Newsletter

Volume 14 Issue 4

Dec 2011 (Page 3 of 3)

suspiciously frequent correspondence with mysterious British or Global contacts, perhaps receiving intriguing anonymous brown paper packages from overseas? Is he on a first name basis with customs officials or delivery drivers?

 

If your prospective mate exhibits any of these symptoms, it is quite possible that this steadily progressive disease - and it IS a disease – may already be irreversible. Alas, you must decide before it is too late for you, whether you can find fulfilment as the wife of a man stricken by RMD (Railway Modeller Disease). You must resign yourself to the prospect of years of Saturday nights with your nose tucked in a book, listening to the steady hum of locomotives in your garage, and also to the prospect of all manner of strange men coming and going from your basement or attic until the wee hours,

expecting tea and biscuits or beer and sandwiches at regular intervals. You will acquire a whole new vocabulary consisting of words such as points, couplings, drag beams and loading gauge, with which you will be unable to converse in your former social circle. The money earmarked for the house redecoration will go instead on rolling stock. You may spend your honeymoon in Blaenau Ffestiniog.

 

Does it seem a harsh life? There are bright spots! My husband is fond of reminding me – usually in the middle of an icy silence following eight successive missed dinners – that it keeps him out of the pub, which, I suppose, is a bit like keeping an alcoholic out of an opium den by installing a bar in your front room. He also reminds me that only rarely has he leapt out of bed at 3am in order to commit to paper a brilliant idea for a new layout or a revolutionary (groan!) turntable mechanism. Then there is the pleasure of commiserating with other railway modeller wives, easily recognisable by their inability to identify their own husbands in a crowd. (In fact, this difficulty may be overcome by having all the husbands shout “Leave the tea just outside the door” in suitably muffled tones. Most wives will then pick out their own man with little difficulty).

 

Is it too late for you, as it is for me? We must be realistic and gauge (groan again!) our small successes accordingly. Forget the fancy romantic dinners – make full use of your microwaves and slow cookers. Do charity work, or better yet, open a lucrative railway modelling supplies shop. If you can manage to get his attention long enough, have children (but please try to keep them out of the layout room). Although railway modeller husbands may show evidence of sporadic bursts of domesticity, accept with dignity the fact that the duties of running the household may fall to you. Learn to cope with roof repairs and putting a new engine in the car. Be eternally grateful for the fact that if there is little room in the RM’s life for a wife, there is considerably less room for a string of mistresses. Try to remain unruffled when the toddler your husband sends home to the blue house on the corner is your own.

 

Above all, never denigrate the joys of train operation by making disparaging remarks about ‘boys playing trains’. This is the most unforgivable of sins and might irreparably damage your relationship. Enjoy the moments out of each day when you DO have his attention, and remind yourself that it is quality, that counts, not quantity. Remember also that there is undeniably ‘something about trains’ that is keeping your husband as happy and enthusiastic and as full of life as the day you met.

 

That, believe it or not, is what makes it all worthwhile.

 

MAIL TRAIN

I noticed in Journal 5/11 a letter entitled ‘Signalling Matters’ From Philip Rees. Philip takes us to task on the standard of our Waterstock signal painting as shown on the cover of journal 4/11. Well full Marks to your observation Mr Rees, you are spot on with that one. Rest assured that Waterstock is currently undergoing some re-signalling and we will pick this up at our earliest convenience.                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                  TB

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TAIL LAMP by TB

2011 and all that.

 

At the time that this is being written, it is perhaps natural that one’s thoughts turn to events over the receding year. Many of these thoughts concern personalities in the hobby, and revolve around some

of the pleasant times enjoyed at various functions around the country. It is an unquestionable fact that there is a great spirit of friendliness and goodwill among enthusiasts – be they amateur or professional.

Some of the good natured rivalry between the followers of the four pre-nationalisation railway companies, or the pre-grouping companies for that, the transition fans and the current scene buffs makes

for a great spirit of competition. A similar spirit is usually evident between neighbouring model railway clubs, which, partly thanks to the formation of area groups, online virtual groups and suchlike is now

being spread farther afield. There have been several instances in the last 12 months where co-operation between individuals, clubs and / or the trade has played an important part in making life easier in some

aspect or another. Would it be true to say that cooperation is the keynote to happiness and success? It is perhaps an idea for a New year resolution.

 

The editor would like to wish all readers a   Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2012.