"Foamers"?

[nicknoyes]

In an article from the May 30, 2005 issue of Spots Illustrated, which bemoaned the dying art of scorekeeping at baseballl games, the author made an analogy between those who still keep score and railroad fans saying, "Those of us who keep score have joined Trekkies and train fanatics - known as "foamers" in the railroad industry - ". The author also gouped us railfans with those who watch airplanes landing at airports.

Where did the term "foamer" come from? Is it a derogatory term?

I wonder what the airline industry calls airplane fans.

Nick

[Hugh Jampton]

Foamer is sort of derogitory,, it refers to people who seem to foam at the mouth whenever they see a train

[AlcoRS11Nut]

I don't take it a derogitory......it kinda depends on the person. If you think "foaming at the mouth" whenever a person sees a train is bad, then its derogatory. To me.....I think its alright, so its not derogitory. All depends on the person...........I think

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, "foamers" are to railfanning what "fundementalists" are to organized religion. People who are so wrapped up in their passion that if you told them "get a life"...it would confuse them because, in their opinion, they already have one.."exterme religion/railfanning"

I keep expecting to read in the paper where a group of overzealous railfans declare a jihad agains the UP's licensing requirements, or against cops enforcing Homeland security measures near rail yards...

[eolafan]

Basically your take on the term "foamer" depends on whether or not you are embarrassed by our hobby, I AM NOT, so you can call me anything you wish as long as you include the term railfan.

[Anonymous]

I don't mind the use of the term foamer in refrence to our hobby. I just aquaint it with the foam in a steam engine and move on. Oh yeah... I am also a Trekkie, have been since the original series.

Peace, Love Life and Prime Movers!

[Anonymous]

Ya I got something for the those Railroaders to foam on,just for those who call us Railfan foamers. BNSFrailfan.

[tatans]

Well, foamers may be a bit strong, but we must ask some people to try and control the drooling every time the same train goes by 22 times a day, easy boys, slow down a little, enjoy the experience but a little self-control should be used. Everything in moderation.

[Gluefinger]

I'd say that "railfans" are the more normal kind of people- they have wives, girlfriends, etc., and can pretend that they don't like trains if they have to.

Foamers, on the other hand, are the ones who go all-out on everything about railroads and can not stop talking about trains- it's their life.

[Anonymous]

I suppose foamer is better than what most railroad workers call us. "FRN's" The last two words are railroad nuts. I think the first word is easy to figure out. It ryhmes with truckin'. [:O] Willy

[cnw4001]

Life is way to short to be bothered wondering if I'm a foamer or railfan or just someone looking at a train.

Dale

[jockellis]

G'day, Y'all,
Has anyone read the book "Foamers" about a group causing RR accidents and the good looking FBI agent and SEPTA customer service manager who stop them? I read it then found it again in a Friends of the Library book sale and bought it for a quarter or so. I've read it about 10 times.
A railroader told me that foaming and real railroading didn't mix. People who love trains tend to lose their focus out there on the rails and end up dead or dismembered. Personally, I'd rather love them from 50 or so feet away and stay alive than work on them and end up dead.
Jock Ellis
Cumming, GA US of A

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jockellis

G'day, Y'all,
Has anyone read the book "Foamers" about a group causing RR accidents and the good looking FBI agent and SEPTA customer service manager who stop them? I read it then found it again in a Friends of the Library book sale and bought it for a quarter or so. I've read it about 10 times.
A railroader told me that foaming and real railroading didn't mix. People who love trains tend to lose their focus out there on the rails and end up dead or dismembered. Personally, I'd rather love them from 50 or so feet away and stay alive than work on them and end up dead.
Jock Ellis
Cumming, GA US of A

That's why Camera company's have invented what's called: "THE ZOOOOOOOOOM LENSE! So that Railfans have no ezcuse for standing right next to the Tracks. FOAMERrailfan.

[fievel]

If you are passionate about your hobby, any hobby, sooner or later someone
will try to spoil your fun by giving you a label. That's too bad that so many RR
employees feel that way. But I do my railfanning from a safe distance.
Sometimes I still get a middle finger. Maybe they have had problems in
the past with other fans, but it is senseless to act that way with all railfans.
Besides, I'm sure they have hobbies and interests that they "foam" over.

I'm having fun, and staying safe, too.[:)]

[jsoderq]

One more time -"foamer" refers to rabid dogs who go crazy and foam at the mouth. Enough said.

[Anonymous]

Not sure exactly what the term means, but in relation to baseball is the Yankee fan who knows the batting average of the relief pitchers in Interleague games any worse than the Cubs fan who goes to games just to party, leaving so drunk he/she doesn't even know who was playing let alone who won?

Many people have interests they're passionate about. Once I searched the net and found a group who collects and restores old Maytag washing machines. There's also that group that rides all the wooden roller coasters. Jay Leno collects old cars and motorcycles, Jack Nicholson has been known to trip referees at Lakers games, while former NY mayor Juliani, who may run for president, probably does know all the Yankee batting averages.

Personally, I don't think any off-beat activity becomes a problem unless it becomes the only thing. Maybe people need something different in order to feel like an individual?

[georgel]

THANK YOU!I was about to post a question on foamers.and where it came from.

[Anonymous]

"Sticks and stones
will brake my bones,
But names will never hurt me"

[Anonymous]

I guess there are good and bad foamers, too. Several of my train watching buddies would qualify for foamer status because of the knowledge they have, and are willing to share. They're fun to be around.

Then there are the guys who like to let you know how much they know, are occasionally arrogant, and are usually not fun to be around.

mike