Is it the trains, the track work, the people, something else? What is it? What do you like the most?
For me, it’s the people. The trains are a nice parade, but without the people, they just sit there. I believe some of the ebst railroading action is of the people at work.
I’ll second that ! The people I’ve worked with over the years have kept me interested. some of my best and most loyal friends, I salute you !!
Randy
Can I say all of the above. Put me down for that and more…
LC
The Trains
…I like all parts of railroading…but especially I like the civil engineering part of it. The physical plant as it makes it’s way across the landscape. Especially in mountainous country…how the locating team found a way to get the route over obstacales and still using decent and moderate grades. There is a NS TV add running in our area now with the camera moving down several miles of track at a speeded up sequence and it really amplifies the beauty of the RoW layout with the long tangents and gentle curves, etc…
The fact that it runs 24/7/365…
There’s always a train running somewhere out there.
My paycheck!
If you have to ask, you won’t understand!
The Trains and also the fact that they run 24/7/365.
i’d have to agree with Modelcar. how the old timers laid out a railroad with nothing but shovels and mules back in the day…no technology like there is today…just blows my mind.
The people, the physical plant, the scenery through which railroads run, the operations, the equipment, the battles against gravity and nature, the variety in operations (locals, intermodal, etc.), the occasional cab ride.
What sums up most of this – the sheer thrill of having a heavy BNSF freight blast past at 60 mph at Home Valley at dusk on the old SP&S.
Don’t know why. Lived near the D&H in upstate New York as a kid, folks bought a Lionel set for me, and have had an interest in railroads ever since (more interested in the 12"=1’ scale and not so much toys or models).
Most interested in the operations…what trains go where, how often; where trains used to run, customers along the route, bridges…and this forum has a lot of good posts to read
My dad is the reason I like to watch trains. Many years ago, we would go to the station to watch trains. This was our entertainment before TV was common and it was fun to see the trains, the station agents, the tower operator, the coaling station operators, and the passengers at the station. I really enjoyed visiting the round house as dad knew the people there and we always got to get on engines and ride in the yard.
I still have some items that were given to me by the shop people just because I was a kid and enjoyed the engines they were so proud of. Once when I called a 2700 class 2-10-2 a Santa Fe type, he reminded me that on the Illinois Central, they were called Centrals. They were very pround of their engines and would share stories and rides in the yards just because you were interested. Most of the engines were wiped and cleaned before they left the terminal, unlike the situation we have today.
It all sounds so great, but when I shoot pictures on Doner or at the loop or any of the major grades and watch three or four 4000 plus horsepower diesels pull a train up the grade, I realize it is just as exciting as ever and I just enjoy trains.
Mostly watching the freight come from diffrent parts of the country.and we always wave to the crews.
stay safe
Joe and Matt
The sites,the sounds,the smell,and most of the Power!
the money…
csx engineer
csx engineer-Don’t pull our leg, it’s really the hot babes waving at the passing train. LOL
Jay
I actually like the “business” aspect best, but I’ll take a train ride, and I will talk to railroad people anytime.
The Money…
Typical!
Ok I love the Locomotives, Diesel Power!!! To me it’s a real thrill to be in control of a machine so powerful, pulling heavy tonage up a steep grade. I guess this is one of the main reasons why I want to be a locomotive engineer. Just the sound, smell, and sight of big power gets me excited. I also like various kinds of excivation and construction equipment because of it’s power and size too. Basicly I like big machines.
I was always attracted to the culture of railroading. The big family tied together by steel and the Credit Union. I liked the individual personalities of the different railroads as expressed in rules, signals, passenger trains, dining car cuisine, trainmen’s uniforms and badges, timetables, graphics, and their wills to operate. But the people made the whole picture. Trainmen and enginemen were the first older people to tell us off-color jokes just to see our reactions. They treated us like grandparents, ready to tell us things, hang out with them, and even let us ride with them. In high school a conductor on my evening suburban train on the IC would drive all of us home to make sure we got there safe. Sometimes he let me run the doors and give the highball at station stops. Of course once I went to work on passenger trains there were the girls. It caused marriage. Twice. My 2 children are a direct result of liking the South Shore Line, among other things.
Mitch
hot babes waving at passing trains…ahahahahahhahahahahahahahaha ahahahah ahahahah ahahahaha ahahaha… now that is a good one… i see hot babes…but they are hardly ever waving anything but a middle finger…if they arent on a cell phone …probly bitching to thier husband or girlfriends that they are going to be late becouse they are delayed by my train!!! heheheheheheh… but once in a great while ill see a fine honey…and she will actual wave with all her figners on her hand…not just the middle one…
csx engineer