Trains.com

The Incognito Railfan

2648 views
27 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 7,968 posts
The Incognito Railfan
Posted by K. P. Harrier on Friday, January 23, 2004 9:31 PM
That breed of railfan is invisible, and quite savvy. They often watch trains from trackside parks, public parking lots, and commuter train stations. They blend in with everybody else, and never rouse any suspicion. They artfully pace speeding trains only short distances. Train crews never catch on to the presence of secret locomotive admirers taking in the excitement and drama. Even managements do not know of the incognito types. Are these railbuffs among the very wisest of all the patriots in America?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, January 23, 2004 9:40 PM
If you say so...lol...

LC
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Friday, January 23, 2004 10:05 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by K. P. Harrier

That breed of railfan is invisible, and quite savvy. They often watch trains from trackside parks, public parking lots, and commuter train stations. They blend in with everybody else, and never rouse any suspicion. They artfully pace speeding trains only short distances. Train crews never catch on to the presence of secret locomotive admirers taking in the excitement and drama. Even managements do not know of the incognito types. Are these railbuffs among the very wisest of all the patriots in America?



I'm guessing that they are probably a secret drug money backed terrorist organization that's using encoded messges on railfan forums to plot the breakup of Union Pacific under the guise of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 12:10 AM
I dont think there's anything wrong with that type of railfans. Im one of them, actually. I prefer not tell people myself that I admire railroads, but if it ever comes up in one of my conversations with people, I won't hide the truth. I like watching trains go by, but i dont chase them for miles, neither I stand with a video/photo camera by the tracks 5 hours per day. I never tresspass on the railroad property (okay.....maybe once...or twice), and I prefer not to break the law while railfaning.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Saturday, January 24, 2004 6:04 AM
I dont know Dan,
Sounds like one of those CIA backed operations, where they trade illegally obtained railroad calender photos to the "freedom fighters" in exchange for information on UP's progress in their attempt at world domination.

Or, it could be a Cuban thing.
You know how those cubans are. (wink wink, nudge nudge).

The camel walks across the desert.
Ed[alien]

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Defiance Ohio
  • 13,319 posts
Posted by JoeKoh on Saturday, January 24, 2004 6:57 AM
I take pictures leave footprints.See something wrong call the cops.People at work know I like trains call me "Steam Train". Is it a mystery that Matt gets a wave everytime he goes with me trainhunting?hmmmmm........
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
  • 25,021 posts
Posted by tree68 on Saturday, January 24, 2004 7:03 AM
I have to be an incognito railfan sometimes at work. I can often justify a trip out of the office (we have to do service calls all over the place), but I don't let on that one reason I'm going is that I know there will be some rail ops. I've been known to take the long way around to check out what's happening.

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
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 10:05 AM
I flatly refuse to be descrete. If I am going to watch trains they're going to know it. I will just make sure that I'm on public property. I don't want to add anymore fuel to the fire.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Saturday, January 24, 2004 10:09 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard

I dont know Dan,
Sounds like one of those CIA backed operations, where they trade illegally obtained railroad calender photos to the "freedom fighters" in exchange for information on UP's progress in their attempt at world domination.

Or, it could be a Cuban thing.
You know how those cubans are. (wink wink, nudge nudge).

The camel walks across the desert.
Ed[alien]


Better give Nina Totenburg a call.....or better yet Norman Zindler ...he'll blow the lid off of this...them cuban terrorists aren't gonna bring down UP over a few calenders...It'll be bigger than Iran-contra, bigger than Watergate, bigger than Bill Gates......

slime in the ice machine......I say again .....slime in the ice machine
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 10:28 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Alaskaman

I dont think there's anything wrong with that type of railfans. Im one of them, actually. I prefer not tell people myself that I admire railroads, but if it ever comes up in one of my conversations with people, I won't hide the truth. I like watching trains go by, but i dont chase them for miles, neither I stand with a video/photo camera by the tracks 5 hours per day. I never tresspass on the railroad property (okay.....maybe once...or twice), and I prefer not to break the law while railfaning.


[:O] TRESSPASSER!

thats alright, I won't tell.

I usually go ailfannign for maybe a few hours a week. On the weekends i usually bring My GF to a public park, where the tracks are durring the summer... If i'm lucky I'll get more then a photo op with jsut a train...

Yeah better go before i say something stupid.
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Philadelphia
  • 440 posts
Posted by michaelstevens on Saturday, January 24, 2004 11:27 AM
[8D]
Boy -- its good to see that old Mr. Jumpjet hasn't lost any of his healthful paranoia !
[;)]
We hadn't had a good conspiracy theory/thread going, for several weeks now -- or had I simply not detected it [?]

[:D]
British Mike in Philly
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 11:47 AM
LOL, My railfan stops are brief, and are commonly from a 4 story building a few hundred feet from the tracks!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 11:55 AM
The correct name is.....Marvin!!!!!...Zindler!!!!!!!.....Eye!!!!!!....Witness!!!!.....News!!!!!!!!. , No incognito here, If I hear or see a train, I'll knock someone down to get close enough to see it......then after the train goes by, I'll come back to apologize.hehehe......Laterz
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Saturday, January 24, 2004 7:26 PM
Ole Marvin Zindler....
Still alive and loud after all these years.
He dosnt do train, but let him hear of a good ole chicken ranch...
That dude has had so many face lifts he could wipe his nose and his *** at the same time.

Anybody got the phone number for Woodard and his sidekick?
Ed

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, January 24, 2004 8:12 PM
and i hear they don't want anybody to know they are railfans too.
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Saturday, January 24, 2004 8:27 PM
Ah, But can they be both reporters, and incognito railfans at the same time?
I dont think deepthroat works at UP.
Then again....
Dan,
The camel has crossed the desert, the oais is green!
Ed

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, January 26, 2004 10:08 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by michaelstevens

[8D]
Boy -- its good to see that old Mr. Jumpjet hasn't lost any of his healthful paranoia !
[;)]
We hadn't had a good conspiracy theory/thread going, for several weeks now -- or had I simply not detected it [?]

[:D]


Mike,

That was funny (old jump jet), I like that one. I don't hide my hobby, I don't broadcast it as well. The people that I care about the most and who care about me know and support me.

I watch from a distance because it actually hard to get close to the track on the NEC and CSX. I wish I had a true spot to watch trains.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Monday, January 26, 2004 6:44 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by talbanese

QUOTE: Originally posted by michaelstevens

[8D]
Boy -- its good to see that old Mr. Jumpjet hasn't lost any of his healthful paranoia !
[;)]
We hadn't had a good conspiracy theory/thread going, for several weeks now -- or had I simply not detected it [?]

[:D]


Mike,

That was funny (old jump jet), I like that one. I don't hide my hobby, I don't broadcast it as well. The people that I care about the most and who care about me know and support me.

I watch from a distance because it actually hard to get close to the track on the NEC and CSX. I wish I had a true spot to watch trains.


When the USMC first got the Harrier jets, they had some......growing pains let us say. we used to say never to watch one take off or land so you wouldn't have to be a witness at the accident investigation........I see that there is still merit in that advice.[}:)]
  • Member since
    October 2003
  • 7,968 posts
Posted by K. P. Harrier on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 12:06 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by drailed1999

I flatly refuse to be descrete. If I am going to watch trains they're going to know it. I will just make sure that I'm on public property. I don't want to add anymore fuel to the fire.


drailed1999:

How do you know where public property ends and railroad property begins? How do you make sure? I had a rude awakening recently, and suspect you will too someday.

Best wishes,

K P Harrier

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 20,096 posts
Posted by daveklepper on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 1:57 AM
Conclusion: The UP obviously has a public relaitons problem. Dave
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 10:25 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by K. P. Harrier

QUOTE: Originally posted by drailed1999

I flatly refuse to be descrete. If I am going to watch trains they're going to know it. I will just make sure that I'm on public property. I don't want to add anymore fuel to the fire.


drailed1999:

How do you know where public property ends and railroad property begins? How do you make sure? I had a rude awakening recently, and suspect you will too someday.

Best wishes,

K P Harrier

The Mookie has snow between her ears right now - so must be a little foggy - can you tell me exactly what everyone is talking about? Are you talking about someone that may want to harm the railroads?

I am intrigued - and would like a reply. However, if you are going to be like Missouri and blow me off like he did, then you will totally lose any credibility you have on this forum. I ask because I am truly curious!

Mook

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 10:36 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by K. P. Harrier

QUOTE: Originally posted by drailed1999

I flatly refuse to be descrete. If I am going to watch trains they're going to know it. I will just make sure that I'm on public property. I don't want to add anymore fuel to the fire.


drailed1999:

How do you know where public property ends and railroad property begins? How do you make sure? I had a rude awakening recently, and suspect you will too someday.

Best wishes,

K P Harrier

The Mookie has snow between her ears right now - so must be a little foggy - can you tell me exactly what everyone is talking about? Are you talking about someone that may want to harm the railroads?

I am intrigued - and would like a reply. However, if you are going to be like Missouri and blow me off like he did, then you will totally lose any credibility you have on this forum. I ask because I am truly curious!

Mook


That explains the fortune I got from that cookie this weekend..."Man who annoy cat woman race, get chocolate cake and scratch on face."
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Philadelphia
  • 440 posts
Posted by michaelstevens on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 10:39 AM
Jen,

Who is (or was) Missouri ? -- besides a muddy old river ?

Perhaps he's (she or it ?) back -- with a new pseudonym -- i.e. "incognito" !!
British Mike in Philly
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 10:43 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by K. P. Harrier

That breed of railfan is invisible, and quite savvy. They often watch trains from trackside parks, public parking lots, and commuter train stations. They blend in with everybody else, and never rouse any suspicion. They artfully pace speeding trains only short distances. Train crews never catch on to the presence of secret locomotive admirers taking in the excitement and drama. Even managements do not know of the incognito types. Are these railbuffs among the very wisest of all the patriots in America?



You've SEEN ME? Dang, and I thought I was being so clever!

Nuts! Now I have to find a new park, a new bench, some new sunglasses, and a new cap !

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 12:24 PM
If it's cold, I wear my brown Afghani wool hat, Saudi red and white checkered Italian table cloth as scarf, GI field jacket, jeans and combat boots and take my camera with the AK47 sling strap.

If its warm, just shorts, a black t-shirt with a skull and dagger on it that says "death", dark sunglasses and a ball cap.

In all cases I use a non descript rental car with out of state plates stolen from another vehicle.

I try to blend as well as I can.
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 1:24 PM
Dan - Puleeze - I just had lunch and now I am giggling! Can you say Alka-Seltzer?

British Mike - Missouri was much worse than Incognito. He had a rant about railroad crossing accidents being the fault of the railroads. I am still scratching my head over that one. I asked questions - because I want to see if there is a really valid point of view on the other side. He would never answer me. Just kept ranting!

His signature was Missouri - and I bet if there are any on the forum from Missouri, they cringed at his work. It was entertaining at first, as well as annoying - he had everyone one here seeing their doctors for high blood pressure. He insulted and upset the good working people with his "only my opinion counts" postings. Finally Trains had to take him to the vet and have him permanently put to sleep. Or was it "tutored"?

I would like to see some different points of view - I may not agree with them, but like listening to Rush Limbaugh - you have to sit back and enjoy some of the "spin" they put on facts. And who knows, maybe they really do have an opinion I can respect and give me something to think about - while I am trapped at home on snow days!

Mook

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 1:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon


If its warm, just shorts, a black t-shirt with a skull and dagger on it that says "death", dark sunglasses and a ball cap.



DANG IT !! Now I got to get rid of those too? Man, I'm going to need a whole new wardrobe soon.....

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Philadelphia
  • 440 posts
Posted by michaelstevens on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 1:48 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie
Missouri was much worse than Incognito. He had a rant about railroad crossing accidents being the fault of the railroads. I am still scratching my head over that one. I asked questions - because I want to see if there is a really valid point of view on the other side. He would never answer me. Just kept ranting!
His signature was Missouri - and I bet if there are any on the forum from Missouri, they cringed at his work. It was entertaining at first, as well as annoying - he had everyone one here seeing their doctors for high blood pressure. He insulted and upset the good working people with his "only my opinion counts" postings. Finally Trains had to take him to the vet and have him permanently put to sleep. Or was it "tutored"?

Mook


[8D]
Thanks Jen
-- every now and then one of you "big (# of) stars" will mention him, her or it --
[:D]
He must have been "tootered" long before many of us came on the forum [?]

[:D]
British Mike in Philly

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