Enjoyable. I combine it with other things... i.e. I cycle to my favourite spot. (Bayview Junction).. which is a great place to also enjoy nature.. observing wildlife, and its ground zero for alot of War of 1812 action as well. And if that's not enough, I generally take my kids along and make an outing of it.. along with maybe a good book. So the train watching gig can turn out to be alot of fun even if no trains show up... which is rare at Bayview.
I'm lucky as my wife enjoys railfanning. So almost every Saturday we go trackside for about 4 hours. I think what draws my interest is that I'm always learning something about railroads & their operations. We receive radio traffic from detectors & Conway Yard, which is often very interesting. We also seem to see something new every week. At least, new to us. So it's never boring as far as I'm concerned.
Tom
Pittsburgh, PA
CSSHEGEWISCHBecause it's FUN!!
Too true.
Truth be known, one could wonder about why people are interested in any number of things, but the answer remains the same.
There's something about industry at work that fascinates. Years ago, we had family visiting and one of the activities with the visitors was a tour of the Oldsmobile plant in Lansing, MI. Another year, as we visited family here in NY (lived in MI at the time) we made a special trip to see the locks and dams being built for the St Lawrence Power Project (ie, the Seaway). The peep holes at urban constructions sites are legendary.
And there are "side" interests as well. Many like to track locomotives, both "special" and routine. Some folks can tell you the brand of the horn. Carl is well-known for his interest in the cars and their histories. There is a regular at the Deshler rail cam who can tell you how many trains pass there on a daily basis, and I've compiled a sizable list of the train symbols that are seen at Deshler.
Bottom line, no matter what, is that it's fun.
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...
Because it's FUN!!
As I've mentioned earlier, I couldn't help but become a railfan because of where I grew up. The South Shore was on a tall embankment and was very visible from our back yard. The CWI and NKP ducked under the South Shore at that point and, while the view was blocked, the sounds from those lines came through quite nicely. See my first sentence to know why I keep coming back to trackside.
We have an NS mainline within 5 minutes of our house. Every Saturday morning, I hit up the local diner for breakfast and then head to the crossing to watch, usually about 6am or so. I watch until about 7am, then head to the grocery store for donuts for the family who is still in bed.
I can see to the west about two mile before the track bends. If its clear, I can hear the train at the next previous crossing and within a minute see the headlights round the bend. If its foggy, they can sneak up on me!
For every four east-bounders, we have one west-bounder. Most west bounders have a slug tethered. Never seen a slug on a east-bounder. The spot I watch from used to be the local train station. There is sensor equipment there, so within a minute after a train passes, I can hear the report of "no defects."
What draws you to be a railfan?
Regards - Steve
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