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How do I start watching and learning about trains and railroads?

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  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, December 17, 2020 6:38 PM

Welcome aboard!

Everything about railroads?  Oh my, so much to learn, and you may never know it all.

My advice would be to pick a particular aspect of railroading you're interested in and follow that.  A good tool is this website, there's a lot of good information in its nooks and crannies.  If historic railroading is your interest, and it's my primary interest by the way, there's the "Classic Trains" website, a companion to this one.

Reading the various Forums is a good way to learn.  Look at the various topics, read what's asked and the answers to the same.  (You'll also learn a lot about peoples eccentricities, trust me!) Ask questions too, you'll get some good answers.

Here's another good overview, "The Railroad, What It Is, What It Does."

https://qhy92hged07.storage.googleapis.com/MDkxMTM4MjU4NQ==07.pdf

Or you can find the book on Amazon.

Although I can answer that question briefly.  A railroad is a business that moves stuff from Point A to Point B in the most efficient and profitable manner possible. 

I've picked up most of what I know by doing all of the above and really by a process of osmosis, keeping my eyes and ears open and trying to absorb all I could.  

Since you live in Canada I couldn't tell you where to go trainwatching, but a good "Almost there" is the Virtual Railfan YouTube channel.  There's remote cameras all over placed by busy rail lines, but mind you sometimes it's like watching paint dry if nothing's happening.

Google YouTube Virtual Railfan and you're there.

Hope this helps.  Anyone else care to join in?

 

  • Member since
    December 2020
  • From: Quebec, Canada
  • 94 posts
How do I start watching and learning about trains and railroads?
Posted by xploringrailroads on Thursday, December 17, 2020 2:33 PM

Hi everyone.

I live in Canada and I am interested in learning more about trains, railroads, freight trains ... I am a complete beginner.

What are the things a newbie like should do to learn more about those subjects and be able to watch more trains in real?

Thanks for your help!

Stéphan

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