Trains.com

What happened to the lost art of engineers waving? Locked

29451 views
451 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Omaha, Nebraska
  • 1,920 posts
Posted by Willy2 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 5:49 PM
Play nice, children, or I may have to discipline you.

Willy

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 5:53 PM
 zugmann wrote:

No, you need to go re-read the posts.  No one EVER said that they were 100% too busy not to wave.  We only said there were instances.  I admitted several times that sometimes we just don't want to wave.  Others have too...

Fine, if I have implied that it was specifically YOU making that excuse, then I apologize.

"It's all about the equipment".  That is a sad statement on the state of today's railfan.

 

Really? How so?  Wow, are you implying that one man's preference when it comes to railfanning should be taken as a standard of all?  Where'd THAT come from?  IMO, railfanning is about seeing trains, AKA "equipment."  Ok, I admit, occasionally I see some MOW workers performing their duties and I stop and watch out of interest, just as I watch people in other lines of work perform their jobs.  It can be and usually IS interesting.  But when it comes to the pure interest of trains, it's all about the equipment to me.  I don't need to see an engineer waving at me to "make" my day.  Close your windows, enjoy the AC and have a good day at work. 

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 5:55 PM
 zugmann wrote:

No one made the statement that they are too busy to wave 100% of the time.   If you don't care about the waves, why are you having such a hissy fit about us "not waving".  Something does not add up.

What doesn't add up is the loss of translation and the ease of misunderstanding statements made in an internet discussion forum.

And sorry, I didn't realize "damn" was such a bad word in today's society.

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:01 PM

No one on here said they were too busy for 100% of the time...  (didn't I say this already???).  Go back and take a look. 

As far as the sad state of today's railfan - that is just an op-ed on my part. 

 And thank you, I will have a good day.  Esp. if the AC works! 

 

 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Menasha, Wis.
  • 451 posts
Posted by Soo 6604 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:05 PM

Politeness went away in the 90's along with disciplining your kids. People would rather flip ya off than wave. A lot of us have seen that on the roads whether your doing the flipping or receiving the flipping.

99% of the time I take pictures of the equipment. I can care less about getting shots of workers unless I'm bored of taking the same shots of Dash-9's and SD75's. But I do have to admit that an action shot of a train coming at you and seeing the engineer or conductor waving does spicen up the shot.

Like I wrote before, way before like page 1, I can care less if they wave or not (unless I'm doing a study thanks to the taxpayers of Wisconsin). If I do see them wave, I'll wave, but I'm there watching the train, NOT THE PEOPLE!

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:06 PM

Sigh.

 No one likes us.  I feel so used. 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Menasha, Wis.
  • 451 posts
Posted by Soo 6604 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:10 PM
 J T wrote:
 zugmann wrote:

No one made the statement that they are too busy to wave 100% of the time.   If you don't care about the waves, why are you having such a hissy fit about us "not waving".  Something does not add up.

 

And sorry, I didn't realize "damn" was such a bad word in today's society.

You should have seen the thread when somebody masked the "F" word (I think it was that word). If they can say damn on "The Simpsons", then its OK to me. Any word is OK. Its a God given talent to talk, but I guess its Bergies given talent to monitor.

Paul

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: West end of Chicago's Famous Racetrack
  • 2,239 posts
Posted by Poppa_Zit on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:14 PM

I am an adult. I have a lot of self-respect. Part of my work is being a professional photographer. I enjoy taking photographs of trains, and try to carry myself as a responsible adult.

That said, I cannot imagine myself standing trackside waving at trains and being disappointed that the engineer did not return my wave. Let alone coming here and sharing that disappointment with others. This in no way is intended to disparage railroaders, either.

Do you guys wave at fire trucks, too?

This is one of the dumbest, go-nowhere discussions in the history of these forums. How did it get to 20 pages or whatever?  

"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. They are not entitled, however, to their own facts." No we can't. Charter Member J-CASS (Jaded Cynical Ascerbic Sarcastic Skeptics) Notary Sojac & Retired Foo Fighter "Where there's foo, there's fire."
  • Member since
    May 2005
  • From: S.E. South Dakota
  • 13,569 posts
Posted by Murphy Siding on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:15 PM
 J T wrote:

And sorry, I didn't realize "damn" was such a bad word in today's society.

  That probably wasn't the issue.  Re-read the last line of your post in question, and think about the kind of impression you want to leave people with.

Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:20 PM

 zugmann wrote:

Sigh.

 No one likes us.  I feel so used. 

 Well, if I ever happen to take your picture while you're passing and you wave, I will like you.  I promise! haha  Wink [;)]

 

 Murphy Siding wrote:

That probably wasn't the issue.  Re-read the last line of your post in question, and think about the kind of impression you want to leave people with.

 Gotcha. I will watch my tongue in the future.  I guess I just got a little fired up...but I DID have a smile on my face at the time. Angel [angel]

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:33 PM
Then I shall continue to wave - unless I'm in the middle of cipying down my dispatcher orders.. o if I have an itch...

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Southern California
  • 1,074 posts
Posted by Erie Lackawanna on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 6:53 PM

Two observations about this thread --

1) Although I skipped over a lot of the middle, I didn't seen where anyone was saying it was a duty to wave.

2) When I walk down the hall at work I generally nod hello to everyone who passes me in the hall.  I've been with the company I'm with now for two years.  1/3rd of the people say "Hey" to me first before I can nod at them.  1/3rd of the people nod back after they see my nod and clearly only because I nodded at them.  And up to another 1/3rd ignore me completely.  It's not about engineers waving back, it's about people who acknoweledge each other and people who don't.  And how a lot of people who do acknoweledge each other one minute, won't the next because they're busy, or they just had a fight with their wife, or their car is making a funny noise and they're wondering if they should just drive home or stop at the garage first.  It's life.

And before anyone gets angry at what I just wrote, I'm honestly not making any value judgement here.  I like a lot of the people who don't nod back.  That's not my point at all.  I'm just reporting what I observe.  I think rails who want to wave should wave and those who don't want to wave shouldn't wave.  Live and let live, right?

Now, I have to click the unsubrscribe to the thread button before yahoo starts charging me for incoming e-mail.

Charles Freericks
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: NS's Buffalo line and B&P's A&E line
  • 35 posts
Posted by samuelpc on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 7:48 PM

 I have watched this post since the start and replied earlier, seems that thete two schools of thought, "If I wave the crew should respond" or I wave to the crew If they wave back it,s a joy .

what's the difference, It is the moving train that matters, Give them a wave to send them

down the road, and be thankfull you got to see the train go by!!!!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: The Beautiful North Georgia Mountians
  • 2,362 posts
Posted by Railfan1 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 7:55 PM

I have observed a few things about this thread too:

1. Some people are so lucky that someone not waving at them is the biggest problem they have.

2. Some people know how to hold a grudge.

3. The rest of us are happy to see this thread because after a hard day at work, we need a good laugh.

"It's a great day to be alive" "Of all the words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, It might have been......"
  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
Posted by CNW 6000 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:01 PM
Well said.  (I guess I couldn't stay away!)

Dan

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:17 PM

but we're so close to 20...

 

that is such a nice round number.  

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Menasha, Wis.
  • 451 posts
Posted by Soo 6604 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:17 PM
 Erie Lackawanna wrote:

 

Now, I have to click the unsubrscribe to the thread button before yahoo starts charging me for incoming e-mail.

After each response, I keep forggetting to click that little check mark. Now I can let this thread RIP. (for me that is). Good luck on hitting 20 pages

Paul

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Menasha, Wis.
  • 451 posts
Posted by Soo 6604 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:18 PM
Ill stick around for it hitting 20.
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Menasha, Wis.
  • 451 posts
Posted by Soo 6604 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:21 PM

Sorry, I forgot to click the checkmark on my last post after I clicked it before. And yes, before I send this one, I did unchecked it

Paul

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:25 PM
20 yet?

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: The Beautiful North Georgia Mountians
  • 2,362 posts
Posted by Railfan1 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:26 PM
Since you want it so bad..... Here's yer stinkin' 20.
"It's a great day to be alive" "Of all the words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, It might have been......"
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:26 PM

Woo-Hoo!

 

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: The Beautiful North Georgia Mountians
  • 2,362 posts
Posted by Railfan1 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:28 PM
Beat ya.... nah nah....... Uggggg. I'm so digusted with myself.
"It's a great day to be alive" "Of all the words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, It might have been......"
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Menasha, Wis.
  • 451 posts
Posted by Soo 6604 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:31 PM
Why am I still getting email replies in my email after I unclick the box?
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:47 PM

 Railfan1 wrote:
Beat ya.... nah nah....... Uggggg. I'm so digusted with myself.

 

but i get cab rides...  

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 8:50 PM
I waved once................
  • Member since
    June 2006
  • 1,432 posts
Posted by Limitedclear on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 9:09 PM

Yep...

LC

  • Member since
    December 2005
  • From: MP 175.1 CN Neenah Sub
  • 4,917 posts
Posted by CNW 6000 on Wednesday, August 1, 2007 9:17 PM

This is the thread that never ends!
It just goes on and on, my friends!
Some people started reading it,
Not knowing what it was!
Now they'll keep reading it...just because;

This is the thread that never ends!
It just goes on and on, my friends!
Some people started reading it,
Not knowing what it was!
Now they'll keep reading it...just because;

et cetera...

Dan

  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Along the BNSF "East End"... :-)
  • 915 posts
Posted by TimChgo9 on Thursday, August 2, 2007 12:08 AM

Okay 

For all of you hung up on getting waved to...here is an engineer waving.....

               

HAPPY???? Banged Head [banghead] Banged Head [banghead]                                                                                               

"Chairman of the Awkward Squad" "We live in an amazing, amazing world that is just wasted on the biggest generation of spoiled idiots." Flashing red lights are a warning.....heed it. " I don't give a hoot about what people have to say, I'm laughing as I'm analyzed" What if the "hokey pokey" is what it's all about?? View photos at: http://www.eyefetch.com/profile.aspx?user=timChgo9
  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 195 posts
Posted by NS SD70M-2 on Thursday, August 2, 2007 1:36 AM
 TimChgo9 wrote:

Okay 

For all of you hung up on getting waved to...here is an engineer waving.....

               

HAPPY???? Banged Head [banghead] Banged Head [banghead]                                                                                               

ISN'T THAT THE CONDUCTOR!

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