Railfan Significant Others' (R.S.O.) Support Group
Railfan Significant Others SPEAK OUT:
Here are some stories shared by the significant others of railfans!
- Cheryl:
- "This is a great site. I have enjoyed it very much. Bookmarked it to my favorites so I can come back often. I've been dating a 'railfan' for almost 4 months now and I'm as hooked on the trains as I am on him. We spend hours and hours at a yard near his home on weekends and one night a week at a place closer to mine. As much as I love the trains, (I'm the one who says "just one
more and then we can leave") I also love the time we spend talking and just being together."
- Tammy of Point Clinton, Ohio:
- "Anna... It's great to see you take such an active role in Ryan's life. Notice I didn't say hobby. From what I have witnessed, railfanning isn't just a hobby, it is a way of life. Mates come and go, but for the railfan, railfanning is here to stay. A 'significant other' is wise to realize that. That would be the first rule. Besides, what 'significant other' who cares about her/his railfan would WANT to bring a burden on their relationship by not accepting that? To not try and understand why they do what they do and to give grief over wanting to railfan in my opinion is just selfish. COMMON SENSE! A train is not another woman... If they are watching trains, they are not someplace where they shouldn't be! It is probably one of the most wholesome obsessions I have ever seen. That is, for the true railfan...
"What I do know is Henry. I said it somewhere else on these forums and it is true. Henry is railfanning and railfanning is Henry. You can't 'see' a persons soul even though most of us believe people have them. With Henry, railfanning is part of his 'soul'. It isn't only railfanning, it's all of it. It's the historical significance of the railroad industry. It's knowing and understanding that without the early railroads our country wouldn't be what it is today. The man is a walking encyclopedia. Viewing railroading and railfanning through his eyes and his words would make anyone who is conscious (I would have said had a pulse but decided there are those ignorant few that let him get away!) want to take a part in it all. His website Railfan.net is a testament to his devotion of railfanning. That is his way of giving back to the railfan and showing his devotion to the way of life. Much like these forums. It certainly isn't to get rich! *lol* Anyways, that's my Henry. It's a very simplistic and short version of what makes him an extreme railfan but to share it all would take me writing a book about him. Now on to the lighter side... the questions... Why am I a railfan? It was a gift from Henry...
"I actually learned 'of' the lifestyle prior to meeting Henry. He and I had mutual friends who would speak of his passion for railfanning. While I thought it a bit odd, I was also a bit intrigued...
"Anyways.. After our initial meeting, the first day that Henry and I spent together we went railfanning. That first day I saw a look of awe in his face as he stood waiting for the approaching train. It didn't matter to him that he had probably seen more than a thousand trains come and go, each train brings a new sense of excitement to him. He made it very easy for me to BECOME involved in railfanning. He welcomed me into all of it wholeheartedly. All kidding aside, we all know that railfanning is mainly a 'guy thing'. Railfanning would be one of those past times where the wives/girlfriends of the railfan wouldn't even question that concept. What I have found most interesting is most of the railfans (men) I have met through Henry welcome me, no questions asked. It's just a thought, but how much easier would it be on the railfan or how much better understood would the obsession be if the wives/girlfriends were included? I guess I was one of the lucky ones! Stories.. well... gosh, it's hard to give specific stories of our railfanning experiences. It may sound like a cliche, but each and everytime that Henry and I have gone railfanning, chasing trains, or just for our walks with the dogs hoping to catch a glimpse of one of the locals that pass by, or Amtrak, it is a special experience for me...
"You are doing an excellent job Anna. You are bringing to light a side of railfanning that is largely not spoke about. I would say that the 'SO' category is alive and well. It just so happens they are the ones at home who keep the home fires burning. The silent majority.
"Now... just to show you that there is more to our lives than just trains... check this out..."
Henry & Tammy's Tropical Fish & Aquariums
- Carrie of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio:
- "XNJon's significant other here! (Tammy's suggestion, thank you! What traits are good to have as the significant other of a railfan:) True friendship and the understanding of the devotion and the extremes the hobby will take a person to. It sounds like your on your way! I have to agree with the true friendship issue here. I have known about XNJ's facination with trains from the very beginning although I understand it a LOT more now than I did back then. I can almost identify a GP30 on the local sometimes...
"Now that we have a little boy of our own who tags along with his dad either on "the chase" or just out in the back yard to watch trains, the gleam in his eye is worth seeing every time a train goes by. My dad, who has since passed, was also railfan. He had a big HO layout with his favorites- B&O, Chessie, C&O, NYC, and I hold onto his prized O Gauge set from when he was a young boy in the late 30's- early 40's. (no it is NOT for sale) Dad was the reason that railfanning was no surprise to me...
"I've been married for 10 years and in the spring of 1999 we purchased a house trackside...this was more for me to have a lifelong dream come true to railfan without never leaving home. The purchase of our home was absolutely no sacrifice for me. I actually enjoy hearing the trains and watching out the window to see if I might be able to report something unique while home during the day. My news is often uninspiring but is received with open ears. I do sometimes worry about things falling off the walls sometimes when the trains linger behind the house rumbling for too long. It hasn't happened yet though...
"Oops, I forgot the best thing- You will meet the most awesome people and develop some really great friendships during your journey into the railfan hobby. Take it from a very antisocial (jk) person here- Both Jon and I have met some great people through his railfanning. Hank and Tammy, and many others. You will see!"