I'm secretly a rail enthusiast, is there a treatment for this?

Question

Diesel trains, steam trains, I have a secret love of rail and trains, which I have not disclosed for fear of social exclusion. Is there a treatment for this or should I come out?

Answer 1

Alas, there is no effective treatment for that.  You just have to give in and enjoy it.

As far as social exclusion goes - you learn to find solice with others who are similarly inclined.

To get around it - I tell people I am a Ferroequinologist.  Since most people have no idea what that means they start out being impressed and unless they figure it out (or you tell them what iit is) they stay somewhat impressed.  But after they find out, they are not always as judgemental as if you said came right out and said rail fan or rail enthusiast (or trainspotter as I believe they say in the UK).

Alright, for those you you who don't know - ferroequinology is a made up word (by whom and when I don't know but it has been around for decades),  

Ferro = Iron, equin = horse, ology = study of.  Therefore, ferroequinology is "The Study of the Iron Horse".  Thus one who gets involved with that is a Ferroequinologist.  You can even go further and say you have a specialty.  Example:  Since I live in NYC, my specialty is the NYC Subway.

Answer 2

It's ok to come out. Out to Strausburg PA they have a toy train museum and the National Railroad Museum.

BTW the way there's no cure. Then again who wants one??

Answer 3

Nothing wrong with liking trains.  Being so close to a major rail line was a factor in buying the house that we did.  The new job I have allows me to ride our local commuter train to work---on the very tracks that pass behind our house!

You like trains?  Enjoy it!

Answer 4

This is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard.

You must be cured and the only way for this to happen is for you to go to your local train yard and lay yourself on the tracks.  You will become one with the locomotive and be forever cured of this terrible affliction.

Answer 5

Be proud, run out into the street and shout I AM A RAIL ENTHUSIAST!

Answer 6

Come out of the closet. For a real adventure, buy a motor car,

there are abandon tracks in most all states that you can ride.

You may need a chain saw to take with you. Some goes through some real pretty land.

Answer 7

Come out!

I know several other grown males who love, Love, LOVE anything having to do with trains! Search on line auctions and you will find others also have your passion.

Answer 8

Absolutely!  Just take a trip on Amtrak.  You will be cured, if you survive.  Remember "Amtrak regrets everything."

Answer 9

There is no big deal in liking trains dude. It's a hobby just like any other...

Answer 10

Just admit it.  To differentiate yourself from foamer, start by not starring at trains all day as they pass.  It concerns some people. :)

Try buying a small train set to for personal use... they even have small trees and houses for the small life scale of model trains.  LOL

Good luck.

Answer 11

yeah wait until christmas then buy yourself a HO-HO-HO Scale railroading kit.

Answer 12

Would you fear social exclusion if you had a love of men (and women) chasing around areas of mown grass, ice or wood chasing or hitting balls of various shapes and sizes?

Answer 13

Come out! Who cares what others think. If more people would stop critisizing others for silly things like being interested in trains, and started worrying about their own lives, this world would be a much better place!

Answer 14

My friend, I'm also a train buff. I like steam trains more so than diesels. The only thing I can strongly recommend is that you do everything you can to pursue your in trains. This would also include taking up model railroading as a hobby. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you, so enjoy yourself.

Answer 15

Well I work on the railroad and I enjoy reading about trains. Travelling on trains. Taking photos when I can. Visiting museums;as I am lucky enough to live an 3-4 hour drive from 3 great train museums. I have z-scale and n-sclae trains. It is a hobby. I am not as intensely involved in the hobby as many of my co-workers are...we call them "buffs". It is fascinating. I enjoy the european systems mostly; and the 1930's and 40's era USA train equipment.