Re: So Stop Being a Railfan
Author: Galloping Goose Zephyr
Date: 07-19-2012 - 20:50
2012 marks my 40th year of being a railfan. That year, I picked up a copy of Model Railroad with a centerspread drawing of an SP GS-4 Daylight locomotive. While my teenaged eyes admired the beauty of that locomotive, I never dreamed I would see a GS-4 under steam or ride behind one. But in 1999, I got to see it for the first time at the Sacramento Railfair, and then rode behind it at the 2005 and 2011 NRHS Conventions.
I think Genesis locomotives are aesthetically among the least appealing passenger diesels around with the current Amtrak scheme. But yesterday, when I rode the westbound Pennsylvanian, I made a point of riding in the first car so I could enjoy the sound of the locomotive. I feel they are the best-sounding passenger locomotives since the E-units. The horns are nice, too. After Amtrak painted a few in various heritage scheme, then they became decent-looking locomotives, and I even purchased a model of one from the Amtrak store.
In 1972, my father took me to the Horse Shoe Curve. Saw a few trains with black paint. Now when I go to the Curve, I see lots of trains with black paint. Yes, access is restricted, but it remains one of the best places to witness the drama of contemporary railroading.
The Royal Gorge was gone before well before I became interested in trains. Yet, thanks to the Royal Gorge Scenic railroad, I am able to enjoy one of the scenic highlights of that train - the Royal Gorge. And speaking of Colorado, the Cumbres & Toltec provides a great experience for any railfan.
And now the Virginia & Truckee is back - is this a great time to be a railfan or what?!
In the 1970s, many passenger train stations were considerably deteriorated. Thanks to Amtrak, commuter rail authorities and increased public interest in saving and renovating old stations, many have been rehabilitated and are in better shape than they were in the 1950s. The Hoboken Lackawanna Terminal, Grand Central Terminal, the Harrisburg PRR Station and the Burlingame, CA depot are just a few of the many stations and depots which have been saved and renovated.
While much passenger train service has been lost, in several places, notably California and the Northeast, there are more short/medium distance passenger trains than ever operated by the private railroads.
I find myself enjoying rails-to-trails, too. In some many areas, they offer sights which most people could never experience because they were freight-only lines.
Yes, lots of good stuff is gone or vanishing - Interlocking towers, signals distinctive to individual railroads, the Maine Central, Milwaukee Road, Southern Pacific and Western Pacific, cabooses, F & E-units, fast passenger trains outside of the Northeast, the original California Zephyr and other fun stuff which made railfanning fun.
In spite of this, there is still plenty to keep my interest in trains.