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Model Trains for Couples

Model Trains for Couples: 4 Ways to Share the Love

We love trains in our house, and we both identify as railfans, but model trains are sometimes a source of contention. 

I love them. 

Leah doesn’t. (Leah often says she doesn’t necessarily love trains; she loves me!)

And this is from a couple who took one of their wedding photos outside of The Station Inn. 

The newlywed Lang's with founder Tom Davis in July, 2010

Leah: She loves trains enough to hang out at The Station Inn, but not enough to hang out in our basement with me.

Still, I’m lucky she supports my interest. 

As anyone who’s spent any time in the model railroad community can tell you, it can quickly become an expensive, time-consuming hobby, especially if you’re just starting to build your own model railroad.

So, how can couples learn to enjoy model trains together? 

We’re offering some advice today—based on success stories we’ve seen from other couples (and the support Leah sends my way).

Model Trains for Couples: How to Share the Hobby So You Both Enjoy It

If you’re part of a couple where only 50% currently enjoys some aspect of model trains, here are a few recommendations to explore: 

1. Find A Mutual Source of Joy Within the Hobby

There’s a lot to love and focus on in model railroading—and it’s not all about running trains in a circle. 

Instead, crafting a model train world is a complicated, detail-oriented process that incorporates:

  • research skills
  • creativity
  • art skills
  • technical skills

There’s a lot to do, and that creates opportunities for different “jobs”, including:

  • Designing the benchwork, track plan, scenery, buildings, lighting, etc.
  • Building the benchwork, track, scenery, buildings, lighting, and the rest of the world
  • Painting trains and equipment
  • Researching trains, equipment, and different eras to maintain realism
  • Switching or rail operations (the “role-playing” aspect of the hobby)

That long list of responsibilities creates opportunities for each member of a relationship to find something they’re passionate about—or could at least enjoy doing with their significant other

My wife Leah gets a lot of credit for conceptualizing the overall floor plan for my current model railroad. When we remodeled our basement, we knew we needed some “family room” type space. Leah suggested the two-helix-shelf layout concept that is now in place today!

When we went to put this article together, I couldn’t help but think of my friends Greg and Angel Shindledecker, who work together on an excellent HO scale Western Maryland (“WM”) themed railroad.

2. Turn It Into An Adventure

Model railroading doesn’t have to be something that’s limited to a corner of the basement or the spare bedroom. There’s a big, exciting world out there with annual model train shows, and these can become annual adventures for both of you to enjoy the fun, community-oriented world of model trains. While Leah isn’t necessarily “into” my model railroad, she definitely enjoys traveling to the Amherst Railroad Hobby show each year!

Some of the most popular shows include:

  • The Great Train Show – The Great Train Show isn’t very active on social media, but it travels all over the country throughout the year. In fact, it sometimes offers three or four shows per month as it crisscrosses the United States. Even better: It regularly features 150+ tables of trains for sale and 10+ massive operating model train displays. 
  • Lionel Collectors Club of America’s Model Train Conventions – Many of us had a Lionel train that would wrap around the Christmas tree when we were growing up, but Lionel’s influence goes well beyond the holidays. Look for its massive conventions for an opportunity to connect with true fans. 
  • The Railroad Hobby Show – Each year, we travel to Massachusetts to attend the Amherst Railway Society’s enormous Railroad Hobby Show—which regularly attracts 20,000+ people. 

If you’d like to find more opportunities for exploration as a couple, we’d recommend checking out TrainShows.net.

In a Model Railroader post called “Model Railroading and the Significant Other,” here’s how user tcwright973 summarized their experience with train shows and exploration:

“I’m another one of the lucky ones. My wife enjoys going to train shows with me, and if there is a problem, it’s on her. Every time I stop to look at something, she says ‘That’s cute’ or ‘those are nice colors, why don’t you get it.’ If I bought everything she suggested, I’d have to rent a warehouse to store it all. Good thing I can’t afford it…

“She also enjoys railfanning with me. We have a great time doing that, and often make overnight trips to watch at a new location. She also enjoys train excursion trips. We have met some nice folks along the way too.”

3. Find Your Community

There’s a big social aspect to model railroading, and that’s part of the fun. Yes, you might look forward to drinking a few beers while tinkering away with your buddies, but there’s a larger network of model railroading fans out there. When I host an “operating session” for my model railroad, my wife is happy to be part of the group of friends socializing and enjoying some beverages, snacks, and conversation.

For a couple, this community can be an exciting addition to your larger friend group—and that can help both of you find new appreciation and perspective around model railroading in general. 

Some places to look include:

  • Facebook Groups – Model Railroading and Model Trains Group are two large, general-interest groups, but there are many others—including some that get especially niche in their focus.
  • Forums – We’ll discuss forums in more detail momentarily, but for now, know this: They’re a great way to dig deep into the topic—and meet other couples. 
  • Local Train Clubs and Societies – Model railroaders stretch all over the country, and every major city and surrounding towns have their own clubs for people to connect and enjoy this fun hobby. 

By the way, remember that some of the coolest, most popular people in history also love model trains! Some of the biggest model railroad fans in history include:

  • Frank Sinatra – Singer. Actor. Railfan. Sinatra loved trains so much, he had an entire cottage on his property set aside for layouts. 
  • Neil Young – Neil Young’s train obsession is a story of love. Determined to enjoy model trains with his son, Ben, who suffers from cerebral palsy, Young actually invented a wireless system that would allow Ben to control the trains through simple switches and head movements. The entire ordeal even led to him becoming a part-owner of Lionel Trains! 
  • Rod Stewart – The legendary British musician spent 25 years perfecting a massive model railroad at his house, and it even appeared on the cover of Railway Modeller. 

4. Dig Into the Multimedia Experience

If you don’t love the creative world-building of model trains, there are entire multimedia experiences ready for enjoyment—and that could help you connect as a couple. 

A few things to keep an eye out for:

Celebrate Your Love For Trains At The Station Inn

Another great way to share your passion for trains is to visit us at The Station Inn. Our railroad-themed B&B overlooks the Norfolk Southern mainline, and you can watch 40+ trains pass our front porch every day. 

Take a look at one of our live-streams, courtesy of Virtual Railfan:

Plus, our B&B is only a few minutes from must-see railfan destinations like:

And when you’re done checking out the trains, stop by The Yard Office Lounge—our on-site speakeasy—for date night!

Book a room to start your next adventure as a couple. We’ll see you in Cresson!

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