We just moved a few miles from the rails to a condo three blocks from a rr crossing on the CN line between Toronto & North Bay. I thought this was great. We are on the 4th floor of a condo & hear the train whistle blowing for another crossing about a mile away. Rush out of our unit, take elevator 4 floors down, rush across the parking lot, run down the street, but by that time the engines have long past & I have to be content with watching 120 freight cars
Worse still when walking our dog, lights flashing for the crossing, so I start to rush, Dog needs to piddle, but before it does, it has to find a spot in the snow when a previous dog has done its business, this takes time. Dog poops & I have to pick it up in my poop bag and start for the tracks, but noooo Noelle has to piddle.... Result another train missed.
Next problem Christmas coming, Have to help the dear wife with Christmas wrapping, cleaning house, help with the baking, sending out cards, etc. etc. Don't get me wrong, I love my wife but ......
We have a balcony a from which I can see the trains. but with the long hours of darkness now all I see are silhouettes of the trains.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Work.
Drawn shades in the living room.... LOL.
Except when work takes me away.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
No heat in the Volvo.
Carl T.
Work keeps me held up. On my days off,my mom and I will rent a car and do a road trip along a line somewhere. Out in rural Kentucky,you can find some good eating establishments along the line sometimes.
I live about 30 miles from the old L&N Main. The R.J. Corman line here in Bardstown barely sees any traffic(I wish I knew when they did freight movements)..and KRM isn't doing much in the winter.
My girlfriend.
We live more than 50 miles from the nearest class I (CSX) and more than 100 miles from the nearest class II (FEC) railroad so just up and leaving (as I'm contemplating right now) to watch trains is always an exercise in extreme volatility. As it stands, she believes that we do not spend enough time together. I tell her that she can accompany me and that that constitutes "time together", but she never goes for it unless she's completely bored out of her skull. I guess "time together" is supposed to be spent doing whatever "she" wants to do.
Ted M.
got trains?™
See my photos at: http://tedmarshall.rrpicturearchives.net/
** I've noted that many avid railfans are often retired, or don't have a job and live with their parents (as work would mean they would miss the trains). BTW, have you known anyone who ditched there job or responsibilities to railfan more...sounds tempting
work.I can watch the trains go by but then I might not punch in on time.I am fortunate to have so many lines near me and a very understanding wife.
stay safe
joe
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
Nothing at all
I work 6 days a week and if I want to I can steer clear of I-88 and drive to work following the BNSF tracks from my town out to Aurora or I can just take the Metra to aurora and take a Taxi from the station to work.
At work most days (day/afternoon/night... gotta love rotating shifts!) BNSF has 2 engines in here moving tank car's in/out of the plant where I work and I have yet to see an engine with new BNSF paint there allways ex-BN engines in BN colors so thats nice.
Yesterday on my day off I drove up to Flint Mi. and rode the Huckleberry RR, never been there before and just found out about it a few days ago so I just had to go since there still running trains. Got to ride on and watch a narrow gauge passenger train pulled by D&RGW 2-8-2 K-27 (#464)
Mr_Ash wrote:...rode the Huckleberry RR, ...
On my list for next year while I'm out there for a class reunion.
tree68 wrote: Mr_Ash wrote:...rode the Huckleberry RR, ...On my list for next year while I'm out there for a class reunion.
I posted some pictures from my visit there over in the Steam & Preservation forum, It was a very nice place. My dad came with me and like me he didnt know about the place before last week and he loved it and had a great time too! He says he wants to go again this summer
I am pretty lucky, as there are two class I's with busy mainlines within a mile of my house and a regional even closer. I dont go watch often, content to listen to the activity on my three scanners stratically located in the house.
Work takes me to some interesting railroading spots, the most interesting being East Chicago. CSX, NS, IHB, EJE, and South Shore keep things busy. Seldom does a trip go by that I dont see something.
ed
Ted Marshall wrote: My girlfriend.
Dude, that can easily be fixed. Break up with her. Seriously. She's not going to change with time or a ring on her finger.
Joe H.
Trick knee, bad back, other old age problems.
Also, there is not as much activity on the south side of my home town as there used to be. In fact, Kansas City took most of the interesting traffic away from us. Not complaining, they deserve it.
Sometimes I'll go out to Kirkwood station and sit on the bench with the other old geezers. Not in cold weather, though.
Lately there's been a lot of things conspiring to keep me from railfanning and using my new camera -- weather, work, lack of money to head out of town, the hollow day season, sickness..... I'm lucky in that both NS and CSX pass right outside my window, but I don't consider myself train watching unless I leave the house and have my camera with me.
Joe
wyomingrailfan wrote:get a scanner, it'll end all your troubles. they tell what's coming your way.
What type of radio you recommend? What channel do I need to know for my area?
Your friendly neighborhood CNW fan.
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