Proper attire and behavior when railfaning

[cascaderailroad]

Make sure you don't stand in the gauge, nor close enough to tracks that you or your clothing might get grabbed a hold of by unexpected moving equipment.

See Min 1;12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwO-IWorGv4

Make sure that you wear a totally reliable durable leather belt, and have yer' pants are hitched up way high (mid torso), to ensure that you don't have an unexpected total wardrobe failure, (which can prove to be a totally lifelong embarrassing situation that you will never live down, if you happen to not be wearing any under wear). To be totally safe, add suspenders to the below ens-amble.

Long grubby filthy baggy pants are recommended, as opposed to fugly shorts. As when wearing white or especially black sox, and you have scabby bug bitten, pearly white untanned legs, you might feel nice and cool, but you will look like a total dork !

Make sure that you wear approved safety glass eye protection.

Make sure that you have at minimum 2 to 3 different Hasselblad 4x5 format camera's, and plenty of 4x5 roll film, or SD cards.

Do not pick up or touch dirty RR debris, as yer' hands will become unknowingly filthy, for if you subconsciously touch yer' face, and you later go into a resturaunt, people will know you either been hanging down round the RR tracks, or are a RR bum.

Hair gel is a must, so that yer' hair doesn't get all mussed' up by passing speeding trains ... and too, the local, corn fed ugly, town chicks really dig a guy with a cool radical dew, especially when combed straight up way high, that makes you look like a Hog ridin' road rebel, like James Dean, that has been riding a Harley at high speed, against the wind.

If in doubt, dress like the Fondz, and always carry a comb !

Don't be a Potsie of a Ralph Malpf

http://images4.fanpop.com/image/pho...happy-days-23357183-450-302.jpg?1401820793353

Can't find a job, can't understand why: http://www.fosilfueled.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/fonzie_hates_you_019_12132013.jpg
(there is an easter egg in his noze ... zoom in 400%)

 

[oknotsen]

What kind of timing device did you use to make this picture on your old camera?

 

[9000DOLLAR]

What I say is:

1. Don't get too close to the tracks! (da cops are watchin')
2. Get a camera that has a good zoom feature. (so you can actually see the train from your vantage point)
3. DON'T FORGET EARPLUGS! (trains are loud)
4. Get a tripod or something else to prop your camera on. (Earplugs aren't usually enough, so you need your hands free to cover your ears.)
5. Don't wear silly clothes that attract attention. (or if you do, make sure it's overalls and an engineer's hat. [NOT A CLOWN SUIT!])
6. BRING PLENTY OF WATER! (It's important)
7. Sunscreen is a must. (Or would you rather burn?)
8. Make sure you time it right and start your camera as soon as the bars start going down. (It's more interesting that way)
9. If you are going to wait for a train all day, find a place that isn't private property, (unless it's yours) like a park. (that way you don't get kicked off of your spot by the land-owner or cops.)
and finnaly,
10. when in doubt, go to your local model train club and video THEIR trains. (If they allow)

 

[JCitron]

The general attire for railfanning is:

1) An engineer's hat emblazoned with every train logo, pin, and decal that one can find at a train show.

2) A white button down shirt splattered with mustard somewhere.

3) Pants, preferably dark blue, that are worn up around the rib cage with a belt that's tightened to the last hole and hangs out of the pants loop.

4) Brown leather shoes with white socks, which are all easily seen because the pants are pulled up too high.

5) A scanner... but not one of the new digital ones. It has to be one of the 1970s or 1980s radios with a metal antenna and lots of knobs.

6) Thick rimmed 1960s-style glasses.

7) Bad breath so when you talk to railroad officials, or anyone else for that matter, they back away from you.

8) Carry an old Polaroid 200.

and...

Spout knowledge about every rivet on every car to anyone that approaches, and if there are railroad workers about, offer to help even though you know nothing about the job other than what you've read somewhere.


Now we wonder why rail fans, that don't act or look like this, can't get a job in the rail industry if they mention this at an interview!

John

 

[deneban]

Well thats all very safe and conservative. Here's a different style of trainspotting (from underneath)...

And whatever you do...pay attention!

 

[dricketts]

I'm shocked cascade... you're much more handsome than I ever expected! Lady killer for sure.

 

[bentrain14]

Heres what you need for platform railfanning.
1. Running Shoes. (these will come in handy when the police start chasing you around for taking video on platforms)
2. Your parents phone number. Keep this close for when the police detain you. That way, you can get a bail right away.
3. Wear clothing that doesnt look suspicious. Thats the quickest way of getting detained.
4. If you wish to avoid the above, either get paper work from the railroad allowing you to video tape on the platform or go home and play trainz.

 

[9000DOLLAR]

Heres what you need for platform railfanning.
1. Running Shoes. (these will come in handy when the police start chasing you around for taking video on platforms)
2. Your parents phone number. Keep this close for when the police detain you. That way, you can get a bail right away.
3. Wear clothing that doesnt look suspicious. Thats the quickest way of getting detained.
4. If you wish to avoid the above, either get paper work from the railroad allowing you to video tape on the platform or go home and play trainz.

Most areas where train-tracks are have signs saying, "NO TRESPASSING UNDER PENALTY OF LAW." So, how do you get pictures and video of trains without angering the cops and railroads? GO TO A PARK (or public place) THAT HAS TRACKS NEAR IT! That way you can stay all day watching for trains (at a safe and legal distance) without getting detained by the cops.

 

[nikos1]

Alot of people in this thread could use this.......

 

[bentrain14]

Ive never been detained but ive gotten close to it twice. I tried railfanning on some metro stations and not even 10 seconds in, the police are there. They told me they had "things" saying no photography was allowed, and we even took it up with the metro itself, and they said we were fine to railfan. There was nothing saying we couldnt record videos or take pictures.

 

[pfx]

Make sure you don't stand in the gauge, nor close enough to tracks that you or your clothing might get grabbed a hold of by unexpected moving equipment.

See Min 1;12: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwO-IWorGv4

It really is quite special the way that kid carries on filming, despite being bodily lifted.

 

[haddock57]

Ive never been detained but ive gotten close to it twice. I tried railfanning on some metro stations and not even 10 seconds in, the police are there. They told me they had "things" saying no photography was allowed, and we even took it up with the metro itself, and they said we were fine to railfan. There was nothing saying we couldnt record videos or take pictures.

That's cuz in todays corporate, bean counting culture, its generally frowned on to do any video/photography that's free and apparently its also frowned upon to enjoy a fairly nice and enjoyable pastime. I myself go up to the local Amtrak station. They're amenable to railfans and I've had several good chats with the local guys and a couple of the employees. Seems though, every time I'm there, a CSX freight is parked there, waiting for a crew.

 

[ryanstrains]

That's cuz in todays corporate, bean counting culture, its generally frowned on to do any video/photography that's free and apparently its also frowned upon to enjoy a fairly nice and enjoyable pastime. I myself go up to the local Amtrak station. They're amenable to railfans and I've had several good chats with the local guys and a couple of the employees. Seems though, every time I'm there, a CSX freight is parked there, waiting for a crew.

Often times the public depiction of railfans is what makes crews not as friendly. If they are waiting and the crews is not on the train, a simple gesture of kindness like a hello will go a long way. Near me, after chatting with some CSX and NS crews plus MoW, almost every train that passes me will give me a wave. Last week I even had the local crew toss me a water bottle, kindness and professionalism goes a long way

 

[haddock57]

Often times the public depiction of railfans is what makes crews not as friendly. If they are waiting and the crews is not on the train, a simple gesture of kindness like a hello will go a long way. Near me, after chatting with some CSX and NS crews plus MoW, almost every train that passes me will give me a wave. Last week I even had the local crew toss me a water bottle, kindness and professionalism goes a long way

Thats a very good thing to do and also a big plus as I've experienced. I myself always give the engineer a wave, about half the time I'll give them a wave back. Some crews can be amenable and chat a bit while they're walking to the engine. I heard one CSX crewman say he preferred BNSF motive power--thats a contradiction if i ever heard one XD. Anyway, my advice for railfanning:

1. Always wear a pair of good, sturdy work boots. Waterproof if possible, since you never know what terrain you might be going in.
2. A good, loose fitting pair of blue jeans and a decent t-shirt, either solid color or with decent graphics.
3. Its a good idea to have a vest with as well, preferably with a couple large pockets on either side. This is useful for holding extra camera batteries.
4. Take a rain coat with you, sometimes the best ones come up right before or right after a storm and you never know what kind of power is going to be on what train.
5. Always be friendly to crews and passerby, it makes your experience a lot more enjoyable.

 

[AMTRAKwannabe]

We have one engineer around here that I practically know, he knows where I'll be and when I'll be there, the other night we took pictures of each other... I had my iPad, so it didn't turn out too well, and he had a little 7.0 megapixel camera.

Anyways, my tips:

1. Find a spot with lots of rail traffic, and go on a busy day, how do you know if it's a busy day? Go to railroadradio.net and look for a channel that covers your area, listen to it for a few minutes before going out.
2. Wear un-suspicious clothing, wear durable clothing and running(tennis) shoes that don't draw attention.
3. Find somewhere where the police don't generally patrol.
4. Bring the best camera you have and don't forget a scanner, make sure you have your local railroad AAR channels
5. Water & Sunscreen, only a must for summer months, but water is recommended year round.
6. If in doubt, contact the railroads in your area for permission to be in certain places, or to see if they have any advice.

 

[BigBoyFan4006]

That'll teach 'em! A swift kick right in the ol' melon!

 

[watemple]

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