There is something, somewhere, that will turn even the most placid railfan into a rabid foamer.
I’ve been a RRer for 32 years, an Engineer for 26, and a Railfan for all my life (50 years).
I’ve been called all the above names but teh only one I have any distaste for is “BUFF” (or train Buff or Railroad Buff". I would like to say that the railroad employees who chose to BUFF-BASH are the ones that are really insecure about themselves in their jobs, and don’t know enough about their industry to understand why it may hold some fascination to others. A generation ago, there were planty of railroaders who were NOT fans, but understood that there WERE admirers of their industry around, and many of them went out of their way to accomodate us. HECK, I know of a “foamer” who would set up a sign in advance of his photo location reading: “PHOTOGRAPHER-ONE MILE AHEAD”. Many a steam locomotive engineer would see this sign and arrange to make extra smoke, thus creating a more dramatic photo!
The crop of people that RRs are hiring nowadays is just a new low in human TRASH. Human Rescource departments seem to go out of their way to hire people who do NOT have the railroad in their blood. Sadly, morale on the railroad suffers for it and is now down in the crapper.
This may or may not alighn with your thoughts, but I think it hurts like hell to see our wonderfull industry handed over to the current generation of clueless crapheads while all the good and dedicated men are all pretty much gone.
As a current rr employee, I have no interest in modern day rrrs at all. It is a job and I treat it as that. I do have an interest in the past history & tradition of the industry and I will purchase books & tapes w/a history theme to it. In terms of photographing trains, I have not done this in several yrs and the film in my camera had been in the since 2001.
Ed’s distinction is probably the best so far. I try to stay in his first class since it implies responsible behavior. Years ago, I had a teammate on my rugby club who was a brakeman on C&NW and he appreciated having somebody who enjoyed listening to him talk shop. I always assumed he knew much more about practical railroading than I ever would and I learned a few things just by listening.
Paul
That’s just too good to be true (and I’m not doubting that it is!) Don’t we all wish WE could be so fortunate to have had the opportunity to “zing” the way John k did?
Love it![tup]
Yup, oh it was very true. I got a good giggle out of it too. And yes, the treated me a bit different after that. We talked for a few then then had to go. But they were pretty nice and even filled me in on the expecting trains for the night and what to look for.
It is bit odd I guess, with my job, I am in the same boat as a RR crew is when it comes to foamers. I get the same. Of course, I kinda like haveing folks around. Maybe someday the will become customers. But then again, you can annoy me pretty quick too. I got bills to pay and jobs to complete.
But is has also given me a very intersting perspective on how to handle the railroad guys. I know how I can get at work, I can get busy and dont have time for chit chat, and move, your in my way… I have found the best thing for me, and which will win instant respect for me is when someone comes in and just wants to look or watch. They will tell me right up front why the are there, stay out of my way and insist on letting me work with out bothering me. ( I love that, and I find myself working a bit quicker so I can get some time to talk or to show them somehting) And yes, lots of times people come to take pictures of me working to, so I understand comepletly about the camara issues. Sometimes its great, others not.
So when I am at the yard or around the crews, I try and keep myself in their shoes. I think about how I am at work. Stay out of there way, make sure you are in the right spots, be respectful with the camara (which, I hardly take with me) Dont bother them. If they want to come over and chat, great. If not, fine with me, As I explained to the kid, (which is usually why I go, we “train hunt” 2-4 times a month) We are at someone elses work place and the guys are busy, and maybe we well “get lucky”
.
Im ust be doing somehtign very right. And, I can say that I have been very, very fortunate. I am doing somethign right becuase in 8 months, the kid and I have gotten invit
I love you too man!! Spiritually of course![;)]
I really start foaming when I see what my shares of Illinois Central and Canadien National have done over the last 10 years.
I just drool.
ed
Foamers are those who drool over certain favorite railroad equipment. They may choose to endanger themselves.
Railfans appreciate whatever is out there and understand some history and the roles that the equipment take part in transportation.
The term that I am most familiar with is rail enthusiat (back from my Thomas the Tank Engine days, lllooonnnggg time ago . . .)
I am a railfan for the most part and stay well away from the track for safety reasons and still get the shakes even at a “safe” distance.
“railfans are sometimes known as “foamers”. This comes from slang used by railroad workers, who have noted that some people start “foaming” with excitement whenever they see a train. It is a slightly derogatory term but railfans have adopted it with pride.”
My definition comes from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railfan
I foamed when I saw that CNW engine leading a UPRR WB yesterday on the Rochelle cam. [:o)][:D][:p]
[quote]
Originally posted by BNSF railfan.