Overmod Firelock76 Have to admit my ignorance Mr 'Mod.. I've never heard of Karen Parker. Can you elucidate? Oh my dear God, you have such a treat in store... Go here, and when you are done (it will be a while) come back here and talk about what you found...
Firelock76 Have to admit my ignorance Mr 'Mod.. I've never heard of Karen Parker. Can you elucidate?
Have to admit my ignorance Mr 'Mod.. I've never heard of Karen Parker. Can you elucidate?
Oh my dear God, you have such a treat in store...
Go here, and when you are done (it will be a while) come back here and talk about what you found...
OK, I've looked at Ms. Parker's work, and saying I had a treat in store was putting it mildly. What an imagination and sense of whimsy she has, admiring steam in all it's glory but at the same time not taking it too seriously. What a lot of fun!
On the other hand, her tri-color treatment of the C&O streamlined steam engine looks a LOT better than C&O's original "big yellow banana" color scheme.
By the way, not taking things too seriously is probably something we should all do here. Only the railroading professionals have to take this stuff seriously, we railfans should just enjoy the fun of it all.
Johnny
I loved that. Thank you very much.
Karen Parker's page notwithstanding, I think it ominous that I found this thread about female railfans right above the "Some Real Freaks of the Train World" thread.
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)
I've met Karen. Quite the gal! And this site (which I've had bookmarked for years) shows a lot of imagination and humor.
Firelock76 Hey, I said I'd be back. To see a bit of PennyTrains work check out the Classic Toy Trains Forum topic "Christmas 2013." Or look at the December issue video preview. Quite the craftswoman she is.
Hey, I said I'd be back. To see a bit of PennyTrains work check out the Classic Toy Trains Forum topic "Christmas 2013." Or look at the December issue video preview.
Quite the craftswoman she is.
While we're on the general subject of raifan craftsmanship, have we brought up Karen Parker (Pixel Magic) in this context?
My wife of 29 years got ME back into the hobby. Alas, she's gone now.
Well, she did drop out of sight for a while due to a hectic work schedule, she was kind enough to let me know when I asked. I'll try to get through to her again.
Don't know if this qualifies, but there's quite the talented lady toy train fan who posts on the "Classic Toy Trains" Forum. She goes by the nom de plume "PennyTrains." Take a side trip over there and have a look, her modeling skills are quite amazing. I'll get back to you all with a thread she's prominently posted on.
Hey, we all like toy trains anyway, right?
Maybe she's not offended or even gone! People do have lives outside of the internet, and sometimes they take a break from it.
schlimm lenzfamily Firelock76 zugmann I don't blame railfans of the fairer sex from staying away from many train forums. Whenever one (esp ones that are less than AARP-elgible age) post, a certain (how can I put this nicely?) creep factor always seems to crop up from some of those responding. No doubt there can be a creep factor, or a bully factor, or a condescending loudmouth factor, but I look at it this way. No-one can reach through the computer and grab, hit, or otherwise lay a hand on you. And words? Well, I've had some nastys thrown at me on this and other various sites and I just blow it off. You see, I've been verbally ripped a new one by trained professionals (Marine DI's) so in my opinion anyone else who trys is just a clumsy amateur. And per Schlimms comment: Yes, I hope she comes back soon. I learned a lot from her. Don't run away, any of you, and let the bully win. Firelock One of the things I've learned over the years is that creeps, bullies and the condescending often have other issues for which they do feel obliged to compensate (inappropriately or otherwise). That doesn't excuse them...it just helps explain their rather sad and often self-serving behaviour. In the long run they aren't winners....... I'm with you. I hope Juniatha returns. She's one hell of an engineer....... Charlie Chilliwack, BC Perhaps some of us who appreciate her fund of knowledge should reach out? That last episode on the Deltic Diesel was pretty nasty, enough so that many folks would leave permanently. Additionally, she seems to be one of the few non-North American forum members (Mario may be another?), and that perspective is really refreshing.
lenzfamily Firelock76 zugmann I don't blame railfans of the fairer sex from staying away from many train forums. Whenever one (esp ones that are less than AARP-elgible age) post, a certain (how can I put this nicely?) creep factor always seems to crop up from some of those responding. No doubt there can be a creep factor, or a bully factor, or a condescending loudmouth factor, but I look at it this way. No-one can reach through the computer and grab, hit, or otherwise lay a hand on you. And words? Well, I've had some nastys thrown at me on this and other various sites and I just blow it off. You see, I've been verbally ripped a new one by trained professionals (Marine DI's) so in my opinion anyone else who trys is just a clumsy amateur. And per Schlimms comment: Yes, I hope she comes back soon. I learned a lot from her. Don't run away, any of you, and let the bully win. Firelock One of the things I've learned over the years is that creeps, bullies and the condescending often have other issues for which they do feel obliged to compensate (inappropriately or otherwise). That doesn't excuse them...it just helps explain their rather sad and often self-serving behaviour. In the long run they aren't winners....... I'm with you. I hope Juniatha returns. She's one hell of an engineer....... Charlie Chilliwack, BC
Firelock76 zugmann I don't blame railfans of the fairer sex from staying away from many train forums. Whenever one (esp ones that are less than AARP-elgible age) post, a certain (how can I put this nicely?) creep factor always seems to crop up from some of those responding. No doubt there can be a creep factor, or a bully factor, or a condescending loudmouth factor, but I look at it this way. No-one can reach through the computer and grab, hit, or otherwise lay a hand on you. And words? Well, I've had some nastys thrown at me on this and other various sites and I just blow it off. You see, I've been verbally ripped a new one by trained professionals (Marine DI's) so in my opinion anyone else who trys is just a clumsy amateur. And per Schlimms comment: Yes, I hope she comes back soon. I learned a lot from her. Don't run away, any of you, and let the bully win.
zugmann I don't blame railfans of the fairer sex from staying away from many train forums. Whenever one (esp ones that are less than AARP-elgible age) post, a certain (how can I put this nicely?) creep factor always seems to crop up from some of those responding.
I don't blame railfans of the fairer sex from staying away from many train forums. Whenever one (esp ones that are less than AARP-elgible age) post, a certain (how can I put this nicely?) creep factor always seems to crop up from some of those responding.
No doubt there can be a creep factor, or a bully factor, or a condescending loudmouth factor, but I look at it this way. No-one can reach through the computer and grab, hit, or otherwise lay a hand on you. And words? Well, I've had some nastys thrown at me on this and other various sites and I just blow it off. You see, I've been verbally ripped a new one by trained professionals (Marine DI's) so in my opinion anyone else who trys is just a clumsy amateur.
And per Schlimms comment: Yes, I hope she comes back soon. I learned a lot from her.
Don't run away, any of you, and let the bully win.
Firelock
One of the things I've learned over the years is that creeps, bullies and the condescending often have other issues for which they do feel obliged to compensate (inappropriately or otherwise). That doesn't excuse them...it just helps explain their rather sad and often self-serving behaviour.
In the long run they aren't winners.......
I'm with you. I hope Juniatha returns. She's one hell of an engineer.......
Charlie
Chilliwack, BC
Agreed. How to do so is the question. Perhaps individual Private Messages if these will reach her?
Please advise.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
The staff at Trains and Kalmbach Publishing for years carried names of lady railfans as Editors including Nancy Bartol and Rosemary Entringer from the 50's and 60's. When I first arrived in Binghamton, NY and entered the NRHS in the mid 60's there were several ladies who were very avid railfains, one being Jean Banta who was well versed in the history of the trolley lines of Upstate NY.
RIDEWITHMEHENRY is the name for our almost monthly day of riding trains and transit in either the NYCity or Philadelphia areas including all commuter lines, Amtrak, subways, light rail and trolleys, bus and ferries when warranted. No fees, just let us know you want to join the ride and pay your fares. Ask to be on our email list or find us on FB as RIDEWITHMEHENRY (all caps) to get descriptions of each outing.
I hope the poster returns soon, too, but I can understand why she might stay away. In the 5 months I have been on the forum, she has been flamed twice, and had her prize thread hijacked. So, while I'd like to see her back, I think we need to consider, are we worthy of her forgiveness?
Ulrich Firelock76 Well said Charlie! And's what's wrong with a blue locomotive? anyone remember "The Blue Comet?" Nope, but I remember Conrail.
Firelock76 Well said Charlie! And's what's wrong with a blue locomotive? anyone remember "The Blue Comet?"
Well said Charlie! And's what's wrong with a blue locomotive? anyone remember "The Blue Comet?"
Nope, but I remember Conrail.
Dat's true, "Big Blue."
And check out #425 on the Reading and Northern up in Pennsylvania, kind of a "Blue Comet" resureccted. See Penn Rail Videos for some gorgeous footage of a gorgeous locomotive.
UlrichMy understanding is that its a bad thing to admit that you're a railfan, regardless of your gender
I can see someone who is a rabid [insert activity or object here] fan being detrimental to the job, no matter what they're rabid about.
There are a good many "closet" railfans amongst the community of career railroaders. Likewise, there are a good many fire truck buffs in the firefighter community. I just attended a SPAAMFAA meeting, and all of the people there were firefighters (save one wife).
As long as their interest doesn't detract from their work, it doesn't really matter.
The problem arises when other people don't understand (and or won't tolerate) someone's fascination with [insert activity or object here]. It could be aircraft, trains, or stamps. They don't understand it, so it's bad...
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...
Hadn't thought of that. The P-7d streamlining was designed by Ms. Olive Dennis. One look at that engine will tell you that Ms. Dennis had excellent taste. The fact that I prefer the P-7c (which may have been influenced by her --- I don't know) should never detract from the P-7d's reputation as a beautiful design.
Tom
ACYIf anybody questions the appropriateness of blue paint on a steam locomotive, I invite that person to look at a photo of a blue B&O P-7c Pacific. So there, locomutt!
Far more apropos to use the example of the P-7d, considering the possible relevance of its designer to the topic of this thread...
Ulrich My understanding is that its a bad thing to admit that you're a railfan, regardless of your gender. The railroad brass don't want to hear that you're a fan and it detracts from your application if you're trying to get hired. I'm not sure why that is... someone once wrote that a fan can't keep his/her mind on the job...i.e. they're too busy checking out the latest greatest paint scheme instead of paying attention to the job at hand. While I can appreciate that logic, I still don't buy it.
My understanding is that its a bad thing to admit that you're a railfan, regardless of your gender. The railroad brass don't want to hear that you're a fan and it detracts from your application if you're trying to get hired. I'm not sure why that is... someone once wrote that a fan can't keep his/her mind on the job...i.e. they're too busy checking out the latest greatest paint scheme instead of paying attention to the job at hand. While I can appreciate that logic, I still don't buy it.
I don't buy it either. Granted there are a lot of railfans that shouldn't get a job with the railroad - there are still many railfans that would make fine railroaders. I don't think the two are as related as some think. I know of many top managers that are railfans. For the lifestyle, this isn't the greatest paying job anymore. Has to be something more than money that motivates one in sticking with it.
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
Has anyone on here mentioned Mookie? She's about the most devoted railfan you could find anywhere, and I'm proud to call her my friend (when I'm not referring to her as my little sister...she's not, but her curiosity has that appeal).I've also made Nora's acquaintance, and have accompanied her and her sons on a few train-hunting trips. I'm glad I got to show her and explain to her about searchlight signals before they all disappeared from around here (she had to see one change color). For most of the people of the female persuasion that I worked with, I got the feeling that the job was little more than that. But some of them were very good at their jobs, and I'll go so far as to say that one of them was amazing--and my favorite hump conductor of all, in all of the years I spent up there. (Trust me...you had to be very good to earn that distinction!) None of them claimed to be railfans, though one came from an Amtrak job to work for UP, and another said that her daughter liked trains...My family of females aren't necessarily railfans, but they all are knowledgeable about trains, to the point that they can satisfy the typical layperson curiosity about things (and Pat's more willing to talk about it than I am!).
My wife and daughter both don't care about trains...yet, somehow, against all odds, we've managed to stay together as a family.
And for you single guys, does it really matter if she likes trains or not?
A few years ago a relative of mine was planning his wedding. When he suggested a wedding reception on a train, his bride said two things:
1. ONLY if the train is pulled by a steam locomotive, and
2. He was forbidden to climb into the cab in his tux.
Fortunately, he knew some people who could help him out. I have a picture of him in the cab, in his tux, and she didn't divorce him.
As far as trains promoting camaraderie, I frequently see perfect strangers enthusiastically engaging in conversations just because they happened to find themselves sitting near to one another on a train. Enthusiastic train riders come in all genders, and they could be thought of as semi-railfans even though most don't regard it as a hobby. In my own personal life, a forty year friendship began with a chance meeting on B&O's Capitol Limited. As the advertising used to say, "There's something about a train ...........that's magic."
If anybody questions the appropriateness of blue paint on a steam locomotive, I invite that person to look at a photo of a blue B&O P-7c Pacific. So there, locomutt!
Lastly, I work with quite a few female railroaders, like the excellent Conductor who brought our train in this morning. She's not a "Female Conductor". She's the Conductor, period. And a fine one at that. And she happens to be a woman. Lots of professional railroaders, both male and female, would deny being railfans, and it's often true that they aren't railfans. But for a sizeable group, they definitely have the railroad in their blood, and their lives are so intertwined with the railroad that you can't really call them anything but railfans, no matter how strident they are in their denials.
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