I know I have heard at least one term, but forgot what it is.
I’ve heard 2, Foamer and F***ing Rail Nut.
Yes, it’s “FRN” around here–don’t dig deeper, please.
…I’m sure some rail fans make a nuisance of themselves and use little common sense. But having an interest in one’s profession seems a little strange that “it’s” employee’s harangue folks with such “handles”. But it is the duty of “fans” to stay clear of RR ROW’s and in a safety zone…
Personally, I try never to make a nuisance of myself and stay the distance where necessary.
I’d guess a few trainmen see their younger selves along the ROW. What a franternity!!!
RIX
Way back when scanners became the norm for railfans i had a friend who was a road conductor for Conrail. I saw him one day at the gym and he said about railfans “do you believe these guys have scanners now and they listen to us”? But by the same token when i was working my hobby took a back burner, working 5 days a week was enough seeing trains for me. I will say now when I take my grandson to watch trains the guys ALWAYS wave, flash the lights and or blow the horn!!!
rail buffs train buffs foamers and the easy one PIA
Happy People that smile and wave a lot…
never made much sence to me either…what other industry has such a following?..even before 9-11 at DTW (Detroit Metro Airport) there would be maybe 3 or 4 people watching planes…dont see to many “fans” at the bus station…other then the Rouge Factory Tour by the Henry Ford dont see to many outside of car plants watching…its nice to watch the Lake Freighters but i dont go out of my way…yet the bulk of RR’ers today …and i was one for a while…look at fans as “foamers” and “freaks”…i for one was proud of my profession and proud that the general public (the fans) took an interest in it…excepting the few loose screws that tresspass and generally be a nuisance
“Buffy the Trainmaster Slayer” has drawn a few good laughs.
FRN is common as are the foamer, train buff, railroad buff, idiot, drooler, “Who the heck was that?”, goon squad, and a few less complimentary ones…
LC
I grew up “on railroad property” as my father was a switchman on the Katy. This was in the late 40’s and 50’s; I realize that was a long time ago. I was around many railroad employees from clerks to train crews for many years, sitting in the yard house to riding in the cab on occasions. I can not remember ever hearing a critical statement from railroad employees about the general public, fans or otherwise. All I recall is their general concern for the safety of others; people at crossings and those walking that crossed the tracks for short cuts, etc. Many times I remember Joe Roth, the engineer on the geep switch engine saying “if they only knew how long it takes to stop this thing”. My, how times have changed.
Northtowne
i relish hearing and reading the stories of the “old days”…i was born 100 years to late [:(]
I don’t care what they call crazy railfans …
But, for Union Pacific crews, I’ve been thinking about making and showing passing UP trains a large sign that says: “If you don’t like Americans looking at you, GO TO IRAN!”
Maybe that will make them ponder WHO in America really is an outnumbered minority.
Great idea…
Don’t call us for bail…
LOL…
LC
Railfans are called "Railfans ", and other names of course![censored]
I suppose it depends on the situation.
Operating crews, as well as everyone else I would suppose, are highly suspicious of anyone on railroad property for multiple reasons:
a. National Security Issues. This stuff has been getting more intense with each passing year.
b. Rails are under the gun, performance-wise, and are frequently field tested for operational rules compliance, especially in situations where the employee needs to be completely focused on what he or she is doing, not on the photographer trackside.
c. There are always a few bad apples that will spoil the whole barrel, and that goes for fans as well as rails.
d. There are a significant number of new hires or low seniority people for whom running a train is a relatively new thing; the history hasn’t sunk in and it is just a job, miserable in miserable conditions and ok in ok conditions. The paycheck drives these folks, not any sense of history or craft pride.
As for me, what do I call myself? I’m not sure, but my reaction, one of mixed amusement and annoyance begs the question, “What would you do if I came to your place of employment and took photos of you and stared at you while you tried to concentrate at work, knowing that those photos could be used to discipline and/or fire you?”
I try to spend some time speaking with railfans who try to engage me in conversation, which is difficult sometimes, and I know others try, too. But I also know that many wouldn’t give the time of day to a railfan, much less acknowledge them in any way, I guess the answer depends on the situation. Well, this grumpy old so and so has to get up at 3 in the am to be to work at 6 in the am to depart at 7. See you on the road. Be safe.
The railroaders I work with in the northeast call railfans buffies. This includes railroaders who are railfans and those non employees who are trackside taking photos, chasing trains and listening on scanners.
True enough, there aren’t many occupations that have a fan base like railroading, but there are some reasons for that.
Most railroading is done in the open. When was last time you could watch a machinist working, from public property?
Through the years, railroading has been glorified and mimicked. Heck, people still call them “choo-choo’s.” And (continuing with the machinist angle) - try stopping by the toy store and picking up a lathe for your kid.
There are other fields that get similar attention. Firefighting is one - there are probably as many trade and buff publications in the fire arena as there are in railroading, and it’s not at all uncommon to find buffs taking pictures and videos of fires. It’s also not uncommon to see firefighting-oriented forums (yep - got those, too) ripping into those videos for real and perceived errors in tactics or actions.
Fire buffs collect fire-related items, and run around with scanners in their vehicles, looking for action. Sound familiar?
If you think about it, cowboys is another. The “dude ranch” far preceeds the “drive a locomotive” programs. People who may have touched a horse dress up in cowboy-like garb (when was last time you saw somebody running around in coveralls and a Kromer?).
As has been mentioned, there are many who take interest in airplanes, although homeland security has put constraints on plane-watching.
Generally I am proud of wearing the title “railfan” or using it on myself.
If I am not among RR-oriented people and want a quick description of what it entails, I’ll just say “steel wheels on steel rails interest me.”
An equivocation, but at least a truthful one. [D)]
I’ll chime in on Buffies too. I think that’s the more common title these days.