What do you think is the PERFECT RAILFANNING VEHICLE?

[chad thomas]

My company truck.[swg]

[pat390]

my bike has gotten me around since i cant drive yet, but i would have to say a GMC sierra beacause they are just awesome trucks, plus you can park and sit in the bed

[csmith9474]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Mookie

QUOTE: Originally posted by csmith9474

MT-19A with an ice chest full of Dr Pepper and cookies.

What kind of cookies?

Choklit fudge cookies, and some beef jerky too.[:p]

[Bergie]

The perfect railfanning vehicle? A rental. [:D]

[CopCarSS]

I'm with Larry on this one...a good pair of hiking boots can't be beat.

Of course, the CopCar idea is pretty cool...oh...wait...I already have one of those!


My baby girl on a very old road near Roggen, CO.

[tree68]

You'd be amazed what you see from the cab that you miss from the cars.....[:D]

It all depends on what you're 'fanning - it's a little difficult to catch that shot of a rare engine if it's going by in the other direction. Not to diss you, Chris, but this is a little like the "what's your favorite engine" question. It all depends on where and what you are 'fanning. Several of the crossings we passed when I rode the Adirondack last week require hiking shoes - in fact, running a motor vehicle to that spot will get you arrested... Mookie's ride does just fine for her, and I suspect the closest that car gets to off road is the driveway. I can railfan the heavily travelled CSX Chicago line from the parking lot of a mall.

The correct answer is - "The one that gets me to where I can see the trains."

[bobwilcox]

The Arden, UP business car UPP 5449.

[Mookie]

QUOTE: Originally posted by csmith9474

MT-19A with an ice chest full of Dr Pepper and cookies.

What kind of cookies?

[AntonioFP45]

Looks like me and AlcoDave are the oddballs here.

At my teacher's salary there's NO WAY that I can afford the gas guzzling V8 anymore! (I used to own hot rods). I hear a lot of people complaining here in Florida how they spend $80 to fill up their SUVs! Yipes!

Since 1994 I've been driving Toyota 4 cylinders and have never looked back.

My 1998 4 banger Tacoma extended cab pickup does it for me if I railfan. Has no problem traversing rough terrain, still rides like a car on the road and contrary to the myths about 4 bangers, it will hit 90 mph with ease if pushed..

[alcodave]

I like my Suzuki Aerio SX it is a 4 door hatch back.Kinda like a station wagon.It has a storage bin under the passenger seat that currently has a nice library of Trains and Model Railroader magazines. It has plenty of space for hauling gear.The seats lay almost flat so you can nap between trains or when out pulling an all nighter waiting on Amtrak in Ohio.Also the peppy little four cylinder engine gets great gas mileage.A jeep would be very awesome,but there isnt really a need for it here in Ohio.

[icmr]

Geeps are good. I like the Cop car idea. Mine would be anything that can get me a couple miles ahead of the train.



ICMR

Happy Railroading.[swg][swg]

[miniwyo]

A Ford Ranger, good on gas, and It will go anywhere I want to go.

[kschmidt]

Did some say a "police car". I don't think many trains could outrun this squad car. It was posed at Butler Yard in Milwaukee, WI for an Operation Lifesaver train. Best part was I got to drive it there and back. Just the perks of the job, and I got a cab ride for the OLS special



Keith Schmidt

[Junctionfan]

A police car; think about it....

Gas is payed for by the taxpayer; nobody is going to call the police on you or suspect you of being up to no good; you can chase a train through town by flicking on the lights and sirens and folk will pull over for you; air conditioning; computer (get some games happening); and lastly, you can park it almost anywhere you want without worrying about a ticket.

[Anonymous]

Something big with four wheel drive that burns a lot of gas!

I'll let my little sister drive the jeepie.

[mustanggt]

My feet- I don't railfan but it seems everytime I see a train I'm on foot. But if I had to pick the ultimate vehicle, it would probably have to be a Jacked up American or Japanese truck , Benz Unimog, or an International CXT- basically a rich man's Dually pickup[:p]

[espeefoamer]

The perfect railfan vehicle would have 4 wheel drive,enough room to sleep in the back,and store enough equipment for a long weekend. It would also have a Klingon type cloaking device so when the police arive you can push a button and the car dissapears [:D].

[dragenrider]

My perfect train chasing vehicle:

1997 Ford Explorer V-8 with all wheel drive and extra electrical plug ins. And a fantastic air conditioner!

[Jordan6]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rgroeling

QUOTE: Originally posted by AlcoRS11Nut

I love my Jeep Cherokee

Jeeps rock[8D]

From a railroaders point of view, I'd have to say the Jeep Cherokee is the worst railfanning vehicle. All the trainmasters and roadforeman drive them. Sorry to burst your bubble.[:I]

[edblysard]

Outside of the city, my old Jeep Wrangler...but then a older Land Rover, or a Toyota Land Cruiser would do well also...you can flip a Rover on it's side, and if you can right it, it will run just fine...have done that a few times...

In the city or where there is public road access...I prefer my Dodge Magnum...enough room in the back(more that a Durango) to haul all your stuff, fast enough to catch almost any train you want, and rides like a Mercedes E class...(hint, same basic running gear)...
Ed

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rgroeling

In Illinois you would be right, take it from a born "Illinoisan" But in Montana you would be dead wrong. The acces road to Mullan Pass, an MRL hotspot, is a dirt path requiring four wheel drive, and is a public road and there are many more examples of this sort of thing in more rural parts of the country.

Yes, I agree. What is true here is not necessarily true by you. I would consider you to be lucky to be where you are.

[Anonymous]

Helecopter. It been done w/this mode of transport

[Anonymous]

Yes to both of those!

[Anonymous]

Land Rover Discovery (Series 1 - avoid the later ones as there's too many electronic bits in them) - TDI or V8, it's your choice, with fuel at £1/litre the TDI is the only affordable option. Big windows (I've taken more than a few decent photos by simply opening a window and resting my elbow on the sill) and able to go anywhere you want it to. The Camel Trophy used them for years ploughing through jungles where there was no road before. Not too shabby on road either when you get the hang of it (diesels aren't slow - they just take a bit longer to react)...

Ultimate railfan vehicle would probably be a police helicopter - you get a full set of cameras (video and thermal imaging), and of course the ability to go literally anywhere at high speeds!

[Anonymous]

Yes!

[ShaunCN]

a hi-rail truck would be the best!

[Anonymous]

In Illinois you would be right, take it from a born "Illinoisan" But in Montana you would be dead wrong. The acces road to Mullan Pass, an MRL hotspot, is a dirt path requiring four wheel drive, and is a public road and there are many more examples of this sort of thing in more rural parts of the country.

[Anonymous]

It seems to me that anyplace around here that one needs a Jeep to get to is private property.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by AlcoRS11Nut

I love my Jeep Cherokee

Jeeps rock[8D]

[AlcoRS11Nut]

I love my Jeep Cherokee