Why Do You Like to Railfan?

If you listen to the first part of this link, (after skipping the ad) that is my answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6913KnbMpHM

The bigger and faster the train is moving the better!

I have mentioned on this forum before that a life changing event for me was watching Milwaukee 261 pulling a 20 car consist of "classic passenger cars" up grade at 45 MPH.  That was the pinnacle of Rail Fanning for me in term of trains.

Although, like you, hanging out with other trains guys can be fun.  Wonder if that has something to do with being on this Forum?

@MainLine Steam posted:

If you listen to the first part of this link, (after skipping the ad) that is my answer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6913KnbMpHM

The bigger and faster the train is moving the better!

I have mentioned on this forum before that a life changing event for me was watching Milwaukee 261 pulling a 20 car consist of "classic passenger cars" up grade at 45 MPH.  That was the pinnacle of Rail Fanning for me in term of trains.

Although, like you, hanging out with other trains guys can be fun.  Wonder if that has something to do with being on this Forum?

Too funny on the song. Never thought of it as a train song but that’s a perfect answer.

I've been fascinated by transportation machinery since I was a small child - trains, airplanes, automobiles, trucks, ships, boats. That interest hasn't changed over decades and it led me to become an engineer. Plus, when I see a railroad track, there is a curiosity to see what's around the bend, get on the train, and find out. The trains I watch (and ride) these days travel between places where I've lived my entire life, so I know the places, stations, cities and towns, from where they came and to where they're going.

I usually railfan from a station platform along a four-track electrified main line. Some trains speed through on the express tracks while others stop and passengers get on and off. I enjoy watching the speed and hearing the rumble of the fast ones and watching the conductors and passengers on the ones that stop.

Not least, watching trains provided the ideas for a how to build my model railroads.

MELGAR

My dad got me into "watching trains" in about 1944/1945. He would take me down to the yard office of the Jersey Central RR in Cranford, NJ. We would watch the big yard engines (0-8-0 steam locomotives) work. I got addicted to steam locomotives before I was 5. My mother did NOT want me to go to work for the railroad, as my dad and his dad had done. She forced me to go to college and "get a good job". Well, as luck would have it, the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors Corp. hired me right out of college, and I spent my entire working career in the railroad motive power industry. My love of steam locomotives also never wavered, and I spent as much time as I could working on AFT/SP 4449 and UP 844 and 3985.

I must admit that, after more than 78 years, I still enjoy driving over to the local Highlands Depot (Illinois) on the former CB&Q 3 track "East End" main line, and watching some of the trains. Between about 1:30 and 2PM, everyday, BNSF runs a huge intermodal train westbound, with 3 units up front and 2 more DPUs on the rear. Lots of power at speed (50 to 60MPH) makes the ground shake. Not steam, but pretty enjoyable, for my age now.

@Hot Water,

Jack,

I watched your interview by Rich Melvin last night. A very interesting discussion and career.

MELGAR

I agree with all of the points listed. It's a nice distraction from the daily grind. It was especially quite "therapeutic" during the pandemic when we were very limited on social activities. I like meeting up with some of the guys at our local station or I'll head out to a quiet back road in the country with a coffee, my scanner and my camera. I enjoy the hunt of getting heritage units and unique consists. Even with mixed feelings on tagging and graffiti, I find myself more and more looking at what's been painted on the rolling stock as they pass by.  My 1:1 hobby certainly influences my 1:48 hobby.

Rob