QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas Foamer-non railfan railroader...The worst possible match. The Foamer is typically a "social disaster area" an is likely to represent a hazard to the railroader in a multitude of ways in which the non railfan railroader will be most intolerant of... the non railfan railroader will look at the foamer like they are the most socially unacceptable life form on the face of the planet, and not know whether to be irritated by them or take pitty on them. bottom line: bad blood.
USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman
QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas Foamer-non railfan railroader...The worst possible match. The Foamer is typically a "social disaster area" an is likely to represent a hazard to the railroader in a multitude of ways in which the non railfan railroader will be most intolerant of... the non railfan railroader will look at the foamer like they are the most socially unacceptable life form on the face of the planet, and not know whether to be irritated by them or take pitty on them. bottom line: bad blood. Fun to watch from the sidelines though!
Have fun with your trains
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Building the CPR Kootenay division in N scale, blog here: http://kootenaymodelrailway.wordpress.com/
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas Definitions: Railfan...An otherwise normal person that enjoys the pursuit of railroad related activities. That could be one or more of many sub interests including but not limited to observing, photographing, reasearching, studying, discussing, modeling or just plain following the railroads of both past,present or future. These people are hard to spot in other circles as they are functional in normal society. Foamer...One that apparently looses all mental control when one or more of the following occur: 1) they are in the presence of a: A) a train B) railroad tracks (and in some places railroad property(s)) C) a piece of railroad memorabilia or D) a conversation or any other communication related to the subject of railroading. They are easy to detect as most of them are social disaster areas anyway. Railroader (non railfan)...One that couldn't care less what the rest of us falling into the other categories think(s) about them or there company. They are the ones that are there to do a job, earn a liveing and make it home safely every day till retirement. Railroader (closet railfan)...One that typically enjoys there job whether they admit it or not. They are most likely to be industry insider participants of railroad related forums. they are fairly easy members to spot as they typically use aliases (to protect the innocent of course) but are otherwise forthright with there experiences and opinions,reguardless of what the foamers think. Railroader (and railfan)..one that enjoys there profession and is willing to share there experiences and/or wisdom with the rest of the railfan community. They are easy to spot due to there honesty, integrity and passion for railroading and railroad related subjects while feeling no need to hide there identity. Trolls-(all of the above)...Trolls are generally misfits of society looking to disrupt normal society in any way they can (for whatever reason) and there presence in the forum is a side effect of society more then a railfan category and will furthermore be ignored, ********************************************************************************************** relationships: railfan-Foamer....The railfan will tolerate the foamer either out of pity or compassion for the mentally challenged that enjoy the same hobby, even when it may damage there reputation....the foamer will generally cling on to the railfan because they are not just willing to talk to them but are also socially acceptable members of society. railfan-railroader(non railfan)...The railfan typically feels self conscious when a railroader gives that look that says "get a life"...The railroader usually gives the railfan that "Get a life look" that comes so naturally to them. Railfan-railroader(closet railfan)...railfans typically cater to the closet railroader's ego when they feel they will not have there cover blown and therefore are paid back in special favors in many varying ways in which railfans tend to exploit but not abuse...Closet railfan railroaders are a goldmine for the railfan because when they know they can get away with it they will show off for the railfan in a multitude of ways that are always beneficial and thoroughly appreciated by most all railfans. This is typically a most beneficial relationship as long as the railfan does not take the closet foamer down front street. Railfan-railfan/railroader...This tends to be the best kind of relationship as each party tends to have a level head and doesn't get to inflated about who or what they are and for the most part are intelegent, wise and compassionate members of society. Foamer-non railfan railroader...The worst possible match. The Foamer is typically a "social disaster area" an is likely to represent a hazard to the railroader in a multitude of ways in which the non railfan railroader will be most intolerant of... the non railfan railroader will look at the foamer like they are the most socially unacceptable life form on the face of the planet, and not know whether to be irritated by them or take pitty on them. bottom line: bad blood. Foamer-closet railfan railroader...Although not the worst mix it does have perils all its own. the foamer will tend to taunt the closet railroader to give them access or special favors... Meanwhile the closet railroader will constantly worry about the foamer taking them down front street and risking them loosing there job. A very unbalanced relationship. Foamer-railroader railfan...the foamer typically worships the ground the railroader walks on. The railroader typically spends his time wondering why those losers worship the ground they walk on.The relationships in this category could potentially fill books and is way beyond the scope of this piece.
Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
QUOTE: Originally posted by germanium trainboyH16-44 - You're out with a girl and yet listening to trains ??? Confirms our suspicions !! As a matter of interest, what is CP 2816 ?
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").
QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSFrailfan. Ya but the number one thing not to forget when you go Railfanning. The Smokes. Don't forget the Smokes.
QUOTE: Originally posted by vsmith[#ditto][#ditto] Chad, you forgot the "closet railfan"...people like me, who enjoy trains and all thing railroad related, but like to watch them go by from the comfort and shade of our car in a Carl's Jr parking lot. Also we generally dont carry a camera, or a schedule, or a scanner, won't hike 5 miles thru sagebrush and rattlesnakes to the place overlooking the "perfect" spot to take pics, and will never ever wear that stupid Engineers hat with enough logo pins stuck to it to sink a canoe with!
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)
QUOTE: Originally posted by trainboyH16-44 DING DING DING give the man a dollar! I'm a bit of a foamer, but I'm laerning self-control..like if I go out with a girl, I no longer jump and turn my head at the sound of a distant train.. I was jumped by a true foamer once, he ruined a recording of CP 2816 I was trying to make because he wouln't shut up..*sigh* I've had some interesting encounters with those types of railroaders..like this one cab ride I got. One railroader was a nice one, probably a closet railfan. Another was a regular railroader, and a third one was unknown..made for an interesting day..one grumbling about safety regulations, and the other telling me about what was going on..well, it was fun! And one little tidbit, it turns out I have asperger's syndrome..makes perfect sense!
QUOTE: Originally posted by Tharmeni Chad - To add another dimension to the splendid field work you set out above, I also believe the male foamer - female non-railfan is the most volatile relationship on the planet.
QUOTE: Originally posted by spbed H'mm if you have so much time on your hands to give what is your opinion of Americans then my I suggest you find some else to occupy you besides RRs. However. thank you for type casting the rest of us. [;)]
QUOTE: Originally posted by CShaveRR Chad, believe it or not, there also exists such an animal as railroader (foamer). They don't usually last very long, though, because the other three railroader categories look upon them as being more than a little strange, even if they share the same sympathies at times. You can tell these guys some tall tales that they will later repeat as gospel.
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