It's been said here before that the second best day of one's life is when they hire on to the railroad. The best day is the day they leave.
I know some railroaders who are fans as well. On our line, it's actually quite common, but we aren't in the same boat as the folks whose lives are dictated by the whims of the railroad.
Aircraft fans are probably in the same class as railfans - unfortunately their activities have come under scrutiny for security reasons...
And we have fire buffs, and firefighters who are fire buffs.
The trucking industry has it's share of enthusiasts, (as do cars) - and many are just as rabid as any foamer. Plus - the owner/operators get to doll up their rigs any way they want!
And that's just transportation. Recall that Carl's travels usually include a stop at any available quilt shops for Pat's benefit.
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...
As a railfan in the late 60's, I hired out on the CB&Q. The job was a 'fireman' and I was able to bid into a pool position on a mainline run(1st in/1st out). I learned real fast the I had no social life as I was now 'married' to the phone, waiting for my next 'call'. I lost 3 girl friends in my 19 month career and I got drafted - end of railroad career. After returning from Vietnam/Army, I went back to school.
I found that I liked to watch/read about trains much better...
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Zug,
It's a yes and no situation. I know of one railfan who hired on with a short line and loves the job even though in his first Winter he spent time walking in deep snow to change broken knuckles. He's still there five years later.
A lot of the young can't see beyond the glamor and are going to wash out in short order when faced with hard dirty work outdoors in miserable weather.
I guess the caveat "Ya pays your money and ya takes your chances" applies in hiring anyone. If they are a fan and can see beyond the glitz, they stand a chance.
Norm
Like that software foamer up in Washington state.. Bill Gates I think his name is.
Ulrich My two cents.. it's a good idea to hire railfans provided they also meet all other hiring criteria. Hiring someone who has an interest beats hiring someone who just needs a job to pay the bills. BTW there are "fans" in alot of other industries, and some are even quirkier than ours is. Back in 1988 (when I got started in transportation) we had to change out a tire on an old trailer. I called the tire guy, and when he showed up with his tools I couldn't believe his reaction. "Do you have any idea what you've got here??" he shouted.. I looked dumbfounded and answered.. "yeah.. its a tire". He shook his head and said "no.. that's not just a tire..thats a BF6123BZ!!!" I thought he was joking but he could hardly contain his excitement. I remember we all kinda laughed about it later.. how he'd probably prefer the company of a tire over a women. But you know what.. 27 years later that tire guy owns a tire shop in Montreal that did over 20 million in sales last year. All because he had a little bit of interest beyond what the average schlep brings to the job.
My two cents.. it's a good idea to hire railfans provided they also meet all other hiring criteria. Hiring someone who has an interest beats hiring someone who just needs a job to pay the bills. BTW there are "fans" in alot of other industries, and some are even quirkier than ours is. Back in 1988 (when I got started in transportation) we had to change out a tire on an old trailer. I called the tire guy, and when he showed up with his tools I couldn't believe his reaction. "Do you have any idea what you've got here??" he shouted.. I looked dumbfounded and answered.. "yeah.. its a tire". He shook his head and said "no.. that's not just a tire..thats a BF6123BZ!!!" I thought he was joking but he could hardly contain his excitement. I remember we all kinda laughed about it later.. how he'd probably prefer the company of a tire over a women. But you know what.. 27 years later that tire guy owns a tire shop in Montreal that did over 20 million in sales last year. All because he had a little bit of interest beyond what the average schlep brings to the job.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
Members of that age group are the ones out looking for work, probably because they decided college wasn't for them. The construction world has revolving doors utilized for this particular group of workers. Some work hard and excell, some move on. I wonder if it's the fact that they are railfans that keeps them from turning up their noses once they are made aware what the job will actually entail?
Since it's been slow on here, maybe this will start some discussion. Or not.
In all my years on the railroad (slightly under 10), new hires have had all sorts of backgrounds. Everywhere from 18 year old teens to guys that were near retirement age. All sorts of backgrounds, and while some were overt railfans, many either weren't - or kept it pretty hidden. I, myself, was somewhat of a railfan, but I've since let that interest fade away. I still have a little interest in the history and industry, but anything current and railfanish (OMG a heritage engine!) is not enough to hold my interest anymore. But still, when I hired out, being a railfan was something I kept mainly to myself. As I got a little seniority and was able to hold a regular job with the same group of people, I didn't' bother hiding it much. But since I proved to be somewhat capable (I guess), it was no big deal. And a bunch of guys that worked at this terminal also were railfans of various levels.
But that was then and this is now. I don't know if it is just a local thing, or a national movement, but it seems every new hire I've come across in the past year is an 18 year old super-railfan. I get it, they think they scored their dream job, but I wonder how many are going to stick around when the realities of this industry come crashing down on them? Or do you think they're more prone to stick around?
I couldn't care less if they are railfans. We all have hobbies and they're all strange. Just wondering if this is happening elsewhere, or is it just a local thing? Is there nobody else wants these jobs? Or do they figure these young guys are in it for the long -haul? Good idea to hire the fandom, or not? Thoughts? Discussion? Comments? Insults? Does anybody even care?
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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