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Before I started dating my boyfriend, I knew what a train was. Walking home from school, my sister and I would cautiously cross the railroad tracks because I knew that they could kill you. I knew that they carried "stuff." I knew that as a kid, I referred to them as "choo-choo trains" because they went "choo-choo". I knew that they still existed. But really, I didn't care for them at all.
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Then I started dating my boyfriend... and after about 3 or 4 months into the relationship he revealed to me his so-called "hobby". He casually told me, "I like trains." Such an innocuous statement back then, but oh, was I in for the surprise of my life! Almost 2 years later, I know that those huge hunks of metal that travel on rails are not just trains, now I know they are so much more to so many people! I learned that they even had names for these people: train enthusiasts or more commonly Railfans... I think they're more appropriately named "Foamers" because at the slightest mention or sound or sight of one, they start "foamin'" at the mouth! |
My status as a railfan's girlfriend has definitely evolved. In the beginning, I smiled at how cute it was for my boyfriend to have a hobby. I thought to myself, "What luck! No problems shopping for this guy!" But slowly, he revealed to me just how much trains influenced, no-- controlled, no-- ruled, his life! He shared with me the first person who introduced him to trains-- his father.
He shared with me the countless hours his mother had to wait in the car while he religiously visited the nearby hobby store. He shared with me his favorite "road," the now defunct Southern Pacific aka "Espee". He shared with me his contempt for the Union Pacific or UP because it was responsible for the Espee's demise. He showed me his albums filled with hundreds, no, thousands, of pictures of trains! He showed me his train models, explaining the differences between the scales: HO, G, N, etc. He explained to me the hours spent on one model engine: drilling the tiny holes with a drill bit, gluing the metallic grab irons, sticking on the Decals, airbrushing the body. He told me about "train scouting" and "chasing trains." Finally, he even took me on some of these outings so I could see for myself.
I have a much better understanding of the hobby now, but I know I will never quite understand the allure of the hobby like railfans do. So in my quest to better understand what I sometimes feel is "competition," I've decided to document the hoopla around trains, the hobby, and the railfans that place both on a pedestal. This is an on-line documentary that chronicles what I've seen, heard, or learned through my boyfriend. I know that the Railfan is a rare species-- definitely unique and definitely far from ever being extinct. But I also know that the significant other of a railfan is a very understanding species within itself... It's not easy being the significant other of a railfan! |
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I hope you find something you can laugh at, nod your head in agreement to, or learn something new you can surprise your railfan with. But hopefully, you'll be inspired to share your story and the unique quirks of your railfan. I'd love to hear from you!
~ Railfan's Girlfriend [email protected].