What's your rail chase vehicle?

[adrianspeeder]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dragenrider

My rail chase vehicle is a 1997 Ford Explorer. It's an unusual model in that it has a V-8 engine and all wheel drive. It doubles as my storm chasing truck and emergency response vehicle! Ah, the joys of being a fireman!

5.0L or 4.6L? You want rare? How about a eddie bauer limited V8 FIVE SPEED handshaker! Buddy got one and it is the only explorer I would buy.

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

After reading some of the nearly 100 posts it seems that a certain group of people get in their cars(and a lot of truck things) and chase after freight trains down rain-slicked backroads at the speed of the train and I assume try to beat the train to it's destination and ( I assume again) try to photograph it, is this true----the photography??? then jump in their vehicle and race off to the next stop and repeat the same again. Do I have this right(please explain if this is wrong) Now I'm supposing if I was to roar around the country here where I live racing after a freight train, which around here would be a very dangerous thing to do, I would for sure be arrested for dangerous driving, but I would think the worst part would be trying to explain to the arresting officer just exactly what I was doing. This is the first time myself and a few others have ever heard of this behavior. I have a strange feeling I will have very few responses to the above questions. thanks

Well I don't do it to photograph, I just do it to drive. But then again I like drivin more than I like trains. Cops round here run on the "good ole boy" system, and I guess I'm lucky to be one of the good ole boys.

Adrianspeeder

[fuzzybroken]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lincoln5390

This might be the future of train chasing -- when the petrol runs out:

http://gelwood.railfan.net/misc-l/lner-s4472aaw.jpg

Check mine out:

QUOTE: Originally posted by tatans

After reading some of the nearly 100 posts it seems that a certain group of people get in their cars(and a lot of truck things) and chase after freight trains down rain-slicked backroads at the speed of the train and I assume try to beat the train to it's destination and ( I assume again) try to photograph it, is this true----the photography??? then jump in their vehicle and race off to the next stop and repeat the same again. Do I have this right(please explain if this is wrong) Now I'm supposing if I was to roar around the country here where I live racing after a freight train, which around here would be a very dangerous thing to do, I would for sure be arrested for dangerous driving, but I would think the worst part would be trying to explain to the arresting officer just exactly what I was doing. This is the first time myself and a few others have ever heard of this behavior. I have a strange feeling I will have very few responses to the above questions. thanks

Well, yes, more or less. We try to keep things safe, although a little excess speed usually helps things along a bit. I've personally chased a train 2/3 of the way across the state, just to get exactly the pictures I wanted!

-Mark
www.fuzzyworld3.com

[METRO]

Mini Cooper S Mk1 red with white bonnet stripes and a full sunroof, it actually looks just like one of the Minis from The Italian Job.

~METRO

[Anonymous]

73 Datsun 1200 ute (that's a pickup...). ten (US) gallon fuel tank, and 350 miles range. If it won't go there, I shouldn't have been there anyway.

If I wear a hat, I'll pass for a local anywhere in the bush.

[Anonymous]

My Schwin bike! Can't drive yet. So I guess you wouldn't really call the bike a "chase vehicle", seeing as I just ride to the tracks and sit there. The only thing I'd be able to keep up with would be a slow yard move, and even that might be difficult![:D]

[Simon Reed]

Alfa Romeo GTV. 155MPH. 4 Days old, which is why I did'nt see this thread when it started.

The most fun I've ever had with my clothes on....

[Anonymous]

yeah, it seeems to me, that no one in here cares about getting good gas mileage....

[trains61]

Chevy 04` Z71 Tahoe. With sunroof, loaded with everything except Stabilertrak system. Chases are limited due to an avg. of 16 MPG at $2.15 /gal

[edblysard]

Oh, I dont know, 27 mpg freeway, 17 mpg city isnt too bad for a 4400lbs Hemi powered station wagon...
Better than the 2.5 liter Jeep...
Ed[:D]

[Train Guy 3]

1984 Chevy Blazer makes a good train chaser.... you never know when you might need 4-wheel drive.

[adrianspeeder]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

1984 Chevy Blazer makes a good train chaser.... you never know when you might need 4-wheel drive.

K5 or S10? If a K5 what engine, tranny, ect? I don't have one of those yet...

Adrianspeeder

[Anonymous]

Believe me, with diesel prices around the equivelent of $8/gallon, you need to care about milage - I get about 32mpg average even with our terrain (hills etc, and I'm not given to driving in such a way as to squeeze every last mile out - bit difficult to go easy on the power when you have a few steep climbs on your daily commute). That's actually about the same as if not better than a lot of petrol-engined small cars - take a look at the figures for a new Mini Cooper...

[rvos1979]

QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle

yeah, it seeems to me, that no one in here cares about getting good gas mileage....

Well, I get about 21-22mpg out of my 3/4 ton diesel pickup, and can go over 550 miles on a tank.......

Randy

[adrianspeeder]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rvos1979

Well, I get about 21-22mpg out of my 3/4 ton diesel pickup, and can go over 550 miles on a tank.......

Randy

Amen my diesel brotha, throw in an aux 50gallon fuel tank/tool box, I'm good for a month.

QUOTE: Originally posted by OneSecondPle

yeah, it seeems to me, that no one in here cares about getting good gas mileage....

So what do you care what milage I get. I'm proud of my 84 bronco with a 351(5.8L) High Output and no overdrive. Good feeling with true dual straight pipes roarin down the road gettin my 5-10mpg. Course I don't have much money for anything else. hahah

Adrianspeeder

[Train Guy 3]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

QUOTE: Originally posted by Train Guy 3

1984 Chevy Blazer makes a good train chaser.... you never know when you might need 4-wheel drive.

K5 or S10? If a K5 what engine, tranny, ect? I don't have one of those yet...

Adrianspeeder

It's a K5 with a 305 V-8 and a 4 speed automatice with overdrive.

[adrianspeeder]

Sweet.

Just sold my 85 C10 pickup with a 305. Had to get a third bronco instead.

Adrianspeeder

[SALfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dharmon

Lockheed P-3C Orion. 4 Allison 4600 SHP T-56-14 turbines, coupled to Hamilton-Standard variable pitch constant speed propellers.

I once flew on the airliner from which the P-3C was derived. No, I'm not THAT old, the plane belonged to the Boise Interagency Fire Center (combined firefighting organization of all the Federal land-management agencies) and was used to ferry firefighting crews around. Not a bad ride, but the streams of hydraulic fluid evident on the belly of the plane when it landed did give me a few nervous moments.

[BurlingtonJohn]

2003 F150 Supercrew 4x4 (scanner equipped, Missouri plates, Burlington Route hitch cover). If a really fast train is expected, I use my 1978 Corvette (Indy Pace Car version).

Regards,
Burlington John

[NellsChoo]

When I railfan alone, I use my silver '98 Crown Vic LX. When my boyfriend Todd drives, usually it is in his '99 Crown Vic Interceptor, complete with radio console (for work and play). People seem nervous when we pull up! If not the Vic, then sometimes his Competition Orange '04 Mustang GT, which isn't very stealthy!


Mine


Todd's


Todd's #2

[railfan619]

I really dont chase but. IF I would go out and chase I'd use my 98 malibu for the chase.

[Trainnut484]

My first train chaser was a 1977 chevy 1/2 ton pickup. The best thing about it was I could drive on maintenance roads that were so rugged that a regular car would get "high centered" or bust an axle somewhere. Nothing like sitting on the tailgate close to trackside with scanner, camera, and "liquid refreshments". It has found its way into some of my train pictures. Sometimes I miss that truck, but with today's gas prices [:0] I'm glad I don't have to worry about filling those dual tanks.

Take care,

Russell

[Anonymous]

I really dont chase but. IF I would go out and chase I'd use my 95 nissan pickup for the chase.

[mustanggt]

I drive a s****y 1997 Jetta. What a stupid mistake getting it. Not even a VR6, let alone a 5 speed. When I get a job, I'm upgrading to a Mustang , Probe GT, or possibly a T Bird LX with a 5.0.

Dave