Rails v. Fans (and the internet)

[TimChgo9]

We have good days??? When??? LOL…

I do thank you guys for all the comments. I did some more thinking today as I was riding home from the away terminal. This hobby is like all the big machine hobbies. What I mean is that some hobbies allow you to take part in them to a great degree. Gardeners can plant gardens. Kite flyers can go buy those kites (even if they need a second mortgage!), even car enthusiasts can go buy themselves a junker (err…pre-restoration) and stash it in the garage, much to the chagrin of their wife. But fans of freight trains are at a disadvantage. You can’t just go hop up and take a ride - to actually take part in it. If you fan scenic lines, well you just need to buy a ticket. But if you like the big class-1, dash-9, double stack action - you pretty much are stuck on the sidelines unless you lose your mind and get hired.

This also applies to fans of barges, aircraft, giant bulldozers, street sweepers… those are mostly hands-off hobbies. About the only thing you can actually have is information and photos. Maybe that’s why this hobby is so different and perceived strange. We yearn for something we can’t easily have.

Just another late night rambling thought.

You are probably right about that one too. This is especially true of those of us who are WWII historians, and have a passion for the aircraft (Yes, I caught that bug when I was about 10, 31 years, 200 model tanks and airplanes (all gone now) 3 war games, and 70 books later, I am still not over it. [angel]) With that hobby, the most I can do is A: Watch the History Channel, or B: Go up to Oshkosh every year, and hope I can catch a glimpse of them on the flightline or in the air.(haven’t been there since 1987) I have been to the Air Force Museum in Dayton, OH, and to the new U-505 e

[Erie_Lackawanna]

Zugmann,

Thanks for starting this excellent thread. I don’t really have much to add, except that I agree with the two terrific observations –

1. Part of the problem is the internet… there is no way to hear inflection… so if we read something we don’t like, we take it in the worst possible way, when it may not have been meant that way.

2. I’ve been railfaning for more than 30 years and 95% of the railfans I’ve seen obey the rules, are polite to rails, and don’t do stupid things. The problem is that other 5% makes a lot of noise and ruins stuff for the rest of us.

Charles

[CNW_6000]

Zugmann,

Thanks for starting this excellent thread. I don’t really have much to add, except that I agree with the two terrific observations –

1. Part of the problem is the internet… there is no way to hear inflection… so if we read something we don’t like, we take it in the worst possible way, when it may not have been meant that way.

2. I’ve been railfaning for more than 30 years and 95% of the railfans I’ve seen obey the rules, are polite to rails, and don’t do stupid things. The problem is that other 5% makes a lot of noise and ruins stuff for the rest of us.

Charles

[#ditto] except for the 30 year part![:D]

[Anonymous]

1. Part of the problem is the internet… there is no way to hear inflection… so if we read something we don’t like, we take it in the worst possible way, when it may not have been meant that way.

Agree 100%. I’m sure if many people in forums who have had “heated” discussions actually met face to face to discuss the same topics, there would be a greater understanding of thoughts and ideas and a LOT less anger and distaste.

[route_rock]

You would be surprised how many rails are " fans" or historians. I run a steam engine in Frreport Il, two engineers I know and one conductor works in Mt Pleasant for the railroad there.

Another conductor collects old CB&Q items, Another models BN stuff, and look in last GMR we have a BNSF employee who has a good looking model railroad ( the one of the Clinchfield).

That being said we have some that are quite rude about things.But thats both sides of any issue.

Do people in the industry know about my hobbies? Only those I have mentioned.Because I like my 12 hours in the cab to be peaceful. Not me smacking someone with a track warrant book all the way to the terminal lol.

[TimChgo9]

1. Part of the problem is the internet… there is no way to hear inflection… so if we read something we don’t like, we take it in the worst possible way, when it may not have been meant that way.

Agree 100%. I’m sure if many people in forums who have had “heated” discussions actually met face to face to discuss the same topics, there would be a greater understanding of thoughts and ideas and a LOT less anger and distaste.

Conveying your meaning, is more difficult then the words on the internet. The use of “emoticons” or “smileys” helps to some extent, but trying to communicate via email or forum can be difficult. In person, everyone (well, most everyone) gets my sense of humor, because you can tell by my voice, my inflection, and even facial expression, and body language that I am making a joke, being sarcastic, or taking a stab at humor… But, put the same words here on the forum, or any forum, it will come off as offensive, perhaps. And that’s not to impugn anyone here, it’s the way it is. So, when typing in a forum thread, I restrain my humor, only because it won’t come across the same way here as it would in person, and to that end, it could be misinterpreted.

On the other hand, however, I try to recognize that what someone is saying is not intended to be offensive, and therefore, give some leeway. To minimize the conflict, it is incumbent on all of us to step back when we read something that hits us the wrong way, take a deep breath, and then decide if we are really offended, instead of “knee-jerk” writing something that we may later regret.

Of course, then there are those out there in cyber-world who are bound and determined to be offended, regardless of the intent of the writer.

[steinjr]

Dave - with all due respects, Joe also hit the nail on the head. What was considered, before 9/11, as just a hobby with some indiosycratic adherents (nuts taking pictures of trains) is now a “potential security threat.” Trespassing is still trespassing (although with higher levels of security you are more likely to be challenged, instead of ignored or even openly welcomed), but standing in a publicly accessable area, taking pictures of trains, has gone from curious activity to threat.

Just curious - is there any evidence whatsoever that chasing people who take pictures of trains actually has made the world a safer places ? Is any terrorist action actually known to have been foiled by people checking out someone who took pictures of trains ?

Stein

[Bergie]

Nicely done, Zugmann.

Two other things that I’d like to interject…

First, as mentioned above, communication via written word has its downfalls. If you and I were face to face right now I could say something that would come off as a joke or lighthearted. The tone of my voice or my body language would help convey my smart-aleck remark. HOWEVER, in print, in especially in a forum, people can’t tell when you’re just trying to be witty. Keep that in mind the next time you try to be witty. People can easily misread your true intention.

Second, I think we also need to keep in mind that in every single walk of life there are brilliant people (both in terms of their mind and their personality) and less than brilliant people. Just because you know one less than brilliant doctor wouldn’t mean you’d right off all doctors as morons, right? Likewise, just because your doctor is brilliant doesn’t mean all doctors are brilliant. Try to keep that in mind when characterizing people around here, and in all walks of life. Be them railroaders or railfans, they’re not all brilliant, and they’re not all morons.

Bergie

[tree68]

Dave - with all due respects, Joe also hit the nail on the head. What was considered, before 9/11, as just a hobby with some indiosycratic adherents (nuts taking pictures of trains) is now a “potential security threat.” Trespassing is still trespassing (although with higher levels of security you are more likely to be challenged, instead of ignored or even openly welcomed), but standing in a publicly accessable area, taking pictures of trains, has gone from curious activity to threat.

Just curious - is there any evidence whatsoever that chasing people who take pictures of trains actually has made the world a safer places ? Is any terrorist action actually known to have been foiled by people checking out someone who took pictures of trains ?

Stein

The intelligence community is a funny bunch - you’d think that someone would trumpet a success, as you suggest. But if doing so would tip their hand on further such successes, they’re going to play it pretty close to the vest.

That said, anything is possible. It’s also possible that a terrorist plot has been foiled by the presence of camera-toting railfans…

[chad_thomas]

Well Larry, I did have a terrorist plot to smash a penny at a secret and unnamed location but I was thwarted by a thred in this very forum called “smashing pennys” because of the hostile reaction to such activity…Does that count? [:D]

[tree68]

Well Larry, I did have a terrorist plot to smash a penny at a secret and unnamed location but I was thwarted by a thread in this very forum called “smashing pennies” because of the hostile reaction to such activity…Does that count? [:D]

Isn’t damaging US currency a crime? [:P]

Maybe not. Especially pennies.

[magicman710]

Well Larry, I did have a terrorist plot to smash a penny at a secret and unnamed location but I was thwarted by a thread in this very forum called “smashing pennies” because of the hostile reaction to such activity…Does that count? [:D]

Isn’t damaging US currency a crime? [:P]

Maybe not. Especially pennies.

Defacing money of any kind is illegal.

United States Code
TITLE 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 17 - COINS AND CURRENCY
§ 333. Mutilation of national bank obligations

You would also be tresspassing on railroad property, also a crime.

Tresspassing on railroad propert and/or defacing money can be treated as a terrorist offence, in the intent to derail the train. [swg] Possible chance of the train derailing from a penny: 0%.

“Dont tresspass”

Zugman, nice post. Apperently, my post whas also mentioned. “what happened to the lost art…” [swg] [:D]

[magicman710]

Nicely done, Zugmann.

Two other things that I’d like to interject…

First, as mentioned above, communication via written word has its downfalls. If you and I were face to face right now I could say something that would come off as a joke or lighthearted. The tone of my voice or my body language would help convey my smart-aleck remark. HOWEVER, in print, in especially in a forum, people can’t tell when you’re just trying to be witty. Keep that in mind the next time you try to be witty. People can easily misread your true intention.

Bergie

Bergie, thats why its my personal belief that you should always imploy “[swg],[:D],[:)]”, ect when posting a reply that may come of as serious. Also using “LOL” can also be a used.

Actually, LOL has changed alot from it original meaning, “laugh out loud”. Its now meant with no intent to humor, but used in that sence. If I was to say, “Bergie, you shure are a mean administrator, lol.” I would be joking about it (which I am, [;)]) If I were to say, “You need to get some better locos, lol.” It would be the same. Its not meant as humor, but meant as someting to say that its a smart remark and shouldnet be takin seriously. Thats my [2c]

[Midnight_Railroader]

Well Larry, I did have a terrorist plot to smash a penny at a secret and unnamed location but I was thwarted by a thread in this very forum called “smashing pennies” because of the hostile reaction to such activity…Does that count? [:D]

Isn’t damaging US currency a crime? [:P]

Maybe not. Especially pennies.

The feds have yet to devote any effort to arresting and prosecuting the owners/operators of those “squished penny design” machines…and I hope they don’t get a warrant to search my house for the resulting pennies, 'cause we have a bunch of 'em.

[JSGreen]

Which brings up a good point…is there a list of TM (Text messsaging) abreviations and their meanings available to forum members?

Not everyone on this forum have spent loads of time and learned the shortcuts some of us take for granted…I am considered a geek by some folks, but the first time I saw LOL in an e-mail from my sister, I had to ask her what the heck was that?! (The fact that she is a notoriously poor speller is a different issue).

Would that make a good sticky post or would a reference to such a list in the protocols and courtsey post be appropriate?

Heck, it took me two weeks to remember the correct translation of IIRC…(if I recall correctly…)

[steinjr]

Which brings up a good point…is there a list of TM (Text messsaging) abreviations and their meanings available to forum members?

Not everyone on this forum have spent loads of time and learned the shortcuts some of us take for granted…I am considered a geek by some folks, but the first time I saw LOL in an e-mail from my sister, I had to ask her what the heck was that?! (The fact that she is a notoriously poor speller is a different issue).

Would that make a good sticky post or would a reference to such a list in the protocols and courtsey post be appropriate?

Heck, it took me two weeks to remember the correct translation of IIRC…(if I recall correctly…)

Or you could just learn a generic trick that works pretty good most of the time.

For general type questions - try e.g Wikipedia or google.

Fairly easy way:
http://www.google.com

Enter search terms, e.g
wikipedia list SMS abbreviations

Click on search.

First hit is a list of text messaging abbreviations. Reading the page will direct your attention to a list of Internet slang.

Smile,
Stein

[JSGreen]

Thanks…I keep forgetting what a great resource those two sites are…I use them for almost everything else, but didnt think to try them for abreviations…the key is to know what to look for …(SMS???)

Now that I know the secret password…[bow]

[zugmann]

The feds have yet to devote any effort to arresting and prosecuting the owners/operators of those “squished penny design” machines…and I hope they don’t get a warrant to search my house for the resulting pennies, 'cause we have a bunch of 'em.

Actually, if you read the sides of those machines - they do have a sticker saying how since it is for amusment of souvenier purposes (I forget the wording) that it is not illegal. Something to look for the next time you squish lincoln. I have used those machines a bunch as well - best 51 cents you can spend sometimes…

[csmith9474]

The feds have yet to devote any effort to arresting and prosecuting the owners/operators of those “squished penny design” machines…and I hope they don’t get a warrant to search my house for the resulting pennies, 'cause we have a bunch of 'em.

Actually, if you read the sides of those machines - they do have a sticker saying how since it is for amusment of souvenier purposes (I forget the wording) that it is not illegal. Something to look for the next time you squish lincoln. I have used those machines a bunch as well - best 51 cents you can spend sometimes…

I just bought one of those for my son, and it said basically that if the money isn’t being mutilated or altered for illegal or fraudulent purposes it is alright.

[wctransfer]

Oh yes, the old squished penny crime (maybe not so old?)

Cop searches him and pulls out a squished penny.In a Peter Griffin voice “What are theeeeese?”

Alec