Now it's model trains

[Quine0nline]

The model railway scene has been male dominated for decades. Recently a growing number of female YouTubers, modellers and correspondents have gained a foothold in the hobby.

A recent polling a magazine caused a horrific outbreak of abuse though, sadly.
A poll to nominate Best YouTube entrant led to abuse which caused a nominee, Lucy from Farkham model railway to shut (temporarily) and suffer terrible abuse and stress. With help from Dawn Quest (and it has to be said a number of males) she reopened her site but was greatly stressed by the abuse.
Following broadcasts from Zoe and Jenny Kirk and Dawn Quest herself, they all suffered misogynistic and also transphobic abuse.

If you are interested in model railways or wish to show your support, I'm sure they would appreciate and signs of support on their YouTube channels.

Just watched a video with DS - he's currently re painting locos into the Chiltern silver set livery and he'll find them useful.

His comment - there are some special editions out there sadly.

Oh what a shame!! I don’t have the time or space at the moment, but would love to do it when I’m retired. I’ve worked on railways for a big part of my life and have always felt included. Such a shame people can be so intolerant. It’s like all the vitriol I see with female sports commentators. It really doesn’t encourage women to follow their dreams.

Pure stupidity on the male posters part, mainly teenage boys I expect. I've always loved steam trains and train sets but I've never had this problem.

Why transphobic? Are they male?

As above, why transphobic?

In this case it isn't relevant since the competition isn't female only, and train enthusiast isn't a women only space (as the article describes quite the opposite). Unless there's a huge backstory. It's also, of course, possible that the person receiving the transphobic abuse is a female since that's a thing now. (I have no doubt in those cases the people can tell the person receiving the abuse is a woman it's just a way to be horrible)
But either way, it's not fair that people are being forced of public sites like YouTube by coordinated harassment campaigns for being women or for their beliefs. It's telling that it happened when the women started being successful.

It might be connected to her being nominated for an award? Often women are "allowed" to participate but there's a backlash if they are perceived as outperforming men. Even in a space you wouldn't associate with hyper competitiveness like model railways. In my experience some teenage boys have that attitude but grow out of it, however there are plenty of bitter men in their forties (and other decades) as well. I wouldn't be so quick to lay all the blame on teenage boys doors. It is also good that other men and women in the community are supporting her though.

Zoe and Jenny Kirk are a pair of whingers.

www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/15537230.transgender-councillor-and-wife-claim-to-be-victims-of-hate-crime-after-constant-onslaught-of-abuse/

Ah I see that Lucy from Farkham Model Railways is also trans.

Gosh there is such gigantic colossal intersectionality between neurodivergence and transgender issues.

This is not abuse of women because of their sex, because the people in question are trans women, aka men. Doesn’t make it right of course.

Hmmm. So Lucy from Farkham model railway is a man? So therefore not one of the growing number of women interested in model railways. Ive no doubt he knows his stuff, is a talented railway modeller etc but not a woman.
Of the "growing number of women" interested in model railways (of which I am kinda one - Ive been to quite a few shows albeit not for a few years now) are they mostly women or men pretending to be women?

Ah...... Ive now looked at the link @Interpink posted - Zoe and Jenny are a male and female couple but one of them thinks he is a woman.

So its not actually a growing number of women involved in the hobby at all - its a growing number of men in frocks who like railway modelling.

Not women.
Genuine women involved in railway modelling Im very happy to support - examples welcomed. I genuinely cant tell if Dawn Quest is or not tbh.

Oh fgs @Quine0nline Dawn is a bloke as well. Albeit a lot more convincing. Examples please of the growing number of women involved in railway modelling - Ill happily support their channels.
Dawn's transgender story | Havering Directory

So these couples which started out as being heterosexual but then the male decided to be trans/identify as a woman but still stayed in the heterosexual relationship? How is this not a fetish?

I was not aware Dawn Quest was anything other than female. Her bio mentions she was a BBC provider and presenter and I don't see any Havering connection, only Tonbridge and Clacton. Indeed she has done a number of interviews with women in the hobby and seems a firm advocate for women modellers. No suggestion that Lucy is male either. Certainly Jenny, who has appeared on model railway challenge and the Hornby story is trans, but does not make a big deal of it on any railway specific media items.

And your point is what, OP?

My point is that it's great to see a hobby that is traditionally seen as male oriented having successful women gaining a presence, and giving YouTube presentations on building, running and analysing modelling. Do you think that is a good idea, worthy of supporting?

When these women are attacked, no doubt as a soft target by inadequates, it grinds my gears.

Abuse because of being female - Grace, at Daffydd Junction, due to her clothing, Lucy at Farnham for her style, Dawn for having a media background and promoting her hobby. Jenny, who certainly is trans, but if by advocating for all less representative groups then surely a good thing,?

You aren't talking about women though, are you? You have very specifically chosen a number of female-presenting men in order to celebrate women in a predominantly male hobby.

You’re being hugely disingenuous. And transparent.

These people are men. And regardless of why they are being targeted, this has nothing to do with encouraging women to explore a traditionally male dominated hobby and everything to do with a feeble attempt to portray men pretending to be women, as being helpful to actual women. ”See! Look how helpful we are, we are Just Like You.”

We see you.

See also Melanie Lewis of Great Model Railway Challenge. Infiltrating women’s spaces for decades without shame.

So basically men, but wearing dresses? So no great surge of women getting into model railways then?

What a patronising thread. Do you actually think that women are that stupid? Apparently so.

As a cisgender female railway modeller - yes we do exist - my observation is that the overwhelming number of female presenting modellers in the hobby are in fact transgender, or if like myself, they are not.... then were introduced to it either through a parent or partner - or occasionally through supporting a DS. This has always been the case for as long as I remember and to be honest it's never been a huge issue inside the hobby. The hobby thrives on small suppliers of kits and detailing accessories and a few of the guys who run these have transitioned to gals - with overwhelming support from the community.

You'll see examples at most model railway shows. It's perfectly logical that men who transition might take their hobbies with them. Model trains also tends not to always universally attract those who focus heavily on their own appearance, to say the least, so again, in the case of transgender modellers, they sometimes tend to be less likely to "pass" as female - for this reason or because they have transitioned late. Or actually they really just don't care.

In terms of the "influencer" modellers, I was interested in Dawn's background when I first started watching her channel - less so about her being trans (I don't still know if she is or isn't) but more about what her former BBC presenter background was.

Regarding Jenny and Zoe - not the most pleasant individuals - quite happy to dish out insults at other transgender modellers, very whiny and quick to switch on the tears if it'll get them money (they actively grift for cash during broadcasts) and quite unpleasant and demanding in real life when I have met them.