this forum is a great help to me but I know that the internet has had many other impacts.
dd
All the great photo galleries! Mine included (allbeit perhaps not as great as others…)
Back when UP had public tracing, I could find out when an SP locomotive was coming through town and go out to meet it, if I was able to go out there then.
I put all my photos online now…this forum…and yes, the trace used to be helpful!
Broadening exposure, meeting and getting to know some folks that I had met long ago that I would not have met again. It is great - Roy
Makes it easier to find rail attractions, frequencies, schedules, etc. Virtual gatherings like forums and IM have introduced me to people I’d never have encountered otherwise.
95% of my internet use is for railroading. Rail info everywhere just a click away. My entire favorite list is full of railrod stuff.
… the other 5% I just waste.[:)]
95% of my time is railroad…5 percent instant messenging.
Ebay has allowed me to greatly expand my railroadiana collection through individuals whom I would never see, and would never be selling, at railroadiana shows. I still go to those shows, but Ebay really has expanded the range of railroadiana than I can purchase.
It’s allowed me to see beyond the Canadian Pacific.
I’ve become intrigued by the history of some of the older smaller Fallen Flags.
Having the WWW allows instant access to a lot of information on railroads that I never thought about until recently. I know I won’t be able to see a true Yellow MEC unit working, but the WWW as allowed me to see what they used to be like.
The D&H is another RR that I’ve grown to love.
Partly due to the fact that it’s now owned by the CPR, but after reading into the history of the D&H, I’ve also grown to love ALCO’s, especially the PA’s!
Gordon
For me, I get a different perspective from the folks that actually work with the stuff.
Thanks to the Net, I also get to see things and places I wouldn’t ordinarily see. I have always been curious about the inside of diesel locomotive cabs. Most museums won’t let you climb up into them, so thanks to the Net and some photos I’ve found there, I have a fair idea what the inside of old E unit and F unit diesels looks like.
The GG1 electric also fascinates me- I don’t know why- but thanks to the Net, I’ve seen pictures of the inside of that thing.
The Net is the only place where I can track down rail arcana without leaving home, thanks to the research of thousands of folks across the world.
Erik
I have learned a lot by reading these forums.I fount out what it is like staying awake at 3:00 AM running a freight train,what it’s like switching cars for an entire shift.I have also learned many fascinating facts about railroading in Great Britan, Austrailia, and other parts of the world.
Id rather be doing something more constructive than just being on the internet all the time. Like Railfanning.
Too much Internet can FRY YOUR BRAIN,If not already!,LOL!
For openers, it has stimulated my interest in overseas railroading, especially those places that resemble North American railroading (Australia, Brazil and others). I’ve also been able to learn more about other aspects of railroading that were long-time mysteries to me.
The various forums on this site have allowed me to variously share my knowledge with others and engage in occasionally stimulating debates.
helps me find out where good spots are to railfan and helps me to share what I see alot better.
stay safe
Joe
erikthered. thank you. As a railfan who has become a ‘Rail’, it is nice to hear that our perspectives are heard! The next level is a big jump indeed!!
…So much easier to find data on rail locations, history, photos, etc…Just easier to railfan including communication on this forum.
I’ve actually been actually railfanning for a couple of years, so I still have a lot of questions. Every question I’ve asked here has been answered.
mike
i like the map sites like Mapquest that show the general track alignment in relation to roads.
dd