Curious Railfan

[Anonymous]

Am just curious about what real railroaders think about those of us who are responsible railfans, when they see us trackside with scanners, taking pictures and videos.

[BRAKIE]

When I worked on the PRR and Chessie(c&o) and we happen across some railfans,we would wave and sometimes the engineer would doff his hat or blow the horns.On the PRR,we had one conductor that would throw out the old form 19s which he would roll up with a rubber band.

Of couse there was always some that would have some wise comment to make about railfans.Things like
Don't they have anything better to do in their life?
Smile real pretty guys,we have train nuts along the track!
Yeah,sunny day out the train guys will be out!
Why in h*** would anybody want to take pictures of trains?
There are many other comments which can not be stated here.

[wabash1]

i myself dont have a problem with railfans as long as your not tresspassing . when i was a conductor i didnt care if you watched as long as you didnt get in the way or take pics. ive had people arrested becouse they wouldnt stay out of the way. climbing on cars trying to get the scrap copper out of gondolas we was spotting at a customer. now that im running if you get in the way and i haft to stop the move you will be reported. otherwise i dont care what you do.

[Anonymous]

I understand about those railfans that are not responsible. Those idiots give us all a bad rap. As for myself, I respect the property of others and practice what I preach ( I am a school teacher and live as an example in all I do). Those of us who are responsible see our activity as almost a compliment to those who work on the railroads. In many cases, we are an extra set of eyes for the railroad, reporting any dangers, etc. that we see. Please don't let the idiots among us dimini***he good will and genuine Loyalty(?) many of us have for our railroads.

[Anonymous]

I'm a life-long railfan, my brother and partner has 32 years as conductor (ATSF/BNSF), I know many other railroad veterns. They sum it up in one word...FOAMERS! Although many of them are as well and generally get a kick out of our attraction.

[Anonymous]

Don't have any problems with real rail fans.Sometimes its nice to see fans out where you woundn't expect to see them.Out here in the west there are many long lonely stretches where its nice to get a wave from a appreciative fan.The problem sometimes is that its hard to tell a fan from a vandle.I've had people wave with one hand and throw rocks with the other.Another case of the few making it bad for the many good people.

[dknelson]

The engineers on the old Milwaukee Road were especially good about tossing out train orders and wheel reports when they saw a railfan taking pictures -- they understood what we find fascinating about trains. Fortunately I have kept those tossed at me.
And the tower operators on the old Milw Rd were also good about climbing down when they saw a railfan to inform them of the day's expected lineup of trains. Maybe they weren't railfans themselves but they comprehended why someone would find it all interesting.

On the scanner I have heard one crew talking to another crew about to round a curve where lots of railfans hang out in Milwaukee: they say "Smile, the papparazzi are out today."

Speaking of scanners, where I live along an old Chciago and North Western line, (now UP) the tracks run right along a very nice municipal swimming pool and then a very expensive and exclusive private club, also with a pool. The engineers would alert the guys in the caboose if there were any women especially worth looking at. If I heard that kind of talk on the scanner when the train would go by I'd waive my scanner at them and give the crew a big grin -- and they'd grin back and give the thumb's up sign.

Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

I HAVE BEEN TOLD,BY SAFETY,PEOPLE FROM THE RAILROADS AROUND MY AREA,BNSF & UP AS LONG AS A PERSON STAYS AT LEAST 50 FEET AWAY,YOU WILLNEVER GET IN ANY TROUBLE, I GUESS IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO GO YOU CAN GET READ OUTS OFF RR COMPUTERS THAT,SHOWS WHAT TRAIN IS RUNNING WHERE & WHAT TIME IS SUPPOSE TOBE AT WHAT STATION OR YARD,I CARRY WITH ME IN MY P/U 50 CHANNEL SCANNER/FIELDGLASSES & CAMREA AT ALL TIMES,PLUS RAILROAD MAP.HAVE FUN>>>>>>>>AKA HUB

[Anonymous]

Most of my fellow employees think that most rail-fans are a group of 'dolts' who need to get a new life, but this is obviously short changing what is a fun and easy hobby to pursue. We are getting alot more trespassers who put us and themselves in harms way when they stroll through our railyards and along our main-line right of ways in their sandles, and shorts with their straw hats. Just the other day, I witnessed a father of 3 little tots take change from his pocket and place them on the rail in front of us. What an example...huh? Of course I'm probably digressing as he was'nt a responsible 'fan', and to you folks, I say keep it going. I know that there is a bit of rail-fan in all of us, it's just that alot of R.R. employees are just not willing to admit it. I don't care who it is, when they climb aboard a brand new 'pumpkin' Dash unit or whatever, and the paint is still wet, the excitement is very real!...Hommie

[Anonymous]

As long as you stay off the property (Or have permission to enter), and act responsibly you shouldn't have a problem. I have been approached a couple of times while near the property by employees curious as to whether I was a "Union Spy" or a "Company Spy", and once they were satisfied that I was just "Another Train Nut" we got along fine.

There is a location a few miles out of town that affords a good place to watch/photograph trains and a good spot to do a little target practice with a pistol between trains. The last time I went out for a day of trainwatching and target practice, I actually had to pull over to the side of the road until I could stop laughing at the way I was equipped for a "Day of fun". I had a four wheel drive pickup, 2 scanners (Mobile and handheld), binoculars, video camera, still camera, cooler of soft drinks, cell phone (With the railroad emergency number in the speed dial), 3 pistols, ammunition and targets. Of course the pistols do a disappearing act at train time since I don't want to give the crew the wrong idea. Ron H.

[Anonymous]

Yes, indeed. If I were a railroad cop, and I found all that paraphenailia in your possession, along with firearms, you would be treated as a terrorist, and after the local jurisdiction got finished with you, you would have a long Q&A, session with the FBI! With the "cool" reception that us railfans are getting around the "property" these days, I fail to find any humor in your "equipment". Just another black eye for the rest of us. Please act more responsibly in the future.
Todd C.

[Anonymous]

Ron, if you're telling the truth, there's nothing funny about your activity. Rail security or public police departments would take a dim view and could result in quite a bit of legal trouble for you. If you want to take pictures of trains, leave the arms at home and remain off railroad property without permission. You give the shivers gdc

[Anonymous]

Most of us don't care as long as you're not causing a safety concern for anyone and are not trespassing. I've had serious rail enthusiasts tell me of conditions that need correcting and in a couple of cases, have saved probable derailments and maybe injuries. Needless to say, everyone is grateful for that. To give you a perspective, if an engineer sees you as the train approaches at 50 m.p.h., how does he or she know you have a camera and not a rock or even worse, a firearm. There are a lot of psychos who do intend harm and it's not easy to discern what you're doing. If you want to be a "good" railfan, I would suggest you contact the local trainmaster/operations manager or even a local railroad police officer and tell them you're in the area, will not be on railroad property and will act responsibly. If you get a sneer or snide remark, it's because they have seen too many of the "bad" railfans or worse, had to tend to picking up remains. Once you gain their confidence, your experience should be better. If you're going to be there, and that's o.k., for everyone's sake, be careful. gdc

[Anonymous]

that is why i railfan away from the tracks.

[Anonymous]

I appreciate all the feed back from my original question. I agree that being responsible is paramont. That includes staying off private property without permission, and reporting any problems one might observe. I am looking forward to my next railfan trip in September and hope to get some friendly waves from the train crews. So, if any of you train engineers, etc. on the trains working Crawford Hill in Nebraska see a couple of "foamers" with video cameras and one has a cane; me (recovering from hip surgery), give a special toot for us. We appreciate it also.
I am from Northern Michigan where we have virtually no trains, so this will be a wonderful trip.

[Anonymous]

I do not consider you a "foamer", the term "rail enthusiast" is kinder and more definative. It is obvious that you just want to enjoy the facination of train watching. We all do that, else why would we have put up with the long hours, travel, weather, etc. for all those years. Please be especially careful where you climb and consider your recovery from hip surgery. It always seems that the best photo opportunity is atop some rock formation overlooking an ess curve. I'm in Virginia, but it's the same everywhere. Please be careful and enjoy the show! Thank you for your care in asking about us. gdc

[Anonymous]

You are more than welcome. It is good to hear from nice people out there. It just goes to show that there are a lot of us out there who are just that...good people. I am going to take good care of my hip. I want to be able to get out there for many years to come. I just retired from teaching, and I want to enjoy these next 30 or so years. Hope to run into you sometime trackside. msb

[Anonymous]

those same comments are still being made today.they think rail (buffs)are crazy.but there are a few of us out there.if you are a buff and you work for a railroad the best thing to do is keep it to yourself.if the other guys find out you are a buff they will give you a hard way to go.

thats why many railroaders are closet buffs

[Anonymous]

IT DOESN'T BOTHER ME AT ALL. IT'S NICE TO SEE PEOPLE OF ALL KINDS TAKING TIME WITH THE HOBBY THEY ENJOY. I AM A RAILFAN MYSELF SO I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE.

[Anonymous]

BILL
Those who are working railroaders need to remember that most likely they were train buffs when they started working for the railroad. That's what got them there in the first place. Why else would anyone tolerate the rigors of working for the railroad?

[BRAKIE]

Bakerson,Not really,I meet several that went railroading for the pay and could care less about the hobby.Most that I worked with had other family members working on the railroads and just followed their steps.I come from a family of railroaders,the only one that was model railroader/railfan was my Dad.Both Grandfathers just loved the work.All of my uncles,my Mother and 1 Aunt was just interested in the paycheck.No more no less to them it was just a job that paid well.All except my Mom,aunt and 2 uncles was in train service,Engineers,firemen,conductors and Brakeman. Both my Mom and Aunt was a clerk/typist.The other 2 uncles was section hands

[Modelcar]

I have been a railfan for many, many decades. I also enjoy photography as an amateur and of course the two go together. I do not have any intention of doing harm to any rail property or any of rail workers and stay out of rail property so as not to cause any trouble...I try to locate on overpasses or other vantage points to look and photograph...I suppose it is really a matter of commen sense and if all would use it, we'd not be thought of as trouble in the eyes of railroaders.

QM

[UPTRAIN]

We usually think heck I was one of those once......untill I turned 19!!! Just as long as they stay outta our way and take nice pictures of uor train!!! I will ''TOOT'' my horn as much as posible to encourage them. When I was a boy that made a world of difference on a slow day. I am a UP engineer in Poplar Bluff, MO come to www.railchat.com to chat with me and the guys lol!!!
UPTRAIN