Why are railfans/foamers so friggin annoying?

Question

I work for Union Pacific managing a small yard evenings (ie: I'm a yardmaster). Why do foamers constantly just mosey on into my office off the street and start asking me questions about the railroad? Don't you know that rail facilities are a place of business? Don't you know that I cannot 'look around my office for some old memorabilia" to simply give to you? Don't you know that I don't give a flying flip how much you know about the rails? I do this for a living. Foamers, please stay off railroad property...I write after having 3 seperate people enter through my door tonight!!!!!

Answer 1

Yardmaster,

Can you layoff the blanket statement?

I'm a railfan and I don't do stuff like that...I don't trespass or bother any employees. I don't even wave unless waved to, so I don't distract them.

Every hobby has its ******* morons. You happened to find them in the rail hobby.

Answer 2

The problem is you work for UP.  SP people were very generous with their time and knoweledge.  But, a true "Foamer" is only to be found in the Feather River Canyon along the old WP main line.  The river would create lots of foam along its banks and the rail buffs would be amongst it, hence the term "Foamer".

By the by, most of the yardmasters I worked with throughout my 35 year career as an engineer were, well, like you.  Try cutting back on the caffeine..........

Answer 3

Dear Sir, please notice that there are different kind of railfans... and you have bad luck, hehe...

Answer 4

These are people who have a love for trains and there operations...they can't help it...have mercy on them. Try putting a sign on your door stating that you are busy and that it inter-fears with your job for them to just barge in. State that you need them to respect your position. On the other hand if there is any memorabilia that you can give them they should leave their phone # under the door and if you get anything you will call them.

For the most part they are a good bunch.

Answer 5

Are foamers what you call trainspotters/anoraks (UK)?

They won't read your message because they are all out, busy trespassing on rail yards!  Have you considered seeing them off with a big stick?

Answer 6

it's been this way since the first trains came around. there are train shops, train road shows, Circus trains, a train show on the TV. People make a hobbie of turing their basements into a railroad city.

   it'll never stop. as long as trains are around, it'll be this way for ever. (Note many of them are former or current employees who work for the railroad. some may have work for your Company. people young and old love trains.

              You're working for a billion dollar industry. people all over the world depend on rail service. railfans/foamers are one of many that help generate money to help both sides.

             how did you get into the rail business anyway? weren't you a rail fan when you were a kid? i don't think you just walked off the street one day and said, "I want to work for the railroad".