Would my new railfan boyfriend be content with just train videos?

Question

As you know I've decided to give the bachelor railfan (or as you say foamer) phoning me another chance. I'm wondering if railroad DVD's or videos would tide him over long enough for me to see if he has the normal male desires? Or will he still need to hang out by the tracks? I helped him clean up his part of the place, and it's only semi-gross now, and I had my friend give him a trendy haircut...he looks fairly good now, as long as he doesn't talk trains and go all weird and creepy.

Answer 1

It's time to move on.

Answer 2

they are strange people chasing trains.

Answer 3

Well, the POINT of railfanning is to actually WATCH live trains. While a video is fine, it doesn't replace the rumble and thunder of a long train passing by close, in reality. So I doubt that a simple video is likely to dissuade your new beau from pursuing mega-ton powered equipment from point to point.

Some guys do tend to overdue the chase, though. What you MIGHT want to try is some negotiation, such as you'll go out with him once a week to railfan, then he has to do things you want to. Does he have a radio that can pick up train frequencies? If not, that might be a better purchase option, so he can hear the rail chatter going on.

  If you're REALLY interested in  him, maybe you could make some Railroad lingerie ( like a little cute pinstriped engineer's overall that is very feminine ) to catch and hold his interest. Or, maybe that's further down the road. Don't want him following your caboose that quickly...heh heh!

  Anyway, some Railfanners are very, er, oddball, to be sure. I can't say I've ever had the burning desire to drive from spot to spot on a rail line to follow a train, I just park, watch them go by, and then leave. You may need to try to tweak his habits by offering other options. He just may need to realize on his own that with a couple, the interests should be shared, and both parties satisfied with the activities. Don't try to break him away from his favorite thing to quickly or forcefully, though, just try to gently make him realize if he wants a dating partner, he can't chase trains all the time without spending time with the other person in other activities. He'll have to make that choice to share his time. If you try to force it, like Do it my way NOW, he may not be amenable to change, or dig in to continue his activities. You'll just have to try to gauge <sic> the depth of his passion for Railfanning. Once he has a social life, maybe he'll be more apt to spend time with you in non-train related activities. Good luck!

- The Gremlin Guy -

Answer 4

rail is a good hobbie also a good investment if u know what u r buying u really u shouldnt let that affect your realationship . i have many hobbies including model trains . would u like it if someone told u u couldnt talk or have anything to do with whatever u like to do for fun. it would make u more determind to do it, i would think.

Answer 5

Honestly, unless this guy has some "undiscovered talent: ;-), why don't you go after someone more balanced. I've known railfans and while many are fine, a more than normal number are off in this weird obssessed world, are basically "nerds" that sadly if they could channel their "nerd" energies to something useful they would get further than their parents basement.

I equate Railfans with Trekkies........(mind you some are both)

Answer 6

Well, being that it sounds like this fellow is deeply involved with railroading I honestly doubt a few videos will keep him away from the tracks but it's worth a shot and I am sure he will very much enjoy them.

Having said that, if you are interested in him perhaps try and steer him away from the hobby a bit, at least in the sense of trying to get him to "tone it down" somewhat (as, again, it sounds like he has taken the hobby to extreme levels of interest).

In any event, just keep in mind that if you might be considering a future with him trains and railroading will likely very much be a part of it.  On the other hand, though, the railfan hobby is honestly nothing different from any other hobby subject and best of all  it's very clean and family-friendly (again, though from the way you have spoken, I think it is probably a good idea to see if he can't quash his interest in the hobby a bit).