Trains.com

What do you think is the PERFECT RAILFANNING VEHICLE?

4358 views
71 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • From: Brecksville Ohio
  • 266 posts
Posted by rluke on Thursday, March 27, 2008 6:22 PM
The Ultimate would be a  Delorean  (with the FLUX capacitor).   Set the controls to 1955.
Rich
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 15, 2005 8:03 PM
did you go to burritoville??? thats where I go[:D][:D][:D]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, October 15, 2005 7:27 PM
a motor home of course. one of me buddys has one. has a sun deck on roof with umbrella. when hes hungry he dont have to leave area. we know when we leave area thats when the rare ones sometimes come through!!! i missed a up buisness train last year in rochelle,ill. when i left for tacos!!! he saves in lodging too. he has a sat.dish also so he can watch tv or movies. dont get no better unless unless your house is on main line like ron hatches in galesburg,ill.god bless
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: MILE POST k741.11 IN FLORIDA
  • 216 posts
Posted by AC6000CW on Saturday, October 15, 2005 12:43 PM
me a f-150 supercrew 4x4 or 81model jeep cj5 will do the trick for me just in case i get stuck in a mud bog going to the best railfaning place in the panhandle of florida. here we have a lot of dirt roads and mud
http://www.railroadforums.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5025
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Traveling in Middle Earth
  • 795 posts
Posted by Sterling1 on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 7:14 PM
My own 2 feet . . .
"There is nothing in life that compares with running a locomotive at 80-plus mph with the windows open, the traction motors screaming, the air horns fighting the rush of incoming air to make any sound at all, automobiles on adjacent highways trying and failing to catch up with you, and the unmistakable presence of raw power. You ride with fear in the pit of your stomach knowing you do not really have control of this beast." - D.C. Battle [Trains 10/2002 issue, p74.]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 3:25 PM
my trusty feet.... they never let me down![swg][^][:D]
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:46 PM
Many years ago, when I was still single, I owned a Jeep CJ-7. Soft top that could be removed, windshield could be folded down, 4WD and high clearance to go anywhere. I'd love to get another one. Too bad they don't make 'em like that anymore.
  • Member since
    August 2004
  • 484 posts
Posted by DPD1 on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 1:42 PM
I think some of the euro style car/suv type combo vehicles are pretty cool in today's environment. I'm definitely a large size truck guy, but between gas going higher, and parking spaces getting smaller, they are getting a lot less practical. Cars like the Outback, Outlander, and others, offer decent off-road use, but don't kill you in the wallet. They are also comfortable on the highway during distance driving. Of course, the Europeans have known this for a long time, but they just now seem to be catching on in this country.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Featuring the TrainTenna LP Gain RR Scanner Antenna-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:52 AM
Sittin' on the back porch of an SP caboose.......

Virlon

Save your ticket......the P.E. will rise again.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 10:47 AM
Hmmm, a cop car. I can see an interesting conference going on Monday morning between me and the Sheriff... "Just what WERE you doing by the tracks of the Norfolk Southern with your lights going??" The trouble with driving a public service vehicle is that they are SO well marked... as the boss put it best one day, "You are one cell phone call away from getting a five day unpaid vacation."

I use my 1999 Ford Ranger with expanded cab... and law enforcement stickers prominantly displayed. It has bounced all over back roads along the BNSF Transcon from Winslow, Arizona to Williams, AZ.... and over logging trails in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. I can climb into the bed of the truck or onto the cab roof and get stable, decent pictures.

Erik
  • Member since
    January 2004
  • 790 posts
Posted by Tilden on Wednesday, October 5, 2005 9:59 AM
Pontaic Transport. High ground clearance, big windows, comfortable, plenty of space.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 2:55 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by CopCarSS

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Well if I wanna take a crew of chicks, and get there fast, I fire up the ole powerstroke...


Hmmmm...a whole crew of chicks? Methinks I need to go railfanning with you sometime Adrian! [;)]


Of course it could also mean he's taking a bunch of crates of chickens to the place where they turn them into McNuggets.....[;)][:p]

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Turner Junction
  • 3,076 posts
Posted by CopCarSS on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 2:37 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Well if I wanna take a crew of chicks, and get there fast, I fire up the ole powerstroke...


Hmmmm...a whole crew of chicks? Methinks I need to go railfanning with you sometime Adrian! [;)]

-Chris
West Chicago, IL
Christopher May Fine Art Photography

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: St. Louis Area, Florrisant to be specific!!!!!!!!!
  • 1,134 posts
Posted by bnsfkline on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 12:49 PM
My Current Car

1 1999 White Chevy Tracker 4 door with Luggage Rack.

Installed a Scanner, a dash cam for pacing, and turned the back into a "Railfan Command Post"
Jim Tiroch RIP Saveria DiBlasi - My First True Love and a Great Railfanning Companion Saveria Danielle DiBlasi Feb 5th, 1986 - Nov 4th, 2008 Check em out! My photos that is: http://bnsfkline.rrpicturearchives.net and ALS2001 Productions http://www.youtube.com/ALS2001
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Smoggy L.A.
  • 10,743 posts
Posted by vsmith on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 10:49 AM
Oh this is too flipping easy...

2005 Bentley Continental GT with a cooler in the backseat full of breads, pate, salmon, and cavier, and nice bottle of Scotch single malt....

Hell I wouldnt even leave the driveway if I had all this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

   Have fun with your trains

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • 790 posts
Posted by Tilden on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 10:40 AM
Well......My government Jeep Cherokee was very handy when taking "rest stops" by the tracks on trips. And for some reason, with the government plates, no one ever bothered me. :-)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 8:52 AM
right on the locomotive i am running
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Austin TX
  • 4,941 posts
Posted by spbed on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 8:43 AM
ANY vehicle that gets me to where I want to go. Last I looked a car cannot assist watching or photographing trains can it now[?]

Originally posted by rgroeling
[

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
  • 1,482 posts
Posted by adrianspeeder on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 6:40 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by blhanel

Hey Adrian, you sure you got enough vehicles to choose from?[:D]


Nope, always on the hunt for the next one.

Adrianspeeder

USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman

  • Member since
    July 2005
  • From: Bath, England, UK
  • 712 posts
Posted by Tulyar15 on Tuesday, October 4, 2005 2:17 AM
I reckon the best vehicle would be an off road motorbike that's road legal. That way on the road its easier to over take slow moving vehicles and you can also go places that a 4x4 might not. Finally its cheaper to run.

Having said all that its many years since I last owned a motorbike and I don't normally chase trains. If I film a train I just choose one location to film it from taking into account factors such as time of day and position of the sun.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,213 posts
Posted by blhanel on Monday, October 3, 2005 10:37 PM
Hey Adrian, you sure you got enough vehicles to choose from?[:D]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 3, 2005 9:25 PM
My wife and I have a KIA Sportage 4x4, new Firestones 21575R15, she does not like getting it muddy, however when getting to the location, mud or snow you gotta go to get the shot.
Craig and Karolsue Cloud
  • Member since
    May 2004
  • From: Valparaiso, In
  • 5,921 posts
Posted by MP173 on Monday, October 3, 2005 8:29 PM
I drive my Jeep to work, but when I am around the house and hear something on the scanner, it is the Trek 21 speed bike.

Pat, one of these days we will run into each other. Til then, keep taking pictures and asking questions!

ed
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • From: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE
  • 1,482 posts
Posted by adrianspeeder on Monday, October 3, 2005 6:25 PM
Well if I wanna take a crew of chicks, and get there fast, I fire up the ole powerstroke...



If I wanna get there with some class, I take a cherry mint 84 bronco.



If it is gonna be rough, I take a beater 88 bronco...



If I wanna go old school, I take a 71 F100



heheheh

Adrianspeeder

USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: AIKEN S.C. & Orange Park Fl.
  • 2,047 posts
Posted by claycts on Monday, October 3, 2005 5:37 PM
1978 Rolls Royce, hate to be uncomfortable doing anything. http://www.seecarr.org/images/DSC00086.JPG
Take Care
Take Care George Pavlisko Driving Race cars and working on HO trains More fun than I can stand!!!
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Nebraska
  • 253 posts
Posted by PigFarmer1 on Monday, October 3, 2005 5:26 PM
I kind of like our boom truck. We're always trackside, I don't pay for the fuel, AND I get paid good coin to watch trains roll by us.[:D]
MoW employee
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 3, 2005 5:14 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Looks like me and AlcoDave are the oddballs here.

At my teacher's salary there's NO WAY that I can afford the gas guzzling V8 anymore! (I used to own hot rods). I hear a lot of people complaining here in Florida how they spend $80 to fill up their SUVs! Yipes!

Since 1994 I've been driving Toyota 4 cylinders and have never looked back.

My 1998 4 banger Tacoma extended cab pickup does it for me if I railfan. Has no problem traversing rough terrain, still rides like a car on the road and contrary to the myths about 4 bangers, it will hit 90 mph with ease if pushed..



I'm a teacher too, and I hate to see other guys who teach give up their hotrods, or other hobbies just because the salary is low. So I feel sorry for you Antonio.

But I'm hanging onto mine. It's a 2003 Mustang GT, no longer stock. It WILL run.
But I'm also lucky because for the most part, we have good roads where we go to railfan. So I've never had a problem getting where I want to go. I hope I never have to give up my Mustang just because I'm a teacher.
As for speed...the most I've had the guts to do is 115 in third gear. Lord knows what it would do if I had the cojones to top it out in 5th.

mike
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Crozet, VA
  • 1,049 posts
Posted by bobwilcox on Monday, October 3, 2005 3:21 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

The perfect railfanning vehicle? A rental. [:D]


You have a good point. A friend and I once did Tehachapi with a Lincoln Town Car from Budget. A very comfortable off road vehicle!
Bob
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, October 3, 2005 3:16 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by AntonioFP45

Looks like me and AlcoDave are the oddballs here.

At my teacher's salary there's NO WAY that I can afford the gas guzzling V8 anymore! (I used to own hot rods). I hear a lot of people complaining here in Florida how they spend $80 to fill up their SUVs! Yipes!

Since 1994 I've been driving Toyota 4 cylinders and have never looked back.

My 1998 4 banger Tacoma extended cab pickup does it for me if I railfan. Has no problem traversing rough terrain, still rides like a car on the road and contrary to the myths about 4 bangers, it will hit 90 mph with ease if pushed..


You can get a 4x4 with 4 cylinders though - my Disco has a 2.5ltr straight 4 with a turbo, returns 30mpg. The V8 sounds nice but in my experience the TDI will do anything you ask of it when handled well. Put it in low range 1st and it'll pull a 40 ton truck...

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy