Thank you all for your replies! I'll be sure to go through those YouTube channels! Thank you guys for reassuring me with my place in the spotting world. I definitely feel a lot better now.
wjstixAs Larry pointed out, it seems the wave of "Barney Fifes" out there hasseling railfans seems to have died out. BNSF (and maybe other railroads) have a sort of 'fan club' you can register with to get occassional updates on the railroad. Hasn't happened to me, but I have heard guys say that a BNSF employee was questioning them about why they taking pics etc, but once the employee found out they were official "Friends of BNSF" they became quite friendly. https://www.bnsf.com/in-the-community/friends-of-bnsf.page?
BNSF (and maybe other railroads) have a sort of 'fan club' you can register with to get occassional updates on the railroad. Hasn't happened to me, but I have heard guys say that a BNSF employee was questioning them about why they taking pics etc, but once the employee found out they were official "Friends of BNSF" they became quite friendly.
https://www.bnsf.com/in-the-community/friends-of-bnsf.page?
Thanks for the link! I subscribe to the Union Pacific community, but I didn't know about this one.
York1 John
PNWRMNMYou are engaging in a hobby few understand and some scoff at.
Try amateur radio (yeah - I do that, too).
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...
chutton01 Go for it, you may become the next, say JawTooth (OTOH, I think there can be only one JawTooth...)
And that's one too many.
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
Bear
Bear33 Hi, I'm a teenager that enjoys going out every once in a while to go watch trains, sometimes record/photograph. I usually feel bad. I think it has something to do with feeling too old, thinking I'm out out of place, thinking I'm distracting or annoying to the crew, etc. Is it normal to feel like that? Thanks.
Hi,
I'm a teenager that enjoys going out every once in a while to go watch trains, sometimes record/photograph. I usually feel bad. I think it has something to do with feeling too old, thinking I'm out out of place, thinking I'm distracting or annoying to the crew, etc. Is it normal to feel like that?
Thanks.
Bear,
You are engaging in a hobby few understand and some scoff at. Almost every hobby is a minority hobby. Most obvious hobbyists know that some people think they are 'off' because of their hobby. I myself wonder about the sanity of people who throw themselves out of perfectly good airplanes, or ski. As the song goes 'You can't please everybody, so you've got to please yourself'
Most crews will still return a wave if you are off the right of way. They know that railfans exist, and most are bemused by them. A few are even 'latent closet' railfans themselves and manage to get paid for doing something they love.
Yes, some of your peers will rag on you and may call you something they think is derogatory. Just smile and ignore them. You know a joy they do not.
Mac
In addition to the YouTube channels mentioned, there are a couple of commercial/subscription services that have rail cameras literally all over the nation.
It's no secret that I watch Deshler, OH a lot. It's also available on YT. Right now there are almost 70 people tuned in on that cam alone.
There are other "disciplines" in the "watcher" world as well. I like to check out Great Lakes shipping, especially as I live just a few miles from the St Lawrence River. Right now, there's a downbound laker in the Soo Locks, and the Paul R. Tregurtha, a 1000 footer, headed toward the locks on her way to St Clair, MI. And there are cams to watch that traffic as well.
There are plenty of hobbies that others find as weird. Don't be dissuaded...
Bear, here's some YouTube raifan channels I enjoy watching. You may find them useful for inspiration, camera angles, personal placement and so on. You'll enjoy watching them too!
https://www.youtube.com/@NorthCountryTrains/featured
(That's the forementioned Harrison's channel, a young railfan like yourself.)
https://www.youtube.com/c/LibertyRailfan
https://www.youtube.com/@NixCrossing/videos
(That one's a "combo" channel, railfanning and O Gauge modeling and Nick's enthusiasm is VERY infectious! If you catch the O Gauge fever in the process that's a good thing too!)
https://www.youtube.com/c/CentralPennRailProductions/videos
https://www.youtube.com/c/EastPennRailfanProductions/videos
https://www.youtube.com/c/MrNewJerseyTransit/featured
(Another young railfan.)
As you'll see you're in VERY good company!
As Larry pointed out, it seems the wave of "Barney Fifes" out there hasseling railfans seems to have died out.
In a word, no. There are a lot more railfans than anyone would think and there is no shame in liking trains.
In addition to being a railfan I am also a working railroader. As long as you stay well clear of the track and off railroad property you won't be a distraction, we see people at crossings or on public property near the track all the time, and unless you stand out with your camera we probably won't even notice you.
It is true that sometimes you get funny looks from members of the public who just can't understand why you'd want to watch trains for fun. I feel that too. But at the end of the day we aren't all that different from classic car enthusiasts or hot rodders.
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Safety is of the first importance.
Know where you are, know your surroundings. Stay off private property unless you have permission. "Public" areas like parking lots are generally private, but you're not likely to get hassled unless you are interfering with the owner's business.
If you happen to have/acquire a scanner, be sure you know what local and state laws are in their regard.
Some crews are railfans themselves. Others strongly dislike railfans. Respect that.
Never "stand on your principles." Taking an attitude will gain you no friends. As mentioned, be polite, honest, and if you're asked to leave, leave.
At least we're well beyond the post 9/11 hysteria, which had everyone afraid that a railfan might be scoping out the territory in order to commit nefarious deeds.
Have fun! And check out Harrison's work (North Country Trains). Sounds like he's about your age, and has reached the point that he's now volunteering with a tourist line.
DO NOT be ashamed to like trains, chase them, wave to the cab as the engines go past... as long as you aren't actually 'trespassing', and you're being safe in how you do it, there's nothing to be 'ashamed' about.
But if a crew doesn't want to be filmed, don't film them. For heaven's sake, don't be the next Jawtooth or act like him to people you meet railfanning. Do not be alarmed or embarrassed if railroad police stop you -- they are looking for people unlike you, and if you openly greet them you won't have trouble. We've had people recommend that you print off and carry the Photographer's Bill of Rights, but I have even been able to photograph locomotives in a facility where New Jersey Transit banned photography... because the ban is against PIs looking for surprise divorce evidence, and paparazzi wannabes and the like.
And for heaven's sake, do NOT wear bright safety garb or act like a vicarious railroader. In our modern world of PSR, crews may mistake you for an employee, or worse, what we call a 'weed weasel', and be distracted or irritated by the worry. Better than 'being seen' is keeping where they don't have to see you in the first place... except as a member of the public that likes railroading.
As long as you have a thick skin and don't engage in activities such as in the movie "Trainspotting" it's cool!
chutton01 Bear33 I think it has something to do with feeling too old Too old, eh? Guess you haven't watched too many videos of us Gen-Xs (approaching old-fartdom ourselves) line-side recording and photographing rail activities. Go for it, you may become the next, say JawTooth (OTOH, I think there can be only one JawTooth...)
Bear33 I think it has something to do with feeling too old
Too old, eh? Guess you haven't watched too many videos of us Gen-Xs (approaching old-fartdom ourselves) line-side recording and photographing rail activities. Go for it, you may become the next, say JawTooth (OTOH, I think there can be only one JawTooth...)
Gen-X is a collection of kids. There's a good number of us Baby Boomers who still get out on a regular basis to expose a roll of film.
Bear33I think it has something to do with feeling too old
Don't feel bad or apologize for your hobby Bear! It's a good, clean hobby that's been practiced by many for generations and has many great names attached to it, their photo work fills volumes of railfan publications so you're not and never will be alone.
Just follow the rules: Stay off railroad property and other private property. Your being there won't distract the crews unless you're doing something dangerous or you're in a place you shouldn't be. If you're shooting video or photos at a train station stay away from the passengers unloading or loading who may not want to be photographed, respect their privacy. If you're questioned as to why you're there be courteous, tell the truth, and co-operate with the questioner. Don't feel insulted and don't be a wise guy.
So go ahead and enjoy yourself! This is a hobby that you can carry for the rest of your life!
And aboard!
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.