A co-worker is a hardcore snowmobile nut. And I mean NUT. He's trying to talk me into buying a sled... I was thinking it culd be a great way to get into remote locations for winter railfanning. What think you about that? Anyone tried railfanning from a sled? Any other unconventional vehicles you've used to go railfanning? Watercraft, hovercraft, aircraft--anything? Pics from those adventures?
A jet pack would be a great railfanning tool especially for me, where I like to railfan... ....No place to land a helicopter! Nice! And they don't take much space, get great gas mileage....
A guy in my N scale club went railfanning from a small plane. He hired a pilot to fly him around the Stevens Pass area in Washington, and he said he took a bunch of photos, too, but I haven't seen them, yet.
At one time, I had thought about a helicopter kit. There are some very small models available. Would be great for following along the old lines in eastern MT. Require very little space to land... Boxcab E50
Fostoria , OHio I took this picture while attending the 2008 Fostoria Rail Fest. I love conrail stuff so was a real treat to see.
Well, I've got a few that might apply: -I used to railfan from a Corvette, which in-and-of itself is pretty unusual I'd think. I had to have the Targa top replaced and briefly considered having a video camera turret mounted in the old one for railfanning but never did. -While not really a vehicle, I have "railfanned" from the Anteres Restaurant atop Reunion Tower in Dallas...560ft in the air. It revolves 360 degrees around the tower so I guess it sorta qualifies as a vehicle. -I frequently railfanned on my bicycle while in junior high, high school, and college. -I always scope out the action upon takeoff/landing from O'Hare in Chicago. UP's yard and the ex-Soo Bensonville Yard usually zip past depending upon takeoff direction, seat location, etc. Philly and Newark also had some rail action visible if I recall correctly, among other cities. -I've railfanned from another train, does that count?
Does it count that in 1947 I was about 200' off the ground in a Luscombe Silvair flown by my brother, watching a New Haven freight led by an Alco FA-FB-FB-FA lashup approaching the Hudson River Bridge at Poughkeepsie, NY. Of course neither of us had thought to borrow our Mother's camera......:tb-embarrassed:
>I did that paint scheme to honor the Conrail workers.In fact,this is the last year for that paint scheme.
I rail fan from the MBTA trains themselves. These give me amply access to the passenger and commuter trains on the Northeast Corricor between Boston and Providence. Yesterday I was at North Station in Boston where was able to score a few more "new" pictures. There are a few freight yards I can get to including a CSX yard near Framingham Ma, Intermodal yard near Alston / Brighton (Boston), and something in Braintree MA that uses Kaolin, Woodchips, and I'm tank cars. It is the only way for me to get around as due to visual limitations I don't drive.
I can no longer drive, so unless I can find a ride or the wife takes me I’m down to my riding mower. Luckily, I’m bout a ½ mile or so from the Cline Orchard crossing on the CSX tracks out back. This is the best pic I’ve got showing it. That’s a ballast train after the June floods here. inch
West of Kamloops BC I used a boat one weekend to go from the CN side to the CP side back and forth all day.
so you are the owner of that vehicle? Well it sure did look sharp. Where are you from cause i think i saw PA plates on your truck. YOu sure did drive a long way to see fostoria. But I bet it was worth the drive cause i drive up to fostoria from cincinnati all the time to get the best railfanning in the state of ohio.
Yes,i'm the owner.My mileage was only 200 miles,which is only about 4-5 hr drive.My next time in Fostoria will be in 09.We're looking foward to attending Fostoria Rail Fest every year.Just this past weekend we were trackside outside Buffalo/Lockport.NY.Thnx for the compliment.The next paint scheme will be released at Altoona Railfest in 09 with the group NSWestSlope and Conrail Historical Society(Two good groups that we are members of).
I'd suggest skis as one possible way to railfan. At the Izaak Walton Inn, in Essex, Montana, during the winter, people go there to cross country ski. Also, at the ski area I used to work for, Stevens Pass, the Nordic Center is five miles east of the main ski area, near the east portal of the second Cascade Tunnel. At least one trail goes close to that portal, and the other trails have railroad names, even though you cannot see the tracks from them. You can hear trains from those trails, though.
Well my vehicle isn't unique like a Conrail pickup, an ATV, or a lawnmower, but at 48 mpg I don't feel quite so guilty when want to chase something.