Since you're using the same guest name as has been used in the past, I doubt you're the OP, or a random stranger. I'm always curious why a "regular" guest does not become a member? Might you enlighten me as to why you have not signed up?
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andersone
Conductor
wow and I thought I had problems,,,,,
FormerOBS
Conductor
Railfans as employees? I've seen some good and some bad, just as you'll find in the general population. Often, railfans have a better base knowledge of the industry and safety issues than the general public, so they come into the job with an advantage. Resentment of railfans by veteran railroaders is IMHO more a matter of insecurity on the part of the veteran than anything else. If that insecure, resentful veteran is a manager, then it can go badly for the employee. Otherwise, bad employees and good employees show who they are by what they do on the job --- not by their hobbies.
By the time I retired, it was widely known that I was a railfan in addition to being an employee. I was respected for both. Veteran railroaders sometimes asked me questions about railroad history, or practices followed on other railroads, just as I asked them questions about specific practices involved in their jobs.
As for the ten grand a month, DON'T SPEND IT UNTIL YOU SEE IT DEPOSITED IN YOUR ACCOUNT. That's not likely to happen.
Tom
By the time I retired, it was widely known that I was a railfan in addition to being an employee. I was respected for both. Veteran railroaders sometimes asked me questions about railroad history, or practices followed on other railroads, just as I asked them questions about specific practices involved in their jobs.
As for the ten grand a month, DON'T SPEND IT UNTIL YOU SEE IT DEPOSITED IN YOUR ACCOUNT. That's not likely to happen.
Tom
Another excellent post from one who's been where the steel wheels hit the iron rails!! Well said Tom!!
Ryan
Court Jester
Perfectly highlighting the point I was trying to make when I wrote that post.
Anyone can post as a guest and put anything they please in the little name box. Multiple posts with the same name attached aren't necessarily from the same person.
Going the other way, a single person can appear to be more than one person if they don't put any name in the box, or put different names in the box. What appears to be multiple people all in agreement can in fact be the same person trying to make it look like there is wide support where there is none. From context, post #23 may have been written by the person that usually uses the name "inthegauge", but it's worth remembering that 1)not all posts that he makes bear that name and 2)that all posts bearing that name aren't written by him (or her).
Even the brand new registered poster has far, far, less anonymity than a guest poster.
DryCreek
Lead Service Attendant
Just a clarifying question here - when does a railfan cross over to "Foamer" status?
I think I may know, but just wanted to be sure. I was watching a YouTube video the other day, and the guy came off as a verrrry strange individual. When a CSX coal train had a coupler fail and go into emergency (big holed) I thought he was going to have an orgasm wile chasing the train down a somewhat busy two-lane highway. I think that type of person may be considered a "Foamer".
But, how about those of us who grew up in a railroad family? My mom was very proud of her father and her younger brother (still employed as conductor for BNSF) and the railroad history of her home town. My grandfathers picture is in one of the exhibits at the railroad museum in Teague. I grew up listening to stories about what goes on from the cab of a locomotive, or from the perspective of a young brakeman who later worked his way up to Conductor. I have a passive interest in the "heyday" years of passenger trains - the striking individuality of the rolling stock and the colorful names that inspired your imagination.
I think I may know, but just wanted to be sure. I was watching a YouTube video the other day, and the guy came off as a verrrry strange individual. When a CSX coal train had a coupler fail and go into emergency (big holed) I thought he was going to have an orgasm wile chasing the train down a somewhat busy two-lane highway. I think that type of person may be considered a "Foamer".
But, how about those of us who grew up in a railroad family? My mom was very proud of her father and her younger brother (still employed as conductor for BNSF) and the railroad history of her home town. My grandfathers picture is in one of the exhibits at the railroad museum in Teague. I grew up listening to stories about what goes on from the cab of a locomotive, or from the perspective of a young brakeman who later worked his way up to Conductor. I have a passive interest in the "heyday" years of passenger trains - the striking individuality of the rolling stock and the colorful names that inspired your imagination.
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FormerOBS
Conductor
In a talk given at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania several years ago, the late John H. White, Jr., Curator of Transportation of the Smithsonian Institution, explained that a Railfan is somebody who loves trains; a Foamer is somebody who foams at mouth at the sight of a train, and a "Flam" is somebody who............. (in the interest of good taste & diplomacy, I don't think I'll finish the quote).
Trains are fascinating. They're fun. They can be beautiful. They have fascinating histories. They often are the "spine" of a family history. They open up new geographical and social worlds. They can be exciting. Their appeal is almost universal. They bring people together, whether as passengers or hobbyists. It's natural and perfectly understandable that we fall under their spell. But yielding to apoplexy because a brake hose parted, is a bit over the top by most healthy people's standards, and is probably a symptom of advanced (and possibly terminal) Foamerism.
Just my non-medical opinion.
Tom :giggle:
Trains are fascinating. They're fun. They can be beautiful. They have fascinating histories. They often are the "spine" of a family history. They open up new geographical and social worlds. They can be exciting. Their appeal is almost universal. They bring people together, whether as passengers or hobbyists. It's natural and perfectly understandable that we fall under their spell. But yielding to apoplexy because a brake hose parted, is a bit over the top by most healthy people's standards, and is probably a symptom of advanced (and possibly terminal) Foamerism.
Just my non-medical opinion.
Tom :giggle:
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Acela150
Super Buff
That guy is a complete nut. He does some stupid stuff.
FormerOBS
Conductor
Most entertaining. Not only did he give us a show of unbridled enthusiasm, but he also invented a new word: "discoupled". I also enjoy news people who say "decoupled". One of my favorites was the instance when a reporter called the locomotive cab a cockpit.
DryCreek
Lead Service Attendant
"That guy is a complete nut. He does some stupid stuff."
"Most entertaining. Not only did he give us a show of unbridled enthusiasm, but he also invented a new word: "discoupled"."
Yeah, I wondered why the train crew didn't remind him (politely, of course) that he was trespassing?
"Most entertaining. Not only did he give us a show of unbridled enthusiasm, but he also invented a new word: "discoupled"."
Yeah, I wondered why the train crew didn't remind him (politely, of course) that he was trespassing?
G
Guest
Guest
Post 23 was not written by the person who uses the name "inthegauge". Certainly you can discern the difference between what I wrote in post 23 and what "inthegauge" wrote. I have not been putting a handle in my guest posts. I am tolerant of rail fans as coworkers. I don't write off rail fans as coworkers as it appears does "itheguage". I judge coworkers by how they perform, not by race, religion, politics, sex, sexual orientation, or by their hobbies (rail fan, etc.)Perfectly highlighting the point I was trying to make when I wrote that post.
Anyone can post as a guest and put anything they please in the little name box. Multiple posts with the same name attached aren't necessarily from the same person.
Going the other way, a single person can appear to be more than one person if they don't put any name in the box, or put different names in the box. What appears to be multiple people all in agreement can in fact be the same person trying to make it look like there is wide support where there is none. From context, post #23 may have been written by the person that usually uses the name "inthegauge", but it's worth remembering that 1)not all posts that he makes bear that name and 2)that all posts bearing that name aren't written by him (or her).
Even the brand new registered poster has far, far, less anonymity than a guest poster.
That person is correct that registered posters and guest posters on here are anonymous to the general readers. Registered users would have less anonymity only to the moderators.
I have not registered because I have not commited myself to continuing with the forum. I find it quite surprising that non registered users like myself are allowed to post. I am registered with several web forums and their policy is that non registered users may read but they can not post. I think that probably is a good policy.
G
Guest - Not a Foamer
Guest
Well, yes. Frankly, of the many forums I've been on, this is the only one that allows non-members to post. I suppose it adds some variety to discussions, but I also see how it can be abused for inflammatory or controversial posts.
Ryan
Court Jester
I can, which is why I said that "you" were backpedaling - my apologies. Obviously my initial reply was not directed at your comments.
I very much disagree - all posts attributed to an account are tied very much to that account. That attribution immediately starts building a picture of who you are. I might not be able to tell that the person posting to the "FormerOBS" account is named "Tom Smith" (probably not his name), but I know that he's a former OBS employee that worked the Auto Train for a significant part of his career, is knowledgeable about RR operations and history and provided a fine experience for his guests. I know this, because he has a body of 575 posts that has built up this picture. That's far, far less anonymous than a guest poster who (from a non-staff position) has zero post history every time they post.
I'd encourage to you register - even if you end up not sticking around, it doesn't cost anything other than a few moments of your time, and you'll immediately start building up credibility.
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