What is a "Railfan?"
(aka: Ferroequinologist, Train Spotter, Foamer, Railbuff)
 by Rob Buckman, Rob's RR Images

    Some people enjoy refurbishing old cars; some, gluing pieces of plastic together to form airplanes; others like playing or watching sports.  Pick any hobby.  Do you have a hobby?  Stamp collecting?  Coins?  Chess?  Model rocketry?  A railfan is a person whom has an above average interest in trains.  Everyone needs a hobby and for several thousand people within North America and elsewhere on the planet, trains are a multi-faceted hobby.

    The casual observer wouldn't notice that which the railfan knows to be unique.  Seen one train, you've seen them all, right?  No.

    The engines pulling that train blocking the crossing and made you late for work or blocked an ambulance on an emergency run?  They were GP38-2s, an engine that is quickly fading from the scene like the steam engines of years gone by.  Who cares?

    It is the same type of person who cares about the old muscle cars, like an Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 or Barracuda. 

    Most railfans are photographers, documenting trains through their lenses often with artistic flare.  A railfan without a camera would be unusual, but not unique.  Some railfans carry notebooks to document engine paint schemes, engine numbers, number of cars, and train frequency.  Others are railroad modelers, turning their basements or garages into miniature imaginary worlds requiring understanding of electricity, electronic components, woodworking, metal work, design, and general construction techniques.  Young railfans sometimes go on to careers in railroading.

   Railfans are a diverse group; there is no common thread although many can identify a childhood experience that piqued their interest.  They come from all walks of life; blue and white collar, wealthy and lower-middle class.  To be a railfan is difficult without money to visit different areas of interest, ride special excursions, or to buy photography equipment.  Therefore, almost by definition, railfans have jobs, are productive members of society, and likely use a computer to participate in online discussions about the hobby.  Possibly the most famous of railfans was 20th century composer Antoine Dvorak.

   As in any diverse group, there are mostly good people, but some bad.  Those that trespass or pilfer railroad property make the hobby more difficult for those that respect the law.  With increased attention on security and the role railroads play in transporting hazardous materials and military equipment, railfans have a useful citizenship role to play in pursuit of their hobby.  While most people are oblivious to the workings of a railroad, railfans have a clue and know when something is out of place.  Many railfans carry cell phones with the emergency numbers of the various railroads already pre-entered.

    Railfans do not expect special consideration and understand the concerns in this heightened security climate.  But while retired senior-ranking military officers impart their expert insight of how our military operates, and provide experienced conjecture about likely military unit taskings and troop strength estimates on national TV, railfans with no comparable knowledge or experience are being unduly questioned and required to depart from public property from where they were watching trains.  In some documented cases, camera equipment has been confiscated.

   Admittedly, this testament as to the legitimacy of the hobby does not necessarily make it so.  Please visit the other web sites listed at the end of this file to further improve your understanding of the people who refer to themselves as "railfans."

    This author believes law enforcement awareness of this hobby should resolve that not all people -- in fact, very few -- found watching or photographing trains have questionable intent.  We can help with security by staying vigilant.  We want to help.  Just ask.

    Please send comments or questions regarding this statement to rab2@3ri.com.

    The author, a railfan since 1972, and a 20-year veteran of the armed forces, is now a DoD civilian employed in the Air Force Special Operations community with certifications and experience in information security, information technology, multi-media production, technical writing, and test and evaluation of electronic warfare systems.  He has traveled extensively photographing and filming trains in the U.S., British Columbia, and Quebec.

Copyright ©2007.  Reviewed & updated 2009.

Related web sites:
1.  Magazines: www.trains.com
2.  Historical Societies:  http://www.nrhs.com
3.  Hundreds of other links: http://www.railroaddata.com/