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Should you tell your wife that you are planning to build a model train layout?

Seriously.
It's not like she's going to miss it once you start. Good will goes a long way. My wife supports the hobby because it keeps me out of bars and away from strange women.
Snarky Old Fart (in training)
yes... you'll need to negotiate trackage rights eventually.
Certified Great Northern Nut
I mean... it looks like you might be building Z scale, so maybe you could hide it from her for a little while.
But yes, you'll need to negotiate trackage rights and probably a budget.

It was hard to hide the fact that I built a 20' x 32' train shed in the yard! My wife also supports my hobby for the same reasons that Alan gives in post #2. I just don't tell her how much I really spend, although she has a rough idea!
It's not like she's going to miss it once you start. Good will goes a long way. My wife supports the hobby because it keeps me out of bars and away from strange women.
Well-Known Member
Staff member
I had my Hobby when we met 24 years ago she supports me 100% since I’ve switched to O Scale she said we ought to buy a shed and put it by the garage for my O scale layout. I currently have it in the garage where there is No Air conditioning or Heat she says this way at least I have air-conditioning and heat in the shed. I would tell your wife you want a layout it’s worth a shot. My wife has support me in everything thing I do 20 years ago I also Restored a old Autocar truck I was wasn’t scared at all when I decided to buy it I just said I’m going to buy this old truck and take it to Semi truck shows she said if that’s what you want to do then do it but we have a special relationship that has died in this day and time. It’s called True Love and respect for each other.
You have no need of Lotto tickets then. Never top that jackpot.
My wife doesn't know. Whoops, she just walked in the room and read this over my shoulder.
Good bye. It was nice being a part of your forum.
My wife has always been supportive of my hobbies. She does take an interest in the trains and last summer when 4014 the Big Boy was in Wisconsin she went with me to search out good camera spots and on the day it came through. I do tell her when I have ordered something and rarely does she question when the it appears on the credit card.
My wife does raise horses for herself and to sell. She has 3 large greenhouses, 2 of which are hydroponic and a staff of 3 that also tend to the outdoor veggies to sell to the farmers who then sell at local Farmers Markets. Those are her hobbies in retirement so you can see why I get no grief. TomO
My wife does raise horses for herself and to sell.
Horses are a lot more expensive hobby than model trains. We have friends who raise them and the vet bills drive them crazy!
Horses and vets. Never knew animals that needed so much expensive medical care. I think 1 it is because they are big and 2 there are so few large animal vets. TomO
Well-Known Member
Staff member
My wife doesn't know. Whoops, she just walked in the room and read this over my shoulder.
Good bye. It was nice being a part of your forum.
View attachment 116929
So... COHABIT 20 was the cause?
My wife generally supports my model railroad hobby. There are times when she wants me to help with something around the house, especially during the pandemic when we mostly isolate. There is one thing she did several years ago that has caused me to spend quie a bit of money. I have a bunch of
rolling stock, including a lot of older steam loco models. She wanted to hear them go, "Choo-choo!" As I started in HO, off and on, for about 65 years, everything was in DC, including the current layout was wired for that. Net result, acquired DCC power, wiring the control panel to select between DC and DCC. Next, I needed to convert some of my steamers to DCC with sound. (NO WAY I can convert over 100 locomotives to DCC even without sound!) Converted six of the larger hawgs to DCC with sound. Bought one 2-6-6-2 logging engines with DCC and sound. Acquired a number of diesels with sound, as I model the transition era. Now one of the advantages of DCC is being able to run more than one at a time. But, since I can't walk and chew gum at the same time, I only run a single train at a time. As the cartoon showed, at least she knows where I'm at when the whistle blows!

Administrator
Staff member
Horses are a lot more expensive hobby than model trains....
Depends on what scale you model in...
Grandson of an ALCO Builder
Should you tell your wife that you are planning to build a model train layout?

Seriously.
Absolutely, always tell your wife the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
As a hobby shop owner... I see this every day, theres even a special place on storage to keep products of clients that wants to hide them from wife.
I'm planning to print lotery winning numbers, so they can "probe" they win all this models in a lotery for a good cause.
In my case, Im so lucky because my wife told me "pick a room" on our new house just for my trains, toys, models... food, bed... oh wait!
My model railroading expenses are much better than the fellow across the street with his new fancy boat and trailer that sits in his garage more than in the water and both of us have wives that know what our hobbies cost. My wife still talks to me.
At least on a rainy day I can "Play With My Trains"!
Greg
I am a firm believer that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission. Celebrated 25 years with my very forgiving wife last month.
My model railroading expenses are much better than the fellow across the street with his new fancy boat and trailer that sits in his garage more than in the water and both of us have wives that know what our hobbies cost. My wife still talks to me.
At least on a rainy day I can "Play With My Trains"!
Greg
I have been told by more than one former boat owner that the two best days of ownership are:
The day you buy the boat.
The day you sell the boat.
Never having owned one I can't say for sure.

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