I’ve read, with great anticipation, about people on this forum getting to railfan. I live in the Charleston, SC area and want to do some railfanning, but have no idea how to arrange it. Does anybody have any information on railfannning and how I can go about arranging a trip???
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Go to this “TRAINS” link. You can do a search and/or get information about the best places to railfan.
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/507.aspx
or
http://cs.trains.com/trccs/search/SearchResults.aspx?q=Charleston+SC+AND+sectionid%3A507&o=Relevance
Hope this helps
Hmm. Charleston. There’s not a lot in Charleston. From a tourist point of view, was there in Summer, your best bet in town I think is to camp out near the aquarium. The track leading out of the port that Loads/unloads auto carryng boats is right near there. You might be able to catch thew switcher jostling. If you like a good chase, you could follow him out of town to the interchange where the harbor drops off the auto carriers. The majority of the harbor track is cut off by fence, some of it covered fence. But that section is open track. If you want to take a minor road trip, look up the Amtrak station. That vicinity sits on Norfolk Southern trackage where it interchanged with threee other now defunct companies. Some places have three mainline parrelelling each other, if you go in morning/evening, you can catch a passenger too.
What you need is a good camera, make sure it;s charged, and plenty of picturre storage. Either Film or digitsl card, whatever you have. I also recomend some shade to hide in when waiting on a train. A car off the road is not a bad way to go. As in, not even on the shoulder. People worry about cars pulled off. Parking lots are great places for this. Otherwise-- You want a place that gives you a good view of the tracks, while being a common sense distance away from the track. At least 30ft is good for the train crews. Usually, crossings have signs that mark the boundary of RR territtory. You want to be on the safe side of the crossing. Also not enear a road, for safety of dumb drivers. Shade is good. Play with some camera angles before the train comes. If you have a scanner, that you can listen to train channels, that may help you keep tabs on where trains are.
NOTE: Scanners are frowned upon by Law Enforcement/etc, because a rail scanner can pickup their 911 comm. frequencies as well. If
Ah, under what South Carolina law is the use of a handheld scanner prohibited?
Absent a law prohibiting the carriage of a handheld scanner, you may do whatever you wish with it, radio license or not.
Another idea would be to go to someplace like railpictures.net or even youtube and search for pictures/video taken in your area. That’ll give you an idea of some locations to start with.
The biggest thing to remember is NO TRESSPASSING. Don’t cross the tracks, don’t go on railroad property. It’s not just a safety concern, but trespassing is a great way to get a good railfan area closed down, fenced off, etc.
If you’re just getting started, the best idea is to find a local spot where other local railfans congregate.
The original poster asked about how he could find out about a railfanning trip. Railfanning isn’t necessarily an organised trip. It’s finding operating trains in your area and watching them, usually taking photos. Something you can do all on your own. Railfanning - being a “fan” of real railroads.
I go by myself alot. I have no scanner, but it would help. I mostly just go to a parking lot, sit, and wait. I’m not the kind that goes right up to the train, or go where I am not suppose to go.
Next time you go out, see where you can park/sit. Maybe you can get some good shots!!!
I’ve been collecting “No Trespassing” shots for quite some time… You’ll note that I’m always carefully located in front of the sign, as stepping behind it would constitute a serious national security breach…
I’ve also been carefully training my son to respect the law, by staying on the right side of the signs…
Oh, and occasionally we see trains!
Lee
I like to bring a cooler full of bottled water and pop with me when I go. Every once in awhile a bunch of us will get together and have a barbecue and just hang out. I always have my scanner with me because I can pick up the “hot box” detectors so I know when a train is coming, from what direction, on what track and if its a freight or passenger train. The town I live in has both CN and CP main lines running through it and there is lots of great spots to railfan.
Tresspass Messpash. I railfan on the weekends where there is less chance of being seen on railroad property. I highly recommend a Ghillie suit. This is me wearing mine. I keep my scanner in my back pocket.
Usually my railfan trips are when I’m there for something else anyway… It’s almost always at a railroad station, so I set up the video camera on the tripod (don’t block the platform!) and bring my SLR as well. I don’t have a scanner.
Basically I try to have an unobstructed view of the train (when possible, no fence, poles, other junk in front of the train) and just have fun! Sometimes you get a train, sometimes you don’t. I went railfanning two days ago in Worcester, and while the videos turned out good, the photos (taken at ISO 400 on a point-and-shoot) were horribly grainy. Oh well. There’s always next time.
Railfanning is a lot of fun as long as you stay safe and off railroad property. I wish I could get out more often…
My method is simple(like always)…I carry a small cooler(six pack type) for water,pop and a sandwitch plus a candy bar…I then follow my nose till I end up at Marion,Bellevue,Tiffen,Fostoria,Willard or Greenwhich and then I find a shady spot(preferably near signals or between road/street crossings)…I then sit back and read one of my monthly magazines till I hear a horn blowing or the signal gives a indication a train is coming…I also usually stop and get a cup of coffee…Now if I just go to the T&OC station all I take is a cup of coffee and my magazines.
Speaking of scanners I need to buy one…My old one quit working.
I did some at the Nashville CSX yard a while back. I just followed a UPS truck that was pulling into the yard parking lot. I was surprised no one said anything to me. I avoided the no treaspassing areas, but went anywhere else I wanted. (no problems) One guy came out of the tower and looked at me from a distance. I just held up my camera and waved at him. He waved back and went back inside. I guess they get a lot of railfans there.
http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a277/loathar/CSX%20Nashville%20Yard/
Had you been wearing your “Walthers” purchased Ghillie suit, that would not have happened.
So,That explains the “Big Foot” sightings…
If you’re gonna be railfanning up close id recommend getting yourself one of those bright orange safety vest. I used to railfan in northern vt and i got to talk to a few engineers and railroad worker. Most of them agreed that seeing someone next to the track was a big safety concern. Wearing a safety vest means youll be seen by the engineer and they wont think you’re intending to yourself on the track (apparently its a fear shared by every single engineer i ever talked to). I always have one in the car and when i go railfannin ( and it has been a while) i just put it on… well keep in mind i would usually railfan in wilder area not in the cities… cause i would just look odd with an orange vest on ( it wouldnt match my shoes and all)
SKIP,
I do some rail fanning, sometimes I’ll stay in one area and sometimes chasing when we’re traveling, but take a camera with you, whenever you’re out n about. You never know when a good shot will show up. Scanners are great, but not necessary, I have one here at home.
Another part of that I enjoy, is finding old abandoned right of ways [ROW’S] n looking for signs of what’s left. Here’s link to one site I use for finding old stations, freight house’s n such.
Another part of this is finding some old maps that show the row’s. Ebay is one place I’ve picked up a couple maps. Historical societies, museums, libraries and of course some research on your computer, where you can find out about more information on them.
Some of the things most everyone else has already covered. Some of the other things I’ve learned, if you’re going to be somewhere, maybe take maybe some munchies [I also take a some reading material at times]. Never be in a hurry [unless there’s some place else your suppose to be], the train may be running late or an extra might come through. Know the area your rail-fanning in. some places are not the safest to hang around anymore.
Don’t get discouraged if your photos are not as good as you hoped for. You’re the biggest critic of your on work. Even the best photographer may take a 100 shots for one great one.
I cna’t help you in your area, but I hope you enjoy your train hunts and stay safe out there. You never know who you’ll get to meet. I’ve met folks from a few diffent countries around the world, while out
[:D]
I don’t know SC law. Heck, I don’t even know IN law. (See top of post, i was a tourist in Chalreston) What I do know is theat the Police hate us having scanners, and what all the HAMs I hang out with have said about them. Mom is one. And I know there are laws that add to punishment if you were listneing to a Police freq. to further crimes. (This is the concern the Police have with the scanners. Who can hear them and use that information) I’m not saying the OP or anyone would. Just what I know. Also something that I should have mentioned, an officer isn’t likely to go too far out of his way if you look like you knnow what your doing and that wat your oing isn;t a threat.
Addendum as I write this: Mom found this: in the 90s, made an exemption to HAMs to carry scanners. And yet, then it was said that there’s no law regulating it. Even the FCC cannot agree. There’s an interesting little debate here. In this case though, FCC could have veto pwers over state law. Mom found me this: link IN law prohibits scanners, exempted are news people for finding stories, and HAMs. SC is marked pause for thought. Take that as you wsh.
Fwew.
And now back to your regularly scheduled choo choos.
best way to railfan…get hired by the RR! i did and now i see and hear all. scanners or radios are legal AS LONG AS you do not transmit a signal! yes, we get nervous when we see folks walking near the tracks; never know their intentions. stay 30 feet from the tracks or you are technically tresspassing: signs or no signs. stay off bridges and out of tunnels!
to find a great location, ask at the LHS. some railroaders are modelers too and will give awesome locations.
http://www.on-track-on-line.com/scanner-radio.shtml linky for RR scanny channels