to spend my siblings’ inheritance buying me expensive trains every Christmas. I’m fine with that, as are ( I suspect) both Broadway Limited and the various Brass importers.
I don’t think my wife quite “gets” it, but is also entirely ready to accept that it’s better to have me puttering around the basement than out drinking or chasing girls. Probably cheaper too, in the long run. She doesn’t say anything about what I spend on trains, and I don’t say anything about what she spends… well… on anything.
The kids love the trains. Too much, as it happens… I have to lock the door and this Christmas will see the arrival of a G-scale “upstairs” set for them to knock around.
well, I have been in building model railroads just about my whole life, My family used to tell me that was for kids and grown men shouldnt play with toy trains.
But when I chose this for a profession they really backed off. Now they understand that those trains are what pays the bills and puts food on the table.
I do not keep my modeling a secret, but I do not talk about it all the time either! When we have guests (family or friends) I don’t bring up the layout. If they ask I will show it. If they don’t ask I don’t bring it up. Usually the questions are less than perceptive and I don’t like trying to explain to folks who aren’t going to “get it” anyway.
Cheers,
I hate my relatives so we’re even!..chuck[:D]
I have to second this one… I dislike it when others force something down my throat. The classic example is suffering through a newlywed couple’s wedding video, but anything like that bugs me. No, i don’t really want to see your scrapbooking table, No, I don’t really want to see your stamp collection. No, I don’t really want to see all your beanie babies, doll collection, toy soldiers, postcards, vintage radios, blah blah blah.
Of course I don’t mind someone mentioning their hobby - if you’re like me it’s part of who you are and what you do with your life. But ‘fer cryin’ out loud if I don’t pursue it don’t shove it down my throat!
And yes, I put my money where my mouth is. Between an offhanded comment or the latest issue of MR or MRC laying about, you might learn that I have a layout. But unless you ask, you won’t be kicked down the basement steps for a command performance.
My 7 Grandkids like them, at different levels. Overall, I think what most of them REALLY like are the annimated scenics, especially the ammusement ride area, on my “O” layout. My biggest fan is my 15 month-old grandson. He can’t say “train” or “choo choo” yet…instead he yells, “STOP”(like in “the train stops and goes”) as soon as he arrives. Then we tour the garden G, bedroom O, and very small office N. Then its on to the living room to pu***homas on the floor. I have no idea what the rest of the family thinks, except they appreciate the kids being entertained. Joe