What do RR employees call "US" railfans?

[dlund]

A couple of weeks ago I got to volunteer as (sort of) a conductor on an excursion train and I met several guys who were conductors/engineers/train mechanics either currently or in the past.

They were all nice guys and none of them seemed to have a problem with people taking pictures.

One of the guys, currently retired, had been a railroad employee (conductor and engineer) for 20 years.  He knew the "train chasers" by name, and waved to everybody that was interested in watching the train.  I got to ask him a lot of questions, and one of them was about what the railroad employees think of railfans.  Basically he said that although some railroad employees didn't like it, he (and most others) didn't mind it.  In fact, he would do the equivalent of revving the engine (I can't remember exactly what he said) to put on a better show.  

It was nice to hear that.  I don't know if he's representative of railroad employees, but it was good to hear that at least a significant number of railroad employees don't see railfans as a nuisance.

 

dlund 

[Red Horse]

Most of us love rail fans, even offering many to up to the cab if we are stopped and in a safe location. Please dont blame crews for what management is enforcing. We would much rather see foamers than the dreaded "weed weasels".

Can you please explain to me what a "weed weasel is"?

[Anonymous]

Most of us love rail fans, even offering many to up to the cab if we are stopped and in a safe location. Please dont blame crews for what management is enforcing. We would much rather see foamers than the dreaded "weed weasels".

[SLOCONDR]

However, I don't want to see anyone out taking my picture while I'm doing my job. My advice to 'railfans is 'take this into consideration next time you're trackside. If you are going to take a photo of a trainman doing their task, stay hidden just like the stealth team. I wouldn't go this far, but ome of my co workerssay if someone tries to take their picture while on the property, they will get the bird.

I don't even agree with this point. I worked for the PE, SP and UP for 40 years and never objected to someone wanting to include crew members in their photos. IF the crew members are DOING their job correctly, what is the difference ?? Flip the bird... sorta of infantile....

 

V

[Red Horse]

Yup, out of all the names, I like Train Buff the best!

[trainfan1221]

I used to just go by "train buff".  Kinda got used to it.  My friends that don't understand my hobby have a whole other list of names for me.. Weirdo comes to mind.  But I'll leave the rest to the imagination.  I can deal with Train Fanatic as a reference.

[wctransfer]

Foamer is used around here the most, and I could care less. I actually say phoaming more than railfanning, so you see im not the least bit upset over this little nickname.

Alec

[cnwfan51]

OK Its time that I put in my 2cents worth here   For the Resord I am a FRN that got the dream job every tim,e I step into my Biboveralls and throw the straps over my shoulders I am living a drteam    And I have to say that doe the most part 99 percent of the fans that are taking pictures will do it from a safe place off of railroad property. And trust me that makes my job easier.      I havealways saidd that the only thing wrong with this job is that we attract the wrong type of groupies    we get the guys with the cameras around thier necks and not the ones that are attracted to rock stars you know what I mean   LOL   BE safe out there and I will wave if you want me to  its the best part of my job  CNW FOREVER   Larry

[bobwilcox]

The late great Lucius Beebe said it best.  We are the Faithful!

[passengerfan]

I beleive the Canadians call the Railfans the same names the US railfans are called except with a different accent.

[MOPACnut]

 

 

I suppose it depends on the situation.  

Operating crews, as well as everyone else I would suppose, are highly suspicious of anyone on railroad property for multiple reasons:

 

a.  National Security Issues.  This stuff has been getting more intense with each passing year.

b.  Rails are under the gun, performance-wise, and are frequently field tested for operational rules compliance, especially in situations where the employee needs to be completely focused on what he or she is doing, not on the photographer trackside.

c.  There are always a few bad apples that will spoil the whole barrel, and that goes for fans as well as rails.

d.  There are a significant number of new hires or low seniority people for whom running a train is a relatively new thing; the history hasn't sunk in and it is just a job, miserable in miserable conditions and ok in ok conditions.  The paycheck drives these folks, not any sense of history or craft pride.

As for me, what do I call myself?  I'm not sure, but my reaction, one of mixed amusement and annoyance begs the question, "What would you do if I came to your place of employment and took photos of you and stared at you while you tried to concentrate at work, knowing that those photos could be used to discipline and/or fire you?" 

I try to spend some time speaking with railfans who try to engage me in conversation, which is difficult sometimes, and I know others try, too.  But I also know that many wouldn't give the time of day to a railfan, much less acknowledge them in any way,  I guess the answer depends on the situation.  Well, this grumpy old so and so has to get up at 3 in the am to be to work at 6 in the am to depart at 7.  See you on the road.  Be safe.

Many of us have jobs whe're your watched, including mine which has a camera at every workstation, and even one in the break room (however the're not monitored, the video is just stored on hard drives). A lot of workers (incl me) have shown the "bird" to them or other stuff and the management doesn't  care.

[Falcon48]

The thing a lot of "railfans" don't realize is that many RR employess, including some at the highest levels of railroad management, are themselves railfans and, unlike the olden days, they don't hide it and its not a barrier to a successful career.  Lot's of senior railroad managers came into the industry during the dark days of the 1970's.  Why would any aspiring young person in their right minds, with gleams of accomplishment in their eyes, have gone into railroading during that period, when the industry seemed to be on its deathbed?  Answer: They were railfans and liked the idea of working for a railroad. I'm one of those who came into the industry during the 1970's. I work for a major railroad and in my department, at least, an interest in railroads (i.e., a railfan) is considered an asset - in fact the senior vice president of my department is himself an unabashed railfan.  The distinction that's made within railroads is between railfans who are interested in railroads, but recognize railroading is a business, and use their knowledge to further the business of their employers, and those run around train yards and try to get themselves killed. 

[SFbrkmn]

I think its neat when fathers take their young sons out trackside train watching.  Getting the next generation involved. Sadly, I rarely ever see this take place. The one thing that train watchers should be aware of is that there are so many rules out there now, the company and their stealth teams watch crews perform job duties and crews have been opt tested and failed for waving or talking to folks watching them work. We had a guy in KS about three yrs ago that was riding a shove on a yd movement, he was waving at someone, wasn't paying attention and a trk next to him was fouling, got crushed between the two cars and died. That was very, very sad. This is why train crews are focused on their work: so not to get opt test failures and to go home in the same condition they came to work.

[Nagrom1]

True enough, there aren't many occupations that have a fan base like railroading, but there are some reasons for that.

Most railroading is done in the open.  When was last time you could watch a machinist working, from public property? 

Through the years, railroading has been glorified and mimicked.  Heck, people still call them "choo-choo's."  And (continuing with the machinist angle) - try stopping by the toy store and picking up a lathe for your kid.

There are other fields that get similar attention.  Firefighting is one - there are probably as many trade and buff publications in the fire arena as there are in railroading, and it's not at all uncommon to find buffs taking pictures and videos of fires.  It's also not uncommon to see firefighting-oriented forums (yep - got those, too) ripping into those videos for real and perceived errors in tactics or actions.

Fire buffs collect fire-related items, and run around with scanners in their vehicles, looking for action.   Sound familiar?

If you think about it, cowboys is another.  The "dude ranch" far preceeds the "drive a locomotive" programs.  People who may have touched a horse dress up in cowboy-like garb (when was last time you saw somebody running around in coveralls and a Kromer?).

As has been mentioned, there are many who take interest in airplanes, although homeland security has put constraints on plane-watching.

 

 

Wackers, or rubberneckers they're called. Luckily, we haven't seen too much of it. Rubberneckers aren't bad, but when people start getting in the way, it doesnt take too long to get them out of the way. The police are good at it.

Now, you railroad guys just need people to stop at grade crossings, and we'll try to get idiots to pull over for lights and sirens.

[TRNBUF]

You think they would feel honored that we are taking a photo of them.  Make them feel like a star.

Maybe next time I will ask for their autographs, and they will sign it "to: Phoamer, from:Engineer"

[Modelcar]

....Back about 1960, my brother had a relatively new Plymouth hardtop and until some how the dealer got it fixed, he had to set pie pans in the back window.

[trainfan1221]

Nothing nice, I'm sure.  Some train crews are really friendly I've noticed. 

My favorite was on an Amtrak trip when I met a group of English guys who were "On Holiday" and after conversing with me realized I was a "Spotter."

[Erie Lackawanna]

While listening to the scanner (it was raining in the car) we overheard a conversation...

It rains inside your car?

 

I used to have a Chrysler like that.

[Poppa_Zit]

While listening to the scanner (it was raining in the car) we overheard a conversation...

It rains inside your car?

[wgnrr]

When we were railfanning in Chicago, we asked some folks on the EJ&E if there was any place we could sit and watch trains. They pointed to a nice location, and said that they didn't care what we did.

While listening to the scanner (it was raining in the car) we overheard a conversation between the engineer and brakeman. The engineer said "throw the switch", and the brakeman replied "why don't you get one of those railfans over there to do it!" The funny part is that I have gone through the training to be a brakeman...

Phil

[Amtrak77]

They call us "Railfains" because they got tired of calling us "Railfreaks!!"

[Anonymous]

While touring the WC shops in North Fond du Lac with a buddy of mine who was a MOW foreman, I heard the term "train qu*er" - all in good fun of course.

[tree68]

... thank God they do not get out of their cars to snap pictures,

We've actually had a problem with that, due to a local news website that encourages such submissions....  Snap a picture on your cellphone camera and it'll be on the web in minutes.  Literally.

The problem is that sometimes relatives see their loved ones vehicle all smashed up before they can be notified by the authorities.

If they take them from their car (at least in NH) nothing can be done but once they get out to do it they can and often are placed under arrest so that they don't have their cell phone (due to being arrested) to send the picture until notification can be given to the family, the booking process allows time for the scene officer or scene commander (FD) to make the notification, most times the Fire Department will put up a wall of tarps on folding frames when it is a fatal, it is so sad that they even have to do it.

Not to take this too far off topic, but the pictures sometimes get taken before authorities arrive, and there were a few cases where the responders themselves were to blame.

[inch53]

I don't care what they call me as long as I'm not called to late for supper.

inch

[Mookie]

These threads always amuse me.

While I have no desire for animosity, why do so many railfans have this morbid/genetic/inbred need to be validated by railroaders?

Give me one good reason why should I care/wonder/worry about what railroaders think of me or railfans.

Or bus drivers. Truck drivers. Bulldozer operators. Et al.

They post these threads so some people have something to pick apart.

[Red Horse]

... thank God they do not get out of their cars to snap pictures,

We've actually had a problem with that, due to a local news website that encourages such submissions....  Snap a picture on your cellphone camera and it'll be on the web in minutes.  Literally.

The problem is that sometimes relatives see their loved ones vehicle all smashed up before they can be notified by the authorities.

If they take them from their car (at least in NH) nothing can be done but once they get out to do it they can and often are placed under arrest so that they don't have their cell phone (due to being arrested) to send the picture until notification can be given to the family, the booking process allows time for the scene officer or scene commander (FD) to make the notification, most times the Fire Department will put up a wall of tarps on folding frames when it is a fatal, it is so sad that they even have to do it.

[tree68]

... thank God they do not get out of their cars to snap pictures,

We've actually had a problem with that, due to a local news website that encourages such submissions....  Snap a picture on your cellphone camera and it'll be on the web in minutes.  Literally.

The problem is that sometimes relatives see their loved ones vehicle all smashed up before they can be notified by the authorities.

[SimRacin40]

I don't mind the term railfan. I do mind the more derogatory ones. When I photograph things I generally photograph the equipment too(Locomotives,etc). I actually hate photographing people,to be honest with you.

   When I go out on my trips,I stay out of the way. I act friendly and wave to any engineer who happens to wave at me. They should be proud that there are people like me(not the crazy type,just those who enjoy watching trains from safe areas) who respect them and their profession,unlike all the idiots that zoom through grade crossings when the train's 100 feet from it.

  My rules for railfanning are simple. Stay out of everyone's way(the railroaders,people who live/work in that specific area),and don't do anything stupid.(Like trying to beat a train over the crossing or doing anything that would cause extra stress to the engineer,he's already got enough to worry about)

 

That's my .2 

[Red Horse]

You can call me what ever you like that will not make me stop watching the trains, building my layouts or watching model and real Rail Road videos on YOU TUBE.

Now I'm in a profession that no one wants to be a fan of or even take pictures of for that matter, I'm a heavy trauma EMT, even little kids don't like us because of what we call the "ouch factor".

But watch people driving by an auto wreck and they can't get enough and thank God they do not get out of their cars to snap pictures, well except for the reporters and if they get too close the cops on scene will drive them away.

We hold an event twice a year that brings many children and their parents out too, it is called "touch a truck" and as I sit at the back doors of my big trauma rig I watch the kids climb all over the Fire trucks and Police cars as they eye ball us from a distance, when they are done looking at all the others they might come over too peek in the back of our rig (it cracks me up) and most of the questions have to do with the gore of our jobs.

BUT....we find most of our Fans are the fire fighters whom we rehab at fire scenes and the police that see what we do at bad auto crashes, shootings, attempted suicides and so on, when the fire fighters and Police need medical help then WE become their heroes....LOL!

Well, I need to go park my HO ambulance on my HO train layout....Happy Rails!

[doghouse]

 

  Inclusion.