How do YOU know when a train is coming?

[mloik]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

It is SMOKIN'???!

LOL...

LC

Yeah, man...and will it share????

[Anonymous]

If the line isn't abandoned, a train is always coming.

Old Timer

[monkeyman2]

I ormally, look, listen, and feel if there's any kind of rumble.....

[PBenham]

When I have to "empty the old crankcase", if you know what I mean.[X-)]

[Anonymous]

Signals, Head Lights, Timetables for Passenger Trains.

[espeefoamer]

Where I watch trains,one guy in our group usually brings along his computer,which has ATCS installed.We watch the diagram and can see approaching trains.21st. century railfanning at its best[:p].

[CrazyDiamond]

Drove by a spot today and saw green over red. Told the missus that a train is coming. Pulled over, waited, and about 5 minutes later heard the horn. 1 minute later, she roared by..... red over red. [:)]

[CMSTPP]

Where we are you need to use your ears, your scanner and watch the signals.
Saunders is a very quiet area were the BNSF and the CN cross.

James

[tree68]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kenneo

By its tracks? Trains are unique in that they leave their tracks ahead of themselves as well as behind themselves.

Yah, but you gotta remember that little ditty in my sig....

[Anonymous]

It is SMOKIN'???!

LOL...

LC

[Anonymous]

I've been lucky in that I have lived near main lines where the traffic never seems to stop. In Arizona, those lines were the UP (ex SP) transcon south of Phoenix; and Flagstaff in the north always is busy with BNSF traffic.

You will always find a train in a yard, and I am fortunate enough to live about two miles away from one. Lots of freight, and I have never had a focus problem with an NS freight winding up and pulling out of the yard.

Erik

[kenneo]

By its tracks? Trains are unique in that they leave their tracks ahead of themselves as well as behind themselves.

[CSXrules4eva]

As soon as I get to the rails I look at whats on the signals, then I'll turn up the scanner. Sometimes I might have to wait for a long time until anything comes. After that, if I hear a distant horn I'll begin to set up the camera, then I listen for another horn sounding, then another, then I lesten for the engine sound as it gets closer, then I distinquish what type of engine it is. Then it's time for the train to come trough then I film it, and also have a pen and paper ready just in case I see a car I've never seen before, then I write the reporting mark and car number down. Then........well......thats pretty much it.

[zwspnby9]

i wouldn't put my head on the rail. Too risky, and dangerous!

[Cheviot Hill]

My 2 year old son hears the horn and says Choo choo! Choo choo!
Dear GOD will this thread end!!!!!!!!

[CrazyDiamond]

I use the Internet to get schedules of some trains....then (based on judgement and expereince) I go down to spot with a signal and wait. When it turns green or red I know it will be coming soon, and also the direction.....which really I already knew because I looked at a schedule!

Signals are the real 'signal' that a train is coming or going!! [:D]

[SteelMonsters]

I don't even worry about it when I walking next to a closed gate that goes over rails. [:)]

[tree68]

I was sitting trackside in Puyallup, WA today and signals were definitely the clue of the day. Gave me a heads up on what turned out to be a Cascades Talgo, as well as a stack train. Also forewarned me on what turned out to be an Amtrak, but I had to leave and caught that at a crossing.

Makes me glad I'm beginning to understand the signals.

[Anonymous]

Signals.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RI4310

I put my head on the rail and listen. Old Indian trick. lol

That must be why I haven't seen very many old indian railfans [:D]

Personally, the use of signals, a scanner, and my ears are what I employ when railfanning.

[Anonymous]

I sit by the tracks for days on end... the sunny side of the tracks-of course!!!!

[alstom]

Sorry about my previous forum. Anyways, I usually identify the "Mile post" I'm closet to and listen to what "Mile Post" that the trains at. Or I hear em'. But mostly I listen on my scanner and listen for a horn after I see that the next train has a clear signal.

[Hawks05]

Ears is what I use. Live about 3 blocks normally from the tracks, with construction it's more like 5. I used to be able to hear a whistle then hop in the car and go to the baseball field, since they've put up a gate so I can't get up there or anywhere near the tracks.

My ears are all I have here in town. Don't know about next year while at college. Lots of trains go through each day there. Here we get maybe 6-7 a day if we're lucky. Usually 3 in the morning between 6-10AM and then for sure the Triple Crown at night.

[Willy2]

I usually use a scanner, but if I don't have it with me I keep an eye on the signals.

[alstom]

A scanner and the signals. WHY WON'T THIS WORK!!!!!!!!!![:(!]

[SID6FIVE]

I listen for the other crew to call out mile boards or listen for nearby detectors to go off...then watch for headlights so I can be off the power and a safe distance away to do a roll-by...

[Anonymous]

Well, I look for crossing lights flashing, and if they aren't I look down the tracks both ways. Also, the rumble. And at night, you can see the lights from miles away, above the trees. During the day, you can see a bit of grey smoke above the trees. Never tried using scanners. Not enough money I guess, how much money are those things anyways? Well, yep that's how I do it. Also If I'm out walking I feel the tracks or put my ear up to them. Or If they're hot a train has already gone through.

From, The name might be Fred

P.S. How much are radio scanners?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RI4310

I put my head on the rail and listen. Old Indian trick. lol

There was a cartoon in the Walthers catalog several years ago. Some guys were out railfanning. One has his ear to the rails and is saying, "Two SD40-2s, one GP9, and a C30-7."

Cheers,

Ed

[Sterling1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by coborn35

DEAR GOD,
PLEASE HELP A TRAIN TO COME!!!!!!!!!!!

Usually when I want one I'll pray for one.

Most times I'll use the air horns to determine if the train(s) are coming . . .