Western Railroad Discussion > Fancy alternate ways of saying railfanning

We all know about ferroequineolgy and its derivatives but how about "observing the nuances of rail transportation"? Do you have any to share?

Sorry, I don't have a fancy one but I do have a different one.

Some years ago, while visiting the in-laws in Texas, I escaped for a day of railfanning the ex-AT&SF. Railfanning is foreign to her family. Upon my return late that evening, my Mother-in-Law asked me if I had a good day "Train Hunting". I let it go except.........I had a camo ball cap embroidered with my favorite rail logo which is now worn on all "Train Hunting" expeditions.

This begs the following questions:

Does the season for Train Hunting vary from State to State?

Do you need to get a license and wear it on the back of your coat?

Is Camo better than Orange?

Can you buy "Train Scent" at Cabela's?

Is there a limit on how many trains you can bag per day?

I'm sure the rest of you will have more questions!

I'm personally a big fan of "trainspotting." Very British.

or, as the memorial at Berea OH says, watching the "ceaseless parade of US commerce"

Camera Safari was popular for awhile.

Train Stalking (if you happen to catch the same train more than once).

"None of your f'ing business!!" works well.

GrandeGold Wrote:
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> I'm personally a big fan of "trainspotting." Very
> British.

James,you beat me too it. That's what I tell the wife,I'm going trainspotting. I'd been saying it for year's before I found out it was British!

pilotblue Wrote:
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> Sorry, I don't have a fancy one but I do have a
> different one.
>
> Some years ago, while visiting the in-laws in
> Texas, I escaped for a day of railfanning the
> ex-AT&SF. Railfanning is foreign to her family.
> Upon my return late that evening, my Mother-in-Law
> asked me if I had a good day "Train Hunting". I
> let it go except.........I had a camo ball cap
> embroidered with my favorite rail logo which is
> now worn on all "Train Hunting" expeditions.
>
> This begs the following questions:
>
> Does the season for Train Hunting vary from State
> to State?
>
> Do you need to get a license and wear it on the
> back of your coat?
>
> Is Camo better than Orange?
>
> Can you buy "Train Scent" at Cabela's?
>
> Is there a limit on how many trains you can bag
> per day?
>
> I'm sure the rest of you will have more questions!

I wanted to add, Is there a film and a digital season? How big does the train have to be to make Boone and Crockett? Can we get busted for shooting one too small? Do I have to put in a draw for special zone's? Is to close to the track's poaching? Sorry I got silly,Thank's for the post. Bill

I first heard "train spotting" on the series Great Railway Journeys when Michael Palin rode and railfanned to Kyle of Lochalsh. I guess there were Brits who used to carry notebooks wherein they wrote down the trains they saw. I believe there are several who do on T.O. as well. Never got into that myself. Was content to shout, "Ecce! Una via longuria est!"

Back in the mid 90's I was accused of stalking their train by a Santa Fe crew. They sicced the special agent on me. When he pulled me over we had a very pleasant and interesting conversation.

I regard myself as a 'Transportation Historian'...(Nobody else does, however).

I was told that 'trainspotter' has a pretty negative connotation in the UK when I was working over there.

Jim Bartolotta

Probably as a result of the fine movie (Yak!) of the same name.

Also, Train Spotting...by pigeons..

rehunn Wrote:
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> Probably as a result of the fine movie (Yak!) of
> the same name.

Yeah,bunch of worthless slammer's.I had to rent it though with a name like trainspotting!!

How about Camel Spotting?
Monty Python fans will know what I mean.

I've always been partial to train chasing...or, when you haven't had enough sleep and your mouth gets away from you, chain tracing. :)

Kevin Morgan
Arvada, CO
ColoradoRailfan.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/15/10 13:39 by ColoradoRailfan.

Yeah, I'm a foamer.

Now for the other eleven steps . . . .

Kit Courter
Menefee, CA
LunarLight Photography

Ah! A man on the road to recovery... If you want to.

CimaScrambler Wrote:
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> Yeah, I'm a foamer.
>
> Now for the other eleven steps . . . .