School and liking trains

S

SPNGTyler

Owner of the GC&T
Ok, I honestly have no idea if this has been brought up before, and if so, please post a link to the old thread like what usualy happens when someone brings up an old topic.

This is about liking trains and getting made fun of in school.
My friend and I were talking about this last night and I thought Id should be something I should bring up on here.
This is NOT meant to be a self pitty thing, but just something to talk about it. I am just a few days past turning 16, and remember school from 2nd grade to my sophmore year at high school (I will be a junior next year). It just seems that if you like trains in America, and are under the age of 35, you are considered a mentaly chalenged person and a freak. I remember even going as far to not like trains as much when I lived in california becouse I was made fun of so much. And I would still be out of it if it wernt for my friend, Chase, who has been into trains as long as I have (Since Dipers:hehe: ) and he brought me back into it. I still get made fun of for wearing train shirts, doodling trains when I have free time in class, skipping school to chase UP 844 as she came through, and having the majority of my pictures be railroad related.

I was just wondering if this is a problem in other places around the globe. And not just an American thing.

Again, if this is unneeded or reposting an old question or having another thread for one already there, I am sorry. Just tell me, and I will just let this thread die.
 
Tyler,

Just tell 'em you want to be like Warren Buffet and buy a railroad someday, just like he bought the BNSF!

Art
 
Its a shame...

... but its true, Its just not a popular hobby. I believe that its just as kids reject their parents at some point in their life (moving out) they reject past interests too, by means of demonizing. I live in central california where I can say much of the younger population takes no interest in railroading. But, in addition to railfaning and modeling, I also play guitar and several other instuments so this is by no means my only interest. I do not often times flaunt my interest in railroads (for the reasons stated above and ridicule) but I enjoy wearing abstract shirts that tease people about the subject.....
Ie: my "got f40ph" t-shirt or several other inside joke shirts... its always fun to get people asking about them, only to tell them to google it (no one ever does):hehe:

, skipping school to chase UP 844 as she came through
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844 came through my town on april 21st this year, my birthday, so i skipped and stayed home since I live just 300 feet from UP's mainline through the altamont

cheers
 
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I have to agree with you NIATcar. Trains are not my only hobby or intrest, but is the one I get made fun of the most.


PS: I am suprised that within 3 views, I had two replies!:eek:
 
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Too many times, teasing is just a form of jealousy or envy. Railroading may not be 'cool' in some circles but if you want to be like everyone else and be a follower, then by all means, be 'cool' and do what other people think you should do. You'll learn that truely being happy in life is doing what makes you happy inside. Only you can make yourself happy, not anyone else.

If you want to talk about teasing, I can relate. I'm a little older than you and when I was in high school in the late '60s, I knew that I would soon be going to college and that a lot of my work would have to be typed. Not having a lot of money to pay someone to do my typing, I took typing class in the eleventh grade. That just wasn't the 'cool' thing for a guy to do back in those days (I'm not sure about now) and I took a lot of teasing about it, but I would say that my decision served me very well for the next 40+ years.

Mike
 
leeferr said:
I took typing class in the eleventh grade. That just wasn't the 'cool' thing for a guy to do back in those days (I'm not sure about now) and I took a lot of teasing about it, but I would say that my decision served me very well for the next 40+ years.

Mike
Click to expand...


Its still around. In my School, its called "Keybording", and it is MANDITORY to graduate:hehe: .
 
I get the same problem in Australia, as a 13yo, only from the people which nobody in my group, and some in that group, like. Actually, I think my group is bigger than theirs.:p I make heaps of friends and they respect my interest in trains, which is pretty awesome. Matt asks about what trains I've seen lately, or what rolling stock is used for what. And Joey is equally interested, but they aren't 'into' trains like we are. I could make a list of friends like that, but I won't bore you. My mate Nathan, he's a railbuff like me, so we get along heaps well! There's an interesting story to how we met too.

It all started when I thought 'Hmm, I really don't care if people think I'm an idiot for liking trains, they can get stuffed, I don't care, no-one's going to change me!'
At the same time, my Geography had just started a new assignment, called, 'Transnational Corporations' and we had to pick a TNC and do an assigment on it. I was going to go with KFC, but, when the teacher said 'A TNC is a company with branches in 3 countries or more...' I thought, EMD!!:D
So, I went into the computer room the next day, and sat next to my mate Brad. A random bloke (Nathan) sat next to me. I took no notice and kept going along how I was. Until, he looked over to see me on EMD's website, and said 'Why are you doing EMD?' Me, as I thought he was 'normal' like the bulk of people, said 'Cos I like trains, is that such a problem?' He replied 'No, cos I like trains aswell...' He softened off his voice on that last bit, as to not let anyone hear. It was like 'Really?' 'Yeah' 'Seriously?' '100%' 'You sure?' 'Yes!' Then we talked and talked, and now we're best mates! :D

I'm going to get a Goodwin ALCo shirt to wear on the first Thursday back, which is out of uniform. I actually can't wait, to see the look on Nathan's face, and to confuse everyone!:hehe: Actually, I might get a NSWGR 3801 one aswell?
A message to all, just don't let anyone bug you, tell them to get stuffed (or use a stronger word, we are in high school!) or just don't listen. Go talk to some people, get a few mates, and you'll be right as rain.:cool:
Ah well, I'd better get going, and order this shirt!:)
Thanks,
Mitch
 
I once knew two girls who loved trains. We talked endlessly about them. We never got in trouble though, because the teacher loved trains too and he was very open ended about it, as long as we did our work. He made us laugh with all types of railroad humor. One time, we met him on a Saturday and he took us to the local railroad yard. I forget which railroad operated the yard, but I believe it was Southern Pacific, because there was an SP EMD GP38-2 in the yard, but the yard was home to Santa Fe through trains. But, one of the girls wore a white dress and when a Santa Fe coal train came through, her dress got covered in coal dust. HO HO! It was so funny, because when she got home, her mom asked her why did she wear the white dress. I don't know what happened to her, but I think her mom let it slide, but it was so funny. :hehe: Nothing was ever more funnier than that in all my years of watching trains. Except for maybe when a female pedestrian in a wedding dress (bride run away) was waiting for a Burlington Northern Santa Fe container train to pass and when it came through and it blew her dress up like when standing on a grate and air blows out from underground. :hehe: (No sexual purpose intended.)
 
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It's just another form of guys (and occasional females) liking power. I like all forms of mechanized neatos. Most younger people like little Japanese cars with fart mufflers that sound like weedeaters. No big deal, if that is your thing, more power to ya. I like older, more ballsy stuff. Big rumbling V8's, heavy steel, trucks, trains, Ford GT40's, Shelby Cobras, Fender P-basses etc. Trains are the epitome of land based power. They shake the Earth, squeal with steel grinding steel. What's not to like? I almost think it's goofy not to be impressed. So the Nascar driver who is sponsored by your favorite lousy bland tasteless cheap beer has a 700 hp car that only turns left... What about a 16 cylinder 2 stroke diesel with cylinders big enough to fit your head inside them?
 
I think there is a thread on the subject but I cant find it. So I will add to the conversation, My school/FFA friends know that I am a Boy Scout and that I like trains. They respect that. My Boy Scout friends know that I am in the FFA and that I like trains. They respect that.

If they dont respect me as a person or my ideals then they are not my friends.
 
at my school, everyone knows me as that train guy or the guy that likes trains, no one ever teases me about liking trains. people around here are actually realy nice it seems. i too am a boy scout but no one knows it exept my troop :p.

p.s. union pacific 844 came up here 3 years ago:D
 
To me it seems like there are some places that have more respect than others. Most people I that harrass others are in-secure, and thrive on tearing others down. Its realy just pathetic to watch them try to get to people (especially when they succeed). Its just important to show people like this that you don't care. Its a great sight to see a person choke up trying to harrass someone, even more so when its you they cant get to.....

Point being, This is a great hobby, and its only sad to hear people are shutting down their options to partake in it just to be 'cool'

cheers
 
I don't know squat about the Scouts, but what's wrong with knowing how to go out in the woods and survive? I dig that stuff too. There is nothing quite like chasing alligators through a swamp at night, even if you don't catch one, it is one of the most hauntingly beautiful feelings in the world.
 
Holy cow! Not even up 12 hours and I got alot of intrest in it! Im amazed!

I guess I might as well elaborate on how I met my railfan friend Chase. It had been almost a year since I had moved back from So. California. I was still out of trains at the time. My dad had happened to wear the "Roaring Camp and Big Trees" shirt , which he had gotten when we were living in california, to the last parent student meeting to our Washington DC 8th grade trip. Thats where it kinda got started, but it didnt realy untill we were off the plane and in DC. It was when we were eating dinner at a pizza place in DC. I was sitting with my room mate for the trip when Chase and his friend, whom I had never met before realy except for saying "Hi" once, needed a place to sit, and our table had room, so we invited them over. Something got mentioned about the book chase had brought with him on the trip to read. A book on the D&RGW NG. His friend was commenting on how he had brought it, and I asked him why did he bring it. We started talkin a little bout trains, and he asked me if I had ever riddin the train at Grapevine Texas. I chuckled and replied not only had I riddin it I had vollentirely (FAIL SPELLING!:o ) worked there as a young kid back when the Local Frieght line had operated it. One thing led to another, and soon we were the best of friends. Iv even been to Colorado with him and my dad for a all train vacation.



Ok, enough off topic on my own thread:hehe: .
 
Yeah, I used to get made 'fun' of, but that was before I started doing something about it. Now, people think twice about talking bad on me or trains. Works every time. Does get you on the bad side of the school administration though.
 
domo_rails said:
Yeah, I used to get made 'fun' of, but that was before I started doing something about it. Now, people think twice about talking bad on me or trains. Works every time. Does get you on the bad side of the school administration though.
Click to expand...


Story of my life In california.:hehe:

Cept if never went away, some people never learned. So I just quite liking them as much in California.
 
motorbreath said:
Most younger people like little Japanese cars with fart mufflers that sound like weedeaters. No big deal, if that is your thing, more power to ya. I like older, more ballsy stuff. Big rumbling V8's, heavy steel, trucks, trains, Ford GT40's, Shelby Cobras, Fender P-basses etc.
Click to expand...

Not me! I can't stand Japanese cars!:n: Gotta have a V8, something with a bit of guts to it, like a 69' Holden Monaro GTS 350, or a big block 70' Chevy Chevelle SS 454!:D
Thanks,
Mitch
 
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