Not to take this too far off topic, but the pictures sometimes get taken before authorities arrive, and there were a few cases where the responders themselves were to blame.
While touring the WC shops in North Fond du Lac with a buddy of mine who was a MOW foreman, I heard the term “train qu*er” - all in good fun of course.
They call us “Railfains” because they got tired of calling us “Railfreaks!!”[D)]
When we were railfanning in Chicago, we asked some folks on the EJ&E if there was any place we could sit and watch trains. They pointed to a nice location, and said that they didn’t care what we did.
While listening to the scanner (it was raining in the car) we overheard a conversation between the engineer and brakeman. The engineer said “throw the switch”, and the brakeman replied “why don’t you get one of those railfans over there to do it!” The funny part is that I have gone through the training to be a brakeman…
Phil
It rains inside your car? [(-D]
I used to have a Chrysler like that.
Nothing nice, I’m sure. Some train crews are really friendly I’ve noticed.
My favorite was on an Amtrak trip when I met a group of English guys who were “On Holiday” and after conversing with me realized I was a “Spotter.”
…Back about 1960, my brother had a relatively new Plymouth hardtop and until some how the dealer got it fixed, he had to set pie pans in the back window.
You think they would feel honored that we are taking a photo of them. Make them feel like a star. [bow]
Maybe next time I will ask for their autographs, and they will sign it “to: Phoamer, from:Engineer” [;)]
Wackers, or rubberneckers they’re called. Luckily, we haven’t seen too much of it. Rubberneckers aren’t bad, but when people start getting in the way, it doesnt take too long to get them out of the way. The police are good at it.
Now, you railroad guys just need people to stop at grade crossings, and we’ll try to get idiots to pull over for lights and sirens.
I think its neat when fathers take their young sons out trackside train watching. Getting the next generation involved. Sadly, I rarely ever see this take place. The one thing that train watchers should be aware of is that there are so many rules out there now, the company and their stealth teams watch crews perform job duties and crews have been opt tested and failed for waving or talking to folks watching them work. We had a guy in KS about three yrs ago that was riding a shove on a yd movement, he was waving at someone, wasn’t paying attention and a trk next to him was fouling, got crushed between the two cars and died. That was very, very sad. This is why train crews are focused on their work: so not to get opt test failures and to go home in the same condition they came to work.
The thing a lot of “railfans” don’t realize is that many RR employess, including some at the highest levels of railroad management, are themselves railfans and, unlike the olden days, they don’t hide it and its not a barrier to a successful career. Lot’s of senior railroad managers came into the industry during the dark days of the 1970’s. Why would any aspiring young person in their right minds, with gleams of accomplishment in their eyes, have gone into railroading during that period, when the industry seemed to be on its deathbed? Answer: They were railfans and liked the idea of working for a railroad. I’m one of those who came into the industry during the 1970’s. I work for a major railroad and in my department, at least, an interest in railroads (i.e., a railfan) is considered an asset - in fact the senior vice president of my department is himself an unabashed railfan. The distinction that’s made within railroads is between railfans who are interested in railroads, but recognize railroading is a business, and use their knowledge to further the business of their employers, and those run around train yards and try to get themselves killed.
Many of us have jobs whe’re your watche
I beleive the Canadians call the Railfans the same names the US railfans are called except with a different accent.
The late great Lucius Beebe said it best. We are the Faithful!
OK Its time that I put in my 2cents worth here For the Resord I am a FRN that got the dream job every tim,e I step into my Biboveralls and throw the straps over my shoulders I am living a drteam And I have to say that doe the most part 99 percent of the fans that are taking pictures will do it from a safe place off of railroad property. And trust me that makes my job easier. I havealways saidd that the only thing wrong with this job is that we attract the wrong type of groupies we get the guys with the cameras around thier necks and not the ones that are attracted to rock stars you know what I mean LOL BE safe out there and I will wave if you want me to its the best part of my job CNW FOREVER Larry
Foamer is used around here the most, and I could care less. I actually say phoaming more than railfanning, so you see im not the least bit upset over this little nickname.
Alec
I used to just go by “train buff”. Kinda got used to it. My friends that don’t understand my hobby have a whole other list of names for me… Weirdo comes to mind. But I’ll leave the rest to the imagination. I can deal with Train Fanatic as a reference.
Yup, out of all the names, I like Train Buff the best!
I don’t even agree with this point. I worked for the PE, SP and UP for 40 years and never objected to someone wanting to include crew members in their photos. IF the crew members are DOING their job correctly, what is the difference ?? Flip the bird… sorta of infantile…
V