Waiting To See A Train

While railfanning, I have more pictures of empty track than anything else

Paul

While railfanning, I have more pictures of empty track than anything else   

Amen   I agree   And I just started to take photos  this spring.

Waiting is often the name of the game for railfanning. Everyone who has done much railfanning has had plenty of experiences like this - missing trains, or waiting hours for something that never came. There are many variables to overcome in order to be at the right place at the right time in order to see a specific train. For that kind of railfanning, it seems a radio is almost a necessity.

buddy and I stood at the entry tracks of a coal fired power plant. we were waiting for the 100 car coal train that comes in twice a week for the power plant. As the train approached, the engineer slowed to about 5mph. he stuck his head out the window and yelled "GET ON". we looked at each other like a couple of school kids. we got on and the engineer powered up into the plant. we rode in while he unloaded his 100 cars. as we came out he once again slowed to 5mph and we thanked him as we got off the locomotive.

I've been a victim of the curse, too.  

Oh, the hours I've spent, listening for a distant whistle, when the only sound was some distant rock crusher or grain elevator, tires on a highway somewhere, the creaking of ties while rails expanded in the heat, off-road motorcycles, gunshots, aircraft, and everything but approaching trains.  The real danger in this is that, after a long period of waiting, waiting, waiting, you might become tempted to make a quick run to get a coke and the train always arrives and passes while you are temporarily away from the track.

Well railfanning is known to be a solitary experience. Lots of time to stand, wait and watch stuff around you.  No different when you railfan trams in Europe even though they run more often. You still stand and wait. Lots of things can go wrong along the line....