I've been accused of stalking

[ScottC4746]

My better half who doesn't get trains saw me logging the on time status of Sunset Limited. I have created an Excel spreadsheet to keep a daily log of on time status into NOL and LAX until my trip in June. I was accused of stalking...I asked them how do you stalk a train.

What is your take? :blink:

 

[Everydaymatters]

Could she maybe be thinking that you're obsessed with the time status? I don't know why she'd think that since it's leaving pretty soon - just 4 more months.

Maybe it's a woman thing for her to think you're stalking a train! How absurd.

Betty

 

[the_traveler]

If that is stalking, then Amtrak, UP, BNSF CSX, NS, etc... also stalks trains! I just consider it watching the OTP to have an idea. Even the media "stalks" the economy. (How else would we know that unemployment or the stock market dropped %% from last year? :huh: )

I bet she even "stalks" the traffic report to find out if her commute will be 20 minutes or 30 minutes, or if route __ is closed by construction and taking a detour is needed!

I do not consider checking to be "stalking". I do it myself!

 

[amtrakwolverine]

were all stalkers. were on this forum looking for new posts.

 

[chuljin]

My better half who doesn't get trains saw me logging the on time status of Sunset Limited. I have created an Excel spreadsheet to keep a daily log of on time status into NOL and LAX until my trip in June. I was accused of stalking...I asked them how do you stalk a train.What is your take? :blink:

If only you knew. I wrote a .NET library that scrapes status off amtrak.com, then wrapped it in an app that does so for all California trains, and a few selected corridor trains elsewhere, and dumps it into an MS Access database. Something like amtrakdelays.com, but my own local version of the data that I can mine for various purposes (e.g. calibrating Mr. Recommender [story for another time. ]). It's been running for some 8 months now.

 

[jackal]

My better half who doesn't get trains saw me logging the on time status of Sunset Limited. I have created an Excel spreadsheet to keep a daily log of on time status into NOL and LAX until my trip in June. I was accused of stalking...I asked them how do you stalk a train.What is your take? :blink:

If only you knew. I wrote a .NET library that scrapes status off amtrak.com, then wrapped it in an app that does so for all California trains, and a few selected corridor trains elsewhere, and dumps it into an MS Access database. Something like amtrakdelays.com, but my own local version of the data that I can mine for various purposes (e.g. calibrating Mr. Recommender [story for another time. ]). It's been running for some 8 months now.

Well, if anything, you're not stalking the train...but your computer sure is!!

 

[user 683]

My better half who doesn't get trains saw me logging the on time status of Sunset Limited. I have created an Excel spreadsheet to keep a daily log of on time status into NOL and LAX until my trip in June. I was accused of stalking...I asked them how do you stalk a train.What is your take? :blink:

You're not alone! I created and maintained a similar spread sheet for six months in advance of a LD trip I made a few years back. The motivation for this concept was to monitor delays and to develop a better appreciation of OTP for the trains I was going to ride. It seemed like a reasonable idea, and yes, I was excited about my upcoming trip! It was interesting to monitor OTP for a while, but it did become time consuming. If I were well versed in .NET apps I'd probably create an automated version of this - like Jackal did.

 

[jackal]

My better half who doesn't get trains saw me logging the on time status of Sunset Limited. I have created an Excel spreadsheet to keep a daily log of on time status into NOL and LAX until my trip in June. I was accused of stalking...I asked them how do you stalk a train.What is your take? :blink:

You're not alone! I created and maintained a similar spread sheet for six months in advance of a LD trip I made a few years back. The motivation for this concept was to monitor delays and to develop a better appreciation of OTP for the trains I was going to ride. It seemed like a reasonable idea, and yes, I was excited about my upcoming trip! It was interesting to monitor OTP for a while, but it did become time consuming. If I were well versed in .NET apps I'd probably create an automated version of this - like Jackal did.

Um, as much as I wish I were well versed in .NET (or any programming language, for that matter), I must pass credit along to chuljin. (Either that, or I just don't want anyone thinking I'm a nerd! )

 

[GG-1]

(Either that, or I just don't want anyone thinking I'm a nerd! )

Careful how you say "nerd". I am Proud to be a Train nerd.

Aloha

 

[Guest]

It starts with just "innocent" stalking of trains.

Next, you fantasize being inside trains.

Eventually, you suffer from full blown train-ophilia.

There is no cure. I suggest a support group like those at amtraktrains.com.

 

[ScottC4746]

It starts with just "innocent" stalking of trains.
Next, you fantasize being inside trains.

Eventually, you suffer from full blown train-ophilia.

There is no cure. I suggest a support group like those at amtraktrains.com.

The Trainophilia has allready taken hold. I come home from work and search youtube for Amtrak and watch videos. I take Pacific Surfliner from FUL to point B so by the end of the year I have gone to every stop on the line on Saturday.

I try to search menus from my train I am taking.

I have now started a project (which is why I am taking route 1 in June) of takeing every route published end to end. GAWD! I AM a train nerd and proud of it.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

And then of course there are location-specific sub-strains of the condition, like Trainophiliadelphia :lol: :lol: :lol:

And those with persistent plumbing problems occasionally have a similar syndrome called Drainophilia, not to be confused with a "pipe dream". All sorts of things flow from that one.

 

[sky12065]

(Either that, or I just don't want anyone thinking I'm a nerd! )

Careful how you say "nerd". I am Proud to be a Train nerd.

Aloha

When you call somebody a "nerd," take great caution not to accidentally make a certain mispronunciation of it. And if you do make that certain mispronunciation, be prepared to run or defend yourself! :lol:

 

[the_traveler]

And then of course there are location-specific sub-strains of the condition, like Trainophiliadelphia :lol: :lol: :lol:

And the most severe case is trainonewyorkwashingtonbirminghamchicagolosangelesportlandseattleminneapolispitt

sburghsanantinioneworleansstlouiskansascity (deep breath) montrealalbanybostonatlantadenverflagstaffbuffalodetroitphiladelphia! :lol: :lol: :lol:

There is no cure for that!

 

[Long Train Runnin']

And then of course there are location-specific sub-strains of the condition, like Trainophiliadelphia :lol: :lol: :lol:

And the most severe case is trainonewyorkwashingtonbirminghamchicagolosangelesportlandseattleminneapolispitt

sburghsanantinioneworleansstlouiskansascity (deep breath) montrealalbanybostonatlantadenverflagstaffbuffalodetroitphiladelphia! :lol: :lol: :lol:

There is no cure for that!

new york

washington

birmingham

chicago

los angeles

portland

seattle

minneapolis

pittsburgh

san antinio

new orleans

st louis

kansas city (deep breath)

montreal

albany

boston

atlanta

denver

flagstaff

buffalo

detroit

philadelphia!

Nice list lol but why make such a long word when you can use "Foamer" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[ScottC4746]

And then of course there are location-specific sub-strains of the condition, like Trainophiliadelphia :lol: :lol: :lol:

And the most severe case is trainonewyorkwashingtonbirminghamchicagolosangelesportlandseattleminneapolispitt

sburghsanantinioneworleansstlouiskansascity (deep breath) montrealalbanybostonatlantadenverflagstaffbuffalodetroitphiladelphia! :lol: :lol: :lol:

There is no cure for that!

new york

washington

birmingham

chicago

los angeles

portland

seattle

minneapolis

pittsburgh

san antinio

new orleans

st louis

kansas city (deep breath)

montreal

albany

boston

atlanta

denver

flagstaff

buffalo

detroit

philadelphia!

Nice list lol but why make such a long word when you can use "Foamer" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

"I've been everywhere man I've been every where" Sorry I was thinking of the old Johnny Cash song. :lol:

 

[the_traveler]

Nice list lol but why make such a long word when you can use "Foamer" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

That's the generic name for that condition! That long name is the true name! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[amtrakwolverine]

And then of course there are location-specific sub-strains of the condition, like Trainophiliadelphia :lol: :lol: :lol:

And the most severe case is trainonewyorkwashingtonbirminghamchicagolosangelesportlandseattleminneapolispitt

sburghsanantinioneworleansstlouiskansascity (deep breath) montrealalbanybostonatlantadenverflagstaffbuffalodetroitphiladelphia! :lol: :lol: :lol:

There is no cure for that!

new york

washington

birmingham

chicago

los angeles

portland

seattle

minneapolis

pittsburgh

san antinio

new orleans

st louis

kansas city (deep breath)

montreal

albany

boston

atlanta

denver

flagstaff

buffalo

detroit

philadelphia!

Nice list lol but why make such a long word when you can use "Foamer" :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

thats not sever that mild. the worst case would be EVERY city that amtrak serves and that includes the busses.