Originally posted by chad thomas Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 10, 2005 6:07 AM Just make sure that you do not forget lots of bug spray. Reply Edit canazar Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Phoenix, Arizona 1,989 posts Posted by canazar on Sunday, April 10, 2005 1:36 PM WOW, Just readign that makes me wanna go fan somewhere.. Good grief.. got me all hot and bothered.. [:p] Good write up! John k Best Regards, Big John Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway Reply PwdOpd Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Oklahoma 76 posts Posted by PwdOpd on Sunday, April 10, 2005 2:15 PM Chad: You do have a way with words. Quite a dwscription! Paul Reply chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Sunday, April 10, 2005 2:38 PM Thanks guys, I'm trying to work myself up for possibly submitting some material for the mag. I'm still not sure I got what it takes (besides a spell checker). But if I get positive feedback on the material I post here then I might take a crack at the bigtime. Reply chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Sunday, April 10, 2005 2:59 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan. Just make sure that you do not forget lots of bug spray. Well I never really get bothered by bugs like some people do. And I never had a problem on Cajon.....Except this one time.... I hit Cajon after work late one friday night. Instead of going to one of my two usual overnight spots I decided to stop at the 138 / north track overpass. After a few trains went by I got tired and decided to take a nap, a rareity for me. I wanted to get away from the highway noise a bit but did not want to drive any distance. So I drove down the maint. road to a little knoll just above Sullivans curve. Bedroll in hand I went to the top and rolled it out in the flattest spot. I didn't even crawl into it I just layed down on top of it. Within minuets (if not seconds) I dozed off. After an undetermined amount of time I awoke to find myself covered in ants. Not those little ones either. I mean these huge fire ants. Man I must have done the funkeyest dance ever trying to get those little bas***** off of me. Glad no one saw it. After that it was back to the car where I madly shook out my bedroll making shure they were all gone. The rest of the night was spent laying on the hood of my car. Reply JoeKoh Member sinceApril 2003 From: Defiance Ohio 13,310 posts Posted by JoeKoh on Sunday, April 10, 2005 3:56 PM for a minimal fee alot of people stay at the diamond in deshler ohio.stay around the fire and tell stories plus lots of trains. stay safe Joe Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener"). Reply CSXrules4eva Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Louisville, KY 1,345 posts Posted by CSXrules4eva on Sunday, April 10, 2005 5:13 PM I have to agree with this topic railfaning at night and in bad weather is awsome! Sometimes I like to go out and photograph trains in a blizzard, or when a flash flood warning is in effect. I think some bad wether is pretty, and if you can catch a train in the background it makes the trip even better. Unfortunitly, I don't go out railfaning too much in the heat of the night because, you never know who is in the lonely spots at that hour. I did one time go out with a friend of mine doing some night railfaning in West Conchohocken, PA. We ended up train chaseing at night back and forth from Abrams Yard in Norristown, PA to the industral sidings in West Conchohocken, PA. Which is only 6 miles from each other. That was fun, at one point we ended up doing 75 mph in a 40 mph zone just to get to a train. I had lots of fun! LORD HELP US ALL TO BE ORIGINAL AND NOT CRISPY!!! please? Sarah J.M. Warner conductor CSX Reply tree68 Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Northern New York 25,010 posts Posted by tree68 on Sunday, April 10, 2005 6:53 PM Used to stand on the platform of the Rantoul, Illinois station after dark and watch the trains go by. You can see them for quite a distance in both directions, and having that little pool of light lets you see what's actually going by. 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... Reply robscaboose Member sinceApril 2004 From: Terre Haute IN 199 posts Posted by robscaboose on Sunday, April 10, 2005 11:01 PM [;)]Sitting in Haley Tower in Terre Haute at night watching trains go by is fun. It's dark outside, the single light in the tower is shining on the board, the telegraph & sissor phone are sitting on the desk next to you as you are writing down the trains as they go by on your train order sheet, The place smells old & all is quite except for the noise from the the refridge cycling on & off making the old place seem alive. Now that's what I call nighttime railfanning. Reply CShaveRR Member sinceJune 2001 From: Lombard (west of Chicago), Illinois 13,681 posts Posted by CShaveRR on Monday, April 11, 2005 1:12 AM I happen to believe that the railroad turns into someplace special at night. I discovered this after-dark world while I was still in high school, learning to pass lantern signals as readily as I could handle hand signals during the day. It was under the watchful eye of a night operator that I copied my first (and only) train order (never could get a pen to write well on that tissue paper!). As a railroader, I found out that not all nights are good ones, but--just as when I was "only" a railfan--you treasure the nights when the moon is out, and a nice breeze makes the leaves rustle (a stronger one used to make the wires sing, but there aren't many wires left), and even the railroady smells seem stronger. And somehow that headlight in the distance is so much more exciting at night, maybe because it reflects off the rails. You can't tell just anyone about the thrill you get from such seemingly insignificant things; they'll think you're slightly goofy. But there are some who share your passions, and I'd bet more than one will be reading this! Carl Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!) CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM) Reply canazar Member sinceAugust 2004 From: Phoenix, Arizona 1,989 posts Posted by canazar on Monday, April 11, 2005 1:23 AM Ok, I guess I am not alone.... I will share this story now... I am fairly new to the whole train thing. Been into my HO layout pretty heavy now for a coupel of years.. Am really getting into the railfanning now too. Over the winter we went up to Flagstaff, AZ to watch the mian TransCon of BNSF. We camped right off the tracks. We saw a train in one direction or another atleast 2 an hour, up to one very 15 minutes. At one point, its dark, like 830ish and the wind is blowing hard, (maybe 30pmh40 gusts) with a light snow fall. I went out there watching a train that got held by the lights. While I was waiting, one went past on the eastbound track. (The girl was in the truck, comfy wathcing a movie on the DVD player) I hung around the tracks up on a ballast pile wating for the train to go when it finally started. From my vatnage pioint on the rocks, I could see the siginals down the tracks. The lighst changed and it was go time. I hopped over on to the crossing gate to get a better view of the train... When it finally went by, one of the crew leaned out to say hi. We had a very quick exchange as now the train was really beginnign to roll., I wished him a Happy New Year (it was the 2nd) and said the same back. With both crewman waveing. Mind you its below freezeing and windy as hell, and this guy in a T shirt leaned out the window of the warm cab to talk to me. Thought that was pretty cool. I get back to the truck and climb in the back in the shell and the girl says " I was getting worried about you, you were gone along time" It occurred to me that I stood out in 20 somethign degree weather in very little consdiering, good jacket and blue jeans, got snowed on and blown all to hell for over half an hour to watch a silly train startup... Well, I told her "Time flies when your havein fun." it was worth it as I now have a great life long memory. Best regards John k Best Regards, Big John Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway Reply Puckdropper Member sinceDecember 2002 From: US 725 posts Posted by Puckdropper on Monday, April 11, 2005 1:31 AM I took my desktop wallpaper shot at night. It was about 11:00 PM in winter, and I got a couple NS extra height box cars that blur together along with one of my best friends in the lower right. The shot goes from black to red to brown upper right to lower left. It's one of those "magical" photos that's totally unplanned and turns out absolutely excellent. I love it :-) Reply rvos1979 Member sinceDecember 2001 From: Burlington, WI 1,418 posts Posted by rvos1979 on Monday, April 11, 2005 10:19 AM For about two years (2000-2002) I used to shoot night video, playing with night vision and available light in city and country settings. I always liked the night better, liked the way light played off of the trains and buildings. I have also loved the sound of engines (notably SD45s) rolling across the landscape at night. Randy Randy Vos "Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings "May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV Reply Kathi Kube Member sinceDecember 2002 From: Waukesha, WI 271 posts Posted by Kathi Kube on Monday, April 11, 2005 10:50 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas Thanks guys, I'm trying to work myself up for possibly submitting some material for the mag. I'm still not sure I got what it takes (besides a spell checker). But if I get positive feedback on the material I post here then I might take a crack at the bigtime. Good idea. [:)] Earlier quote: "Am I the only one that digs the **** out of night time railfanning ?" Nighttime, daytime, anytime, everytime. Although the darkness does increase the anticipation. Hmmmm. Anything pressing in my schedule for tonight...? Kathi Reply FThunder11 Member sinceJune 2003 From: Colorado Springs 728 posts Posted by FThunder11 on Monday, April 11, 2005 11:02 AM YOu could definatly be a writer if you wanted too.i love the description, it makes anybody want to go watch some trains Kevin Farlow Colorado Springs Reply MP173 Member sinceMay 2004 From: Valparaiso, In 5,921 posts Posted by MP173 on Monday, April 11, 2005 12:26 PM Back in the late 70's, before I was married (and before kids), Friday nights were spent with a group of buddies at a model railroad club. Around 10pm we would head to the local deli, have a sandwitch and beer and then head out west of Valpo to Ft. Wayne Crossing. This was where the GTW crossed the Conrail (ex PRR) and NW (ex Nickle Plate). We would sit and talk and then sure enough we would hear a distant rumbling. The headlight would appear and the train would pound the crossing. It was a great experience. Probably my best railroad photograph taken was at night, when on one of those Friday nites Amtrak's Broadway Limited was rerouted off of the Conrail to the NW and the train stopped at the NIckle Plate depot to pickup passengers. The steam escaping from the E units, the play of darkness against light was a powerful image. Now that spring has arrived I sleep with my bedroom window open. I enjoy laying in bed, just before going to sleep and hearing the trains working thru town. Often, I believe we become a slave to the camera which is in our hands. Everything becomes focused thru the viewfinder and we miss the larger picture. ed Reply zardoz Member sinceJanuary 2003 From: Kenosha, WI 6,567 posts Posted by zardoz on Monday, April 11, 2005 1:10 PM However, be prepared to explain yourself to the law, when they ask why you are sitting out in the middle of the night. Maybe you should print this thread to show the cops why you are serious about "waiting for a train" at night. BTW, I agree; trainwatching at night can be very interesting and completely different. Reply chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Monday, April 11, 2005 1:24 PM Yea, Try explaining to a cop that you are watching trains in some remote spot late at night. Next thing you know you will be taking the meth test.[:O] Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 11, 2005 1:26 PM I had one bad experience while doing some night railfanning. When I lived in Marion, Iowa I was listening to my scanner tuned to the C&NW road frequency while working on my model railroad. It was late on a Friday night and I heard the dispatcher say something about "Beverly Yard", and "CNW Business Train" and "westbound". So I decided I'd head-out to Fairfax which is a small town just west of Beverly Yard (the yard is south of Cedar Rapids along Hwy. 30). I drove down Hwy 151 to Fairfax and pulled-into town there and parked in a public lot next to the tracks, across from an old grain elevator - that same spot is a favorite locale for Eastern Iowa railfans (great perspective in both directions, trackside signals to give early warning, tracks are near public parking to allow you to get close legally). I parked and waited with the domelight on, reading one of my MorningSide RR picture books. Not long afterward, and mind you I have all the respect in the world for police officers, a Linn County deputy sheriff walks up to my driver side window, shines his flashlight directly into my eyes to blind me and says, "Are you having a problem?" in a real accusatory tone. I said, "No - I am waiting for the business train to come by - I was hoping to get a photo." He replied with an irritated tone of voice (he sounded like a younger guy), "What do you mean 'business train', sir? Is that really why you're out here??!!" I was a little surprised and said, "It's a passenger train for railroad execs - I heard them mention it on my scanner. This is public parking so I parked here. Is that OK?" He got even more irritated and said, "It seems a little strange for someone to be parked here at 11:30 at night looking for trains. When I ask you a question just answer it and keep your mouth shut otherwise!" I didn't argue, just put my hands up to show I wasn't contesting him and said nothing more. He remained parked up the street until, sure enough, the CNW biz train did come by, westbound, led by what appeared to be an SD40-2 and an old "B" unit probably used as a heating car, with I believe 6 cars (one I know was a UP coach). I know I was pretty steamed about the treatment I'd received. He probably assumed I was maybe a burglar or predator of some variety. A guy parks by the tracks in public parking, reading a RR picture book with the domelight on - seems hard to understand how I'd be up to some evil purposes in that posture. Reply Edit chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Monday, April 11, 2005 2:29 PM I have been fortunate when it comes to law enforcement encounters. but there was this one time............ I was at home in Van Nuys California kikin' back one night after work. It was after midnight as I didn't usually get home before 11:30 and I had been home a while. Anyway the I hear the detector at 451.3 pop off. That's my cue. If I jump in the car and head to the tracks I can usually beat the train by a minuet or more if it's a freight (the detector gives speed and freight gets 40 passenger gets 60). So I run down to my spot. Its where Saticoy st' dead ends right against the RR embankment. This is right behind the giant Budweiser brewery. A place I often would hang out at during the day (I worked swing) watching the Gemco switcher switching grain cars in and beer out while mainline freights and Metrolink commuters went by on the main. So I get to my spot. About the time the train is approaching, this private security guard from a neighboring shop comes over and starts asking what I was doing there. Of course this is over the sound of the train going by and I tried to ignore him. After the engines went by I told him I was watching the train. He told me I couldn't be there and I had to leave. I said this is a public street and I had the right to be there. He threatend to call the cops. So I left. I got about 2 blocks away and said to myself screw this. I turned around and went back. I pulled up to where he was at and got out of my truck and walked up to him. I asked for his identification, his companys name, his supervisors name and his daytime phone number. Then he changed his tune with a quickness. The next thing you know I've got an open invite to be there anytime (as if). After that whenever he saw me I got a big wave. Reply CopCarSS Member sinceAugust 2002 From: Turner Junction 3,076 posts Posted by CopCarSS on Monday, April 11, 2005 2:35 PM I remember camping at Cumbres Pass once in 2000. During the night, around 2:00 AM or so, I remember hearing a steam whistle. Being in that state in between sleep and being awake, I attributed it to a lingering dream that was rail-related. Steadily the whistle got louder, and louder though. Pretty soon, my cousin and I were headed out checking out what was going on. I forgot exactly what was going on, but there was some work that had to be done along the line before the next operating day. #463 was running light up the pass. We caught her and her crew watering the engine up at the summit of the pass. That was a pretty cool experience. After a night photo shoot of a couple of the engines idling the night away at the Chama yard, I was hooked on night railfanning. While diesels aren't quite as much fun, it's still kind of neat to see them. Sometimes if I'm coming home late, there'll be a Beer Run from Coors sitting at Tennyson St. Sometimes I'll pull in a parking lot next to the track, roll down the windows, shut the car off, and just listen to the EMD's chanting the night away. Sometimes I'll get lucky, and they'll be able to get into the yard, and I can listen to the engines throttle up, and head out of there. I'll smell the lingering diesel exhaust as I watch the glass lined tanks go by, and just think how great a hobby railfanning is! Chris Denver, CO -ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams Reply MP173 Member sinceMay 2004 From: Valparaiso, In 5,921 posts Posted by MP173 on Monday, April 11, 2005 3:53 PM That reminds me of the night a few years ago that I drove out in the country and set up my telescope to look at some rather low (in the southern sky) Messier objects in Scorpio. It was July and I was away from the city lights and view was great. A family drives up and gets out and said they saw the telescope and wanted to know if their kids could look. The dad offered me a beer...I declined. Next thing I know the place is surrounded by county cops and a young deputy comes up and asks what I am doing..."just looking at stars sir" was my reply. "you sure this aint a beer or dope party". "Quite sure, only a star party." Well, he takes his flashlight, shines it into my eyepiece and says "I dont see any stars in there." I just sighed, shook my head and told him it would probably be best if I headed home. ed Reply chad thomas Member sinceJanuary 2005 From: Ely, Nv. 6,312 posts Posted by chad thomas on Monday, April 11, 2005 8:00 PM Hey guys, My story just might make the magazine. I changed it a little as per Kathi's sugestion and submitted it. Wish me luck. Reply oskar Member sinceAugust 2003 1,092 posts Posted by oskar on Monday, April 11, 2005 8:27 PM I only railfan at night when there is a place where there is lights are because you don't want to be in a bad place then somebody mugs you or threatins you are even kill you a good place to go is Folkston because they have flood lights and I have seen cops check near by places for tresspassers and ect. Also I would take a Flashlight incase I lose something or many other things kevin Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 3:16 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by oskar I only railfan at night when there is a place where there is lights are because you don't want to be in a bad place then somebody mugs you or threatins you are even kill you a good place to go is Folkston because they have flood lights and I have seen cops check near by places for tresspassers and ect. Also I would take a Flashlight incase I lose something or many other things kevin I wanted to add to Kevin's comments about train watching in Folkston, I live in Folkston and consider the train watching platform a safe place both night and day. I have not heard of any problems with people getting bothered by vagrants and the city Police take the time to patrol the road in front of the platform fairly often. The Folkson police department is actaually only a block away from the train platform which helps add to the security aspect. Bill Reply Edit halifaxcn Member sinceDecember 2001 110 posts Posted by halifaxcn on Monday, April 25, 2005 4:50 PM My first night train watching was rather late in life, just a few years ago. I got home to Attleboro after a rather hetic nay crazy night at work. I crossed the Holden Street bridge and looke right and saw a headlight at the depot, quick left and short drive to the station, and I was treated to a Conrail local getting ready to switch the Texnor Apex plant in South Attleboro. The conductor was on the ground with his lantern and we chatted. Turned out he was a fire/police buff and I being a railfan, bounced questions off each other about our jobs for about 30 minutes. I then headed home with a wave and toot from the crew. A few years later I was in Chicago for a training program and I was staying in Elmhurst. I discovered the center of town with the UP main. I sat trackside on a wonderful mid-west summer night and watched hours upon hours of trains passing me by. It was made more bearable by the ice cream frappe I had (milk shake to the rest of the USA). It was warm but not hot and the parade of trains seemed to be endless! But, the best night of all was a month ago on a Friday night when I picked my 4 y.o son Dominic up from Day care and took him to Worcester to see the trains. He was so excited and said we had to eat in the car at tracks. He wanted pizza and soda, and so we had "pizza pie" and soda and watched a few trains with him sitting on my lap telling me "no talking, train talk" as the scanner was chattering away. The big hug when we were leaving was better than all the trains! Regards, Frank San Severino CP-198 Amtrak NEC Attleboro, MA Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 25, 2005 5:04 PM I used to do the same thing with some friends, there is a nice campground in Logansport IN that is right next to the tracks, we would set up the tent, get the camp fire going and watch trains all night. The spot was right at the east end of Danes Pass on the NS exWabash line, sometimes a train crew stuck in the siding for a long duration would walk down to the campsite and swap stories and we would grill up some more food for everybody. Cheers Mike Reply Edit Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 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Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
Best Regards, Big John
Kiva Valley Railway- Freelanced road in central Arizona. Visit the link to see my MR forum thread on The Building of the Whitton Branch on the Kiva Valley Railway
QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan. Just make sure that you do not forget lots of bug spray.
Deshler Ohio-crossroads of the B&O Matt eats your fries.YUM! Clinton st viaduct undefeated against too tall trucks!!!(voted to be called the "Clinton St. can opener").
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...
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
Randy Vos
"Ever have one of those days where you couldn't hit the ground with your hat??" - Waylon Jennings
"May the Lord take a liking to you and blow you up, real good" - SCTV
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas Thanks guys, I'm trying to work myself up for possibly submitting some material for the mag. I'm still not sure I got what it takes (besides a spell checker). But if I get positive feedback on the material I post here then I might take a crack at the bigtime.
-ChrisWest Chicago, ILChristopher May Fine Art Photography"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." ~Ansel Adams
QUOTE: Originally posted by oskar I only railfan at night when there is a place where there is lights are because you don't want to be in a bad place then somebody mugs you or threatins you are even kill you a good place to go is Folkston because they have flood lights and I have seen cops check near by places for tresspassers and ect. Also I would take a Flashlight incase I lose something or many other things kevin
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