Akron, OH — In what experts are calling a “bittersweet milestone for tiny towns everywhere,” Greg Henshaw of Akron, Ohio, has finally completed his lifelong passion project: a sprawling, 200-square-foot model railroad depicting the bustling industrial boom of 1940s America. The achievement coincides with the beginning of divorce proceedings filed by his wife, Carol Henshaw, who referred to the project as “a meticulously detailed monument to neglect.”

“It’s a dream come true,” Greg said, beaming proudly as he dusted off a 1:87 scale locomotive labeled ‘The Cobalt Express.’ “Every tree, every factory, every little man waving a newspaper—it’s exactly how I envisioned it. Sure, it took 12 years, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was Gregton, Ohio, Population: Me.”

Carol, who has referred to herself as a “railroad widow” for over a decade, was less enthusiastic. “He used to say he was building our future,” she explained, sitting among unopened anniversary gifts in what is now her half of the living room. “Turns out, that future included no plumbing repairs, no vacations, and a dining table permanently occupied by something called ‘The Great Freight Incident of ’43.’ I’m just glad the lawyer will let me keep the dog.”

The Henshaws’ children, now adults, weighed in on the marital fallout. “Growing up, Dad was either at work or ‘laying track,’” said their daughter, Melissa. “I thought that was a euphemism for something romantic. Nope. Just actual track-laying. He missed my graduation because he was painting tiny cows.”

But for Greg, the culmination of his labor was worth every late night and marital compromise. “People told me it was a waste of time,” he said, motioning toward his meticulously crafted cityscape with a tear in his eye. “But look at this! There’s a functioning switchyard, a coal plant with real smoke, and the bank even lights up! You don’t get that kind of magic in real life—or real relationships.”

Experts in marital counseling and hobby addiction warn that the divorce could set a dangerous precedent. “We’ve seen this before,” said Dr. Anne Kepler, a therapist specializing in spousal patience thresholds. “First it’s a model railroad; next it’s building a fully operational miniature airport or an unnecessarily lifelike Civil War reenactment in the backyard. These hobbies always start as harmless escapism but can quickly derail relationships. Pun intended.”

As for Greg’s future, he says he’s not worried. “Now that I’m single, I have more time to expand the railroad,” he said, absentmindedly rearranging figurines on a platform. “I was thinking of adding a miniature divorce court, complete with tiny lawyers. Carol always said I lacked self-awareness, but I think this will prove her wrong.”

Carol was last seen browsing brochures for Mediterranean cruises, smiling for the first time in years. “I may not have a model train set,” she said, “but I do have a 1:1 scale plane ticket out of here.”

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