Railfanning in groups?

[88gta350]

I was just curious if those railfans out there railfan in groups or alone? Most peple in hobbies seek out others in there hobby to share it with (car clubs, model railroading clubs, etc...) and was just curious if that's the case with railfans. It seems to me it is a solitary hobby for the most part. I'd be interested to hear your opinions.

[TheS.P.caboose]

I railfan both ways. There's a group I meet with once a week. When I want to go outside the my normal area, then I usually go alone.

[chad thomas]

I think this has been a hobby of loners for the most part but the internet seems to be changing that. With the communication in this hobby that is better than ever there are bound to be more people out thee getting together. I myself have already met a couple other railfans through the forums. I think this is a plus for our hobby. I have been a lone railfan mostly but I do meet up with my father and uncle for the bigger trips. They are both railfans also. Other than that I go alone. That way I and I alone decide where to go and what to do. Ah, freedom!!!!

[CSXrules4eva]

I do my railfaning mostly alone. This is because I don't really have anyone else around my area who is interested. I'm sure there are other railfans out there in the greater Philadelphia area but I haven't met any. Evey once and a while I 'll go railfaning with a friend of mine when ever we get chances to meet up, with in a 800 mile radius.

[JoeKoh]

sometimes I'm by myself.sometimes I take matt and sometimes mamma comes too.there is just alot of nice people to meet in deshler too.thats where we like to go.
stay safe
Joe

[RudyRockvilleMD]

Sometimes in groups and sometimes alone. I personally like to go out with 2 - 3 other railfans for the company if i am going out of my home area, but if I want to do something nobody else is inteested in I go alone. Of course if I'm out of my home territory I go alone.

One of the big advantages inrailfanning with others is it lowers the cost of gasoline to drive around. Then of course there are the jokes and the puns. Also when you go out together somebody else can do the navigating so thewhole gang doesn't get lost.

[arbfbe]

I used to railfan with 5 or 6 regulars and we also shared slide shows on a monthly basis. then I went railroading and work weekends and am free most often during the week when they are working. So now it is mostly a solitary event.

[Anonymous]

Usually alone. I figure why let the "anti-terrorism" goons even begin to ponder conspiracy motives...[8D]

[fuzzybroken]

I typically railfan alone, due to it being on my way to, from, or between work sites. Sometimes I'll meet up with other railfans while I'm out, although sometimes those other railfans aren't really chatty -- and sometimes I'm not! Anyways, I have met a few people trackside that I have met online on forums and groups!

-Mark
www.fuzzyworld3.com

[eolafan]

I normally go out railfanning alone, but frequently meet up with a group of "regulars" at the BNSF Eola yard crossing and we spend some hours in our lawn chairs talking railroading, politics and generally fixing what's wrong with the world. We will ocassionally meet up at Rochelle and once in a while go chasing a train in one or two cars together. These guys belong to a model railroad club "The Little Q" but since I don't model I have never been there, perhaps some day though.

[Junctionfan]

Often alone but my club goes out railfaning too. Police and locals don't seemed to be worried if 10 of us half with grey hair, stand around near railroad property.

[cnw4001]

Mostly alone unless a group is at the site when I arrive. If you are at a "foreign location" a group of "local" folks can be quite helpful and interesting.

In my area there are rarely others around.

[CShaveRR]

I usually go alone, because I don't have the time to do anything more "organized". I'm usually on my way to work when I go trackside. If someone is around, I'll seek him/her out and see if there's any knowledge that we can give to one another. I've met some nice people that way, including, on a couple of occasions, a group of fans from Great Britain.

As always, I'd love to meet other Forum members out there--even if they have to come about 800 miles to get here!

[Junctionfan]

In a few years, I plan on going railfaning in the U.S more. You might see me then.

[Anonymous]

For the most part, I go railfanning by myself. But, now and again I'll go out with friends. I enjoy both ways. Recently, I started joining in with a big group from the CalRailfans mailing list. I had fun both times, once at Alta and once at Portola.

Jim

[waltersrails]

i usely go alone but i enjoy taking a friend or 2 when go. Because when a train doesn't come for a couple hours its good to talk to your friends. Some pics if interested at http://ztrainman.tripod.com/

[Anonymous]

My railfanning activities have been cut way down because of gas prices and work. (BUT that is not entirely a bad thing these days.)

When I went railfanning I went alone.

However, it is not a bad idea (because of the high price of gas) to get several together and pitch in and share the cost of gas.

Let's not forget the idea, that there is safety in numbers either. [;)]

Some of the places I railfan are not exactly "safe" at times. Remember that the railroad tracks in the old times went into the center of the town (actually the town was built around the railroad tracks) and today these areas are mostly rundown and/or industrial in nature. Some of these areas contain "drug houses" so you have people who are not exactly social. (If you know what I mean. [8D] )

[AlcoRS11Nut]

Most of the time by myself.......sometimes with my cousins or others. Both have there downfalls and stregths.

[espeefoamer]

Mostly by myself. But on Fri. and Sat. nights,I hang out with a group of fans at the Fullerton Amtrak station to watch trains.

[Anonymous]

was at rochelle last week, and at 2pm here comes a huge charter bus into the railpark. we thought the people getting off were fans but learned they were stopping here for a look at the park returning from white pines state park play outing. we gave a general description to some about park.quite a park. now there are 2 switch engines here. and 2 heritage units passed through. railfans heaven!!

[spbed]

Snce I live in SE Florida & do all my railfanning on the W/coast I do it by myself. I have met other railfans though at Daggett, Ogden, Dolton, Rochelle, Green River, Cajon Pass [:o)][:)][:p]

Originally posted by 88gta350
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Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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