I live in Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada and I live nearby a double track can mainline and plan on railfanning the railroad sometime in the near future. I was wondering if anybody could give me any tips or advice for beginner railfanners.
Over here, it is NEVER climb on equipment. Better still keep well away from track and equipment. I beleive that 'in your neck of the woods' the word is to stay completely of railroad property.
Rob
One good piece of advice - expect a train from either direction at any time on any track. Make that a habit. "Oh that track is ALWAYS just for eastbounds" is just not so in today's railroading. And while a train might have just gone by on a track, there might be a train waiting on a siding that will soon come in the opposite direction. Or a hi-rail vehicle for that matter.
Given that the entire reason to be out there is to see trains, it is surprisingly how many tragedies have been caused by railfans being surprised that there ARE trains. It is easy to lose situational awareness particularly when a train is going by, about what the other track might hold. I have seen some close calls at railfan events when train #2 appears unexpectedly. If taking photos, don't be lulled into looking at the world through the viewfinder such that you forget where your feet and body are - sort of the railfan's equivalent of the deep sea diver's "rapture of the deep." The poor lady killed by the UP steam special a few weeks ago fell victim to this.
Trains are wider than tracks. And loose material on a freight car -- from steel strapping on a lumber car or other loaded flat, to shifted loads on a flat or gon, to an open door flapping on a trailer or container, can make the train even "wider" than the train. As one railroader cautioned me years ago: "you never see an actual railroader stand as close to the tracks as you railfans do."
Never give trains crews reason to be nervous or upset about your proximity to the tracks. Also, try not to be distracting to drivers at a crossing, or people waiting at a depot platform, as they too need to be giving the track their full attention (and rarely do).
Be mindful of public versus private property. Nature hikers have a saying "take only photographs; leave only footprints" which is good advice for railfans too.
This should be obvious but don't put anything on the rails, including coins.
If you intend this to be a long event, take water. Bug spray. A fully charged cell phone. A hat. Perhaps a chair. Know where the nearest bathrooms and food are.
Take notes of what you've seen and when. If a picture is worth taking it is worth labeling in some way. Don't take pictures just of locomotives. And note that the best train photographs tend not to zoom in so close on the front of the locomotive -- back away and get the whole scene.
Dave Nelson
Good advice!
I often railfan with a couple of ex-railroaders, and we never cross tracks unless we're at a recognised crossing. So if the sun's on the wrong side of the train for getting a good photo, find a safe and legal way to get to the other side.I am privileged that those friends also have access to sites which would otherwise be off-limits, but that access is always subject to permission, and a total knowledge of safety procedures when around trains, whether they're in motion, or stationary.
If I can add a couple of points: when on foot and crossing tracks, never step on the rail. I was taught this at the steel plant where I worked, where there were rails everywhere...not just for trains, but cranes of all types, and many other types of lifting equipment.Never put yourself in position of possible danger and never assume that you will hear a train coming. It is surprising how silent something as big and heavy as a train can be.
Wayne
Safety First, Last And Always.
Trains are large so there is no need to park your favorite lawn chair 15' from the track instead stay back at least 50' and have a escape route in the event loose loads start falling or worst a derailment starts taking place..
Remember zoom is your friend. There is no need to trespass on railroad or private property.
Here's a zoomed photo.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"