All in all, it would seem that rail fans are just a hostile bunch in general. Every one and every idea to come down the pike is somehow stupid, dumb, ignorant - and just too hard to tolerate. Just witness us take apart anybody who misstates any railroad factoid. There is just no where you can go, where railfans casually congregate, that you will not see this happen. And that seems especially true here. Its too bad!

I have always tried to involve my wife and children in my hobby; it being much more enjoyable that way. I was fortunate that they happily joined in - until. . . . I would take them down to the depot, or out "chasing trains" somewhere. But almost anywhere fans had congregated, there was always that bunch over there, who were obnoxious know-it-alls, constantly and rudely trying to one-up each other - to prove who really was the penultimate railroader - I suppose.

One time we witnessed them bullying the waiting passengers with their arrogant strutting about with radios blaring, ordering everyone around. the Amtrak agent finally kicked them out - called the cops when they refused to leave. And also anyone else without actual tickets as well - that meant us too. The police monitored the depot for many months after that - they ruined it for all!

It was just as well, as my wife was beginning to wonder about me anyway - since I seemed to always just expect it as though it were normal. Why would I want to be like them - she asked. Well, I don't want to. So now I stay away from such rail fan congregations as much as possible.

We are not all antisocial though. When you run across a fellow railfan out on his own, one on one, quite often, one finds a pleasant fellow that is easy to make friends with. And when one has lots of railfan friends, who are also friends in other ways as well, such hostility and competitiveness is rarely seen. Such friendships can be very satisfying.

But when in public in casual groups? - go figure. I have often wondered why we just can't seem to get along in the sand box. I am no psychologist, but I wonder if some of us don't feel a need to prove something - especially those without wives and kids. Seems that way, in any event.

Anyhow, anyone with an ax to grind, will always be finding reasons to grind it. Even if its in YOUR face.

Just avoid them!