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[Bergie]

When you go railfanning do you take pictures, video, both, or neither? Vote then share your comments below.

Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[Anonymous]

Interesting question. When I was young (50s - 60s) I took pictures; now I just watch. Others take zillions of far better pictures than I could. But I do treasure those old shots and movies.

Bob Burket
Santa Monica, California

[Anonymous]

I just use these new throw away type cameras. It is something to look at a year or more later, to look at and recall those good days of train watching later on.

[Anonymous]

On my last trip this past summer to Maris Pass, I set my video on the tripod and let it run as the trains went bye and shot my photos by hand at the same time.

[ironhorseman]

I'm not an avid photographer, but ever since I saw those two SD50s in SOO paint on the BNSF line I've been kicking myself for not having my camera with me. I've also seen some GP30s, and 6-axle switcher in BN paint, a whole bunch of NS trains, and lots of U-boats. Understand, this stuff has been rare until lately. It seems like since the BNSF merger we see all the odd and unusual equipment.

I also take photographs to document the era. I'm glad I took photos in 1995 because the BNSF is vastly differnt from then. I have taken a bunch of photos recently and I don't think I'll be taking photos on a regular basis for awhile. Maybe in a couple in years I'll start again.

Also I carry my camera waiting for inspiration to strike. Who hasn't dreamed of being the next O Winston Link? Someday I hope to save up enough money to get a camera with time lapse or long exposure capabilities. I've got some nighttime photo ideas I want to try out.

I like to experiment with differnt angles and viewpoints and someday I'd like to try out black and white film.

For now you can see my photos at my website.
http://kansaspacific.mysitespace.com/

[Anonymous]

We keep a camera in the car whenever we are traveling. You just never know when something comes along to provide memories for your collection. Still cameras provide lasting evidence to fall back on as time goes by.

[:)][:)]

[gwjordan1950]

On July 13, 2002 I got remarried. My wife is also a train fanatic. we went to Chicago on our honneymoon saw the sights and left the last day and a half for watching trains!! we went to Riochel Il. to the UP, BNSF diamond. It was well worth it. As I was taking video pictures of the trains, she was taking still shots. If the chance ever comes about again, I will, I mean, we will return back there again!!!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

Some of the best pictures I have ever taken I took with disposible cameras. I sometimes have my significant other take the pictures while I watch all the action.
She does an excellent job taking photos of what she knows I want. God bless her.
One of my pictures that I took I had enlarged and it is now displayed in my doctor's
office. It was taken at Caliente in the Tehachapis with a Fuji 400 disposible camera.

Dennis Lynn San Diego

[yellowducky]

[:)]Sometimes I wish I had a camera with me, because I think "Oh, I won't see that go by again". But of those times we did take a camera, I look at the pictures and think "that's a nice steamer, but my son will never be that little boy of ten again" or "oh, I should have gotten a better shot of my kid and the Garrett depot before CSX tore it down" or "oh, I wish I had a shot of my boy on the Altona bridge (oops, that's gone too) with that going under". Sometimes I get too focused on what's going by, I don't see what's going bye.

[CP5415]

I have a digital video camera that also doubles as a digital camera. The quality of the digital stills isn't that great, but the digital video is awesome.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

I used to take pictures, but not any more. There just isn't as many differant lines as there were back then.

[Anonymous]

Hello Ironhorseman & All,
I work for BNSF in Memphis,Tn. Here's a reason to get out the camera if you can come to Memphis.....We are on the Eastern edge of BNSF & end up with all the "Strange" units.....Currently working the hump yard is a SD-42P(#7880) for power with a CEBT6 (? ) a calf unit (with a cab,#6293),both in early BNSF paint.
We see UP,NS & CSX units at our Diesel shop(Roundhouse)due to interchanges, as Memphis is a major port & intermodal area,along with the CN,WC,IC paint that abounds here.....Not to mention the EMD Demonstrators in Blue & White....recently saw a Red /W Yellow lettering ARMY unit & a Blue & yellow GP16,Yes ,a weird mix up of manufacturers & rebuilders.Even saw a Montana RaiLink unit last week......And BNSF Dash 9 # 4723-The Microsoft TrainSimulator featured locomotive-It has a large decal stating it on both sides of the cab...
We see the usual Dash 9's on most trains,SD70's on coal trains to Birmingham in Santa Fe & BN colors & the usual "wore out buckets", the SW 1100 & SW1500's,may they rest in oil burning peace......With Remote Control Units Here(Yes,I am A RCO Engineer), we have GP15's,SD40-2's,both in BN green & SANTA FE BLUE & YELLOW , also GP30's,mostly in Blue & Yellow SANTA FE colors,several ODD BN engines & colors still around......Sorry,NO Frisco paint left......Memphis is a smorghastborg of COLORS for now....IT MAY NOT LAST LONG.....Photograph the strange units here......while you can......
BNSFMEMPTN

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Bergie

When you go railfanning do you take pictures, video, both, or neither? Vote then share your comments below.

Polls on Trains.com are not scientific and reflect only the opinions of the users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, the readers of our magazines, nor the public as a whole. Bottom line, our polls are meant for fun and to stimulate conversation amongst our forum users.

[Trainnut484]

I brought my camera with me most of the time to trackside during the early 1990s through 1997, but now I take it when the urge strikes, and when special trains are in the area. In the old days of steam and early diesels, it was important to take pictures of new power, or strange oddball stuff, for documentation in case they were heavily damaged or destroyed on maiden runs, or while they were still new. I don't have actual examples, but I've heard stories about new locomotives being destroyed in accidents just after being on home rails for a few days, and not one picture exists of them.

If anyone here knows of new locomotives lost before photo documentation, please feel free to share. Who knows, maybe someone somewhere in their storage box in the attic has a picture of it.

Take care[:)]

Russell

Hello Dennislynn[:)]

[H Garvens]

I always have a still camera with me ant take a video when I think it will be worth it

Howard