Is it weird to visit a miniature railway?

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NovelShelter7489@reddit

I spent nine hours at Scunthorpe steel works yesterday, on a train. Am I weird? Nope, and neither are you.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

That sounds really cool might need to do that soon.

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It was amazing. Small shunter, four brake vans, and we travelled down places only ever accessed by works. Look for the Appleby and Frodingham railway, it's unique as it's the only preserved railway in a working industrial environment.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Actually got booked in for the steam tour in july im excited thanks for sharing:)

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NovelShelter7489@reddit

Brilliant! You're in for a real treat. My tour was through The Branchline Society (I urge you to join, amazing tours) so people requested specific tracks. Your tour will have a running commentary, piped through into a break van. Think the loco is the Polish tank, but not 100% certain. I'm definitely going again.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

I'll look into branch line and looking forward to it:)

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NovelShelter7489@reddit

BTW, I'm Aspergic, and the railway community is very non judgemental, safe and I've met many trans people through various tours. It's a whole new world!

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Yeah, just looked it up and sold out most of the year, ill try to get in next year, thanks gor sharing:)

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Proud_Durian6956@reddit

Not at all. Model trains are great. If you are interested go. It doesn't matter who you are. It is something that can be enjoyed by everyone

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weatherwaxs_broom@reddit

No, go and enjoy yourself, take pictures and indulge in your special interest. Ask lots of questions. Life's too short.

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p0lygrapheyes@reddit

No, if it’s your thing, then embrace it! I’m going to see The Wiggles tomorrow as a grown woman because I love them and I don’t care what anyone else thinks! 😊

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tomtink1@reddit

Just don't go around announcing you're there alone and you'll be fine. No one will even notice what you're up to, they will be too busy looking at the cool trains.

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Competitive-Fact-820@reddit

Honestly, if I was in the area I would offer to go with you - sadly I'm not because you had me at miniature steam trains.

56 female and have visited many transport related things solo because my husband doesn't get it. Even went to see Thomas The Tank Engine at Embsay and it was 50/50 split between families and just adults who have a love for trains.

Honestly, the worst that will happen is the number of anoraks you will have to assault your eyes with!

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Sasstellia@reddit

Miniature railways are for ALL PEOPLE!

I love miniature railways. I know that one. It doesn't matter what the age you are. It's adorable tiny trains you ride on. Do it!

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RumJackson@reddit

Who cares? I think cat cafes are utter shite and I think a cold Tuesday night on a football terrace is a cracking way to spend my time. Many people would disagree considerably on both points.

If you like what you like then why not indulge your interests?

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

I think I just get very self conscious with autism and being chronically online, makes me scared of abuse thankyou.

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comoestasmiyamo@reddit

Pretty sure you will find at least one other person on the spectrum at a miniature train event.

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BellendBuilder@reddit

Remember mate social media, especially Reddit has all the weasels come out and say all the things they don’t have the balls to say to someone in person. Just think if real life was like social media and the hive mind of each platform, people would be fist fighting constantly in the e streets.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Yeah I totally get that, it just gets in my head sometimes really appreciate it though.

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BellendBuilder@reddit

Mate you’ll be fine. We live relatively close together I’m not too far from whistlestop either. You’ll have no problems at all.

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TheFourTruthz@reddit

You're lovely!

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BellendBuilder@reddit

Thanks ☺️ I just don’t like it when people are scared to go out due to bellends and worrying about how they’ll react. No one should be scared to go anywhere.

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TheFourTruthz@reddit

I know right! Social media definitely paints a way different picture to reality and it's sad people feeling judged because of it. People don't actually give a shit, in the best way possible!

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BellendBuilder@reddit

100%. One of my best friends is trans and we served in the British Army together. Took them ages to come out to me as they were worried I’d kick off. Told her straight, I don’t give a fuck pal you are who you are.

Although a couple of days later I went to where she worked as a barmaid and put a comedy song on the jukebox by a guy called Wheeler Walker Jr. the songs called which one of you queers are gonna suck my dick.

She just burst out laughing and told me I am foooking wanker 😅😂 landlady wanted to throw me out for being transphobic until she explained she’d only just come out to me and that’s me having a joke to show my acceptance 😅

I dunno what she was worried about. These days I bring her clothes shopping with my girls as she’s way better at that shit than me 😅

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West_Guarantee284@reddit

You know what'd be great for that? Getting off line and visiting that cool miniature railway. Go, enjoy it!

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anabsentfriend@reddit

Have a chat with the train operator. Just say hello and tell them how much you enjoy trains. I know that might not be as easy as I made it sound, but people will really warm to you when you have a shared interest. I hope you go.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

I think I'll go later this week thankyou:)

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anabsentfriend@reddit

Good stuff, just try it out. As it so near to where you live they'll get used to seeing you if you go regularly. Maybe there'll be an opportunity to volunteer there?

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jejdhdijen@reddit

8 minutes is how long it took to add the autism to the trans part. What next?

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Key_Plum_99a@reddit

Hi again just replied up above. LOTS of neurodiverse people enjoy trains and railways! Please go, you’ll be amazed at the diversity of the train enthusiast community. 🚂

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Suspicious_Flower_0@reddit

What if the cat cafe was in a football terrace on a cold Tuesday night?

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Key_Seaworthiness827@reddit

I could ignore several pointless unappealing things in one go 😁

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Atomicherrybomb@reddit

As someone who enjoys wearing skin tight clothing and riding my bike around with other people in skin tight clothing…

Just do whatever you enjoy doing.

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Sure_Reply6054@reddit

How miniature is miniature? If it’s narrow a narrow gauge railway, they might not like being called miniature… size matters 🤣

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

It's a 15 inch gauge so certainly miniature not narrow lol:)

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YourLocalMosquito@reddit

Not weird at all. Go have your best time! Also, plan in a trip to Hamburg and visit the Miniatur Wunderland. It’s insane.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

That sounds really good!

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oli_ramsay@reddit

You're overthinking lol, just go. No one cares

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Crunchie64@reddit

Go for it!

Life is far too short to not do the things you want to do.

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EntirelyRandom1590@reddit

The miniature (ride-on) railway near us is run by adults, for adults that have an interest in rail engineering.

The open days attended by families are just a means to fund their hobby and cover the maintenance costs!

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Warburton379@reddit

You're massively over thinking this. Go see the model trains

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N4t3ski@reddit

Ill be blunt: there is a some social stigma around certain hobbies, warhammer, model trains, ham radio (im sure there are others), but to be honest, the people holding such views arent gonna be your friends anyway.

So f#*k 'em, I say. Go and have fun. (And if you can go to the model railway exhibition in london one year, you might enjoy it quite thoroughly, as I have before)

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nonsequitur__@reddit

It’s aimed at whoever is interested in visiting. Honestly, it’s not weird at all, enjoy!

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Fabulous_Function666@reddit

I’m assuming you are autistic? Lots of autistic people visit places like this alone and it’s not a big deal

I’m autistic and a support worker, one of the people I support is train obsessed so we visit a lot of these places and often see adults there alone

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou and yeah I believe so, saving to get properly diagnosed, long story.

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Fabulous_Function666@reddit

You are trans and train obsessed. Thats diagnosis enough 😂

I hope you have a lovely time there. If you feel self conscious maybe put some headphones on but I doubt anyone will give you a second glance

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

I've got loops that really help, and yeah, I'm effectively walking adhd and autism, but was never tested as my parents don't believe in labels.

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jonpenryn@reddit

Go, enjoy, dont forget there are lots of steam shows etc all over the place in summer too!

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou, im planning to go to a couple.:)

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yourefunny@reddit

All the mini trains I have been on with my kids have lovely staff. They also have depots with numerous trains and workshops for fixing them. Those people are all adults and usually very in to the trains. My FIL always chats them up about the trains as he is a big train nerd and has his own full table top train set. Go. Have fun. Talk to the drivers and see if you can get in the workshop.

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threeleggedcats@reddit

I identify as a miniature train, so no…

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ukbot-nicolabot@reddit

A top level comment (one that is not a reply) should be a good faith and genuine attempt to answer the question

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Skepsisology@reddit

Visit and have fun... dont care about what others think

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Electronic-Fennel828@reddit

I think you’re over thinking this my friend! I’m a trans man and I do stuff like this a fair bit. Mostly because my husband has a similar special interest. If you’re feeling a bit self conscious it might help to take someone with you if you can.

I also went to a model railway show last week and there was a trans woman there exhibiting which was pretty rad.

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bacon_cake@reddit

Every time I read "trans" is this thread my brain is assuming it's a typo for "trains" lol

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou, I guess I get worried with kids being there I'd get abuse from a terf or whatever.

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halfemptyoasis@reddit

If you’re really worried about that, maybe try and go during a weekday during term time? It’d probably be nicer and quieter so you can take your time and fully appreciate the trains without being swarmed by children :)

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Realistic-River-1941@reddit

Model railway shows have more (visibly) trans people than you might expect. They tend to also have disabled people (in part because of the age profile), and a complete spectrum of class. I haven't seen the Orthodox priest in full regalia for a while, though.

Generally speaking model railway events attract people who aren't especially bothered about other people...

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Jacktheforkie@reddit

No, I visit heritage railways fairly often

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pajamakitten@reddit

We have one across the road from me and I have been a few times. You will just see a bunch of train nerds there and they will not say boo to a goose.

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Spikyleaf69@reddit

I'm a 49yr old fat woman with a purple mullet. I will go to any miniature town or railway I possibly can and also love zoo's. Sod the families & go where you want!

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou, I do need to go to a miniature village at some point.

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NoGoodDealsWarlock@reddit

Omg that place looks awesome, I didn’t even know it was there.

If you’re ever in Hamburg check out Miniatur Wunderland, it’s several floors of mini railways running through lots of different mini landscapes. Definitely a lot of adult rail fans and miniature enthusiasts

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Spikyleaf69@reddit

I love anything miniature!

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Soniq268@reddit

That sounds absolutely delightful! Go, and have a lovely time!

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou:)

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VieElle@reddit

Not at all weird.

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redandbluebadness@reddit

No. Carry on Sir.

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mattcannon2@reddit

If you want to go, go.

The place would have shut down years ago if nobody ever went. The people who maintain it clearly don't give a fuck what others think!

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sonofruss58@reddit

If some one thinks it's weird then you know not to sit next to them on the train

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68_namfloW@reddit

Go and have fun. Fuck what other people say.

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mobsterorginal@reddit

i know several autistic trans women with a special interest in transport/ trains. hell maybe you’ll meet other autistic trans folk there, so enjoy

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou:)

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seven-cents@reddit

Go and enjoy yourself! There are enthusiasts from all walks of life at those places and it's a really fun and interesting day out. You'll meet lots of people who would love to talk about it too, from fans to engineers and machinists

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Spiritual_Tie3348@reddit

No, why shouldn't you have the right to follow your interests. There'll be lots of people with similar interests as you and if any have a problem then they're not worth your time, but I'm sure you'll be fine there.

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

No, it wouldn't be weird to go. A lot of them try for families as most money but they are as much where you take your elderly father for a day out or you go if you are interested in trains.

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Hancri84@reddit

There's alot more weirder places to visit.

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rainbow-songbird@reddit

(Most of the people who run these things also have a special interest in trains/transport)

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InviteAromatic6124@reddit

It's not weird, but some family attractions don't allow unaccompanied adults without kids with them (Greenwood Forest Park near me does this as do the Gulliver's Theme Parks) so check their entrance rules first.

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jeibel@reddit

No it's amazing!

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou:)

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notanadultyadult@reddit

Isn’t the point of something like this for it to be visited? Why would it be weird? It’s for everyone.

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owzleee@reddit

Go and have a fun day out. You are just one of a bunch people having fun!

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Hampshire-UK@reddit

I go with my grandkids all the time and there are often people there without kids. I love steam trains and the scene feels very welcoming.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou that really helps:)

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h00dman@reddit

I went to the York National Railway Museum last autumn, and I was most definitely not the only person there who went by themselves.

Also one of the tour guides was non-binary.

I know that's not quite what you were asking but I hope as an example it shows that the hobby in general is pretty inclusive.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou, it does really help, appreciate it:)

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spinningdice@reddit

The one in Clayton West? I used to live not far from there (I mean I still do really, but I'm a 20 minute drive away rather than a 20 minute walk)! Trust me, no-one will bat an eye at an adult alone there, whether your riding on the narrow gauge or the miniature rail.

If I recall they're quite often looking for volunteers as well, I'm pretty sure all the train-side volunteers are autistic (I mean lets face it, who else is going to volunteer to drive/maintain old-fashioned trains). Think you have to do 'other volunteering' there for a year before they'll let you train up as a driver though.

You might want to avoid the 'Days out with Thomas' and similar events, as they do tend to be swarming with kids though.

Also that staff did not appear to give two jots about me being there in early transition (or if they did kept it to themselves, so I don't care), in case that's a worry.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou, yeah that really helps a lot, I'm not early in transation but don't really pass so really appreciate it.

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NilesCraneSeattle@reddit

Hey I actually live quite close (ish!) and have been a few times. Had my daughter’s 3rd birthday party there. I suppose it is family oriented but definitely not exclusively or anything like that so I wouldn’t let that put you off. I hear what you’re saying.

There’s a bug car park then you walk down past a giant pillow that the kids bounce on and some playground areas and sheds with various toys and stuff in.

Then the cafe/ticket/platform area with the loos in too. Then the train is compartmentalised with two benches facing each other per section.

It stops at a little park and ice cream parlour where families get off and play then back on again. Think there’s a few routes from merely.

Everyone always been friendly and I definitely wouldn’t bat an eye if I saw someone on their own I’ve seen that before.

If you want someone to go with you if you’re nervous let me know (40s F) ☺️

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

That is so kind thankyou, really appreciate the offer and the guide, does calm my my nerves think I need to conquer my fear of going alone but thankyou:)

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NilesCraneSeattle@reddit

You’re welcome! You can do this. It’s a fun day out for sure ☺️

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Lextube@reddit

Girl just go and enjoy yourself!

All the terfs that bang on thinking we are deviants out there to indoctrinate children are too busy on Twitter to go out the house to a miniature railway. I know how you feel as I also worry how people perceive me all the time as a trans woman, but you got to live life!

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou, yeah I think I'm a bit too chronically online lol

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Lextube@reddit

Honestly same, and your feelings are valid. It sucks when you read the whacky untrue things people say about trans people and it can absolutely get to you as then you worry about the people who will believe it and apply it to you. But we just can't let our lives be dictated by hatemongers! Go and enjoy yourself!

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BellendBuilder@reddit

Whistlestop Valley is awesome! My dad would take me all the time as a kid and I take my kids these days. I think I get more excited about it than my kids.

Get yourself down there it’s really popular with adults too. If someone doesn’t like you being there because you’re trans tell them where to shove it.

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mollyangel69@reddit

I bet whoever works there / runs it will love seeing someone who’s enthusiastic about it

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Key_Plum_99a@reddit

Hi My CIS Male OH loves railways and I (CIS female) go with him. Based on my observations over the years, trans people also enjoy railways.

Clothing: light coloured clothes (eg pink jeans, summer dresses) can get dirty on steam railways because of the coal (the smoke contains “smuts” of coal dust which flies through the air and gets on you, on train seats etc).

I tend to wear dark jeans or trousers for practicality on the miniature trains where passengers sometimes have to sit astride.

Hope you have a good day out.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

I'm a ex emo so black is my go to anyways lol but thamkyou

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BoleynRose@reddit

We've taken our children to minature railways before and not batted an eye at the adults without children there. In all honesty, when parenting in public there is far more to distract you than who other people have brought with them! It seems that often the staff are volunteers and very passionate about what they do so I'm sure you'll get to have a good natter with someone.

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originalwombat@reddit

If it brings you joy and it’s not illegal then it is impossible to be weird

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wildflower12345678@reddit

It probably will be family friendly. Go anyway. Your trans, so what, go anyway. Enjoy the visit.

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Danannarang@reddit

I had a good look over the website and I can see what you mean about it being geared at families/kids but I still think you'll be fine. I'd just say steer clear of the playparks & maybe avoid the event days but no reason you can't go ride around on the trains for a day & chat with the engineers (they're probably mad into trains too and'll clock you as a fellow enthusiast).

Looks like a fun day out.

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CALCIUM_CANNONS@reddit

I understand your concern. It's tough for trans people these days but if you let them stop you looking at miniature railways then they've won. You've got this.

It looks like a great day out. Hope the weather is nice!

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trucksandtrains@reddit

Absolutely you should go. Who do you think runs these attractions? Transport mad people of all types and ages. Go ride that train and have a great time!

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JBB2002902@reddit

We live local to there and it is a great day out! I’ve never seen anything that says you can’t attend without a child, so as long as you don’t mind there being a load of kids around you being excited about the trains then I say go for it!

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dgraveling@reddit

No one will bat n eyelid!!!

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MegaBytesMe@reddit

No? Why care anyway, life your life! I like the miniature villages and railways personally (haven't been in years though!)

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Happy-Possibility-@reddit

Go for it! It sounds like something you’ll enjoy, and they need visitors in order to stay open, so you’d be helping as well as enjoying yourself.

When I’m nervous about being alone in a space which doesn’t feel comfortable, I like to bring a camera, sketchbook, or notebook, and then document my time there. It makes it feel more deliberate, and gives me something to focus on, rather than worrying about how other people might be perceiving me. And it’s a nice object to look back at from my excursion!

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Snoo_23014@reddit

Go and have a good time and try not to be too anxious.

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SpecialistVisible882@reddit

No, it's a really fun thing to do.

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VodkaMargarine@reddit

I live near a miniature railway I'll often pop down and go on the trains and just chat to the people there. Nobody will judge you. These are grown men who build miniature trains remember. What are you worried about - that they'll think you are uncool?

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Swansboy@reddit

No it wouldn’t be weird as long as you like trains, if you don’t like trains & still went that would be weird, gender doesn’t matter on trains in the UK. You might have odd few idiotic people there but that’s it.

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ukslim@reddit

There are lots of miniature railways, and they seem to remain in business.

Therefore they get a viable number of visitors.

Therefore visiting one is not weird.

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bllobblong@reddit

they need customers. id guess 75% of their clients would be autistic. go have fun and don't worry about other people so much

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Urbanyeti0@reddit

Don’t give a fuck what others think, if you enjoy it go for it

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Prize-Phrase-7042@reddit

It took me 30 years to get to that mindset, but... it was well worth the wait.

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Vodor1@reddit

Amen, this is my outlook on life and I'm far happier for it.

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Tallman_james420@reddit

Many solo people visit miniature railways. Not unusual at all.

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Novel_Ad_8369@reddit

Not sure what advice there is to give apart from go and have fun ☺️ 🚆 Yes there will be lots of families but there will also be many who are there purely because they have an interest in transport.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou that means a lot:)

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Novel_Ad_8369@reddit

No problem 😁 my brother is absolutely mad about trains and loves all of that stuff.

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Chickenhugga@reddit

Mate, It sounds like you’d have a great time. Do it

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou:)

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cheandbis@reddit

I will say, Whistlestop Valley is very much aimed at kids. I've no idea if they have any rules about lone adults attending but if they don't, don't expect there to be much there to keep you entertained. The train ride itself is about 20 mins.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Yeah that was my worry with whistlestop, I guess I can ride there and back and then go for lunch somewhere.

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235iguy@reddit

Not weird, it's literally an attraction.

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No-Maintenance-340@reddit

I go with my son to plenty of miniature railways. I see lots of adults without children who enjoy it. It's a cool hobby!

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kwakimaki@reddit

No it's not weird in anyway. Those places are there to be visited by anyone and everyone. Me thinks you're over thinking things.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou.

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PaulaDeen21@reddit

Is it weird to enjoy your life in a way totally harmless to others?

No, not it is very much not,

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FantasticWeasel@reddit

Miniature railways are for anyone who likes Miniature railways.

Plenty of people visit them without having kids with them.

If anyone there is weird with you it is 100% likely to be because they prefer trains to people.

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gggggenegenie@reddit

God no, not at all! They brilliant.

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MJLDat@reddit

Sounds like you are about to meet like minded people and ride a mini railway. Go for it.

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bannanawaffle13@reddit (OP)

Thankyou:)

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MidToeAmputation@reddit

It’s a lovely day out to be fair, they do really tasty ice cream.

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adreddit298@reddit

With kids: no Without kids: also no

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Illustrious-Air-7777@reddit

Just go and do it! You’re a transport nerd, they’re accepted as being weird - look at all the jokes about trainspotters. Seriously, just go and enjoy it, let that enjoyment shine out in a smile and everyone else will enjoy you being there too.

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AdventurousTeach994@reddit

If you enjoy visiting such places then you should go.

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LilacScentedStoat@reddit

Do you like trains?

Sounds like you do.

It'd be more weird if you DIDN'T go for a ride on a small train.

Being a trans woman makes no difference. Go and have a good time, ask questions, volunteer to pull the little tooter..

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