Ah---good ol' eccentricity-----
Any argument carried far enough will end up in Semantics--Hartz's law of rhetoric Emerald. Leemer and Southern The route of the Sceptre Express Barry
I just started my blog site...more stuff to come...
http://modeltrainswithmusic.blogspot.ca/
Murphy SidingPoppa_Zit My enjoyment comes from analyzing the history of the railroads in this country, and visiting once-vibrant towns abandoned by railroads to see what's left behind, both the physical plant as well as the aftereffects -- indelible imprints left on the community. So I guess that makes me a railroad history buff Ye Gods! You mean there's more than one of us out there? I'm always driving or walking through a town, usually a small farm town, to see what's left behind, and try to figure out what was there. It's sort of like being a railorad archeologist sometimes.
Poppa_Zit My enjoyment comes from analyzing the history of the railroads in this country, and visiting once-vibrant towns abandoned by railroads to see what's left behind, both the physical plant as well as the aftereffects -- indelible imprints left on the community. So I guess that makes me a railroad history buff
My enjoyment comes from analyzing the history of the railroads in this country, and visiting once-vibrant towns abandoned by railroads to see what's left behind, both the physical plant as well as the aftereffects -- indelible imprints left on the community.
So I guess that makes me a railroad history buff
Ah, more members of the LAABPTPENA, otherwise known as the League of Abandoned Abutment, Bridge Pier and Tunnel Portal Enthusiasts of North America. Not my creation; a couple of friends found a good location and then had a very tedious wait before any trains showed up. But railroad archeology can be a wonderful diversion when trains are scarce.
John
cx500 Murphy Siding Poppa_Zit My enjoyment comes from analyzing the history of the railroads in this country, and visiting once-vibrant towns abandoned by railroads to see what's left behind, both the physical plant as well as the aftereffects -- indelible imprints left on the community. So I guess that makes me a railroad history buff Ye Gods! You mean there's more than one of us out there? I'm always driving or walking through a town, usually a small farm town, to see what's left behind, and try to figure out what was there. It's sort of like being a railorad archeologist sometimes. Ah, more members of the LAABPTPENA, otherwise known as the League of Abandoned Abutment, Bridge Pier and Tunnel Portal Enthusiasts of North America. Not my creation; a couple of friends found a good location and then had a very tedious wait before any trains showed up. But railroad archeology can be a wonderful diversion when trains are scarce. John
Murphy Siding Poppa_Zit My enjoyment comes from analyzing the history of the railroads in this country, and visiting once-vibrant towns abandoned by railroads to see what's left behind, both the physical plant as well as the aftereffects -- indelible imprints left on the community. So I guess that makes me a railroad history buff Ye Gods! You mean there's more than one of us out there? I'm always driving or walking through a town, usually a small farm town, to see what's left behind, and try to figure out what was there. It's sort of like being a railorad archeologist sometimes.
My wife and I do a fair bit of driving the backroads and finding old townsites---believe it or not there are quite a few out in our neck of the woods---we also do find a lot of remnants of trainyards and such. I've taken to taking photos of these remnants and then went looking for the pix that display the yards in operation. North of Stratford ON---loads of old ROW's. Lotsa good stuff for the history buff
tree68 Funny you mention "buff." Those who are interested in fire trucks, etc, are usually referred to as "fire buffs." I don't think I've ever heard the term "fire fan." I've heard "rail buff" and "train buff" before, though. I think rail buff sounds a little more genteel than rail fan - perhaps connoting those who have an interest in trains, but don't necessarily seek them out.
Funny you mention "buff." Those who are interested in fire trucks, etc, are usually referred to as "fire buffs." I don't think I've ever heard the term "fire fan." I've heard "rail buff" and "train buff" before, though.
I think rail buff sounds a little more genteel than rail fan - perhaps connoting those who have an interest in trains, but don't necessarily seek them out.
blownout cylindercx500 Murphy SidingPoppa_Zit My enjoyment comes from analyzing the history of the railroads in this country, and visiting once-vibrant towns abandoned by railroads to see what's left behind, both the physical plant as well as the aftereffects -- indelible imprints left on the community. So I guess that makes me a railroad history buff Ye Gods! You mean there's more than one of us out there? I'm always driving or walking through a town, usually a small farm town, to see what's left behind, and try to figure out what was there. It's sort of like being a railorad archeologist sometimes. Ah, more members of the LAABPTPENA, otherwise known as the League of Abandoned Abutment, Bridge Pier and Tunnel Portal Enthusiasts of North America. Not my creation; a couple of friends found a good location and then had a very tedious wait before any trains showed up. But railroad archeology can be a wonderful diversion when trains are scarce. John My wife and I do a fair bit of driving the backroads and finding old townsites---believe it or not there are quite a few out in our neck of the woods---we also do find a lot of remnants of trainyards and such. I've taken to taking photos of these remnants and then went looking for the pix that display the yards in operation. North of Stratford ON---loads of old ROW's. Lotsa good stuff for the history buff
cx500 Murphy SidingPoppa_Zit My enjoyment comes from analyzing the history of the railroads in this country, and visiting once-vibrant towns abandoned by railroads to see what's left behind, both the physical plant as well as the aftereffects -- indelible imprints left on the community. So I guess that makes me a railroad history buff Ye Gods! You mean there's more than one of us out there? I'm always driving or walking through a town, usually a small farm town, to see what's left behind, and try to figure out what was there. It's sort of like being a railorad archeologist sometimes. Ah, more members of the LAABPTPENA, otherwise known as the League of Abandoned Abutment, Bridge Pier and Tunnel Portal Enthusiasts of North America. Not my creation; a couple of friends found a good location and then had a very tedious wait before any trains showed up. But railroad archeology can be a wonderful diversion when trains are scarce. John
There's a fellow up north of me who has made a hobby of studying what might have been as well as what was, and is. His flikr site has hundreds of pictures of old ROW's, bridges, etc. One of his searches has been for railroads that were planned, and possibly started, but never finished.
Then there's the now-retired forestry professor whose study of any place in the Adirondacks where there are, or were, rails on the ground has now yielded a third edition of his findings, this time in four volumes. I've worked with him a bit - his goal is to walk every ROW, which can be pretty challenging if the tracks have been gone for nearly 100 years,
Larry 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...
Seeing what was, that is finding abandoned tunnels, bridges, etc...is a major part of the hobby for me. I think it is a great way to appreciate history too, even if it is only train related but it spreads to other things too. I know a lot more places than people would ever think I would because of my train hobby.
I have found artifacts, the biggest one, if you can call it an artifact, being the abandoned Paulinskill Viaduct buried in the woods in western New Jersey. And the feeling of seeing this beautiful structure for the first time is hard to describe, lets just say breathtaking is a way to begin.
I am a foaming railfan. I love trains and all known (and unknown, likely, when I discover them) aspects of railroading. Why worry about how someone else labels you? It is irrelevant. If you love trains a little or a lot, chances are you get a little foam going. So get out there and take some pictures or pace a train or listen to the scanner or look up mile posts on Google Earth and figure out which subdivision they belong in, subscribe to magazines, go to Folkston's Railwatch next year or whatever. Just don't get caught up in what someone else calls you while you follow your passion. More than likely whomever dreamed up the name Foamer has some passion he/she foams about too. So there.
I'm a Railfan, this guy is a Foamer:
http://youtu.be/qMcNp3BajtA
PS. I actually think he's faking it for comedic effect..
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
Well if that's a foamer.... sign me up... to foamers-not-so-anonymous that is.
I have been a railfan off and on for 10 years now. I have sorta re-emerged at the beginning of the year and have just gone nuts. I would have to say.. if I saw a NS Heritage unit around these parts I believe I would act about like that. I couldn't imagine if I saw one of THOSE units.
Thanks,
Proud Florida Foamer
If he is for real, the men in white coats should be around the corner.
Johnny
If you have ever seen the movie "Polar Express" the loud mouthed kid the other kids called "know-it-all" would, in my opinion, qualify as a foamer. He knew more about a Berkshire locomotive than the guy that designed the thing and passionately shared all this knowledge with those that happened to be within earshot of him.
zardoz gabe .....therwise normal people inside or outside the industry who have hobbies ranging from baseball to basket weaving to dog breeding to pornography might think it is weird that she or he likes trains. Gabe I never considered pornography as a hobby......it might make my next visit to the hobby shop more interesting. "Hey! Did ya see the nice couplers on that one?" "Yeah! But how about the caboose!!!?" "There's a main line I wouldn't mind exploring". "I wonder if there is a video to go with it?" "I need a new lay out". "But honey, I'm merely looking for a good photo oportunity". She laughed as she said, "You said you were 'O' gauge; it looks to me like you're closer to 'N' gauge". But I think I'll skip the weathering kit.
gabe .....therwise normal people inside or outside the industry who have hobbies ranging from baseball to basket weaving to dog breeding to pornography might think it is weird that she or he likes trains. Gabe
.....therwise normal people inside or outside the industry who have hobbies ranging from baseball to basket weaving to dog breeding to pornography might think it is weird that she or he likes trains.
Gabe
"Hey! Did ya see the nice couplers on that one?"
"Yeah! But how about the caboose!!!?"
"There's a main line I wouldn't mind exploring".
"I wonder if there is a video to go with it?"
"I need a new lay out".
"But honey, I'm merely looking for a good photo oportunity".
She laughed as she said, "You said you were 'O' gauge; it looks to me like you're closer to 'N' gauge".
But I think I'll skip the weathering kit.
carnej1 I'm a Railfan, this guy is a Foamer: http://youtu.be/qMcNp3BajtA PS. I actually think he's faking it for comedic effect....
PS. I actually think he's faking it for comedic effect....
Yep - he is/was the manager there. Totally for effect...
I've said it before and I'll say it again...
Railfans may sometimes have small pins representing their favouite RR, or aspect of RR'ing, on their hats, but I have yet to see one paint their faces with greasepaint in the livery of a RR or wear a "cheese hat" or some other outlandish outward showing of their devotion to some aspect of RR'ing. (The way some Footballer's do.)
I have yet to see one wearing a multi-color "rainbow" wig and clown outfit sitting at a grade crossing trying to influence the employees they are watching into making some particular move. (Like I see the dork trying to influence a pitcher at Baseball games on TV.)
And I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.)
As a "sport", train watching is rather self sustaining and not in need of artificially engendered excitement.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper VaporoAnd I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.)
Why don't we have that again?
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
Doesn't hurt, though...
Backstory - during a railfan event last year, this group of musicians (?) shows up. They're apparently shooting a music video and thought this would be a good spot. I have no idea where to look for it, though...
zugmann Semper VaporoAnd I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.) Why don't we have that again?
tree68 Semper VaporoAnd I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.) Doesn't hurt, though... Backstory - during a railfan event last year, this group of musicians (?) shows up. They're apparently shooting a music video and thought this would be a good spot. I have no idea where to look for it, though...
Uh... sorry, remind me as to WHY one would have any need or desire to "look for it"?
Semper VaporoUh... sorry, remind me as to WHY one would have any need or desire to "look for it"?
Masochist? Or maybe you like blue hair?
tree68 Semper VaporoUh... sorry, remind me as to WHY one would have any need or desire to "look for it"? Masochist? Or maybe you like blue hair?
Blue Hair and South Florida go together!
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
"Uh... sorry, remind me as to WHY one would have any need or desire to "look for it"?"
There is a engine in it, Duh!
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Semper Vaporo I've said it before and I'll say it again... Railfans may sometimes have small pins representing their favouite RR, or aspect of RR'ing, on their hats, but I have yet to see one paint their faces with greasepaint in the livery of a RR or wear a "cheese hat" or some other outlandish outward showing of their devotion to some aspect of RR'ing. (The way some Footballer's do.) I have yet to see one wearing a multi-color "rainbow" wig and clown outfit sitting at a grade crossing trying to influence the employees they are watching into making some particular move. (Like I see the dork trying to influence a pitcher at Baseball games on TV.) And I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.) As a "sport", train watching is rather self sustaining and not in need of artificially engendered excitement.
Very well put. Thanks. I had a blast today catching a CSX run North up the Callahan Sub from Baldwin. I unexpectedly had the chance to pace it... Then catch it again at another crossing around MP17ish. Video can be found on my YouTube Channel Gracebeliever077. But I was like a little kid almost on that 17MP catch. I was heading to St. George, GA for some Norfolk Southern action and lucked up. It was a blast. I think I am still wiping a little foam off my sleeve. LOL.
tree68 carnej1 I'm a Railfan, this guy is a Foamer: http://youtu.be/qMcNp3BajtA PS. I actually think he's faking it for comedic effect.... Yep - he is/was the manager there. Totally for effect...
That guy is hilarious...
Is that an Alco? Oh my GOD...OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ulrich tree68 Semper VaporoAnd I know of no railfan that needs scantily clad young women jumping up and down in front of them to keep their interest up in what is happening on the rails. (The likes of which basketball and football fans do.) Doesn't hurt, though... Backstory - during a railfan event last year, this group of musicians (?) shows up. They're apparently shooting a music video and thought this would be a good spot. I have no idea where to look for it, though... Is that an Alco? Oh my GOD...OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!
With Class lights no less!!!!!
BaltACDWith Class lights no less!!!!!
Even better - it's a bona fide movie star, having appeared in the movie "Atomic Train." (I'm not sure that one even stopped at video...)
Something like this ? (Note: Not my blog, website, or photo - been around quite a few years, too . . . ):
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_k1HsPh3JxiU/S0p4sgYCDTI/AAAAAAAADTM/u66EzItHTWo/s400/women-maidenform.jpg
- Paul North.
As locomotives age, do the headlights become ditch lights?
rfpjohn As locomotives age, do the headlights become ditch lights?
No, but they do drop from above the windshield down to the low hood....
Actually, I am just here for the pictures....
I don't know what I would be classified as. Knowing the technical details of the various locomotives and such kind of takes a back seat to just "being there". Back when I as growing up, my dad was an avid rail fan. We had a train room in the basement, his Lionel trains covered one wall, we had an HO layout in the room as well, along with all kinds of railroad memorabilia, and even a crossbuck mounted on the wall at the bottom of the basement stairs. On weekends, especially during the summer, my dad would takes us boys (5 of us) out to the tracks (Bryn Mawr up near O'Hare, Elmhurst, Bensenville, Franklin Park, etc.) to just sit and watch some trains go by. My grandparents lived in Brookfield, about 3 blocks south of the Burlington Northern, so, on any given Sunday when we were visiting, my brothers and I would be hanging out at the Brookfield station, watching trains. In addition, starting the summer after 5th grade, you could find my friend and I hanging out along the ICG main that ran through Hillside (Freeport Sub, I believe)
The thrill, if you will, for me, has always been just the watching. I took up photography of trains about 20 years ago, and I enjoy it quite a bit. It has to do with the solitude interrupted by a passing train, and then more solitude. I remember thinking how great it was to be along the tracks waiting for a train, and seeing the headlight in the distance, and the anticipation that came from it.
As far as the difference between "foamer" and "railfan" goes, I have met many of both stripes, and I will avoid a foamer at all costs. They tend to be loud, obnoxious, and boorish. In fact, I was out shooting one day a few years ago, out at Rochelle, and got cursed out by some individual in a pair over coveralls and engineer's hat, that was festooned with "fallen flag" buttons, and pins, because I wasn't taking "proper roster shots".... whatever the heck those are.
Every hobby attracts people who are into it at different levels.
Around here, as a side note, an obnoxious fire buff is known as a "yahoo".
The member formerly known as "TimChgo9"
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