What items do you take with you while out and about Rail Fanning and why? Here's my supply list: 1. Tasco Compact Binocs for reading home signals in the distance. 2. Radio Shack Pro70 Scanner to listen in on track talkers to find the location of trains. 3. 35mm Camera, VHS Movie Style Video Camera, tri-pods for both, plenty of film of different speeds and LOTS of video tape! 4. Power supply adaptors, batteries don't last forever. 5. Railway Magazines and good music. Trains aren't always running like a continuous loop of tape you know. 6. Umbrella for rain OR shine. There's not always a shade tree around. 7. Cooler full of food and drink. 8. Gazzetter/Maps. You CAN get lost and Gazzeter's are also handy for finding short cuts. They have a lot more detail than a regular State map. 9. A note book or small tape recorder so you can remember the details of what you saw and when you saw it that day. 10. A good friend who "gets" what you're doing. They help pass the time and can sometimes remind you to stay safe while you're out there. They also may learn a thing or two from you! 11. First Aid Kit and a cell phone. You CAN get hurt out there. Snake bite, turned ankle, cut fingers, splinters, crud blown into your eyes, the list goes on and on. Just some more examples of why I usally take a friend along. 12. A small tool kit, folding knife, duct tape and SUPER GLUE. Yes, you MAY need these! One last thing, take a good attitued with you. You may find some stupid folk out there that need to be reminded of how many hazzards there are along the Right of Way. They like to stand on the tracks, put coins or other junk to be crushed under the wheels on the track, etc. Be firm, yet kind, when you tell them of the danger they may be in. You might even try telling them you "work" for the Railway and you are looking out for their safety. Worked for me once... [ 06 April 2001: Message edited by: Maxwell Plant ]
Brent, I think you got it all except for the wheelbarrow to move all the stuff from the car trackside. That or a group of pack mules. Usually when I get all settled I realize I forgot something REALLY important like tape or film.
Well, a lot of it STAYS in the car! I've never "back-packed it" to the photo sites I've been to, not YET!
On the other hand - I was so awe-struck with seeing my "first" articulateds (two leading and one pushing) while standing on the Roanoke, VA station platform, that I completely forgot that my camera was on the front seat of my car less than 100 feet away Hank
Depending on where you're going, two items I may add to that list- mosquito repellent and sunscreen. I do that, and don't spend the next several days gritching about my sunburn or all those damned "skeeters" that bit me! Mosquito- an insect that makes you appreciate flies more Oveall, Brent, you got it pretty well covered! Oh yeah, if ya got room, a camp stool or lawn chair- no need to stand all the time...
