Something I have been wondering - What is a foamer? I have heard this term tossed about before. Is it refering to train watchers?
Nickname for an overly serious railfan, said to be a rabid railfan, foaming at the mouth. It was shortened to just “foamer.”
Something that’s got rabies.
Someone who seriously loves the Cubs after the White Sox won the World Series is a type of foamer.
Andrew F.
That was below the belt. [B)]
Then there is one step further - the “FLWM” (pronounced “FLEM”).
That’s Foamer Living With Mom.
Old Timer
But very true. Go you White Sox!
A bubbly droolie.
A foamer may be a derogatory term for a railfan and a peddler may be a somewhat derogatory term for a sales person, so I guess I am both a foamer and a peddler and ***ed proud to be both.
I’ve heard that if you’re a “foamer” you tresspass on RR property and break/steal RR equipment. Hopefully most of us are “railfans” instead.
What do you sell, Jim? If I have a need for it, the next time I come through Chicago I’d stop by and check out your inventory.
I promise not to leave drool tracks on it like I do on the trains.
This might help you understand what a foamer is:
Railfan vs Foamer
Definitions:
Railfan…An otherwise normal person that enjoys the persuit of railroad related activities.
That could be one or more of many sub intrests includeing but not limited to observing,
photographing,reasearching,studying,discussing,modeling or just plain following the railroads
of both past,present or future. These people are hard to spot in other circles as they are
functional in normal society.
Foamer…One that aparently looses all mental controll when one or more of the following occure:
- they are in the presence of a: A) a train B) railroad tracks (and in some places railroad
property(s)) C) a piece of railroad memorabilia or D) a conversation or any other communication
related to the subject of railroading. They are easy to detect as most of them are social
disaster areas anyway.
Railroader (non railfan)…One that couldn’t care less what the rest of us falling into the
other categorys think(s) about them or there company. They are the ones that are there to do
a job, earn a liveing and make it home safely every day till retirement.
Railroader (closet railfan)…One that typicaly enjoys there job wether they admit it or not.
They are most likley to be industry insider participants of railroad related forums. they are
fairly easy members to spot as they typicaly use aliases (to protect the innocent of course)
but are otherwise forthright with there experiences and opinions,reguardless of what the foamers
think.
Railroader (and railfan)…one that enjoys there profession and is willing to share there
experiences and/or wisdom with the rest of the railfan community. They are easy to spot due
to there honesty,integrity and passion for railroading and
A foamer is a person who starts imagining names to go with the voices they hear over their RR scanner, so they can immagine the crews to be their friends, as the only outside human contact they have with the real world beyond their families and jobs/school.
Chances are good that if you have a tripod for your camera and take it with you every chance you get, know the RR train identification symbols, know how many loads and how many empties, know where the train originated and where it is destined, and that it is 45 minutes late for the photo you intend to take…and you are not getting paid to take that picture…then there is a good chance you are a foamer.
Chad- decided to take your post and clean up the spelling/grammar/typo anomalies. Hope you don’t mind… it’s such a great explanation.
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas
This might help you understand what a foamer is:
Railfan vs Foamer
Definitions:
Railfan…An otherwise normal person that enjoys the pursuit of railroad-related activities.
These could be one or more of many sub-interests, including but not limited to observing,
photographing, researching, studying, discussing, modeling or just plain following the railroads
of both past, present or future. Railfans are hard to spot in other circles as they are
functional in normal society.
Foamer…One that apparently loses all mental control when one or more of the following occurs:
they are in the presence of: A) a train, B) railroad tracks (and in some places railroad
property), C) a piece of railroad memorabilia, or D) a conversation or any other communication
related to the subject of railroading. They are easy to detect as most of them are social
disaster areas anyway.
Railroader (non-railfan)…One that couldn’t care less what the rest of us falling into the
other categories think(s) about them or their company. They are the ones that are there to do
a job, earn a living and make it home safely every day until retirement.
Railroader (closet railfan)…One that typically enjoys their job whether they admit it or not.
They are most likely to be industry insider participants of railroad related forums. They are
fairly easy members to spot as they typically use aliases (to protect the innocent of course)
but are otherwise forthright with their experiences and opinions, regardless of what the foamers
think.
Railroader (and railfan)…one that e
Of course, virtually every railfan becomes a foamer when presented with that one magic moment, be it a favorite engine, an opportunity to get on an engine (or ride!), a visit to a hallowed landmark, etc. They usually do their best to appear reserved and in control, but inside…
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by blhanel
Chad- decided to take your post and clean up the spelling/grammar/typo anomalies. Hope you don’t mind… it’s such a great explanation.
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by chad thomas
This might help you understand what a foamer is:
Railfan vs Foamer
Definitions:
Railfan…An otherwise normal person that enjoys the pursuit of railroad-related activities.
These could be one or more of many sub-interests, including but not limited to observing,
photographing, researching, studying, discussing, modeling or just plain following the railroads
of both past, present or future. Railfans are hard to spot in other circles as they are
functional in normal society.
Foamer…One that apparently loses all mental control when one or more of the following occurs:
they are in the presence of: A) a train, B) railroad tracks (and in some places railroad
property), C) a piece of railroad memorabilia, or D) a conversation or any other communication
related to the subject of railroading. They are easy to detect as most of them are social
disaster areas anyway.
Railroader (non-railfan)…One that couldn’t care less what the rest of us falling into the
other categories think(s) about them or their company. They are the ones that are there to do
a job, earn a living and make it home safely every day until retirement.
Railroader (closet railfan)…One that typically enjoys their job whether they admit it or not.
They are most likely to be industry insider participants of railroad related forums. They are
fairly easy members to spot as they typically use aliases (to protect the innocent of course)
but are otherwise forthright with their experiences and opinions, regardless of what the foamers <
If I remember the term “foamer” was coined by working railroaders to describe railfans. Supposedly it had something to do with “foamite” which was…well I think the company that made the fire extinguishers the locomotives carried?? “Foamite” + “Foaming at the mouth railfan” = “Foamer”.
BTW in the UK a foamer would be called an “anorak” for the type of raincoat UK trainspotters or “railway enthusiasts” supposedly wore while waiting in the rain for trains to go by.
Actually a foamer is one step below a Professional Railfan, thses folks have a tendency to claim been there done that, I have been witness to the methodical actions of thses individuals. Plus, you will see the “official” railfan clothing worn by one person or group, “team” jackets, the ball caps, the over-priced T shirts etc.
When a train comes watch out so you don’t get run over. I enjoy photography and railfan combination, however,I do not get excited to shoot every typical SD70 or C40-8W(CSX’ mundane unit) in fact NS growing roster of the C40-9W has stopped getting my attention. Now an older loco like the EJ&E SD9 rebuilts will get my attention.
Craig Cloud
In the Chi-Tribune today someone was bellyaching about the Dan Ryan project and how it will effect the expected “record breaking” attendance at Comisky…err…the Cell this year. [(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D][(-D]
I was called that (Foamer) by a BNSF crew down at Plattsmouth,Neb when out Railfanning. I heard it on my Scanner. Allan.