In the summer of 1995, my dad took me on a short trip out to Kempner, TX.
I was five years old so I had never seen a train before. We walked up a hill and
and saw two Santa Fe C44-8W warbonets and a SD-45. The train was going at a good speed of 45 mph. We sat and watched the whole train go by.
It was one of the best days of my life.
Bryan, welcome to the wonderful world of railfanning! I certainly hope you and your Dad continue to have many more days of train watching. I have been a railfan for over 30 years now and never seem to get tired of watching trains and they always seem to give me a thrill. EJOY!
Thank You eolafan. Its people like you that make railfaning what it is today.
I hope other people can experince what me and my dad did.
bryan
welcome to the forum.My dad knew I was interested in trains when we moved in 1976.Where did we move too?A neighboorhood along the old B&O line.I lived1/2 block from the tracks.It was great.I go back as much as I can.He also helped with the benchwork for my first layout.I did the track and wiring myself.My son matt even had a yard for awhile until we got the computer but he has shown great interest in trains.I have thomas tapes for him and he likes the real ones too.
just remember please be safe out there and if you have any questions there are people here to help.
stay safe
joe and matt
Bryan, I wish you’d joined a month or so earlier…a post like this would have been great for Father’s Day!
I like to think of myself as a self-made railfan (who as loved trains for a long as he can remember), but I’m pretty sure that somewhere in those early years it was my dad who would point out the trains to me. He wasn’t a railfan himself, but he certainly didn’t discourage it.
Don’t sell yourself short, though…that bond goes two ways! I tried to make railfans out of my two daughters, but they eventually found somewhat more interesting things to pursue (the older one caught and married hers!). Still, they are at least knowledgeable enough to explain a few things to people who are otherwise uninformed.
And, Bryan, it’s not too early to pass it on, if you see a younger fan, a curious family, or something like that. Be willing to answer questions, point out the nearest hobby shop, or things like that. Enthusiasm is contagious!
It was just opposite for me. My 2 boy’s got me into this thing. They loved Thomas the Tank Engine so when they got older they wanted to see the real thing. Whenever we have free time we go to some parks to play at that have train tracks near by. I believe all kids are like that Example: My oldest son play’s on a T-Ball league, during one of the games a train went by. The kids on both teams quit playing ball to watch this train go by. Now whenever a train is heard coming the coaches call time out for they know the kids will not have there mind on the game till the train passes.
TIM A
THANK YOU for reading my post
A father and son together watching trains.
Can life get any better than that? [8D]
That’s awesome!! Thanks for sharing. [:)]
No sons, just daughters, but the middle one wants to be a engineer, or a vet, not sure which. But I welcome all fans, as long as you ask first, most railroaders will be happy to help you out, note most of the crews still wave, and the engineer will blow the horn if you ask. Like joe and matt say, Look, Listen and Live.
Enjoy your new hobby, hope it becomes a passion.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
amen ed!
joe
My Dad got me interested in trains during the 1950’s. My parents had six kids, so to get some of us out of the house, Dad took us to the IC station in Rockford IL on Sunday mornings. I still remember the lineup: The westbound Iowan, the eastbound Rath meat train from Waterloo IA, and finally, the eastbound Land O’ Corn. We also took summer vacations to Rock Lake WI where our cottage just happened to back up to the CNW. Those experiences hooked me for lfe! Dad’s still going strong at 90, and on occasion I take him train watching at the Rochelle IL RR park.
John W. Baie, author, www.xlibris.com/TwoTrackMain.html
The only thing i can add to the post is dont ever think you know what is going on. that you know where the trains are and how to be around the tracks. there are men out here that get hurt and killed everyday , that work for the railroad over 30 years and you think they would know. The main thing is that if crews see you where you are not allowed to be they get uneasy. then you get reported. Just save yourself some problems and let the crews get to know you by staying away from harm then you will get the benifits of a toot of the horn and in my case a tour of the engine. and if there is time a ride. otherwise if yo break the trust of a railroader you wont get anything but trouble. We are good people and there is enough to watch for add one over zelous railfan and things can get out of hand.
In the summer of 1995, my dad took me on a short trip out to Kempner, TX.
I was five years old so I had never seen a train before. We walked up a hill and
and saw two Santa Fe C44-8W warbonets and a SD-45. The train was going at a good speed of 45 mph. We sat and watched the whole train go by.
It was one of the best days of my life.
Bryan, welcome to the wonderful world of railfanning! I certainly hope you and your Dad continue to have many more days of train watching. I have been a railfan for over 30 years now and never seem to get tired of watching trains and they always seem to give me a thrill. EJOY!
Thank You eolafan. Its people like you that make railfaning what it is today.
I hope other people can experince what me and my dad did.
bryan
welcome to the forum.My dad knew I was interested in trains when we moved in 1976.Where did we move too?A neighboorhood along the old B&O line.I lived1/2 block from the tracks.It was great.I go back as much as I can.He also helped with the benchwork for my first layout.I did the track and wiring myself.My son matt even had a yard for awhile until we got the computer but he has shown great interest in trains.I have thomas tapes for him and he likes the real ones too.
just remember please be safe out there and if you have any questions there are people here to help.
stay safe
joe and matt
Bryan, I wish you’d joined a month or so earlier…a post like this would have been great for Father’s Day!
I like to think of myself as a self-made railfan (who as loved trains for a long as he can remember), but I’m pretty sure that somewhere in those early years it was my dad who would point out the trains to me. He wasn’t a railfan himself, but he certainly didn’t discourage it.
Don’t sell yourself short, though…that bond goes two ways! I tried to make railfans out of my two daughters, but they eventually found somewhat more interesting things to pursue (the older one caught and married hers!). Still, they are at least knowledgeable enough to explain a few things to people who are otherwise uninformed.
And, Bryan, it’s not too early to pass it on, if you see a younger fan, a curious family, or something like that. Be willing to answer questions, point out the nearest hobby shop, or things like that. Enthusiasm is contagious!
It was just opposite for me. My 2 boy’s got me into this thing. They loved Thomas the Tank Engine so when they got older they wanted to see the real thing. Whenever we have free time we go to some parks to play at that have train tracks near by. I believe all kids are like that Example: My oldest son play’s on a T-Ball league, during one of the games a train went by. The kids on both teams quit playing ball to watch this train go by. Now whenever a train is heard coming the coaches call time out for they know the kids will not have there mind on the game till the train passes.
TIM A
THANK YOU for reading my post
A father and son together watching trains.
Can life get any better than that? [8D]
That’s awesome!! Thanks for sharing. [:)]