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<p>Waving is a tradition that is only understood by railroaders and those who understand railroading.  I would say that relatively few bystanders initiate a wave.  I have never encountered a train crewmember that refused to return a wave.  I just see it as a kind of "thumbs-up" greeting.  It's common courtesy.  It should be taken by an engineer that you are probably a friendly observer as opposed to a bystander with unclear motives.  </p><p>When they had cabooses, a wave to the conductor or brakeman might be taken as a reassurance that everything looked OK as the train passed.  I always took their return wave as a thank you.  And if there was a problem in the train such as a hotbox, sticking brake, shifting load, etc., you could indicate it to the hind end.  Of course if they still had cabooses and you did that today, you would probably get charged with a crime.</p>
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