Foamer ?

[BigJim]

Do you guys actually like being called "Foamers"? Seems as though you could come up with something less derogatory to be called.

[zardoz]

The term "foamer" is not a term chosen by railfans; rather it is a term assigned to railfans by railroaders.  It replaced the much more appropriate "FRN".

[Anonymous]

The term "foamer" is not a term chosen by railfans; rather it is a term assigned to railfans by railroaders.  It replaced the much more appropriate "FRN".

[Mookie]

I have been called a "bug-eater", a "Cornhusker", the "War Department", a "Dink", a Dork, Jan, Ginny, Janie, Jean and Joan, Putzy, Mookie and a few other unmentionables.

Foamer seems pretty tame to me! 

 

[JSGreen]

The term "foamer" is not a term chosen by railfans; rather it is a term assigned to railfans by railroaders.  It replaced the much more appropriate "FRN".

O.K., I can sort out FRN.  That one doesnt take much imagination.  But what is the derivative of the term "Foamer".  When I first saw it on the Forums, the context in which it appeared led me to believe it was someone "Foaming At the Mouth".  (It was one of those discussions which had digressed from good rail road information to a battle of personalities...).

Any ideas?

[Poppa_Zit]

Do you guys actually like being called "Foamers"?

What do you mean "you guys?" That's not friendly. It's antagonistic.

Calling someone a "foamer" will get you a punch in the snoot around these parts. It is a derogatory term made up by some jealous foamers who also happen to work for railroads.

I can't believe anyone who has been a member of these forums for over five years could be so dim to ask this as a serious question. Really.

[chad thomas]

I am a railfan, NOT a foamer. See information below....

 

Railfan vs Foamer

Definitions:

Railfan...An otherwise normal person that enjoys the persuit of railroad related activities.
 That could be one or more of many sub intrests includeing but not limited to observing,
photographing,reasearching,studying,discussing,modeling or just plain following the railroads
of both past,present or future. These people are hard to spot in other circles as they are
functional in normal society.

Foamer...One that aparently looses all mental controll when one or more of the following occure:
 1) they are in the presence of a:  A) a train  B) railroad tracks (and in some places railroad
property(s))  C) a piece of railroad memorabilia  or D) a conversation or any other communication
 related to the subject of railroading. They are easy to detect as most of them are social
 disaster areas anyway.

Railroader (non railfan)...One that couldn't care less what the rest of us falling into the
other categorys think(s) about them or there company. They are the ones that are there to do
 a job, earn a liveing and make it home safely every day till retirement.

Railroader (closet railfan)...One that typicaly enjoys there job wether they admit it or not.
They are most likley to be industry insider participants of railroad related forums. they are
fairly easy members to spot as they typicaly use aliases (to protect the innocent of course)
but are otherwise forthright with there experiences and opinions,reguardless of what the foamers
 think.

Railroader (and railfan)..one that enjoys there profession and is willing to share there
experiences and/or wisdom with the rest of the railfan community. They are easy to spot due
to there honesty,integrity and passion for railroading and railroad related subjects while
feeling no need to hide there identity.

**********************************************************************************************

relationshps:

railfan-Foamer....The railfan will tolerate the foamer either out of pitty or compassion for
the mentaly challenged that enjoy the same hobby, even when it may damage there reputation....
the foamer will generaly cling on to the railfan because they are not just willing to talk to them
but are also socialy acceptable members of society.

railfan-railroader(non railfan)...The railfan typicaly feels self concious when a railroader gives
that look that says "get a life"...The railroader usually gives the railfan that "Get a life look"
that comes so naturaly to them.

Railfan-railroader(closet railfan)...railfans typicaly cater to the closet railroader's ego when
they feel they will not have there cover blown and therefore are paid back in special favors in
many varying ways in which railfans tend to exploit but not abuse...Closet railfan railroaders
are a goldmine for the railfan because when they know they can get away with it they will show
off for the railfan in a multitude of ways that are always benificial and thoughly apriciated by
most all railfans. This is typicaly a most benificial  relationship as long as the railfan does
not take the closet foamer down front street.

Railfan-railfan/railroader...This tends to be the best kind of relationship as each party tends to
have a level head and doesn't get to inflated about who or what they are and for the most part are
intelegent,wise and compassionate members of society.

Foamer-non railfan railroader...The worst possable match. The Foamer is typicaly a "social disaster
area" an is likley to represent a hazzard to the railroader in a multitude of ways in which the
non railfan railroader will be most intolerant of... the non railfan railroader will look at the
foamer like they are the most socialy unacceptabe lifeform on the face of the planet, and not
know wether to be irratated by them or take pitty on them. bottom line: bad blood.

Foamer-closet railfan railroader...Although not the worst mix it does have perrils all it's own.
the foamer will tend to taunt the closet railroader to give them access or special favors... Meanwhile
the closet railroader will constantly worry about the foamer takeing them down front street and
risking them looseing there job. A very unbalanced relationship.

Foamer-railroader railfan...the foamer typicaly worships the ground the railroader walks on.
The railroader typicaly spends his time wondering why those loosers worship the ground they walk
on.The relationships in this catagory could potentialy fill books and is way beyond the scope of this
peice.

Trolls-(all of the above)...Trolls are generaly misfits of society looking to disrupt normal society
in any way they can (for whatever reason) and there presence in the forum is a side effect of society
more then a railfan catagory and will furthermore be ignored,

 

[Anonymous]

Im more concidered as a: "Stupid Worthless Railfan" who has nothing alse better to do.

[Anonymous]

The term "foamer" is not a term chosen by railfans; rather it is a term assigned to railfans by railroaders.  It replaced the much more appropriate "FRN".

O.K., I can sort out FRN.  That one doesnt take much imagination.  But what is the derivative of the term "Foamer".  When I first saw it on the Forums, the context in which it appeared led me to believe it was someone "Foaming At the Mouth".  (It was one of those discussions which had digressed from good rail road information to a battle of personalities...).

Any ideas?

Well.....
I have heard the BNSF crews call us that all the time on my Scanner.

[dldance]

My explanation is a bit different than most.  In areas of poor water quality (ie. most of the west) steam boilers will build up a layer of foam on the boiler that inhibits steam production.  If the steam engine is stopped, you will have good pressure, but as you start to move, pressure drops drastically and no amount of fire will raise pressure sufficient.  So you do a boiler blowoff.  The engineer watches out for obsticles and the fireman pulls the blowoff valve open.  You get about a 20 foot stream of steam, water and foam out of the side of the engine.  Then you replace the water loss in the boiler and all is well.

So my personal definition of a foamer - one who inhibits my railfan experience, sometimes with spectacular demonstrations, but as soon as they are out of the way, all is well.

dd

[JSGreen]

Now THAT explanation is almost too cool to be true.  I love it!  Thanks for sharing it!

[oltmannd]

I would say that anyone who hangs out on the Trains.com forums is a "foamer" by definition!

[BigJim]

The reason I asked this question in the first place is because of this;

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/913074/ShowPost.aspx

That's not friendly. It's antagonistic.

If you knew how to comprehend a question you would find that I wasn't being antagonistic at all. If you want to start a fight, go back and look in the mirror and pop-a-zit.

Here we have your own brethren calling out to "all Foamers" and all that I was asking was, isn't there another name you can come up with?

[tree68]

I thought I posted this, but apparently not.

On occasion, an intended insult is turned by the insultee into an accepted term.  That's how I got the nickname Tree - it was intended as a bit of an insult (I am tall), but I liked it and have used it ever since.

Like a lot of terms, foamer has degrees and varying definitions.  So you may call me a foamer and intend it as about as nasty an insult as you can conjure up, I may hear that and see it as recognition by you that I have an avid interest in trains.  Same word, two very different connotations. 

Rail Fan and Rail Buff have been doing yeoman duty to describe our kind.  They are fairly neutral...

[Poppa_Zit]

That's not friendly. It's antagonistic.

If you knew how to comprehend a question you would find that I wasn't being antagonistic at all. If you want to start a fight, go back and look in the mirror and pop-a-zit.

Here we have your own brethren calling out to "all Foamers" and all that I was asking was, isn't there another name you can come up with?

The last thing I need from anyone is a lesson in reading comprehension, thank you.

Regarding the other thread, anyone calling out to "all foamers" certainly isn't talking to me. And you did it again when you said "here we have your brethren." They are not my "brethren." And in what group are you including yourself when you say "we?"  

I also don't answer to "calling all nebbishes" or "calling all nerds."

Sorry, but when you used the term "you guys" it can only be interpreted one way -- that you are not one of "us" and in this case, it is very condescending. If you feel that's not true, assist my comprehension by explaining what else could "you guys" mean?

And I've never had to start a fight. But I've finished a few.

[csmith9474]

Is it the same as calling someone interested in restoring autos a "gearhead"? Is that derogatory?? I would assume there are nicknames for folks that engage in any hobby.

[tree68]

Is it the same as calling someone interested in restoring autos a "gearhead"? Is that derogatory?? I would assume there are nicknames for folks that engage in any hobby.

And some of them are/were derogatory.... 

[Jjohnieray]

Having read all fourteen of these post.One Queston,What is a foamer ? Do i want to be one,or should i be one.What i really want to know is,Where does the cars on a steam powered unit[ Passenger cars] get there electric from.Thank you .

[Murphy Siding]

    Maybe this is just a regional thing, but where I live, but "you guys" isn't considered *bad*.  Think of it as sort of the plains version of ya'll.  Now, if you said "you people", then you're waiving a red flag in front of a bull.

[eolafan]

You can call me anything you want, just don't forget to call me for dinner!

[Mookie]

Chad - get the popcorn going.  I am putting on my helmet!

Moo

 

[chad thomas]

Roger that Mookie.

[Anonymous]

What does the Union Pacific call us?

[wjstix]

I heard that it had something to do with "foamite" which is apparently some sort of fire extinguishing foam or something?? That always seems a little farfetched, the "foaming at the mouth" idea sounds more plausible.

BTW the British equivalent is "Anoraks" which comes from a type of raincoat that UK Railfans (oops !! I meant "Railway Enthusiasts") supposedly wear while trainspotting (recording the name or number of a locomotive you have seen in a record book or notebook) .

[PBenham]

Well, I've been called ,,,and oh, yes .

[BigJim]

Is it the same as calling someone interested in restoring autos a "gearhead"?

Now that's the line of thinking that I'm looking for. Even though foaming can be traced back to the steam days, foamer just doesn't relate to railroading as gearhead relates to autos. See what I mean?

[Anonymous]

Well, I've been called ,,,and oh, yes .

Ouch.

[tree68]

Well, I've been called ,,,and oh, yes .

You probably forgot , too.  I know I've been called that!

[MLG4812]

The reason I asked this question in the first place is because of this;

http://www.trains.com/trccs/forums/913074/ShowPost.aspx

That's not friendly. It's antagonistic.

If you knew how to comprehend a question you would find that I wasn't being antagonistic at all. If you want to start a fight, go back and look in the mirror and pop-a-zit.

Here we have your own brethren calling out to "all Foamers" and all that I was asking was, isn't there another name you can come up with?

 

Man...I didn't know I would create such a stink with that post. I would never purposely antagonize my fellow railroad brethren. I felt it to be a compliment illustrating the intense ferver for a hobby that we all love. I suppose it all depends upon the recipient really. For example, two people could find themselves being called a "cheese-head." One person could take it as being recognized for being a hard-core Packer's fan. The other could take it as an insult, feeling that they were being labled as having a moldy dairy product on their cranium. So here is my disclaimer..."Calling all foamers, refering to rabidly- insane railroad fanatics!"

 

 

[james saunders]

I always thought it was because you'd be "foaming" at the mouth..



In Australia we are called Gunzels, It started out as a derogratory term but over the years it has developed into a name accepted by Rail enthusiasts, even something that people parade around using the title.

I found this description of a Gunzel for your understanding...

(1) n. Railway enthusiast. Originally derogatory, refering to overly enthusiastic or foolish railfans (c.f. US "foamer"). Now refers to railfans in general, and the term is often used with pride. Believed to be a derivation of the American slang "gunsel", meaning a gangster or hoodlum who uses a gun, popularised in books such as The Maltese Falcon. In these books the implication was that a gunsel was somewhat foolish and reckless. The term gunzel originated from the Sydney Tramway Museum in the 1960s as a term for foolish or reckless railfans who shot at things with cameras. Usage was originally confined to south eastern states, it has since spread to the whole of Australia and parts of New Zealand. See for example www.gunzel.net. May be used to refer to a specific interest, e.g. "freight gunzel", "tram gunzel". (Note: there is an alternative meaning of the American slang gunsel, believed to be derived from the Yiddish 'ganzel', but this is not the meaning imported as gunzel.)

(2) v. Engage in railway enthusiast activities, e.g. "to gunzel around".

James.