Foamers

[vsmith]

A good example of a "foamer" happens in the movie "The Station Agent" where Peter Dinklage pays a railfan (non-foamer). Theres a scene though where he's at a club meet and there showing film of a steam excursion where the foamer cameraman is showing and narrating a movie, he's filming out of a window and can bearly see the locomotive, but he keeps filming even when the train is in a tunnel, "it was a very long tunnel" he says about a full minute into the dark screen. That is a foamer. 

[TimChgo9]

Once, I was asked by someone why I shoot photos of trains.  I simply replied "I am who I am, and I do what I do."  

I don't feel that I have to offer anyone an explanation as to what my hobbies are, as I don't ask them to explain their's.  

I have known knitters, coffee can collectors, label collectors, Star Wars action figure collectors, collectors of antique glass, games, toys, whatever...  I just figure if someone enjoys it, and it helps them keep their sanity, then, who am I to criticize?

 

[Erie Lackawanna]

I wrote this a few years ago but I though some that haven't seen it might get a laugh:

 

This might help you understand what a foamer is:
==============================================================================
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,
 

 

I LOVE THIS.... I'm going to keep a copy!  Thanks, Chad.  Really funny (because it's so true).

[chad thomas]

I wrote this a few years ago but I though some that haven't seen it might get a laugh:

 

This might help you understand what a foamer is:
==============================================================================
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,
 

[locoi1sa]

  Would this thread fall into the old sticks and stones saying from my youth? For the youngsters on this site that was "Sticks and stones can break your bones but names will never harm you"

  Call me what you want but dont call me late for dinner.

    Pete
 

[Beach Bill]

So when has being interested in something become a liability?

It becomes a liability when the activities associated with "interest" become perceived as a liability to others, especially when the activity is performed in public.  I recall a elderly member of the old model railroad club where I learned things as a "junior member".  I went to his apartment one time and it was almost impossible to walk through any of the rooms due to the piles of "train stuff".  It was beyond eccentric, yet since it was in his own private space it didn't attract much attention from anyone.  Railroad photography is done in public and so is inherantly subject to more attention and protential criticism from anyone without the same level of interest.  The extremes of "foaming" have been witnessed by most - and the worst I have seen was the fellow who constructed a "sling" to suspend himself from highway overpasses to hang below the bridge and film the oncoming J611.   Such activities that are beyond the pale in terms of safety and rationality and word of such things among railway employees and law enforcement have had some effect in "crimping" things for those who try to obey the rules and get good photos while staying out of everyone's way. 

I haven't been too concerned with what labels folks apply to me for many years.  I do mentally "step back" once in awhile and assess my photo location in terms of how non-hobbiests would view it, but more importantly in terms of whether or not it constitutes trespassing or presence in an area and at a time where it could understandably be seen as a threat.  If someone wants to think my hobbies are strange, that is fine.  If folks don't want to see my collection of railroad lanterns, they shouldn't come into my garage. 

Worrying about little verbal labels is the province of those in Junior High School.

Bill 

[vsmith]

On the plus side...if you have to ask, there's a good chance your not one.

...all things in Moderation ya know

[Anonymous]

Hated to listen to Eleanor Roosevelt, her voice grated upon my nerves, but she wrote a good column.  Her quote, 'You can be insulted only with your permission.' is very good advice, and remembering it has kept me from flairing up at some perceived (by me) insulting retort.

So you can call me a foamer, shortie, a honky, a wimp, four eyes, etc. No problem. 

Art 

[trainfan1221]

I like being called a railfan, or a train buff, even a fanatic (hey, if the shoe fits..), but I would find the term Foamer to be a bit degrading.  However I have always been of the opinion let them say what they want, I'm willing to take one on the chin for my hobby.

[eolafan]

Very possibly, but not necessarily.

[Ulrich]

Okay  lets beat this thing to death..railroads need customers...so are customers who like trains foamers?

[eolafan]

But one has to wonder...do sports people..like those highly payed ball players call their fans foamers or something like that? Probably!!

Unlike professional ball players, fans of the railroads do not pay the professionals salary

To the contrary, we ALL pay for the salaries and other earnings of professional railroaders by purchasing products that are transported via rail to their destinations...and that includes both "foamers" and others as well.  By the way and for the record, I don't give a flip what anybody calls me, foamer, FRN or anything else...I love trains and railroads, period, and am proud to say so.

Well maybe I was not clear on what I was trying to say, or your just splitting hairs.   Without fans professional sports goes away, without railfans, railroads still makes money............

OK, true enough...your point is now well taken.

[wjstix]

As I pointed out on another foamer thread - there are those in the fire community who fit the same description.  They're generally called buffs, but they can be just as crazy.  And some of them happen to be firefighters as well.

I've heard the term for at least 20 years. One theory is the "foam at the mouth" one; another is that it comes from a fire extinguisher called I think "foamite" and apparently commonly called a "foamer"...or something like that, never quite understood the connection.

In the UK a common railfan (excuse me, "railway enthusiast") term was/is "anorak" from a common (and not very becomming) raincoat that railspotters supposedly wore while waiting for trains in the rain.

[trainboyH16-44]

True story, one time I was down by the CP line here and a trackside fire occurred, but was put out by another foamer and myself.

[CShaveRR]

As I pointed out on another foamer thread - there are those in the fire community who fit the same description.  They're generally called buffs, but they can be just as crazy.  And some of them happen to be firefighters as well.

Yeah, Larry, but in the fire business can the foam be put to good use?

[tree68]

As I pointed out on another foamer thread - there are those in the fire community who fit the same description.  They're generally called buffs, but they can be just as crazy.  And some of them happen to be firefighters as well.

[n012944]

But one has to wonder...do sports people..like those highly payed ball players call their fans foamers or something like that? Probably!!

Unlike professional ball players, fans of the railroads do not pay the professionals salary

To the contrary, we ALL pay for the salaries and other earnings of professional railroaders by purchasing products that are transported via rail to their destinations...and that includes both "foamers" and others as well.  By the way and for the record, I don't give a flip what anybody calls me, foamer, FRN or anything else...I love trains and railroads, period, and am proud to say so.

Well maybe I was not clear on what I was trying to say, or your just splitting hairs.   Without fans professional sports goes away, without railfans, railroads still makes money............

[TimChgo9]

My hobbies, beyond taking train pictures, are WWII history, military history in general, weather, and music.  I have met people in all of those hobbies that I would classify as a "Foamer". 

They are generally: someone who thinks they know it all, is not afraid to tell everyone. When they attend an event, they wear the shirts, hats, buttons, badges, or other accoutrements that identify one with that hobby. If they are taking photos of the event, they invariably bring the most expensive camera they have, with the biggest lens.. One more thing: They tend to be rude, antisocial, and short-tempered.

Quick story: Last fall, the NWS office in Romeoville was giving a tour of the weather office.  I went with my kids, and it was a great event, full of information, and well done.  In my group, there was one "gentleman" who was going on about how much he knew about the weather. He was so bad, that during the tour of the inside of the weather office, he was openly contradicting the meteorologist who was giving the tour.  After the 3rd or 4th time, the meteorologist basically told the individual to shut up. (In a nice, diplomatic way)  Well, that didn't deter this guy, and he was whispering to his companions "That guy doesn't know anything, I could forecast the weather better than him".....  Oh yeah, the guy conducting the tour had been with the NWS for 15 years...

 

That, ladies and gentelmen, is what defines a foamer. 

[eolafan]

But one has to wonder...do sports people..like those highly payed ball players call their fans foamers or something like that? Probably!!

Unlike professional ball players, fans of the railroads do not pay the professionals salary

To the contrary, we ALL pay for the salaries and other earnings of professional railroaders by purchasing products that are transported via rail to their destinations...and that includes both "foamers" and others as well.  By the way and for the record, I don't give a flip what anybody calls me, foamer, FRN or anything else...I love trains and railroads, period, and am proud to say so.

[Erie Lackawanna]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, I think "foamer" is a more modern, post 1990s term.  I railfanned a good deal back in the late 70s-early 80s.  At worst, we were referred to as "train nuts" or "train freaks".

If I"m not mistaken, the term foamer came about due to those few railfans out there that make it so tough on the rest of us:

I.E:  Walking on to railroad property without asking permission.....Rreacting rudely to railroad personnel when questioned or asked to leave..........Stepping too closely to photograph moving trains......like within 10 feet of the track!

Hence a lot of railroaders viewed these guys as "So obsessive with trains that they foam at the mouth!"  Understandable how some railroaders can feel wary of us on some occasions, especially today with our lawsuit happy society. About 2 or 3 years back, wasn't there a story  about one of our forum members getting into very serious trouble trespassing on railroad property after he falsely identified himself as a railroad or industrial rep? Anyone remember that? 

Personal memory lane:  Back in the 70s, here in the Tampa Bay area most camera-toting railfans were generally courteous and "quietly" welcomed at most rail yards or facilities (even though No Trespassing signs were slowly going up).  It was a simple matter of letting the personnel know your intentions and asking them if it was "o.k" for you to be there.  Answers I usually received  were along the lines of "Sure buddy, just watch yourself. Hey, what brand of camera is that?"  Railfans with good attitudes and manners were often treated well.  

 

 

I've been railfanning since the 1970s... first time I heard the term was in the mid 1990s.  Now, I know it dates back to the 1980s, but I swear, I never heard it once, until an article in a local paper about a special train and "The Foamers" on board getting excited about an end cab switcher.

Now, I hear it all the time.

[Goober]

A certain art director at Kalmbach Publishing called me a "train wienie" and I couldn't have been more proud. 

Jared 

[jeffhergert]

wgnrr, I like your definitions.

I hear FRN (F------ Rail Nut) more often than Foamer.  I myself don't care for the foamer lable for the average railfan.  I generally use, and will admit to being, an FRN.  

I guess this is because a read once, I don't remember for sure where but I think it was in Trains, what some of the origins of Foamer were.  One origin given was about a fan acting in an extreme manner and an employee described the fan as being:

Far Out And Mental.  Foams, then foams at the mouth, then foamer.

Because of this I reserve foamer for those few "special" railfans who make it bad for everyone else.  To me everyone else is a FRN. 

I tell some, that I might be a F--Rail Nut, but that's better than being just plain nuts.

Jeff

PS Larry, I don't mind when we work together and you use the term, "foamer special."  I know you mean it in a good way, and that's fine with me.     

[trainboyH16-44]

I call myself a foamer, but nobody else does. Something tells me that I foam at the mouth a little less every time I see the kind of consist that currently inhabits my signature.

Also, I would take my biggest camera to Rochelle, just not the biggest lens - Unless Rochelle has more interesting birds than I'm aware of?

[wgnrr]

We have to ask...what am I?

Foamer - Thinks they know everything, shows off, all of the above (i.e. Brings their biggest SLR and lens to the Rochelle Railroad Park, and seldomly uses it ((or doesn't know how to use it...LOL)))

Railfan - Respected person who loves trains, takes pics, models in a scale (or 3D on a computer) respects the law and the railroad, but sometimes crosses the line (still shows off now and then)

Railroader - Former of all of the above, finally saw common sense and reality that life does not consist of fun and pleasure, understands that railroading takes a lot of work. Eventually hires on with a railroad. Still models and "railfans" now and then, but has a hard shell that needs to be cracked hard to see that come out)

I, myself, I consider to be inbetween a railroader and a railfan. I work for a railroad, model, but still like to activly do railfan activities.

Phil

[BigJim]

Foamer seems to me to be a term only used to describe railfans online. None of the people I work with refer to a railfan as a foamer and they have probably never heard of the term. Usually they will just call them a "rail nut".

[Ted Marshall]

Foaming at the mouth and proud of it since 1967.

[Ulrich]

I find that too..in "real life" all I ever see is friendly railroaders. But here in chat forums I sense some hostility...maybe I'm just an internet dick...I dunno.. But all in good fun...I never heard the term foamer used until about a year ago.

[AntonioFP45]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, I think "foamer" is a more modern, post 1990s term.  I railfanned a good deal back in the late 70s-early 80s.  At worst, we were referred to as "train nuts" or "train freaks".

If I"m not mistaken, the term foamer came about due to those few railfans out there that make it so tough on the rest of us:

I.E:  Walking on to railroad property without asking permission.....Rreacting rudely to railroad personnel when questioned or asked to leave..........Stepping too closely to photograph moving trains......like within 10 feet of the track!

Hence a lot of railroaders viewed these guys as "So obsessive with trains that they foam at the mouth!"  Understandable how some railroaders can feel wary of us on some occasions, especially today with our lawsuit happy society. About 2 or 3 years back, wasn't there a story  about one of our forum members getting into very serious trouble trespassing on railroad property after he falsely identified himself as a railroad or industrial rep? Anyone remember that? 

Personal memory lane:  Back in the 70s, here in the Tampa Bay area most camera-toting railfans were generally courteous and "quietly" welcomed at most rail yards or facilities (even though No Trespassing signs were slowly going up).  It was a simple matter of letting the personnel know your intentions and asking them if it was "o.k" for you to be there.  Answers I usually received  were along the lines of "Sure buddy, just watch yourself. Hey, what brand of camera is that?"  Railfans with good attitudes and manners were often treated well.  

 

[JoeKoh]

yeah thats why some teams are offering 5 dollar a seat night to fill the stands.you can call me foamer if you want but railroaders usually call us friends because if we see something going on we can help them out.

stay safe

joe