Trains.com

Craziest Thing done Railfanning

1170 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2001
  • From: US
  • 590 posts
Craziest Thing done Railfanning
Posted by kschmidt on Monday, December 29, 2003 2:28 PM
Greetings,

I happened to see a thread like this on a different newsgroup so I thought I might start it here.

What is the craziest thing that you have done while railfanning.

I guess mine would have to be driving my parents station wagon with 5 other people in the car at 60mph + down a gravel road in Iowa while pacing the Union Pacific E-units. [}:)]

Luckily for us the road was pretty smooth and also that we had talked with a local resident earlier who told us that the road had a sharp right curve in it that led to a grade crossing. Otherwise I might railfanning from the big station wagon in the sky. [xx(]

Happy New Year

Keith Schmidt [:)]

Keith Schmidt KC9LHK You don’t bring nothin with you here and you can’t nothin back, I ain’t never seen a hearse with a luggage rack. George Strait Check out Flickr Train Photo Page 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 29, 2003 2:34 PM
I guess so far its been going a mile back in mosquito infested muddy, marshy, poisin Ivy infested woods to get a few photos of some abandoned former B&O RDCs in the yard, but it was well worth the need for a bottle of calimine lotion and anti-itch cream!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Monday, December 29, 2003 4:21 PM
Well its when a train is coming at a crossing and I tell my wife here you drive.then we switch spots.She says someday she'll leave me there:0).
stay safe
Joe

Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").

 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 29, 2003 4:27 PM
Whein My Dad and me were in Essex, Montana we went to look at the helper Locomotives across the Main Line then a Freight Train came at the worst possible moment so we had to walk about a 1 mile to get back also we almost walked on the Railroad property to see one of the snowsheids.
Now that was Dumb
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 29, 2003 4:30 PM
Trying to take pictures of Amtrak and METRA commuter trains arriving and leaving Chicago Union Station while standing on the overpass (Roosevelt Road). In my enthusiasm, I was dumb enough to park curbside, thinking I'd get a few pics and leave. I left alright--after a cop pulled up behind me and questioned my reasons for being there. Some Chicago cops have no sense of enthusiasm! He was ready to cite me for being illegally parked, and didn't see the legitimacy of my wanting to take a few snapshots. Guess I'll need to find another locale. I didn't think it was crazy, but the officer clearly did.[:(]
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Anywhere there are trains
  • 578 posts
Posted by Train Guy 3 on Monday, December 29, 2003 8:56 PM
Chasing the 611 many times. My dad would drive as fast as the car would handle... and sometimes more. We darted crossing to crossing catching it with about 15 seconds to spare. We had just enough time to get the camera at the right angle.

TG3 LOOK ! LISTEN ! LIVE ! Remember the 3.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 29, 2003 9:16 PM
I think it was in 1973 when the CN 6060 hauled a Michigan Railroad Club excursion that made a triangle from London to Stratford to Paris Jct. and back to London. I motorcaded on a 10-speed bicycle and took three pictures, one on each leg of the triangle.

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy