I don’t think any of these would ever make the top ten, but some other reasons are …
It is a pretty inexpensive hobby
You can learn a lot about physics
You can learn a lot about economics
You can learn a lot about history
Kids love trains so you can spend quality time doing something you both like
You get more exercise than an afternoon watching the boob-tube
Later - Ed
At the risk of being even more frivolous, I was just wondering: Jenny, do you happen to railfan with a man by the name of Mike Endres? If so, then I kinda know who you are. If not, then ignore my ever asking that while I crawl back into my corner.
To amend a commercial I once saw: Chicks dig the long consist.
No Steve, I railfan with a man named Ed and we share the same last name. I don’t actually “railfan”, since I don’t do cameras, etc. But love to sit and watch the coal trains and freight trains for whatever time I can get him to sit with me. We never do anything but sit and watch, usually for no more than 30 min or so, but that is enough for me. We have a favorite place here in Lincoln that we go and there is a lot of traffic going in and out of the yards.
This chick only digs the engines - the rest is just fluff! We only see coal trains and a very few freights - no Amtrak - don’t want to sit out in the dark in my jammies to watch Amtrak go thru!
Lincoln, as in Nebraska? Well, then, greetings from the East, specifically Iowa. Since you say you don’t want to sit in your jammies to watch Amtrak pull through, then I’m guessing you like to watch the BNSF mainline. I myself prefer the Union Pacific (ex-C&NW) Spine Line in Des Moines. One of these days I’ll get up to the almighty (at least for Iowans) UP E/W main, and the world famous (I think) Kate Shelley High Bridge.
I also think the engines are pretty cool, but I like the sound that a long consist of empty hoppers makes when it gets pulled out then backed up into the yard again (It sounds like a row of cannons going off). I used to take pictures, but my camera got stolen and I haven’t gotten a new one. And I’m not a total “Chase it and Pace it” railnut…yet.
Not me and not going to.
Yes, the home of the, dare I say, Cornhuskers.
Since our yard is right on the edge of downtown Lincoln, it is pretty simple to find a place and just park there and watch the BNSF go by. The UP is a little more north and a lot harder to get even close. Grew up spending a lot of time around the CBQ/BN yard office, the hump and the depot - all of which were fantastic way back then. Now it is down to just the hump, but you can still park fairly close to watch even that.
It is the “Good Life”…
Single White 19-year-old Male. Looking for a girlfriend in B.C. Canada. Favourite Railway is BCRail. Have three jobs: Tour Guide in a Railway Museum, I loads baggage at the VIA Rail station and I am the stage Manager the play “The railroad inspector” running for tourists through the summer. I also have a Model train layout in HO scale. Looking for a girl who shares the same interests.
Yeah right
Mike
Mike,
You’ve got the right idea, wrong place. Put an ad in TRAINS mag. The printed one. I have seen other people do this and I have heard that they get replies!
I’m a little (ahem) too old, however.
Lisa
In trying to stay with the original “A little humor”; the female FedEx driver was interested in the N scale model layout which I had at that time. I now have a T -shirt which says “Get over it” which I wear while railfanning, and I have been known to go railfanning with a guy, name of Rick (although not any more).
(to the tune of “Escape (The Pina Colata Song)” by Rupert Holmes)
If you like empty coal hoppers,
getting caught by a train,
And the smell of a diesel,
And the long haul of grain,
If you like railfanning at midnight,
On the bridge of a street,
Then please issue me a warrant,
So we can plan our own meet…
Can you say “blow-up doll”?
Straw.In Texas you can get life like dolls for 6000 and up.Thought about giving up my wife for one.Then i can Railfan anytime without the bitching.
Better off than shooting 'em.
I have ran into these people[:(!][:(!]. I just call them “Members of the Lonely Hearts Club.” [8D][:D]
I’ve met quite a few myself, and some of them scared me. That’s when I wish RR special agents would come by. I call them “Members of the Lonely Hearts Club.”
Take care[:)]
Russell
WHUUPPSSIEEEE[:0][:0]
I’ve replied twice with the same comment
CRS is kicking in tonight LOL [:o)]
Take care[:)]
Russell
Sure, we all believe it was the “layout” she was “interested” in.
The bedroom layout? [;)][:p][:o)]
My goodness, the water in California must be spiked with something - go stand with Marty (drailed 99).
Mookie
Jason
I take pictures of trains.back in 1994 when I proposed to my wife I took her picture along the CSX mainline here in Defiance with a ge-8 leading an empty coal hooper train.She knew what she was getting into when she said yes.It is now a prominently hung 16x20 photo poster in the train /computer room.[8D]
stay safe
joe
More than a few people out and about expressed some level of surprise when I showed up in the editorial offices here. But that’s OK. Rail chix are everywhere and we enjoy trains in whatever way suits us, just like the guys do. Many of the female railfans I know are members of the League of Railway Industry Women, which provides support and opportunities to network and learn more about the railroading industry to women who already work in it. It’s great talking with some of my friends about their jobs and hearing about what aspects of railroading get them charged.
Maybe we just need to be a little more vocal and visible. As long as we don’t scare the guys into thinking we’re invading their territory and plan to put lacy curtains in the locomotive windows. [:D]
Kathi
BTW, I love the Top 10 List!!