Although my train purchases weren't exactly the ultimate cause of my first divorce they sure didn't help. The ironic thing is all the HO stuff I bought back then for use rather than collecting is worth some money. Tons of unopened blue box Athearn. All the collectible things are either stagnant or lost value. Now with the future Mrs. Magruder I take her with me to train shows. It is certainly a lot easier and more fun. Of course it gets her leverage in closet filling clothes wise.
Why hide? She has no idea what train equipment I have. It's like my carpentry tools and my golf equipment. I must say she is very supportive and usually encourages me in my purchases. She completes me. However she has said that I can not start another hobby like fishing, etc without first giving up a current hobby. I love her! 
I wouldn't want to...but I can't anyway. She's the Minister of Finance...she holds all the purse strings. And...that's OK...I like it that way!
All joking aside, it is SAD that one has to do such a thing in the first place! 
I do admit my wife is a VERY supportive "train spouse", and we have both participated in steam excursions over a twenty-year period, as well as my train hobby of several gauges and scales, including some costly gauge one live steam locos over a forty-three year period of marriage!
You can run but you can't hide.
Never did never will.
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people, some of the time, but you can't fool MOM." Captain Penny said that, and you can't fool the wife, and I said that.
A few have already posted as to why you'd feel the need to keep hobby purchases secret. If you have to ask, hug your wife for not being one of 'those'.
I went round and round with my wife when we first got married on my hobbies (which I have more than one man ever should) but now, she's pretty tolerant of my insanities. I think that has something to do with being able to sell excess stuff at good amounts and recycling that money into the hobby, as well as setting tight definitions on what I want. For example, my new layout concept was written down with a strict timeframe that the layout takes place in, in a very specific prototype (a narrow gauge RR which was never big to start with, and almost no deviation from the overall prototype) with an overall layout that won't be overly large. She knew that front the start and I think that helped a lot, that I won't keep buying new stuff all the time because there's only a finite amount of stuff that'd fit the prototype and timeframe I'll be modeling.
Originally Posted by C W Burfle:
quote:Regarding not knowing what something is worth and accidentally selling low--while there seems to be animosity toward eBay on this forum, you (or your loved ones) will always be able to get what the market is willing to pay by selling in that setting.
That is not necessarily true.
In order to get a good price on Ebay the seller has to take good photographs, write a good description, post the listing in the proper category, and have some good Ebay feedback history.
Yeah, but across the board you'd do MUCH better on ePay than you would at a train show or trying to sell to local folks. No question about that. Like a friend of mine who lives and breathes ePay said, it's like the ocean, there are waves and troughs (the great deals and the 'what were they smoking when they bid on this?' amounts you scratch your head over) but in the end, it's level water when averaged out.
Nicole, I just can't believe that. Next thing you know, you'll want to vote. Don
I have a tendency to get too involved with any hobby I undertake. For example, I have more drum equipment now than I did when I used to play in a band as a semi-pro. I have a large collection of Civil War miniatures, Civil War prints, and first edition Civil War Books. I have a lot of cameras and photography equipment, too. The one thing I treasure the most, however, is an understanding wife who, while she often wonders "why?", allows me to indulge my interests. For now, as I meet my coming mortality the older I get, I try to restrain myself somewhat. It's hard, but with her help maybe it will work out in the end. For the rest of you--good luck!
When I retired I told the wife I could spend money and time on the trains or at the bar,,take your pick. I have no problems purchasing trains. 
I too am extremely lucky, with a wife that understands steam locomotives since she was a pre-teen. We have been married for almost 38 years, and she fully supports the train interest. Now with a layout under construction; two Milwaukee Road S-3s; 3 Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Class A 4-4-2s; GN R-2, etc., etc. this supports my statements; and we are not proffessionals, and put our paychecks into one pot!
Dale H, glad you were dreaming, the King of the castle would be de-throned and would be the court jester in the doghouse, learned this from years of marriage, it did not work for Ralph, Norton was the survivor and learned early the pecking order.
Originally Posted by N.Q.D.Y.:
Before too many of you confess in this thread, please be aware that us women see all, hear all, and know how to read forums.
Women are smarter than men. It really is that simple. Those of us who realize that get buy (pun intended) by realizing that they love us enough to indulge us both our small passions for toy trains, and out feeble attempts to hide the purchases.
No need to hide.
My wife lives the life of a movie star.She could give a EFF less what is in those boxes that arrive.Nick
No wife. No problem.
But before that I never hid anything from her.
Just turned over my pay check and when I wanted something I just used the piece of Gold plastic in my pocket.
She paid the bill so she always saw the statements.
Since more always came in than out, there was nothing to complain about.
And I have no idea what she spent the rest on.
LOL
But does it really matter?
But before that I never hid anything from her.
Just turned over my pay check and when I wanted something I just used the piece of Gold plastic in my pocket.
She paid the bill so she always saw the statements.
Since more always came in than out, there was nothing to complain about.
And I have no idea what she spent the rest on.
LOL
But does it really matter?
Hiding purchases etc. is not a good practice. Never happens in our house.
.....
Dennisgoodietwoshoes
I buy guns and trains with the wife's full support. Now, if I want to sell one of them I have to hide that from her. She does not want me to sell any of my guns or trains.
She is getting a little worried about the books though. I still prefer the printed word so I get 3-4 books a week.
Malcolm
IMO, Most relations that last a lifetime are built on common trust. My wife is off to Cleveland this weekend with her Sweet Adeline's group. Truly a sweetheart, all these years. 
Thirty-six years and counting and I wouldn't dream of it.
Besides, my photography, music and RC planes expenditures dwarf (by choice) my toy train budget, and I wouldn't dream of hiding those either.
Sorry to say if you think you have to hide what you spend from your wife you either have the wrong attitude or the wrong wife.
Pete
I've found that hidding it out in plain sight work very well.
It hard to figure out what's new and what's old when you have alot of Purple and Oranges boxes stacked up in your house!!
Heck, I been married over 45 years. She retired after 30 plus years in banking. I couldn't get a dollar past her if I tried. BUT, she supports me and my train buying...thank God.
Larry
Hiding trains is something my wife and I get to share. I hide them to bring them in the house and when I leave she hides them in backyard.
Sometimes they are harder for me to find.
Look at how happy she is when I show up on her birthday with a new N&W Third Rail K
She even invited me to take a vacation:
Shoot! she even welcomed me at the door when I bought that 400E last year.
Scott Smith
Originally Posted by Texas Pete:
Sorry to say if you think you have to hide what you spend from your wife you either have the wrong attitude or the wrong wife.
Pete
I'm with you, Pete.
A man has to be a man. I can say I do not know one person who has to hide trains. If you do, it is very sad.
My wife *****ed at me waiting to the deadline to preorder a bigboy.. She told me i dont want to hear it if you dont buy it...
Originally Posted by Bob Severin:
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people, some of the time, but you can't fool MOM." Captain Penny said that, and you can't fool the wife, and I said that.
Bob- you must have grown up in Cleveland if you watched Captain Penny. Man that takes me back! Used to love Capt Penny and my mother loved him, too, for his famous advice to kids.
mack
Originally Posted by mack:
Originally Posted by Bob Severin:
"You can fool some of the people all of the time, and you can fool all of the people, some of the time, but you can't fool MOM." Captain Penny said that, and you can't fool the wife, and I said that.
Bob- you must have grown up in Cleveland if you watched Captain Penny. Man that takes me back! Used to love Capt Penny and my mother loved him, too, for his famous advice to kids.
mack
Mack: Born in 46, stayed around greater Cleveland until 87, then moved to south western PA. Loved all those old shows. Big Chuck and Hoolihan, Big Chuck and Little John, Ghoulardi, then The Ghoul, Mad Daddy on the radio in the fifties, going to the Variety or Lyric picture show every Sunday afternoon (two bits to get in, then 15 cents for popcorn). Great memories, summers at Jefferson Park or Halloran Pool. Ahhh, the good old days of the fifties and sixties. Thanks for the response, and re-opening all those old memories.
Hey Bob,
You have a few years on me (born '53 at St. Luke's hospital in Cleve Hgts) Grew up in Lakewood and Rocky River. Remember Mr jingeling on Halle's 7th floor at Christmas? And Barnaby? Oh man, Houlihan and Big Chuck were my heroes in my teen years. Day trips to Euclid Beach, Vermillion and Cedar Point. The Hobby House on Huron Road for Lionel. Clarks and Stouffers restauarants and Pierre's Ice Cream. And Hough bakery- man they were the best! I had a terrific childhood in Cleveland. My dad passed away in 2008 so now there is no family there and have not been back but I do miss it. A great city despite its problems. Proud to say I am from Cleveland.
Best,
Mack
Guys,
I used to hide my trains in the back of the closet, then my wife encouraged me to hang showcases on the wall. Her limit was two showcases.
Usually, she bought me Christmas gifts of box cars with Beatles theme or the car with the fake aquarium in it....When I have to do chores (and get behind in them) she defaults to threatening the trains.....
Never got to Scott Smith level though!
Moral of the Story:
ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR THE WIFE!!!
(poor Scott!!!)
Most of you guys have been into this hobby since you were kids your wives therefore knew what to expect......
My interest was rekindled in trains in 2005 AFTER I had been married 25 years, my father gave me back my trains after I had nearly forgotten them for 38 years!!
It was like I had a mistress one with whom she couldn't compete!
As long as you guys find a way to involve your wives, in my estimation, you have no problem......
Mike Maurice
Dale:
Pretty soon, you, mack and I are going to be accused of hi-jacking this thread. I too, went to good old JMH (recently torn down. Carl Shuler Jr. High and Nathaniel Hawthorne elementary school. When did you graduate from JMH? I was in June, '64 class.
TO ALL INTERESTED IN THIS THREAD:
Getting back on track with the thread, I just purchased new lighting for my train room. 4 wall lanterns and two matching ceiling fixtures. When they arrived, I took them down to the unfinished train room (basement), where my bride has not ventured in months. Don't you know, she happened to walk into the train room, spotted the new lamps (still in boxes) and queried "WHEN DID THE NEW LAMPS ARRIVE?" I swear to one and all, they had not been in the house for more than six hours, and she had not been in that part of the house for months. I call her Sherlock, but, I think she has some powers I do not comprehend, even in my old age. I will not tell the whole story about the tree she touched one fall day commenting about how it didn't look safe. That night, there was a storm, and guess what fell across our front yard, taking down all our power, telephone and cable lines? Believe me, she has POWERS!
Bob
Happy Wife Happy Life. Never hid anything never had too.
Not a good idea if you want to live.
Originally Posted by Bob Severin:
Dale:
Pretty soon, you, mack and I are going to be accused of hi-jacking this thread. I too, went to good old JMH (recently torn down. Carl Shuler Jr. High and Nathaniel Hawthorne elementary school. When did you graduate from JMH? I was in June, '64 class.
TO ALL INTERESTED IN THIS THREAD:
Getting back on track with the thread, I just purchased new lighting for my train room. 4 wall lanterns and two matching ceiling fixtures. When they arrived, I took them down to the unfinished train room (basement), where my bride has not ventured in months. Don't you know, she happened to walk into the train room, spotted the new lamps (still in boxes) and queried "WHEN DID THE NEW LAMPS ARRIVE?" I swear to one and all, they had not been in the house for more than six hours, and she had not been in that part of the house for months. I call her Sherlock, but, I think she has some powers I do not comprehend, even in my old age. I will not tell the whole story about the tree she touched one fall day commenting about how it didn't look safe. That night, there was a storm, and guess what fell across our front yard, taking down all our power, telephone and cable lines? Believe me, she has POWERS!
Bob
Bob I guess the moral of the story is either be upfront and tell her, get her involved or she will turn you into a toad.
Doug
Switch to N scale - it's pocket sized!
Originally Posted by suzukovich:
Originally Posted by Bob Severin:
Dale:
Pretty soon, you, mack and I are going to be accused of hi-jacking this thread. I too, went to good old JMH (recently torn down. Carl Shuler Jr. High and Nathaniel Hawthorne elementary school. When did you graduate from JMH? I was in June, '64 class.
TO ALL INTERESTED IN THIS THREAD:
Getting back on track with the thread, I just purchased new lighting for my train room. 4 wall lanterns and two matching ceiling fixtures. When they arrived, I took them down to the unfinished train room (basement), where my bride has not ventured in months. Don't you know, she happened to walk into the train room, spotted the new lamps (still in boxes) and queried "WHEN DID THE NEW LAMPS ARRIVE?" I swear to one and all, they had not been in the house for more than six hours, and she had not been in that part of the house for months. I call her Sherlock, but, I think she has some powers I do not comprehend, even in my old age. I will not tell the whole story about the tree she touched one fall day commenting about how it didn't look safe. That night, there was a storm, and guess what fell across our front yard, taking down all our power, telephone and cable lines? Believe me, she has POWERS!
Bob
Bob I guess the moral of the story is either be upfront and tell her, get her involved or she will turn you into a toad.
Doug
Doug: Ribid
Switch to N scale - it's pocket sized!
David: "Look, it fits into my mouth." Dr. Sheldon Cooper
Originally Posted by Happy Pappy:
After forty-nine years there are no secrets. None in the beginning and none now.
That is how you make a marriage last!
I know a fellow train collector who lives outside of NH. Being there is no sales tax here in NH, whenever he came to visit he would buy some Lionel train or MTH at my local train shop. On one trip he would buy an engine next time some passenger cars to go along with it. He would hide them in the trunk of his can and when he got home he would bring them in his house after his wife went to sleep. All his trains are hidden away and only taken out of the box when his wife goes away on a visit or was out shopping. He is a really nice guy but Wow what a jerk. He has a nice collection of trains and some day they are going to make one **** of an auction LOL
I have my trains displayed all over my man cave walls and on my layout. No problem here.
Rich
Wow is right! He needs to put on his Big Boy pants.
