CShaveRR It turns out that I have Asperger's Syndrome, and interests in things like trains and numbers often go hand in hand with that (notice that I mentioned "in the distance"...Asperger's patients often have to overcome a dread of loud noises). It's not a disease, and nothing to be scorned or pitied--it's just a big part of how I'm constructed.
It turns out that I have Asperger's Syndrome, and interests in things like trains and numbers often go hand in hand with that (notice that I mentioned "in the distance"...Asperger's patients often have to overcome a dread of loud noises). It's not a disease, and nothing to be scorned or pitied--it's just a big part of how I'm constructed.
This is me too. I also have Aspergers and can relate strongly to this whole paragraph. Especially the loud noises bit. (I still hate getting honked at unexpectedly when I'm railfanning). It's also why I struggled with social interactions for so long. I also believe there's definitely a connection between AS and being a railfan. Not saying we all have it, but I'm sure many do.
Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.
Sunnyland But those who are working for railroads have to be more careful about letting their employer know how much they love trains, can be a bad idea as people will think they won't be concentrating on their work. One even changed his name on FB for that reason. Not like the old days, one guy who's retired BNSF engineer, started with the Q, took many pics from the cab when he was working, getting shots that most people were not able to do.
But those who are working for railroads have to be more careful about letting their employer know how much they love trains, can be a bad idea as people will think they won't be concentrating on their work. One even changed his name on FB for that reason. Not like the old days, one guy who's retired BNSF engineer, started with the Q, took many pics from the cab when he was working, getting shots that most people were not able to do.
A few bad "foamers" have given the rest of us a bad name, just like with so many other groups.
CN allows us to carry cameras at work, and I am hearing from new hires that some of our rule instructors are actively encouraging that practice. At any rate the company calendar is always full of shots that were obviously taken while the photographer was at work (our calendar photos are always selected from shots submitted by employees), and management has always looked the other way with regard to those.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
There are many young railfans on Facebook, which did pleasantly surprise me when I got involved on there. I thought maybe it was a thing of the past for them, but not at all. A few of them in their 20's have been hired by NS or BNSF as conductors which has been a dream of theirs. And one just started working for Amtrak as conductor. They know differences in diesel engines which I do not, when I post a picture, they will identify it right away. Most of them are into photography too and ride excursions as car hosts. They may not have the opportunity that older generations had being able to get around railyards and not be called trespassers. Dad had freedom to roam around Frisco yard where he worked and I'd be with him, so I never had to try and get to know people so I could visit. Many did from what I've heard but that's not easily happening today. But those who are working for railroads have to be more careful about letting their employer know how much they love trains, can be a bad idea as people will think they won't be concentrating on their work. One even changed his name on FB for that reason. Not like the old days, one guy who's retired BNSF engineer, started with the Q, took many pics from the cab when he was working, getting shots that most people were not able to do.
I don't think it matters if the kids like what you like. Every one of us has different models, roads, eras, etc that are interesting to us.
I know the younger fans in my area (HS and college) are very active. They chase everything out there. For them old engines are warbonnets and Heritage 1 paint jobs. They have connections us older fans don't use on social media. These kids are putting out the heads up notifications when heritage units or special trains come through. They are researching history that they feel is pertinent to them and their likes, just like we all do. They are moderators on our local social media platforms.
They bring technology and new aspects to the hobby. These kids are safe, use the technology to watch the ATC programs. I always enjoy spending time trackside with these kids.
As far as the model hobby, I'm seeing the same kids involved in some of the local clubs. Always have lots of younger fans at the train shows in the area.
I see no reason to disparage this new generation as they are doing things sometimes differently than us, but enjoying the hobby nonetheless.
I live near Fullerton, Ca., and the tracks there are very busy with around 80 trains a day, both passenger (2- Metrolink commuter, and Amtrak) and BNSF freight. On any given weekend day or evening, you can find at least a half dozen kids there, and most are more informed than I am, with their ability to determine which locomotive i which, based on what they can see. Many either photo them, or shot movies, since both can use solid state media, and be reused.
zugmannI'm lucky - I don't do layovers anymore.
I kinda do, but it's at our bases - so I can leave all that stuff in my truck.
I'm lucky that virtually all of the paperwork I need fits in one binder. Throw in some PPE and a lantern and I'm pretty much done.
I've seen folks with rather large grips - and it's all rulebooks and the like.
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...
MidlandMikeI use the term losely to mean any container to hold papers and printed material. I have heard the term "grip", but I thought that was a small bag to hold a change of clothes for a lay-over.
I'm lucky - I don't do layovers anymore. I have one bag that carries my paperwork and railroad crap. working yard jobs locals when I run means I don't have to carry as much. I also take a lunchbox, but it's not a good idea to take more food than you need. Eating out of boredom is bad for the scales.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
A railroader's "grip" is a briefcase and then some, containing not only paperwork and extra clothing but also one's PPE, lantern, radio, and anything else needed at work.
The grip may consist of more than one bag or case depending on one's individual choice, and a lunchbag is usually carried in addition to this, although it may fit in the main bag (the expensive Red Oxx bags are often able to carry everything).
zugmann MidlandMike It seems engineers (maybe its conductors) wear regular working clothes but carry brief cases. Do I have to buy a briefcase?
MidlandMike It seems engineers (maybe its conductors) wear regular working clothes but carry brief cases.
It seems engineers (maybe its conductors) wear regular working clothes but carry brief cases.
Do I have to buy a briefcase?
I use the term losely to mean any container to hold papers and printed material. I have heard the term "grip", but I thought that was a small bag to hold a change of clothes for a lay-over.
Saw a CSX train pulling into Utica one day to make an interchange pickup. It appeared the engineer was wearing a golf shirt and a "gimme" cap. You wouldn't have known him from anyone else walking down the street...
The conductor was, I'm sure, properly dressed for the frigid outside air he was about to enter...
tree68I'm using a tool bag from Harbor Freight. I was using one of their aluminum cases, but it wasn't up to the task.
Bunch of people use those. All same results. Still a few of the old-time boxes floating around (I think some RRer used to make them back in the stone ages). Most of those are on their second owners.
zugmann kenny dorham . Engineers are not heroes... You would not even know one to see one.....just some guy in regular clothes. Well that hurt.
kenny dorham . Engineers are not heroes... You would not even know one to see one.....just some guy in regular clothes.
Well that hurt.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
zugmannMy $25 carhartt bag (no longer made) is holding up just fine.
I'm using a tool bag from Harbor Freight. I was using one of their aluminum cases, but it wasn't up to the task.
A complete stranger once recognized me for a railroader. It was about 10pm one Friday night a few years ago, before we had to wear safety vests or coats. I had on solid blue overalls, a jean jacket and my usual Kromer red with white polka dots cap. We were going down to Omaha to get a train coming up from Kansas City. We stopped at a convienence store to get some coffee. As I was paying, the clerk asked me if I was working a little late. I said "yeah, I guess so." Then she asked, "Don't you run the train at the Zoo?" (The Omaha Zoo is down the street from this particular store.) I said, "No, I work for a different Zoo."
I use a tool bag and a contractor's (larger tool bag) bag from my paperwork and clothes. Even then they're overloaded. Some items I find that the only time I need them is after I take them out and leave them home.
Jeff
SD70DudeOnly if it's made by Red Oxx.
Those are nice, but too salty for me.
My $25 carhartt bag (no longer made) is holding up just fine.
Only if it's made by Red Oxx.
If you work in passenger service you still have to wear a uniform. Freight crews dress appropriately for whatever conditions they expect to encounter, but overalls have always been common.
Passenger crews have the most contact with the general public, so I can understand how the idea of uniformed railroaders was formed.
Johnny
The reality is Railroader's are really just regular guys and gals in regular clothes. In bad weather they may be dressed a little warmer than most as they will be in the weather more than most. Railroaders for the most part don't wear uniforms to identify themselves.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
I doubt it was personal.
kenny dorham. Engineers are not heroes... You would not even know one to see one.....just some guy in regular clothes.
tree68 Yeah but you should see the fight at the Mailbox when the new Trains magazine comes in.Always asking questions.Always looking on the computer.Here Dad look at where the wheel axles are,it was this type of locomotive.Plus he is also with me as members of the Deshler(Bartlow Twp) historical society. stay safe joe zugmann There's plenty of younger railfans, but you won't find them here. Case in point is Matt, who not only wants your fries, but is Joekoh's son. I have Matt as a friend on FB (where he's quite active), and he's got a YouTube channel, but you won't often see him here. There are other kids who have been here on the forums, but have moved on to other interests, or to other media. One even managed to pass himself off as an Amtrak engineer, for a while.
Yeah but you should see the fight at the Mailbox when the new Trains magazine comes in.Always asking questions.Always looking on the computer.Here Dad look at where the wheel axles are,it was this type of locomotive.Plus he is also with me as members of the Deshler(Bartlow Twp) historical society.
stay safe
joe
zugmann There's plenty of younger railfans, but you won't find them here.
Case in point is Matt, who not only wants your fries, but is Joekoh's son. I have Matt as a friend on FB (where he's quite active), and he's got a YouTube channel, but you won't often see him here.
There are other kids who have been here on the forums, but have moved on to other interests, or to other media. One even managed to pass himself off as an Amtrak engineer, for a while.
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").
kenny dorham When i saw a train, as a kid, i also saw a caboose.! You would watch for the end of a train just so you could see That.! Who looks for the end of a train now.?
A local equipment rental place had on their marquee "There's always a caboose at the end of the train." I've been meaning to stop in and point out their error...
Last week the wife and I were eating lunch over at the Culver's in Ames, IA. It's right by the tracks, across from the old CNW depot. Two trains went by while we were there. There was a couple with two small children, the oldest about 5. We heard one of them say, "I want to watch the choo-choo."
Neither parent mentioned the train going by, the child saw if for him/herself. So trains still captivate children. Will either child grow into being a railfan? Who knows. But as long as children are still interested, some will grow into being railfans. Of those that do, some will want to delve into the history, the mechanics and operations (both present and historical) of railroads. Others will be more casual, with some knowledge and content with that.
And as hard as it is for us older people, these (or the future days for those yet to come of age) will be their "good old days."
Trains will never be the "thing" that they once were. The depots are gone, the employees are gone, the train yards are gone or behind razor-wire fence, etc etc. How many people live next door to a person that works for The Railroad.?
I do not pretend to have a crystal ball, but.......i was born in 1960. So figure 1965-1975 when i was "young". Even as recent as that, there were still A Lot of Tracks/Rails all over cities in the usa. When i saw a train, as a kid, i also saw a caboose.! You would watch for the end of a train just so you could see That.! Who looks for the end of a train now.? So trains are simply Way Less visible these... Engineers are not heroes... You would not even know one to see one.....just some guy in regular clothes.
Kids are, probably, more likely to be interested in all the Big/Colorful trucks that they see on the highways all the time. Remember when Air Line Pilots were like doctors and astronauts.? If you were a Pilot for United, Pan-Am, TWA, etc etc.....you were a somebody. Not anymore. I have no idea what kind of history young rail fans will see or know.......
If one has a passion for a subject then you would seek out all sources of information. I do not believe that the youth of today is so one dimensional and addle-minded that they would see Trains magazine or the Forum as something irrelevant. If one does a Google search for an item you are taken to the Forum and it's topics quite often.
The hobby model railroad business is highly specialized and a boutique industry/market and will survive just fine in that form. The net is obviously good for the collector market.
What I do worry about is Historical Societys surviving. 75 years from now will there be a Chicago & Eastern Illinois Historical Society, or GB&W, or Ann Arbor? Will a group keep the torch lite for the Pennsy and New York Central.
I've mentioned this before a while ago....there is a farm in SW Ontario that is dedicated to the art of jousting! Lessons, tournaments, outfits, the whole schtick ...so if that can have it's devotees then there is hope.
zugmann Firelock76 If there's any young ones reading this Forum, and especially this thread, we'd sure like to hear from you as to what attracted you to the railfanning world and what keeps you here. The problem is that we are on a forum owned by a magazine. That's like old technology squared. There's plenty of younger railfans, but you won't find them here. It's like the people on the model side of this site complaining about their hobby dying because nobody is at the physical store or club anymore. Well, yeah, and Kmart is empty most of the time too. Doesn't mean people stopped buying things. Just a change in how they do it. Full discalimer - I'm no youngin' anymore, but I think most steam engines look the same, and most modern diesels* too. A lot of the times I have to read blue cards or see the number for me to differentiate a lot of them. *even as a kid, I always preferred diesels and electrics. Railroads just didn't look right without cat poles. Still don't.
Firelock76 If there's any young ones reading this Forum, and especially this thread, we'd sure like to hear from you as to what attracted you to the railfanning world and what keeps you here.
The problem is that we are on a forum owned by a magazine. That's like old technology squared. There's plenty of younger railfans, but you won't find them here. It's like the people on the model side of this site complaining about their hobby dying because nobody is at the physical store or club anymore. Well, yeah, and Kmart is empty most of the time too. Doesn't mean people stopped buying things. Just a change in how they do it.
Full discalimer - I'm no youngin' anymore, but I think most steam engines look the same, and most modern diesels* too. A lot of the times I have to read blue cards or see the number for me to differentiate a lot of them.
*even as a kid, I always preferred diesels and electrics. Railroads just didn't look right without cat poles. Still don't.
I don't think many young people are interested in model railroads or real ones.
zugmannThere's plenty of younger railfans, but you won't find them here.
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