Rail Fanning Tips?
- Thread starter mp202
- Start date
.You should know the lay of the land before you get there. Google maps will tell you where roads and tracks are, but you need to be on the ground before you actually railfan. Plan photo shoots before you start shooting.
Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for gopher holes so you don't twist an ankle, watch for snakes, watch for poisonous insects, don't bother little critters. If you come across a deer, take a photo or two, then backaway slowly. They'll run when they hear the train, but don't force them to. In panning shots, watch for trees that suddenly grow about 20 feet in the 2 hours you're sitting there.
Know your camera. Don't be caught fumbling with obscure settings when the perfect shot comes along.
Bring food and water (lots), you'll be sitting there a good while (unless you really know the schedule). Shade is nice too, and make sure everything is waterproofed. Mother Nature plays dirty.
Be aware of your surroundings. Watch for gopher holes so you don't twist an ankle, watch for snakes, watch for poisonous insects, don't bother little critters. If you come across a deer, take a photo or two, then backaway slowly. They'll run when they hear the train, but don't force them to. In panning shots, watch for trees that suddenly grow about 20 feet in the 2 hours you're sitting there.
Know your camera. Don't be caught fumbling with obscure settings when the perfect shot comes along.
Bring food and water (lots), you'll be sitting there a good while (unless you really know the schedule). Shade is nice too, and make sure everything is waterproofed. Mother Nature plays dirty.
ryanstrains
Moderator
Blutorse4792
Now T:ANE I can get into
- Bring an iPod or something to entertain yourself between trains
- Never underestimate how loud those horns are
- Try not to flash the engineer (camera flash, that is...)
- If confronted by employees or police (railroad or regular) remain clam, politely explain yourself, and don't argue in the unlikely event that they ask you to leave
- I'd like to stress, stay back from the tracks. There's a video out there where a guy filming a freight train almost gets crushed when one of the cars tips over
- If possible, find a bridge over the tracks and fan from there, it's always fun standing over an Amtrak at 80mph
- Never underestimate how loud those horns are
- Try not to flash the engineer (camera flash, that is...)
- If confronted by employees or police (railroad or regular) remain clam, politely explain yourself, and don't argue in the unlikely event that they ask you to leave
- I'd like to stress, stay back from the tracks. There's a video out there where a guy filming a freight train almost gets crushed when one of the cars tips over
- If possible, find a bridge over the tracks and fan from there, it's always fun standing over an Amtrak at 80mph
Last edited:
Blutorse4792
Now T:ANE I can get into
Yes, it would be trespassing. I should've specified, a pedestrian bridge.
I like to hit up rural crossings. but I've certainly broken some of these tips for a shot, (to some extent) I should explain, Its on the ballast, of the road about 12 feet off the track and just to the left of the gate. Looking back at this It is by far my favorite work, but probably the most stupid thing I could have done for a shot. I was probably standing 25 feet back. But those are some BIG containers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Hayfw7sQA&list=UUNnm8uafyul8GeZOq6U6dKw&index=9&feature=plcp
jacksonbarno
Alco Spoken Here
Another tip is to have someone near a nearby yard to tell you when a train is coming, thats what I did at Williams Loop, and it allowed us to get snacks in nearby Quincy, and when we heard that the train was departing the yard, we hightailed it back there to watch it go by.