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Are there any Female railfans out there? Do they even exist?

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Posted by tree68 on Sunday, November 17, 2013 4:18 PM

Can't forget our Pittsburg area fan, who started a "stupid question" thread which ran for quite a while and proved most informative.

She's the Nora in "norange" (BNSF locomotives).  While she wasn't successful in her attempt at becoming a conductor, she did (and may continue to) work for and with the railroad.

Sarah, on the other hand, has gone on to a railroad career. 

We currently have a female conductor, as well as a female engineer, and there have been others.

This thread certainly came up from the depths...

LarryWhistling
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Posted by Firelock76 on Sunday, November 17, 2013 3:14 PM

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.

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Posted by schlimm on Sunday, November 17, 2013 3:13 PM

+1

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, November 17, 2013 12:04 PM

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.  

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

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Posted by henry6 on Sunday, November 17, 2013 8:43 AM

Look at who won this past week's Trackside photo contest....read back through Trains and old Railroad magazines for articles about and by female railfans.   And be generous with your definition of railfan both with males and females....

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.

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Posted by Norm48327 on Sunday, November 17, 2013 6:24 AM

Johnny,

Reminds me of Willie Nelson's song "Railroad Lady". Cool

Norm


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Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, November 16, 2013 10:53 PM

I'm not sure if you could say that my wife was a railfan--but it was her love of traveling by train that made it possible for us to meet in the middle of April in 1971--she had ridden from New York to Chicago to Boise on the Century and City of Portland twice, and realized that if she were going to ride west of Boise, she needed to hurry up--so she got a babysitter for her three young children for two particular nights, making it possible for her to go to Portland and back. We met about an hour out of Portland and learned that we both enjoyed traveling in civilized comfort. After I retired, we took a month-long trip each year as long as she was able to travel.

Johnny

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Posted by friend611 on Saturday, November 16, 2013 10:41 PM
Actually, there were quite a few females on the 611 crew. Something about this locomotive seemed to attract the girls.
lois
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Posted by schlimm on Saturday, November 16, 2013 9:06 PM

There was a serious female railfan on here, primarily the locomotive section, but an inflamed argument with another member about Deltic Diesels seems to have caused her to leave.  Too bad, as she made a lot of long, information-filled posts.

C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan

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Posted by samfp1943 on Saturday, November 16, 2013 9:04 PM

friend611
I consider myself a ferroequinologist and student of Norfolk and Western steam, and usually do not consider myself a "railfan". Maybe I am too serious in my chosen subject, I guess.
lois
the friend of 611

From the Fire Up 611 Web Site:[snip] "...Cheri George: Owner of a software consulting company in Atlanta, Georgia. Ms. George was also a volunteer fireman for the 611 and was part of the crew during its last excursion runs..."[snip]

And YES! there are a number of women who post here from time to time on these FORUMS...Whistling... 

 

 


 

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Posted by friend611 on Saturday, November 16, 2013 8:34 PM
I consider myself a ferroequinologist and student of Norfolk and Western steam, and usually do not consider myself a "railfan". Maybe I am too serious in my chosen subject, I guess.
lois
the friend of 611
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Posted by tormadel on Saturday, November 16, 2013 8:16 PM
I get what they are saying. As a man whinlikes trains who has been with women who hated them, it would be nice for something like e-harmony for men and women with similar interests to meet. Railfans are not as common as football fans. So if you are on a regular dating site and put down that you like trains it is likely to increase your rejection rate.

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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 2, 2004 10:36 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by piouslion

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Hmmmmm...lets see...

Big brawny superpowered piston pounder seeks coupling with cute red caboose to rub drawbars... Meet me at the sand house after work. No blue flags need apply...

LC
With all due respect to Robert Duvall, " I think Limitedclear is a little confused."
Trust me - confusion isn't LC's problem. I've seen his forum pictures!

Respects returned,

Mookie


Problem, what problem?

LOL

LC
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 2, 2004 8:44 AM
What is the Black Book Price on Lionels Pink Train set?
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, September 2, 2004 6:51 AM
Robert Duvall? Yes, a fine actor, many good movies.
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Posted by cherokee woman on Thursday, September 2, 2004 6:31 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by UPTRAIN

Maybe more women would like trains if there was Abercrombie and Fitch or Hollister unit trains headed for their local department stores....for some of the married cooking ones, The pampered chef express!!!


Who are Abercrombie and Fitch? Is that anything like KMart or WalMart? That's
all I know of for clothes and things. Except for Staples for computer supplies.

Well, maybe Sears, once in a blue moon!![angel]
Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Mookie on Thursday, September 2, 2004 6:28 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by piouslion

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Hmmmmm...lets see...

Big brawny superpowered piston pounder seeks coupling with cute red caboose to rub drawbars... Meet me at the sand house after work. No blue flags need apply...

LC
With all due respect to Robert Duvall, " I think Limitedclear is a little confused."
Trust me - confusion isn't LC's problem. I've seen his forum pictures!

Respects returned,

Mookie

She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw

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Posted by UPTRAIN on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 10:08 PM
Maybe more women would like trains if there was Abercrombie and Fitch or Hollister unit trains headed for their local department stores....for some of the married cooking ones, The pampered chef express!!!

Pump

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 9:03 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

Hmmmmm...lets see...

Big brawny superpowered piston pounder seeks coupling with cute red caboose to rub drawbars... Meet me at the sand house after work. No blue flags need apply...

LC
With all due respect to Robert Duvall, " I think Limitedclear is a little confused."
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Posted by locomutt on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 6:33 PM
Well,I guess I'm lucky. CW wants to know things that after 40 years I'm not
sure about anymore. I tend to think,or take certain things for granted;but am actually
am learning things that I thought other people would know.
She actually roots me on, by the way, how many wifes do you know of,that would tell
you,since there are only two of us in the house;that we don't need a dinning room,
but could become a railroad room?

CW and I have only been married about 17 1/2 years.
I've been modeling for over 40 years,

At least we have something else in common.







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!!

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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, September 1, 2004 4:02 PM
Hmmmmm...lets see...

Big brawny superpowered piston pounder seeks coupling with cute red caboose to rub drawbars... Meet me at the sand house after work. No blue flags need apply...

LC
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 29, 2004 8:55 PM
Maybe they should for trainfinder.
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 29, 2004 8:37 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by trainfinder22

Trains should start a dating service... lets see man seeking woman who likes to go out at all hours of the day and night and gaze into the eyes of a GP40..[:X]..But really they need to reach out to women and minorities better then they have been.


I'm sure the folks at TRAINS have better things to do than act as a dating service...

LC
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 29, 2004 8:17 PM
Women railfans are rare, but they do exist. One doesn't need to be a railfan either male or female to work for the RR though...

LC
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 29, 2004 5:07 PM
ANY female Railfans?

Put me down as 0.5 and VSmith as 0.75.

[:D]

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Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, August 29, 2004 3:51 PM
[#welcome] MaryMac. It's nice to see another female join the forums!! We're too
outnumbered here!
Angel cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist."
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 29, 2004 11:03 AM
We DO exist, we DO exist! Ironically, in my household, I'm the fan and he's becoming the convert!
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 2:54 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

sounds like the perfect time for a reassuring hug?

See trains are romantic!

Mookie
There is one thing about us railfans, we do have Mr. Armstrong available for reassurance to those that are important to us, my wife would agree - regards Piouslion
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 1:41 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by cherokee woman

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Girl_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by locomutt

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Girl_4005

QUOTE:
Sorry about that little outburst there gang. She's still attending the Henry Ford school of steam engine painting. She hasn't seen photos of 4449, or any of the other great passenger steam locomotives. I'll have to work on that with her.[swg]



You can have any color you want --as long as it's BLACK.[:D][:D][:D]


I take it that's your favorite color;mine would have been blue.[:)]


Black does happen to be up there. I have seen some really cool looking locomotives but something about see that big black smoking demon thundering by sure gets the blood pumping in a way that just can't be achieved by anything less.


[8D]Big Girl_4005, you've got that right. Those big, black smoking trains are my
favorite to see and read about. These new deisels just don't do anything for me.
NO OFFENSE TO ALL WHO LOVE/LIKE DEISELS, EITHER. As the old saying
goes, "To each his own". [angel]



I knew I wasn't alone. [:D] As for diesels, once I knuckle down and pay more attention and start to recognize what I am seeing, they will become more and more interesting as time goes by. Enlarging my photo collection with more of my own pictures will help to personalize them to me as well. But steam will always be my first love.[^]
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Posted by Kathi Kube on Wednesday, August 18, 2004 1:36 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by M.W. Hemphill

Randy, you should have seen the look on my wife's face on her first ride over her dispatching territory when I showed her the facilities on the locomotive. It was a fine, old GP40. You know the kind, comes complete with black encrusted filth and flies that wake up once it gets warm in the morning. I had to talk her out of quitting right on the spot.


Eauwwwww! I was just about to respond to Randy how the dirt in the locomotive adds to the "charm" of putting on your boots and getting ready to hang out with the guys.

Then you had to post that one about the facilities. I forgot about that. I've seen them in shiny bright units at trade shows, but didn't have the guts to get near them either in Fondy or at the L&I.

In fact, the trip from Columbus, Ind., to Jeffersonville was several hours (25 mph authorized speed) and both the guys disappeared into the trailing unit for short periods. Not entirely sure what they did there, but I just avoided coffee and didn't waste any time when I got back to Jeff Yard.

I guess I could handle a short line. Long haul? Hmmm. Perhaps not.

Kathi

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