I just got my February copy of Trains Magazine. Fred Frailey has a great piece, Seven ways to become a better railfan. I think there are three that if followed would make this forum greatly improved.
#3 SHUT UP Fred says, " I really don't care about your political opinions and neither does anyone else" Man talk about right on! I get sick and tired of reading about other people's political opinions which mostly are bashing people and a negative diatribe. I agree SHUT UP!!! This is a rail forum. If you want politics go to another forum.
#5 USE COMMON SENSE ON LINE If a railroader gives you a lineup don't post it on line. If a rail gives you a cab ride don't post pictures of this. If a rail lets you up in a tower don't put it on You Tube. These rails took big chances to be nice to a railfan and the fan acted like an idiot and possibly jeopardized the nice guys job. No wonder rails think we are stupid when fans act like idiots and do stupid things like this. Remember, this forum is read by many rails including management. It's already tough enough to get up and personal with rails why make it harder or next to impossible
#6 ACCEPT THAT YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING Fred says, "A lot of railfans make assumptions based on insufficient facts at hand and go on from there to weave their fantasies. Others sign on to this fiction, and pretty soon you've got a new universe paralleling the real one." This happens way too often here on this forum. If you don't have hard facts then let it be known you are just making a guess. Or begin by saying " I think".
Fred has some other good advice as well for railfans. I think his ideas could help to improve the immage of railfans in the eyes of railroaders. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy. I try to use good judgement and I have to admit I've done a few stupid things in my 40 plus years of railfanning, but I work hard to project a good image as a railfan in the eyes of rails.

Dick Dorn