First time raifanning

[Anonymous]

I went railfanning for the first time yesterday (but forgot to bring a camera because I didn't think I would be riding my bike in that direction, GRRRR!), and WOW! I saw 2 Canadian Pacific intermodels powered by 2 SD40-2s, and a CSX coal drag (though, I really wouldn't call it a drag because it was moving a good 40 miles per hour!) powered by a big CSX SD70 or 60 (couldn't tell) and a Union Pacific U30C. Just thougt I'd share my experience with you guys. Can't wait to do it again![:D][:)][:p][;)][^]

[Anonymous]

I take the train every weekday to go to school[:D] a 25 minutes run, wich is nice cause while I'm riding, I often look at the surrounding area, how balast is set and what lies near the tracks and stuff, not to mention the two bridges (pitty I can't see them from the outside while riding) and industries.

I should probably bring my camera sometime to take some shots of the car wheels in closeup and of the couplers and other details.

[BNSFNUT]

Don't feel bad about not having your camera. I've been railfanning for several decades but still find my self track side with out my camera.
It seems if I don't expect to get near the railroads I do and do not have the camera and there is always a train. [:D]

[Anonymous]

Last saturday i was in durand michigan and my camera was on the other side of the parking lot in my truck. and a Santa Fe warbonnet came through on a BNSF coal train.grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Mikeygaw]

bigboy, did you happen to get the number for the CSX? could always look it up

[Anonymous]

I have worked wiring a house that is 1 block from the tracks, I kept forgetting to bring my camera , but , the one day I did bring it , I didn't hear the horn blasts over the saws on the jobsite until it was pretty much too late. By the time I went to the van to grab my camera, ran( and I mean FULL sprint!!) to the tracks and got there in time to catch the last 7 cars of what I think was a 15 to 20 car train [:(!] ...Although I did get 2 good pics of the Dragon Cement cars that passed by!![:)]

[Anonymous]

Whoa. Am I really lucky? It sounds like sighting trains is a little bit rare some places? I came from eastern washington, where there were few trains, to Ames, Iowa. We have trains come through town at least every half-hour. Mostly UP. Interestingly, most trains are composed of identical cars; modular trays, new automobile carriers (what are they called?) or gondolas. More than 100 cars, all identical. Amazing. Occasionally, the trains are scrappy mismatched sets of grafittied boxes and reefers. All usually UP or CP. Usually drawn by (I think) two or three (sometimes five!) SD 40s. I've got lots of cool pics of them. So... anyhow, I am sort of new at this, and don't really have much of a perspective. I would just like to hear any comments or information about what I should be looking for or what I am seeing. I have noticed that the cars seem to be empty heading north, and loaded heading south. I guess I am just running on and on. I'll be quiet now.

SB

[Anonymous]

I've done more railfanning than modelling, but always end up without my camera, especially when I see the unusual. I've seen the American Orient Express several times (Doesn't come to Ontario very much!), trains loaded with military equipment (i.e. tanks, troop carriers, etc.), a train made up entirely of locomotives, 17 of them! I also once saw a crushed and burned out locomotive, being pulled at the rear of a freight train! And I've seen all this without a camera!! [:(]