Iam simply crazy about trains. can i do this?

Question

can i spend one whole day in a busy station admiring all the trains that are coming and going?

can i take pictures of the best trains?

can i even research about them in detail?

Answer 1

You would be better suited going to the libary first, and maybe finding a railroading museum in your area.

Then contact your local railroad station and see if you can get a tour, learn how it works.

Taking lots of pictures will get you some attention from law enforcement.

Answer 2

Click away, Adi, click away.  There is nothing unusual about someone taking pictures in the station, on the platform or even out and about the property.

BUT, if you are out and about, don't be so preoccupied with the view finder that you don't notice any equipment that may be rolling your way, often very quietly.

So, heads up and indulge yourself in your passion........

Answer 3

I don't know about a whole day at a station...could get you for loitering or something like that.

Pictures are ok as long as you are not taking them at the rail yard...might get you in trouble with law enforcement.

You can research them online, in your local library, and also in various railroad magazines. You might also want to check out Trains magazine and also Railfan & Railroad.

Also visit the various railroad museums and railroad parks. There are several here in Texas.

Answer 4

buy a train set

Answer 5

There is nothing to stop you doing this. In the UK "Trainspoting" is not that uncommon. Trainspotters do pretty much what you describe, some try to collect every train number of all the locomotives in the UK

Answer 6

Better yet get a job with them.

My freind works there as a switchman and makes about 25 bucks an hour.

Answer 7

Go ahead..they have a name for it even..."railfanning"...even I do it sometimes.

As long as you stay out of the way at the stations nobody will usually bother you...taking pictures is perfectly OK.

Answer 8

Your not alone. You wouldn''t believe how many train fanatics there are, not only in the U.S., but in the world.

Answer 9

you can go to any station and take pictures the whole day of all the trains coming and going, and i am sure nobody will make a big stink of it.  I do it all the time when i am off duty from being a conductor and stay down in Grand Central Terminal, and i see plenty of other people doing it too, so if the worlds largest station can let it happen, then i am sure your station will too

Answer 10

This is not a good idea in today's world. Someone would assume you are plotting to bomb something. I would confine my research to libraries and train museams such as the one in Strasburg, PA.

http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/

Answer 11

It's so nice to see that someone else also shares my passion.

Thumbs up for your passion and go ahead with your idea.