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If you knew someone who loves trains- travels by train when possible (even just for fun) and subscribed to railroad magazines but never said much about trains otherwise- what would you think?
It seems like it’s fine for people to like cars, and I’ve met people who love planes, but is one considered stranger or weirder than the other? Are any of those interests considered “redneck”?
If you knew someone who loves trains- travels by train when possible (even just for fun) and subscribed to railroad magazines but never said much about trains otherwise- what would you think?
It seems like it’s fine for people to like cars, and I’ve met people who love planes, but is one considered stranger or weirder than the other? Are any of those interests considered “redneck”?
Thanks.
I would think they like trains and that's their thing! I know several people who love trains - magazines, books, setup around the Christmas tree, etc.
I don't think one is weirder than the other (if someone likes cars, but judges someone for liking trains... that's the definition of a snob!). I feel that someone judging someone else's healthy hobby comes off snobby and like they're superior, which they are not.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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I'm a car guy, have restored a couple of classics, go to car shows, and had a Challenger for a few years. Still I am a big railroad fan. I love hanging around at the railroad museum and boneyard in nearby Snoqualmie, WA, and often watch repeats of "Alaska Railroad" on the Destination America TV channel.
I'm a car guy, have restored a couple of classics, go to car shows, and had a Challenger for a few years. Still I am a big railroad fan. I love hanging around at the railroad museum and boneyard in nearby Snoqualmie, WA, and often watch repeats of "Alaska Railroad" on the Destination America TV channel.
I'm for anything with an internal combustion engine and wheels or tracks. Do all of my own mechanical work and restored 4 cars of the 1930's two of which I still own.
I refuse to fly and my wife and I went on 6 cross country trips all by rail from New York to Arizona before moving to Arizona. We too have watched "Alaska Railroad" when it was on and have often gone train watching in Seligman, AZ. There's nothing like the sound of those big ES44AC and SD70ACE locomotives rumbling beneath our feet. Wouldn't you just love to get in the cab and see what it's like to operate one of those?
At one point in my life I wanted to drive trucks, went to a trucking school and learned to drive tractor trailers. As such I also love to watch "Highway to Hell" and "Heavy Rescue 401" on the weather channel. As it's something that I can relate to. Same for "Jay Leno's Garage" "Chasing Classic Cars" "Fantom Works" "Full Custom Garage" "Counting Cars" and others. One of my friends met Jay Leno at a car show. He said that he was a regular guy no different than what he's like on TV, funny, gracious and respectful of others.
There are many rail fans. Everything from filming video and taking pictures of trains, chasing them along their lines. Listening to rail traffic on radio. There are several people who are interested in trains.
It's just another hobby. In my experience, boys like their toys, and sometimes the bigger the better. Hence trains. There's a huge cult of train watchers in both this country and in the United Kingdom, and many people have gone so far as to buy old train engines or cars and refurbish them, bringing them back to their former glory. Some people have laid track and got their old engines running and ended up with a second career that was more fun than their first.
If you have never heard of this hobby, you just haven't talked to all the people in the world.
There are 100's of thousands of railfans, including myself.
I remember when they were running the 611. You
couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting another railfan there were so
many track side. It's just like fishing, you never know what you'll catch,
how many, you might get skunked or you could get that wall hanger on any given outing.
Most railfans I have met are good people. I have run into a couple that were
way out there but you will have that in any hobby. There are some that like to
hear themselves talk but it doesn't take long to figure them out and leave. I think
I have over 500, maybe over 600 train videos on Youtube? When I'm track side I'm
doing video and still shots at the same time. I have never had any trouble when I'm filming
trains. Well I did have to deal with a crazy, homeless woman once and that made for an interesting
video in itself. I think it's the best hobby ever!
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I think it's the best hobby ever! 
