What do the terms 'railbuff' and 'foamer' mean?

Question

Ok then, please give me an example of what each of these types of people would do.

Answer 1

Railbuff is an enthusiastic railway fanatic. Foamer is an excessively enthusiastic railway fanatic.

Answer 2

Both describe individuals, typically men, who are very interested in railroads.  A "foamer" takes the hobby to extremes, figuratively "foaming at the mouth" when they see trains go by.  One way to identify them is by the railroad caps that many of them wear or by a railroad radio scanner in their hand.

Each person follows the hobby in their own way.  Many take photographs of train equipment, some ride as many passenger trains as they can, some are interested in particular railroads (some no longer in operation, known as "fallen flags"), some also operate model railroad layouts, some collect old timetables or pieces of equipment such as lanterns--it varies by the individual.

Answer 3

These are hobbyists who enjoy railroading and railroad operations.

Though the association is always made with reference to "foamers," as frothing at the mouth as would a rabid dog, but the truth is, that isn't how the term originated.

The Western Pacific (now the UP) runs the "Feather River Route" eastward along the Feather River to Portola and beyond.  The timber industry has now been gutted, but at the time there were a lot pollutants being dumped into the river upstream, primarily waste from mills and stagnant log ponds.

This caused the formation of copious amounts of foam in back washes and eddies along the river, a favorite place for rail buffs and photographers.

Often times, these people would wade into the river to get the right angle for a photo, usually knee deep or deeper amidst the foam, hence the moniker was applied; "Foamers."  Its meaning has been upgraded to describe an over zealous aficionado of rail operations.

In the UK they are called "train spotters," and as a whole they receive a lot of derision for their chosen idle time pursuits wherever they appear.  I don't see what harm they do and I am of the opinion that, since most are very aware of railroad operations, our railroad operations are safer for their presence.  Many more extra eyes....

Answer 4

To answer your question, we need to ask ourselves when a hobby becomes a fetish. Because honestly, when you get right down to it, that's the distinction we're making when we separate the buffs from the foamers.

In my opinion, it's all a matter of moderation. For example, I would feel totally comfortable if someone called me a buff. I like to visit other railroads and see their equipment, and if I happen to be near a museum, I make every effort to check it out. I mean, come on. Trains are totally sweet. But if you bumped into me at a museum, you'd notice a couple things about me. First, I'm not carrying a camera. My memory is good enough that I really don't need one. Second, I'm not wearing anything railroad related. No hats, no shirts, no pins, no nothing. And third (and most important), I'm not spouting off technical information or bogus stories that I've heard second-hand or read in magazines. I enjoy my visit, but I show a little reservation. Pretty much your basic buff.

On the other side of the line, we have our foamers. Foamers are the guys who foam from the mouth and the groin as soon a railroad touches their peripheral vision. They're the guys you see decked out in railroad apparal. They'll have two cameras with them, and a scanner rigged up to their car's stereo system. You see them crawling under rolling stock looking for truck castings, or hanging off overpasses taking pictures. They ask you questions to see if you know the answer. Know what I mean? Well, those are preliminary indicators, but to really be sure, you have to take some time and talk to them.

The first thing you'll notice is that a foamer is way over-eager. He wants you to know that he's an expert, and he'll really let you know it. Sometimes they'll go to the point of rudeness, correcting you on trivial details. Just a little condescending! They also try to share in the attitudes of railroad employees, but it comes off as a contrived effort. They'll make comments about how useless CMO's are, for example, or they'll slam railroad officials for not knowing how operations work on the ground. That bugs me a lot. They also have weird loyalties to certain railroads and locomotives, and they'll totally glamorize them. One guy said to me the other day, "Nothing beats a good smoking Alco!" Yeah? He's obviously never had to run one of those piles.

Well, I'm starting to rant. Foamers are alright, but in small doses. It's fun to play the cool engineer and let a couple dudes into the cab. Depending on who's around, we'll even let them ride a little while we switch. As long as they cap the camera lens, if you know what I'm sayin'. But yeah, anyway. Like I said, the difference between a buff and a foamer is all about moderation. Trains make a good hobby, but as far as fetishes, do your shopping somewhere else.

Answer 5

Nicknames for train enthusiasts. People who follow, take an interest in, photograph, examine, record, etc. trains.

As opposed to the rest of humanity who have a life to get on with, lol.

Others are, 'anorak', 'train spotter', and (I don't like this one, but some people insist on using it) - 'nerd'.

Answer 6

rail buffs and foamers go railfanning alot railfanning is when you go to a place to watch trains for a while

Answer 7

We can always tell a foamer because you see them more than once on a trip.And they are usually in a group instead of alone.And they have scanners most of the time.

A rail buff just usually just stops and takes your pic as you go by.