I thought that it was going to be just an “anti-railfan” article because of the Metrolink crash, but some positive things are said about as as well.
On thing I wasn’t aware of. According to the article our ranks are growing. [:D][tup] I always thought that the railfan base was shrinking as a lot of young people today are more into computer games and techno gadgets than locomotives and trains. [;)]
I’ve noticed something similar, I’m in my 20s, and just kinda getting back into model trains, and starting to really get into railfanning… and I’m weary about mentioning a train hobby around my peers as I feel rather ‘nerdy’ about it, but 9 out of 10 times they think it’s pretty cool too. It’s a little weird…but cool!
I have to dissagree with the article. The real die-hards can be considered Railfans, not foamers. Railfans are more interiested in the special things…new or obscure loco? special consist? rare mileage?
The foamers are the ones that (well, I hate calling it this) “foam” at ALL trains that go by.
Most typical “railfans” don’t really pay attention to the normal trains. They are interiested in the uniqueness of some trains.
(In other words, you’d have to be crazy to be taking that many photos of BNSF trains going by…LOL)
I feel that Foamers are the ones that have to call or text engineers in order to get info when it’s convient for them…not when it is convient for the people they are getting information from.
Also, what does it matter if it was a “foamer” texting the engineer, or if it was his wife, or a family member?? Could have been anyone.
I’ll only disagree slightly. I hardly consider myself a foamer, but my exposure to “regular” trains is slight - there just isn’t that much activity in my immediate area. Thus, when I go someplace where there are a lot of trains moving, I tend to pay attention.
I have at least one shot of every train that passed through Deshler on my first visit there. I probably will be ready to shoot most of them when I visit there next, simply because you just never know what’s coming through.
Methinks it all depends on your perspective. My actions at Deshler might gain me a label as a foamer, particularly by someone who fancies themselves not a foamer.
On the other hand, you didn’t find me setting up my tripod inside the diamond for that perfect shot…
That’s true about it couldn’t have been anyone. But the engineer had to have given those kids his number or vice versa. It’s not like anybody can just text the engineer anytime a train goes by. They said he made numerous texts that day. I would be curious how many were NOT sent to railfans
Hmm… The thing is, seeing a train is rare to me, so I pay attention to (and photograph) every single one when I have my camera on me. Sure, I look like a foamer, but I still call myself a railfan…
IMO any hobby or pursuit has extremes and railfanning is no different. I felt the article tended to put a positive spin on most railfans and the hobby as a whole.