Trains.com

Railfan fail.

2853 views
16 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Railfan fail.
Posted by oltmannd on Friday, September 24, 2021 7:09 AM

Spent a few days in Moab UT including some time trying to find the Rocky Mountaineer train laying over between runs.  Not many places for it to hide.  

Complete fail.

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Friday, September 24, 2021 8:17 AM

Well, railfannin' is kind of like those two other things that end with "N," huntin' and fishin'.  Some times you get lucky, sometimes the game's gone out of the woods or the fish don't bite.  Not the end of the world, even if it seems like it.

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,540 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Friday, September 24, 2021 10:30 AM

My attitude when I go out is that I'll see and enjoy whatever is out there at the moment.  Sometimes I get lucky and call it a great day and sometimes I don't and call it a good day.

The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,269 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Friday, September 24, 2021 1:24 PM

Considering the area's terrain, perhaps it was hiding in a painted tunnel that trains can enter and railfans cannot......?

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Guelph, Ontario
  • 4,819 posts
Posted by Ulrich on Friday, September 24, 2021 2:05 PM

CSSHEGEWISCH

My attitude when I go out is that I'll see and enjoy whatever is out there at the moment.  Sometimes I get lucky and call it a great day and sometimes I don't and call it a good day.

 

 

That's the way I look at it. I cycle out to my favorite spots on the weekends (or summer evenings if its still light out).. the ride to and from is a big part of the enjoyment, and if there are no trains I enjoy the trackside tranquillity for a bit before heading back home. 

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,325 posts
Posted by rdamon on Friday, September 24, 2021 2:18 PM

After 4 -5 times saying "I'll wait a few more mins" and see nothing. I see the crossing lights go in the distance in the rear-view mirror on the way home.

 

 

  • Member since
    June 2019
  • 313 posts
Posted by Juniata Man on Friday, September 24, 2021 2:37 PM

rdamon

After 4 -5 times saying "I'll wait a few more mins" and see nothing. I see the crossing lights go in the distance in the rear-view mirror on the way home.

 

 

 

 

This really did make me laugh out loud! I'd like to have a nickel for every time this has happened to me.

CW

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • 1,754 posts
Posted by diningcar on Friday, September 24, 2021 2:52 PM

On the BNSF southern Transcon between Clovis, NM and Barstow,CA you will not have to wait long for photo shots. And between Alb. NM and Barstow just try to imagine all of those  one and 1-2 mile long double stacks on I-40 with you. 

  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Friday, September 24, 2021 4:34 PM

Seems like when I go looking for trains, there's nothing. The times I'm not looking for trains, guess what shows up? There might be a lesson in there, but I'm not sure what it is.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 1,530 posts
Posted by NKP guy on Friday, September 24, 2021 7:04 PM

   I've found this a sure-fire way to see something really interesting unfold when I'm near the right-of-way anywhere:  forget my camera and leave my phone at home to charge.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,318 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Friday, September 24, 2021 7:47 PM

Seem to get the good stuff at Deshler when I am at home watching the railcam.

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
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,020 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, September 24, 2021 8:22 PM

rdamon

After 4 -5 times saying "I'll wait a few more mins" and see nothing. I see the crossing lights go in the distance in the rear-view mirror on the way home.

Or hear the defect detector go off when you're too far away to return...

 

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Sterling Heights, Michigan
  • 1,691 posts
Posted by SD60MAC9500 on Friday, September 24, 2021 10:36 PM
 

oltmannd

Spent a few days in Moab UT including some time trying to find the Rocky Mountaineer train laying over between runs.  Not many places for it to hide.  

Complete fail.

 

I'm looking forward to riding this next year!

 
Rahhhhhhhhh!!!!
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • 2,741 posts
Posted by Paul Milenkovic on Saturday, September 25, 2021 9:59 AM

SD70Dude

Considering the area's terrain, perhaps it was hiding in a painted tunnel that trains can enter and railfans cannot......?

 

 

meebeep!

If GM "killed the electric car", what am I doing standing next to an EV-1, a half a block from the WSOR tracks?

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,971 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Sunday, September 26, 2021 5:22 AM

Paul Milenkovic

 

 
SD70Dude

Considering the area's terrain, perhaps it was hiding in a painted tunnel that trains can enter and railfans cannot......?

 

 

 

 

meebeep!

 

It was, most definitely, Wile E. Coyote territory...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/7NZzhNprtcZYsCMcA

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

  • Member since
    December 2006
  • From: Trieste, Italy
  • 258 posts
Posted by GN_Fan on Friday, October 1, 2021 5:19 AM

Well, that stuff happens sometimes.  I've been on Tehachipi several times, one time catching 3 trains in less than an hour.  Contrast that with one windy, chilly day when i spent 8 hours there and the only thing I saw was a work train with a Burro crane.  It's the life of a railfan.

Alea Iacta Est -- The Die Is Cast
  • Member since
    October 2013
  • 75 posts
Posted by spsffan on Friday, October 1, 2021 2:15 PM
Tehachapi is like that. Often, nothing much going on in the afternoon, and then, right before the sun goes down, a flood of trains.

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