Why Don't railfans show some respect?

Railfans will do anything for a pic, they might not have known what was coming down but chances are they had scanners and knew fully well.

And NO they are not respectful unless they are getting everythign they want, then it is ohh thank you thank you.

Imagine the ooohs and aaahs when they show their fellow railfans the pics of a train crew getting de-certified, that is a rare event in the life of a rail fan.

But to be fair there ARE a few respectful railfans but it seems the more avid they become the more obsessed they are with getting that special shot and less respectful.

I'm sort of a foamer, but really more of a photographer. I've been a regular writer/photographer for one railfan magazine and have sold shots to two others, including TRAINS Magazine.

First, the odds are they didn't know someone was in big trouble. Don't assume all railfans have a radio--I don't and I photo trains every day. If they did know, I agree they should have left everyone alone. I have on several occasions got photos when something embarassing was going on but didn't realize it when looking through the camera. I always got rid of the photos. You will never see the photo I took of Jim peeing off the rail of a BNSF GP38-2 I took while the train was coming around an S-curve. I am careful about what I put on internet websites, making sure there's nothing that would get someone in trouble or put a guy in a bad light. (I don't post many photos though--would rather sell the good ones!)

I live in a rural area and know most all the train crews. Some live down the street from me, have kids at my kids' schools, etc. It's not anonymous around here. I take care to not cause problems or bad feelings. I am rewarded with cab rides, tips, and so on. I think in the urban areas there is a much more hostile environment, one that I'm not a part of.

I am a pretty hard core photographer, and have even been out in 40 below weather taking photos. I have some compassion and use good sense though. I know not every one does. Maybe that's why after taking the photos out in the below zero weather the conductor of a stopped train motioned me over and they gave me a ride back to my car?

Kent in SD

Being "only" a model railroad researching rail-fan, I can't say whether or not those two KNEW that the crew was being relieved.

Just the same... if they were not TRESPASSING, they have EVERY RIGHT to look and take pictures. In fact I would think that watching a crew-swap would be pretty darned interesting.

As to the engineer being "humiliated", that is HIS problem, and the only people he is being humiliated before are his fellow rail-workers.

And I certainly don't understand the annoyance of the "public" watching... I was US Naval Aircrew for 15 years and did a half dozen airshows as well as giving tours when they would open the ship in ports around the world.

If you don't want to be subject to public view, go work in the stock-room of Best Buy.

Who cares what 1 person thinks -

Or even the entire crew as far as that is concerned.

I don't see what taking pictures of a train has to do with some engineer running a red light.

I work in a dirty body shop, and I see the way people look at me in the gas station - "what a bum" - dirty.

But thats the same people that want me to do a 2500.00 paint job on there truck .

He will get over it and I am sure you will 2 sooner or later.

@Penhead72: What exactly is this process of "downloading"? What does it mean? Also, why is it that the train crew must be immediately removed and a new one brought in? Couldn't this be dealt with back at the office later on?

I take care of everybody the way i could desire to be dealt with. in case you teach a loss of understand to me, i'm going to return the desire. by way of treating others devoid of understand you're telling everybody which you do no longer require understand.

I am an ex railworker and have no respect for this people they are losers and a danger to the safe operation of a railroad.

they should get a life and move on.

believe me.