This article goes on to say that not only has virtual trainspotting become popular, but that popularity has spilled back into offline life as people have chosen to visit the railroad towns they...
The world of railfans and trainspotters is hardly new. Since the advent of the railroad, hobbyists and professionals have taken photos of local trains, traveled to see their favorite railways, and simply passed the time sitting on platforms to enjoy the view.
But the community saw a digital boost during the pandemic, when the act of watching livestreams of trains soared in popularity. Many say they were drawn in by the community around the feeds, the romantic lore and history of rail travel in the US, and the regularity of trains passing through at a time when the world felt chaotic.
This article goes on to say that not only has virtual trainspotting become popular, but that popularity has spilled back into offline life as people have chosen to visit the railroad towns they have been otherwise viewing online.
I took the Amtrak Southwest Chief yesterday from Kansas City to Chicago. At many of the stops along the way, I saw railfans. They had their cameras and fingers pointed at our engines and cars....
I took the Amtrak Southwest Chief yesterday from Kansas City to Chicago. At many of the stops along the way, I saw railfans. They had their cameras and fingers pointed at our engines and cars. There was even another passenger who appeared to work for BNSF (he had a BNSF hat on) who knew which side the train doors opened at each and every stop. And a few stops in these smaller towns - Fort Madison, IA; Galesburg, IL, etc --had old cabooses and Pullman cars. Kansas City Union Station has a Pullman or two on permanent display.
I've watched Virtual Railfan streams on YouTube, myself. Often the streams from my own city. Kansas City is a major rail town (I think it and St. Louis are only behind Chicago, which I believe is number 1), so we have tons of freight trains passing through at all times of the day and night. Another friend who watches the streams has been wanting me to show up at a site with a sign or something!
Even down in Australia it's getting popular. Steamrail regularly runs tours using heritage diesel and steam locomotives hauling heritage carriages around Victoria, where I live in a smaller city...
Even down in Australia it's getting popular. Steamrail regularly runs tours using heritage diesel and steam locomotives hauling heritage carriages around Victoria, where I live in a smaller city there's a former station along the mainline into the city where one of the platforms is still extant and whenever a steam-hauled tour goes past without fail it's packed with not just railfans, but families with younger children here to see the steam train go past. I caught the last one going to where I live and the platform at the main, still-active, station was more packed than on Grand Final day with people just there to see the train as well which is really saying something.
From what I've heard patronage is right up after the pandemics and lockdowns here too.
We have a lot of railfans here in New York, which I guess is not too surprising considering the size of the subway system and the commuter railroads. If anyone wants some cool subway footage,...
We have a lot of railfans here in New York, which I guess is not too surprising considering the size of the subway system and the commuter railroads. If anyone wants some cool subway footage, check out DJ Hammer Trains on YouTube
This article goes on to say that not only has virtual trainspotting become popular, but that popularity has spilled back into offline life as people have chosen to visit the railroad towns they have been otherwise viewing online.
I took the Amtrak Southwest Chief yesterday from Kansas City to Chicago. At many of the stops along the way, I saw railfans. They had their cameras and fingers pointed at our engines and cars. There was even another passenger who appeared to work for BNSF (he had a BNSF hat on) who knew which side the train doors opened at each and every stop. And a few stops in these smaller towns - Fort Madison, IA; Galesburg, IL, etc --had old cabooses and Pullman cars. Kansas City Union Station has a Pullman or two on permanent display.
I've watched Virtual Railfan streams on YouTube, myself. Often the streams from my own city. Kansas City is a major rail town (I think it and St. Louis are only behind Chicago, which I believe is number 1), so we have tons of freight trains passing through at all times of the day and night. Another friend who watches the streams has been wanting me to show up at a site with a sign or something!
Even down in Australia it's getting popular. Steamrail regularly runs tours using heritage diesel and steam locomotives hauling heritage carriages around Victoria, where I live in a smaller city there's a former station along the mainline into the city where one of the platforms is still extant and whenever a steam-hauled tour goes past without fail it's packed with not just railfans, but families with younger children here to see the steam train go past. I caught the last one going to where I live and the platform at the main, still-active, station was more packed than on Grand Final day with people just there to see the train as well which is really saying something.
From what I've heard patronage is right up after the pandemics and lockdowns here too.
We have a lot of railfans here in New York, which I guess is not too surprising considering the size of the subway system and the commuter railroads. If anyone wants some cool subway footage, check out DJ Hammer Trains on YouTube