Trains.com

Foamers

3208 views
41 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Rock Springs Wy.
  • 1,967 posts
Foamers
Posted by miniwyo on Sunday, July 11, 2004 12:22 AM
OK this is a new word that i have heard since starting to frequent this board.
Could anyone tell mw what it means??

Thanks

RJ

"Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling

http://sweetwater-photography.com/

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Sunday, July 11, 2004 3:44 AM
foamer.....adjutive
definion
1 someone that foams at the month at the sight of a train or rail road equimpment.... 2 term that rail roaders use when refureing to train buffs...
example
john is a foamer....

csx engineer
"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Sunday, July 11, 2004 7:28 AM
...In a way it is a putdown with words as such...of all people interested in our transportation system known as rail. I also realize it fits the bill very close to some because of the way they act...not very responsible around such property and equipment but to lump all of us in that catigory is a bit unfair. Some one better have some interest in the rail side of our transportation system or over time it will continue to get smaller and smaller to one day...the question will be...Where did it all go....

Quentin

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 11, 2004 10:39 AM
Foamer is a less brutal form of the comon railroader's term for rail fan "FRN"...

The R stands for Rail and the N for Nut, I'll leave the "F" to your imagination...

LC
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Sunday, July 11, 2004 10:56 AM
I am personally proud to be a "foamer" as well as a "peddler" (aka..salesman).
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Nebraska
  • 449 posts
Posted by traingeek087 on Sunday, July 11, 2004 11:43 AM
They really do use these terms too, I've heard it over the scanner many times.
Rid'n on the city of New Orleans................
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 11, 2004 12:22 PM
I'm not a foamer, just a train enthusiast. [:)]
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Abbotsford BC Canada
  • 300 posts
Posted by athelney on Sunday, July 11, 2004 12:50 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by macguy

I'm not a foamer, just a train enthusiast. [:)]


Have to agree with you -- rail/ train enthusiast tends to add more class ( if you must ) to the hobby !!
2860 Restoration Crew
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,901 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Sunday, July 11, 2004 3:23 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Foamer is a less brutal form of the comon railroader's term for rail fan "FRN"...

The R stands for Rail and the N for Nut, I'll leave the "F" to your imagination...

LC

I myself think FRN is less brutal. I'll admit to being one at work, but I'm no foamer. When I'm done with my tour of duty, I throw away my warrants, train lists unless there is something unusual that is worth keeping. like the bulletin stopping trains on the spine line for 2 hours because a town's annual parade will be crossing the tracks.
A foamer is one who comes in and prints lists of every train (at least until he was told to quit it).
Besides, I tell them better to be a F** Rail Nut than just a Nut. We have some of them, too.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, July 11, 2004 3:44 PM
Hell yes im a foamer and proud of it to................................................THANK YOU!
BNSF railfan.
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Rock Springs Wy.
  • 1,967 posts
Posted by miniwyo on Sunday, July 11, 2004 4:09 PM
Thanks everyone!! You all have been a great help i'm glad that i'm not.......... WAIT!!! Whats this stuff in the corner of my mouth!?!?!?!?!?! OH NO!!!!!



Thanks again.

RJ

"Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling

http://sweetwater-photography.com/

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Louisville,Ky.
  • 5,077 posts
Posted by locomutt on Sunday, July 11, 2004 4:18 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by miniwyo

Thanks everyone!! You all have been a great help i'm glad that i'm not.......... WAIT!!! Whats this stuff in the corner of my mouth!?!?!?!?!?! OH NO!!!!!



Thanks again.


I'm VERY proud to be one,no matter what we get called!(I've been called worse before)
Oh yeah,is that a train coming from your mouth[:D][}:)]

Being Crazy,keeps you from going "INSANE" !! "The light at the end of the tunnel,has been turned off due to budget cuts" NOT AFRAID A Vet., and PROUD OF IT!!

  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Sunday, July 11, 2004 8:25 PM
well...i could call all you FMITE's
F___ Mentely Incompitaint Train Enthosiuse (anyone that wishes to put the correct spelling for me is more then welcome...remember..im not a walking websters dictonary..im just a HS educated hogger)
a friend of mine that works for slamtrack told me that is what he and is crewmates use to call a group that would hang around a few train stations on his run...

csx engineer
"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania
  • 13,456 posts
Posted by Modelcar on Sunday, July 11, 2004 8:42 PM
....Some of the "enthusiasts"of thirty some years ago may have helped to create Amtrak hence making some jobs available on that system yet today......

Quentin

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
  • 10,820 posts
Posted by mudchicken on Sunday, July 11, 2004 9:00 PM
FOMITE = Fraternal Order of Mindless Incessant Train Nuts
Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Northern Kentucky
  • 512 posts
Posted by louisnash on Sunday, July 11, 2004 10:37 PM
Should they be referred to as Foamers or Historians.

Look at some of the great photographers of the past. The history left behind in pictures is outstanding.

Just as long as they do what we have all preached before. Take pictures, leave footprints. And stay off RR right-of-way.

Brian (KY)
  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: Independence, MO
  • 1,570 posts
Posted by UPTRAIN on Monday, July 12, 2004 1:36 AM
Here we call them foamers or railfans, they have saved us a couple times here from hotboxes and stalled cars, thank you if you are reading this. We appriciate you as long as you take nice pics and stay outta our way and off the tracks. You don't bother us and we won't bother you (unless you railfan NJ transit)!!! [:)]

Pump

  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, July 12, 2004 6:22 AM
And is the female version a Foamette? Or a Foameress?

Moo

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Aurora, IL
  • 4,515 posts
Posted by eolafan on Monday, July 12, 2004 8:49 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

And is the female version a Foamette? Or a Foameress?

Moo


No Moo, foamer is a unisex term that applies to any and all genders, men, women and those who practice an "alternative life style".
Eolafan (a.k.a. Jim)
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, July 12, 2004 9:06 AM
csxengineer98,your bad. just think youll be working for the UP someday......hehehe.
BNSFrailfan.
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Monday, July 12, 2004 9:46 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

And is the female version a Foamette? Or a Foameress?

Moo


That seems to conjure up memories of something I saw in the Far East on deployment once.......
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: US
  • 13,488 posts
Posted by Mookie on Monday, July 12, 2004 11:51 AM
Thank you Eolafan.... and.....

DAN!!!!!

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Bottom Left Corner, USA
  • 3,420 posts
Posted by dharmon on Monday, July 12, 2004 11:54 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

Thank you Eolafan.... and.....

DAN!!!!!


You can't send me to the couch......I already reside there. I think Kevin fell in to the cushions though. [:0]
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 106 posts
Posted by OldArmy94 on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 11:07 AM
Railfans are really an interesting breed. There are very few other industrial/commercial endeavors that attract the same type of devotion in significant numbers.
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: St Paul, MN
  • 6,218 posts
Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 11:27 AM
I used to foam in my younger days, now I merely fizz.[swg]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 13, 2004 11:37 AM
It's really sad when you go to a party of non railroad enthusiasts and your wife introduces you as a "foamer". Even more sad is going to a nice, quiet little rail museum, waxing eloquently over one of the last FT-B's left in the country, and having one's wife tell the museum curator, "Sorry, he's a foamer."

It's not the term I object to. It's the rabies shots that follow....

Erik
  • Member since
    October 2002
  • From: US
  • 2,358 posts
Posted by csxengineer98 on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 5:03 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF9838

csxengineer98,your bad. just think youll be working for the UP someday......hehehe.
BNSFrailfan.
hey, i dont care whos name is on the engins..or whos name is on the pay check..just as long as it clears the bank...lol...
csx engineer
"I AM the higher source" Keep the wheels on steel
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 5:08 PM
I have to agree there with you.
BNSFrailfan.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 14, 2004 5:19 PM
Yes im a railfan and proud of it!![^] hold up whats that white foamy stuff on my face!? [(-D][(-D]
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: L A County, CA, US
  • 1,009 posts
Posted by MP57313 on Thursday, July 22, 2004 3:05 PM
Several years back I rode Amtrak's Sunset from BensonAZ to LordsburgNM (it was only 90 minutes late). Since the Sunset is less-than-daily I rode Greyhound back to Benson

The bus route on I-10 runs somewhat parallel to the (then SP) main in several places, and it was a good vantage point to watch the passing trains. I recall another passenger staring at me wondering what I was looking at. I explained to him what I was doing. He looked and looked...and all he saw was a train.

I guess you have to be a foamer to appreciate one....

MP

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