Steve, having a parent who worked on the railway and who may have himself worked for the railroad, had the luxery of being "anywhere" railside. And with a camera. Being young, one tends to shoot 'Roster' shots first and then begins to 'see' the rest of the shot as it unfolds with experience. As my memory fades, its nice to have the whole shot and date, not so much day, but year is important, to date said extras to the main focus. I have many a wide photo as my access was always from 'outside' the fences. Do as you feel with the crop/ no crop, but I prefer the wide....
Peter