Bonas Myself being part Jewish (my great great grandmother had jewish blood) have a problem with those Jews who while having jewish last names rally against Judaism and a Jewish state. Bobby Fischer (Chess Player and Bill Maher (politico commentator and comedian) come to mind as not only Jews who lapsed but have taken a actvist stand against there faith and people. Same goes with railfans. There are folks that I meet at NRHS and Model Railroad clubs over the last 25 years that are anti-railroad. They dont like Amtrak and its government support, They think that steam engines have no place in a modern railroad, That streetcars and light rail only works in super citys(Of which North America has about New York,LA,Toronto,San Fran,Toronto,Portland) and dont support light rail or commuter projects in there hometowns. They are against intermodal explansion in there back yards and for that matter rails to trails and then fight against the trails to rails on the rare occasions when the railroad needs the trail back.- What we have here is Railfans who are Railfans by virtue of loving history and having a hobby but feel that railroads have no place in a modern world. They refuse to help out with NARP or local transit projects and even rally against them as a waste of time and money. I see here on Trains own forums. I see a little bit if that on Trains own staff like where was Trains when the Burlington VT commuter train was being attacked? Where are they now that Cincy Streetcar is being built and being attacked at the same time? Where are the rail fans now that Detroit's streetcar has been cut from 10 miles down to a useless 3 miles,and BTW where were they when Detroit killed its narrow gauge streetcars downtown in 1997? A railfan should not only foam but to evangilise the whole idea that railroads ARE the best way to move people and stuff from point A to point b and for that matter point c.
Myself being part Jewish (my great great grandmother had jewish blood) have a problem with those Jews who while having jewish last names rally against Judaism and a Jewish state. Bobby Fischer (Chess Player and Bill Maher (politico commentator and comedian) come to mind as not only Jews who lapsed but have taken a actvist stand against there faith and people.
Same goes with railfans. There are folks that I meet at NRHS and Model Railroad clubs over the last 25 years that are anti-railroad. They dont like Amtrak and its government support, They think that steam engines have no place in a modern railroad, That streetcars and light rail only works in super citys(Of which North America has about New York,LA,Toronto,San Fran,Toronto,Portland) and dont support light rail or commuter projects in there hometowns.
They are against intermodal explansion in there back yards and for that matter rails to trails and then fight against the trails to rails on the rare occasions when the railroad needs the trail back.- What we have here is Railfans who are Railfans by virtue of loving history and having a hobby but feel that railroads have no place in a modern world. They refuse to help out with NARP or local transit projects and even rally against them as a waste of time and money. I see here on Trains own forums.
I see a little bit if that on Trains own staff like where was Trains when the Burlington VT commuter train was being attacked? Where are they now that Cincy Streetcar is being built and being attacked at the same time? Where are the rail fans now that Detroit's streetcar has been cut from 10 miles down to a useless 3 miles,and BTW where were they when Detroit killed its narrow gauge streetcars downtown in 1997? A railfan should not only foam but to evangilise the whole idea that railroads ARE the best way to move people and stuff from point A to point b and for that matter point c.
Steam is the personification of might and majesty. Strasburg and the Durango & Silverton would not exist without steam. So do I want one on my railroad? NO. It would not support the core mission of the franchise (and I like being able to inspect, start and run a diesel in under an hour).
Passenger trains evoke a different time and mindset. People are willing to pay for such an experience. My railroad exists to reap the rewards for such an experience. Will this work everywhere? NO. Passenger trains were not universal even in the "Golden Age" of railroading.
Bonas, we must learn to be patient with those around us who practice 'sound-bite' railfanning. When they blather just smile and nod. Remember, smile and nod.
Editor Emeritus, This Week at Amtrak
I've never encountered a self hating railfan although the term "foamer" would suggest that we're often not much appreciated by other groups, most notably professional railroaders. But hate is a strong word which I don't think applies here. . I recently went to a model train show in Kitchener, ON... wall to wall raillfans... some of them sniping at each other and being rude. Again, didn't see any self hate there...the barbs and insults were for the other guy.
Bonas Here is a example of another round of naysaying negative railfans in Re FEC All aboard florida- http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3025247
Here is a example of another round of naysaying negative railfans in Re FEC All aboard florida-
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,3025247
Negative or realistic? Nobody there said they don't want it work - they are just reasonably skeptical as I am.
So far, nobody's explained how they can make a go with a $1.5B investment that will only generate $145M in annual revenues (that's not profit, that's total revenue. Profit could be 20 or 30% of that, presumably)
I would LOVE to see All Aboard FL work out. I just don't see how it can...(Does this make me a "naysayer"?)
The only possibility is that they can make it off land value that will appreciate when service starts. In that case, they can use the land as leverage to get a commercial loan. They don't need a US backed loan.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Ulrich I've never encountered a self hating railfan although the term "foamer" would suggest that we're often not much appreciated by other groups, most notably professional railroaders. But hate is a strong word which I don't think applies here. . I recently went to a model train show in Kitchener, ON... wall to wall raillfans... some of them sniping at each other and being rude. Again, didn't see any self hate there...the barbs and insults were for the other guy.
When I was in college, which was before the term "foamer" came into being, we referred to each other as "'fits" - a contraction of "misfits". It was a term of endearment.
oltmannd Ulrich I've never encountered a self hating railfan although the term "foamer" would suggest that we're often not much appreciated by other groups, most notably professional railroaders. But hate is a strong word which I don't think applies here. . I recently went to a model train show in Kitchener, ON... wall to wall raillfans... some of them sniping at each other and being rude. Again, didn't see any self hate there...the barbs and insults were for the other guy. When I was in college, which was before the term "foamer" came into being, we referred to each other as "'fits" - a contraction of "misfits". It was a term of endearment.
Murphy Siding "... Self-hating railfans? When I read that, I figured we had a new troll, who just joined the forum. I was wrong. It was another self-hating forum member. .." "...Personally, whenever I see words like "hate" and "hater" on any forum, I figure it's just somebody trying to stir up trouble and get attention. We come to this forum, because we share a common interest- trains. Calling anybody self-hating, or a hater just seems to run counter to that idea. I could be wrong- don't you just HATE when that happens?.."
"... Self-hating railfans? When I read that, I figured we had a new troll, who just joined the forum. I was wrong. It was another self-hating forum member. .." "...Personally, whenever I see words like "hate" and "hater" on any forum, I figure it's just somebody trying to stir up trouble and get attention. We come to this forum, because we share a common interest- trains. Calling anybody self-hating, or a hater just seems to run counter to that idea. I could be wrong- don't you just HATE when that happens?.."
Norris;
I thought there was room to comment on this Thread....Then I ready your thoughts!
You pretty much touched all areas of what I was thinking, as well.
No point in me gilding the lily.
Good Job, no need to pile on the OP . Spot on!
Regards;
D.Carleton oltmannd Ulrich I've never encountered a self hating railfan although the term "foamer" would suggest that we're often not much appreciated by other groups, most notably professional railroaders. But hate is a strong word which I don't think applies here. . I recently went to a model train show in Kitchener, ON... wall to wall raillfans... some of them sniping at each other and being rude. Again, didn't see any self hate there...the barbs and insults were for the other guy. When I was in college, which was before the term "foamer" came into being, we referred to each other as "'fits" - a contraction of "misfits". It was a term of endearment. I work alongside a number of other fans all the way up the food chain. When we're not working and out with our cameras our non-fan co-workers will say "they're foaming." We are all professionals and it too is a term of endearment.
Methinks you folk need to get a dictionary to look up the definition of "Endearment"!
The word you are really looking for is "derision".
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
Semper Vaporo Methinks you folk need to get a dictionary to look up the definition of "Endearment"! The word you are really looking for is "derision".
Semper,
But in English (I don't know about other languages) a term of derision can really be a term of endearment.
A term of derision to a close friend can mean "You are being very obnoxious to me but I know that I well deserve it." or something similar. It all depends on the context of the remark. However, it is important to be correct about the relationship. Otherwise a term of derision may genuinely insult the target and cause real problems.
John
This thread got me to thinking. I wonder if Israel operates a money losing, state run passenger rail system, and if so.... is the entire population expected to enthusiastically support the program despite the economic loss?
Does Israel really have any tracks their and do they haul any freight,if they do it can't be as good as here in the USA.
Russell
John WR Semper Vaporo Methinks you folk need to get a dictionary to look up the definition of "Endearment"! The word you are really looking for is "derision". Semper, But in English (I don't know about other languages) a term of derision can really be a term of endearment. A term of derision to a close friend can mean "You are being very obnoxious to me but I know that I well deserve it." or something similar. It all depends on the context of the remark. However, it is important to be correct about the relationship. Otherwise a term of derision may genuinely insult the target and cause real problems. John
Can a term of derision be a term of endearment? Oh absolutely, depending on what part of the country you're from. In my case, I'm originally from northern New Jersey and a British friend was shocked at the names we called each other, instant fight-starters across the "Pond." "It's OK Roy," I said, "It's all in fun even if it's rough! When they REALLY mean it, trust me, you'll know!"
If you're from Jersey you'll know exactly what I mean!
Firelock76Can a term of derision be a term of endearment? Oh absolutely,
Self-deprecating humor comes to mind.
Looking at Google Earth, I see that Israel has RRs that do both freight and passenger service. Tracks run from the Southern province near the Dead Sea then north to the northern province near the Mediterranean Sea.
The G.E. resolution is not good enough to determine the state of the tracks, but I do see some large yards with many freight cars in them.
I see two Transfer Tables at one shop complex in Haifa (which I have added to my list of Roundhouses and Turntables. Thanks!)
ontheBNSF Nixon was an agent of the Airline industry as well as other industries.
Nixon was an agent of the Airline industry as well as other industries.
Right.
In 1973, Richard Nixon shook his jowls and the airline industry sprang out, fully formed, with such force that it traveled back in time to the late 40s. Because his dark masters at Pan Am bid him do so.
No, it had nothing to do with technological advances made in WWII and airplanes being pretty fast.
Self-hating or self-loathing (fill in the blank) is a term that is often used to attack the opinions or beliefs of folks who one thinks should agree with you. In this case, some of us are railfans, like steam, like modern freight rails and passenger services (where that can be found) and Amtrak. But say a critical word about Amtrak along the lines of how it could be improved and the self-loathing epithet appears.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Terms of endearment
About six and a half years ago, I was taking liquid chemotherapy, and each time I went in I would have to give some blood. Usually the same nurse stuck me, and I began calling her (with a smile), "bloodsucker." (I called one of yhe phlebotomists a "vampire, and she did not object). Once, another patient overheard me, and questioned my calling her so--and she replied, "It's a term of endearment."
Johnny
Wayne,
I think you know I am from north Jersey. Parkway Exit 154 to be precise.
Hi John, I used to be Parkway Exit 161! Lady Firestorm used to be Parkway Exit 160. Turn left, say a "Hail Mary", and watch out for the Garden State Plaza traffic!
Wayne
I'm familiar with exit 163. I used to live in Waldwick and that was my exit. It is a left exit which seems to be a New Jersey speciality. Living where I did I also know routes 4 and 208 up to Oakland.
BaltACD Bonas Firelock76 extreme there'd be those who thought people should be able to purchase anything that went "BANG" up to and including tactical nukes. Well sometimes tactical nukes are the only way to get rid of groundhogs and termites... Needs a 100 round magazine too
Bonas Firelock76 extreme there'd be those who thought people should be able to purchase anything that went "BANG" up to and including tactical nukes. Well sometimes tactical nukes are the only way to get rid of groundhogs and termites...
Firelock76 extreme there'd be those who thought people should be able to purchase anything that went "BANG" up to and including tactical nukes.
extreme there'd be those who thought people should be able to purchase anything that went "BANG" up to and including tactical nukes.
Well sometimes tactical nukes are the only way to get rid of groundhogs and termites...
Needs a 100 round magazine too
AMEN! Tactical nukes are great for getting rid of mindless treehuggers, annoying morons who drive slowly in the fast lane, and politicians of all stripes. Now if I could only figure out how to make an Abrams tank do 80 mph . . . . .
SALfanTactical nukes are great for getting rid of mindless treehuggers, annoying morons who drive slowly in the fast lane, and politicians of all stripes. Now if I could only figure out how to make an Abrams tank do 80 mph . . . .
Being an older guy I am one of the "annoying morons" who drives too slowly for you. I try to stay on the right where I should be. However, here in north Jersey a lot of high speed highways have left exits. I think you will have to put up with guys like me for a while yet.
There was an elderly gentleman here, long since passed, who was noted for driving under the speed limit. His wife was of the same mind. She told a woman driving her on some errand or another that the speed limit was "only a suggestion." As an EMT, I took both to the hospital a couple of times. On one trip he noted that we were going awfully fast. Bear in mind that since it was not an emergency, we'd turned off the red lights and were moving with traffic...
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...
Semper Vaporo D.Carleton oltmannd Ulrich I've never encountered a self hating railfan although the term "foamer" would suggest that we're often not much appreciated by other groups, most notably professional railroaders. But hate is a strong word which I don't think applies here. . I recently went to a model train show in Kitchener, ON... wall to wall raillfans... some of them sniping at each other and being rude. Again, didn't see any self hate there...the barbs and insults were for the other guy. When I was in college, which was before the term "foamer" came into being, we referred to each other as "'fits" - a contraction of "misfits". It was a term of endearment. I work alongside a number of other fans all the way up the food chain. When we're not working and out with our cameras our non-fan co-workers will say "they're foaming." We are all professionals and it too is a term of endearment. Methinks you folk need to get a dictionary to look up the definition of "Endearment"! The word you are really looking for is "derision".
No, "endearment" was the word I was after...
(Turnpike, exit 3)
John WR Wayne, I'm familiar with exit 163. I used to live in Waldwick and that was my exit. It is a left exit which seems to be a New Jersey speciality. Living where I did I also know routes 4 and 208 up to Oakland. John
Hi again John! Let's see, Routes 4 and 208 up to Oakland. Do you remember Jahn's Ice Cream on the right just past the Paramus Road overpass? How about the Mc Donalds that was one of the last surviving "Golden Arches" in Fair Lawn? Man, Jahn's was GOOD!
OK Jersey guys, shall we hijack this thread? Hee, hee, hee.....
I'm afraid Jahn's was before my time. And we had a Burger King in our own town; our kids' favorite restaurant so we never got beyond that. We moved to Waldwick because I was working in Paterson and I could take the train to work. It was before NJT but after the Erie Lackawanna went broke; Conrail was running the commuter service. We moved to Mercer County in 1998 but the last years in Waldwick (I was working in Hoboken then) I would get off the train, walk up to the end of the fence between the tracks and cross at the old switching tower. Then it was barely standing but now it has been renovated and looks good.
Scroll down to see before and after pictures of the switch tower (interlocking) at Waldwick, New Jersey:
http://flickrhivemind.net/Tags/waldwick/Interesting
You guys are bringing a tear to my eye! I was a young maintainer at WC for about 1 year. Had some good times there. I'm the one who painted the color light signal on the lower door to the maintainer's office you see in some of the old pics. BTW--what's up with the red paint job?--maybe Erie green/cream would look better.
I lived in Waldwick from 1978 to 1998. When I lived there the station was always red rather than the Erie colors. When I first lived there the station was open and sold tickets. The most notable think about it is that it is on the wrong side of the tracks. On the New York side of the tracks was a three sided wooden shelter. New Jersey Transit tore it down and replaced it with an enclosed plastic shelter but there was no protection for it and it was soon vandalized. The top was bunt off of it. We would have been better off had New Jersey transit simply repaired the existing shelter (which would have cost much less) and left it. NJT also abandoned the station and left it to rot. And, unless it has recently been repaired, it has pretty much rotted away. It is on the list of endangered historic places in New Jersey:
http://www.preservationnj.org/site/ExpEng/index.php?/ten_most_11/index_detail/Waldwick_Railroad_Station
I guess that the station being on the "wrong" side--it was left alone. Considering all the $$$ NJT put into station rehab on the Pascack Valley line; it's surprising. However---Ho-Ho-Kus is wrong side too but that was cleaned up and used.
Firelock76OK Jersey guys, shall we hijack this thread? Hee, hee, hee.....
Yeah, I'm up for it. Jahn's wasn't as good as Bischoff's on Cedar Lane in Teaneck. And another very late 'arches' McDonald's was the one in River Edge which was strategically located so the U34CHs would be idling in view, and the fire-from-the-stack acceleration peaked just where you could see it best...
Funny how there are people who navigate by the GSP exits, and those who navigate by the Turnpike exits. I'm a Turnpike person, myself -- I remember going with the family down to a football game, I think around 1968, and going by way of the Eastern Extension... with a GG1 curving out to meet us...
We did use that little section of the GSP between Rt. 4 and Rt. 46 to go to Wilkes-Barre/Kingston before they built the heroic Rt. 80 section around Garret Mountain ... I wish I could say I remembered trains on that piece of Erie-Lackawanna that *almost* made it into the final grade.
JUST too late to see trains on the upper section of the Bel-Del (isolated after Hurricane Dian) but not too late for the regular traffic jams under the double-track skew bridge on the Lackawanna Old Road over 46 (the concrete viaduct just south of which was still there, and fascinating, the last time I was up there). Still remember blue Jersey Central RS units on the L&NE, too.
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