You know you're a railfan when...

[MP57313]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan
[14/ You chastise your kids for not knowing what BNSF stands for

That reminds me...when I was in 8th grade (Cambridge, MA early 70s) in one of our geography classes, there were a series of questions about places, transportation, etc. Students were called on, and the one who had to answer the railroad question did not know th elocal carrier [Boston & Maine was the expected answer].

The teacher, who was in her late 60s or 70s herself, also mentioned the full 'New York New Haven & Hartford' name. I was impressed she knew the whole name and was not about to point out that it had by then become part of Penn Central. One did not correct the teacher in those days.

[Anonymous]

Possible steam-fan upgrades to an automobile...

...replace brakes with non-self-lapping brake system
...put in brake cut-out valve for doubleheading cars
...replace all handles with brass, paint red, and rub, so you get the shiny brass/chipping red paint look
...remove spedometer
...paint locomotive specifications and number on front doors
...purchase and haul trailer, so you have some place to put the "railroad name"
...insist that your windows be FRA glazed
...install pad for window sill, and cross-compound air compressor on hood
...put steps from door down
...put 24 inch long tubes, 18 inches in diameter, on sides at front of automobile
...put green/white classification lanterns up
...whenever you go some place you do not intend to revisit, write on side of automobile, "The last train to ______."

See you around the forums,
Daniel

[Anonymous]

you know your a railfan when you post on forums like this.

[Anonymous]

New member here, who found an ancient printout of this topic from a long gone board, dating back to when he was running on AOL 2.5 on windows 3.1....

These are ALL True, and I'm still married despite them:

1) You convince your bride to be that Lancaster PA is the perfect place to Honeymoon. You site the shopping, antique shops, entertainment, a side trip to Hershey Park, and the possibility of a romantic dinner on the Strasburg Railroad.

2) Upon arriving and checking into your hotel (Not the red caboose, that comes when you have children...) you manage to trick her into outlet shopping via the TCA Museum.

3) You're romantic dinner on the train is accompanied by a short trip to the Railroad Museum of PA, and several rides on the pump car at the Strasburg Railroad yard.

4) You talk her into taking the extra tours, like the J Tower, and she actually enjoys them (perhaps she's becoming a railfan???)

5) On the trip to Hershey Park you take the mono-rail ride a dozen times to see the railroad tracks alongside the chocolate factory.

6) Inbetween riding the mono-rail you take thier park train a complimentary dozen times.

7) On the last day of your honeymoon, instead of sleeping in, and enjoying more intimate moments in your lovely honeymoon suite, you check out early to go to the Strasburg Yard to watch the morning hostler. You then sit in your rented SUV, explaining to your still sleepy wife the entire history of #90, and how it's really a steam engine.

8) When she's ok with all of this, and actually encorages shopping at the Strasburg Train Shop, you realize you married her because she is the greatest woman ever.

[Anonymous]

Oops, forgot this one.

1) You're first roll of film taken while on your honeymoon has several pictures of your wife posing infront of the Red Caboose's signs.

[Anonymous]

...When you go to the drive-in movies and you're more interested in the track by the theater thn the movie.

Of course I was five then...

Sadly, the theater and the track are gone now, but I have some fond memories...