The Railfan Speaks!

Delve into the Railfan Psyche
The Railfan Speaks...
When asked "What are good traits to have as a railfan's significant other?"
Here are what some railfans have said: (Thanks for the suggestion, Tammy!)

From "DNatureofDTrain" (Wisconsin):

"Understanding, Love, an open mind at least a slight interest in trains."

From Eric (Ohio):

"Patience, understanding, and a healthy supply of magazines or catalogs! Actually, I would have to say that an interest in travel and the desire to see new things are also important."

From Tammy (Port Clinton, Ohio):

 
  a.  I've seen love mentioned.. LIKE is as important.  A significant 
other of a railfan has got to be the railfan's FRIEND.  Love will cover 
some distance but liking the person for who they are will get you to your 
destination. 
  b. Patience-  While it is good for the significant other to show patience, I 
personnally believe that is is more important for the railfan to show 
patience.  It is a two-way street. It is as important for the railfan to 
be patient and willing to answer questions (otherwise you stand the chance 
of inflicting that dreaded competition thing) It is important for the 
significant other to be patient when it's time to let railfanning "come 
first".  A wise railfan will make his/her "significant other" FEEL a part 
of his/her railfanning.
  c. Sense of humor- That's very true about every aspect of life though. 
  d. Lead foot-  That's fun regardless! I tend to have this flaw... I like to 
compete with myself and try to better my "times" when going places. So the 
lead foot comes in handy. 
  e. Compromise-  Again... BOTH!! Enough said. 
  f. The desire to share. Sharing time with Henry doing what he loves to do 
has made me love to do it as well. Do I love railfanning as much as 
Henry? No.. But sharing with him all that railfanning entails has enriched 
my life. 
  g.  A Sense Of Adventure!!  There is no rule that says that while out 
railfanning with the railfan(er) that a person has to sit there doing what 
the railfan does all the time. I like to explore. I enjoy trying to get 
the great picture, but I also enjoy exploring the area we are railfanning 
and see what is around. One never knows what treasure they may come upon!  
Some of our most enjoyable times of railfanning have been when Henry and I 
decided to "chase" trains at 2am.

From Chris (Baltimore, Maryland):

"Patience and understanding are definitely the big 2. A sense of humor, being a good listener (for all the stories and explainations they'll have to endure) are other good ones. Care free is another (like my wife's famous line when I go flying out the door after hearing something good, like Q138 with 602 in the lead, clearing Jessup, MD 'Whatever, have fun, be safe!')"

From Neil (Fremont, Ohio):

"A railfan's significant other should first of all be loved more than, I know this will sound crazy but, they should be loved more than the trains you chase. They do not nescessarily have to love trains as much as you, but they should understand your love for them. Especially when they see the look on your face after you just took the perfect picture of that rare Chessie engine that just came down the tracks. You know the face, big smile, wide eyes, and overall look of euphoria along with the quiet repetition of 'I got it, I can't believe I got it.' That is what a railfan's significant other should be. Oh yeah, they should also be able to run quickly to the car to chase after that Chessie to get one more photo."

From "Watash" (Fort Worth, Texas):

"(Jan) has been pushing me to build my dream layout since I retired, so that really makes her super special to me."

From Bob (Cyberspace_Flagstop):

"1. Patience, forbearance, long-suffering, the ability to negotiate (you being a law student, this should interest you :) ); that is, he gets to drag you up & down the Coast Line/Cajon Pass/Tehachapi Loop/Beaumont Hill, but he must take you to the place of YOUR choosing in return for your patience. In life, as in railfanning and law, give-and-take is a necessary tactic to interpersonal harmony.
2. Hey, it could be worse- your SO could be chasing skirts instead of trains."

From John (Nor-Cal SP/UP Connection, Foothill Rails):

"Well I really don't have any traits I'd be looking for right off the top of my head but I can tell you this. My ex was great cause she'd drive me and my buddy anywhere we wanted to go to look for trains. She only had one request though and that was that we do something on the trip for her like stop at the beach or something. Sometimes she'd make us lunch and stuff while we were out taking pics so when there was a break in the action we could all eat. That and she knew to bring a book. :) Another thing was that if we saw something we wanted to take a pic of, she would drive right into yards and everything disregarding all "no tresspassing" signs and what not. That was great though it scared my buddy. :)...Both my buddy and I have dated girls since who'd go out to the tracks with and actually thought it amusing but so far we havn't kept any of em around yet. I don't know of any other sites like yours but I do know the female population involved in our hobby is definately growing."

From Harry (Berkeley, CA):

"1) Patience
2) Appreciation for details
3) Patience
4) understanding!
5) Love!
6) hmm.. try #1!"

From Clayton (Washington):

"Well one trait that is a must in a significant other is patience, and like you mentioned all the mumbo jumbo. Also, there is a lot of money that is put into this hobby, so there has to be some understanding on that. But what we love is being able to have a partner when we go out chasing trains, and we are able to talk to someone all the time about it, and they'll understand what we are talking about...Another thing that all railfans should consider, is safety, taking their partner out and showing them what is safe and telling them about what is not. Just my two cents."

From Henry (www.railfan.net):

"Well, 'Tammy' is the short answer, she's a railfan's dream mate...The longer one is, not necessarily in this order: tremendous love, patience, understanding, a sense of humor, a lead foot (Faster honey, Q134's gonna beat us to BG123!), liking trains is a big plus, but not required."