Railfan Economy - Group Trips Afar

For ages since I got more into this (I've been train"watching" since 2000) my parents haven't really recommended for me to be on these large scale, long haul trips with railfans in the area. It took some time but it was at RAILWATCH that I had the green light for future trips, and the last week that I had a small scale pilot trip with my friend Rudy. Of course it takes time to establish that kind of trust code, but it happened.

RAILWATCH 2012 was, in my end, half time with the SFRM group, and half the folks of Central FL, north FL, and pretty much the SE United States. I was with fellow South Floridian Ryan N. the whole day in town but the group, Tim, Mike, Rudy, and Paul, left. Though on Sunday, the return day, I was with them for the majority! My catches were limited due to an AS Spanish Language exam but I still had a great time and great pickings. I had takeout lunch with them and learned a nice lesson about carryout lunches from Subway the hard way... Get your coca-cola by the bottle when carrying out. I got to "know" the GMC Safari van and its facilities.

In May 2012 I did a short range all South Florida trip with Rudy and later on an O721 chase. We 'agreed' to miss K951 on the terms that its resultant train would be chased Ted-style the next day. Saturday as expected pickings were slim, and as sort of unanticipated, the weather took a crap, but we still had a great time. A key part of it was me at his house being super lazy while figuring out the problem with his Trainz downloads. It was ridden with two cops approaching me, one at CP Manatee, and one at Boca Raton. Now the BR cop was pulling in to 7-Eleven and had to run and errand and of course I was the first person he saw, set up with Tri-corder. But the BSO hassle was a bit more annoying and they watched us filming the trains to the moment we left. The BR Cop was NOT a hassle as opposed to the latter but either way nothing bad came out of it. Yet that is the experience of railfanning. Sunday it was a nice chase with me playing as tour guide, and we insisted on and did treat him to dinner.

Saturday - FEC 202 has a dragging scrap load

Sundays video:

This is the economic doctrine of train chasing with other people as opposed to your folk:

• Two or more gas bills are combined into one as one car is utilized instead of two. With the discretion of the group, the beholder of the bill is decided or split evenly. Needless to say, this is carpooling. 
• Time management... I still have to have a ride up to Rudy-land. So my folks can go to the mall instead of wasting the day chasing a number of trains, as uninterested they are. At times an AM Tri-rail may even help the trip out.
• Combined interest - everyone on board is interested with trains. Lunches are take out or sit down as decided.
• Unfamiliar territory--- I am in charge of the Trainz Tampa terminal and of course the Homestead Sub is my own turf. Don't want to brag here but my timing on the latter is pretty good. As for the Lakeland-Tampa Area I can guide people that do not know the ropes since I know the roads and pacing stretches more or less. The tours with Paul would on the other hand probably have him knowing the area very well too, namely being out of South Florida. 

This summer, expect the number of Central Florida trips to skyrocket as well as even the north Florida trips. In one Central Florida trip, two gas bills are incurred per vehicle, maybe a third at the end if the chasing is very plenty. So, as can be seen, the cost of a central Florida day trip can be half of what it would normally be! It becomes a quarter of it when we take two trips, four people are in charge, and the bill is split to the four. So all I can say is keep checking our YouTube accounts; you never know what video will pop out!

O721 Chase

It isn't my folks driving this time. It's a friend, a fellow player in the hobby.Yet the experience is a whole lot different. I was able to get about 8 videos as I guided Rudy (rufec12) down the O721 route. Not bad for a first try, even though I was a little less accurate around the GPC area since it was unfamiliar turf. But in the future I'll come to provide more shots in the farmlands. Here's the result of last Sunday.

YouTube: Night Trains

This stuff happens... at night and on weekdays!

Out of the assorted catches in this I nailed down an O721 on the HS with a nice power consist, an SD50 and an AC4400CW. Also I nailed down O717 O720 with two cuts of O717 on there, for the 10th and 9th of May. When I saw 717-10 on FO5 on my way N to the College expo, I saw that BN hopper tacked on! Maybe mulch or fertilizer for Home Depot? Or something from Grace or SGM? Comment below if you know!  (Note: On May 10, 15 cars from O717. Worked Fast-Dry, Cross-Dock, Home Depot, Publix, Sentinel, Boise, and mystery)

Debate - Photography and Videography Ethics (Railwatch)

With the Q025 video now in the YouTube spotlight, I offered my simple two cents about how I felt being stepped onto that day.

Here are the viewpoints and personal considerations.

First consideration: I have of course seen railfans go in front to some extent. Had it with Q453, had it with Q037 (Rudy/Matt), had it with N152 (Matt). Was I mad? Not really. With this, there was some feeling or suspicion that it was done with some intention and with stern rudeness. I would've treated it like most others but a few things have pissed me right off.

The people seen cutting in front have not said any word. They have not apologized for me having been set off like that. When I posted a screencap with the sarcastic message "Thanks for blocking my shot" on the Facebook page Ultimate Railfan Group, they LIKED it. They found it FUNNY and AMUSING to come in front of my shot!

This answers when Paul, Danny, and Troy have said that I am new to the experience. That is true, but I have had no problem with people in the shots. It just was this one that had hit me personally for some reason. They look and see me and still set up in front.

Second consideration: Austin on Floridarailroading said that I knew they were coming and moved as a result. The Lincoln came in the way, prompting me to move forward. I could have obviously moved forward, but CSX police was enforcing a no trespassing ordinance. Trying not to risk a pricy fine, I stood by there and let them be portrayed for their stepping on to CSX property. I know they were on an ATCS session inside the Fire Dept. building, and indeed have no problem with their bursting but they have committed what I consider one of the biggest disrespects nonetheless.

 IT IS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYBODY TO HAVE THE SHOT, AND THEY HAVE NOT ASSISTED IN IT.

Earl on Floridarailroading who was on my side, rather the common sense side, said that they were also inconsiderate (which as a matter of fact was the word I was looking for). But yet, the 'photo line' in Folkston had not been followed properly.

Ted Marshall in my Spring Break video (which us 4; Ted, Tim, Victor, and I were all together at Railwatch) was recorded to say "Get on a horizontal plane so nobody steps on to each other's video". What you clearly see is NOT A HORIZONTAL PLANE. Aaron and somebody else just had to get that shot. If everybody was set up parallel to the tracks I would have been happy, but this GREEDINESS takes the character out of a railfan. I admit for my personal taste I might as well move forward a little bit but that would not help considering everyone kept moving forward to snap a photo of a couple of crappy GE engines.

Bottom line. When you set up, you should look around and see who else is, so that you do not block their shots. This is etiquette as other people are there trying to get the same recording you are getting. They have not even regarded how they felt when they got their shots blocked by someone in Winter Watch. Imagine if something actually worth the shot is running; they would NOT like to see someone come in front of their shots now would they? Wait until someone does it TO THEM in the wake of Ferromex, Norfolk Southern, or BNSF power, then they will be sorry for this foolish, egotistic behavior. In Folkston, it's inevitable, there are people, but they can control themselves and their "urges".

Watching Tim's video which actually he set up behind Rudy and I, probably seeking ambiance shots, I remembered how they were threatening my shot of Q457 too*. I tried waving my hand to tell them to STOP where they were and of course, they do not take signals. They have to get the shot. They have to have an unobstructed view while I suffer. To them the train is the end of the world. For crying out loud...

The way the people in the picture have taken my response to this situation is immature and irresponsible. I understand this is passé and in the future hopefully something will get in their thick skulls that consideration is key but they have not apologized, pardoned, nor nothing. They stood their ground like greedy foamers, foaming for a lousy AC4400CW. I ask one thing now that this is over, IN THE FUTURE PLEASE DO FORM A HORIZONTAL PLANE PARALLEL TO THE TRACKS SO NO ONE STEPS ON TO EACH OTHER. 

--

*I kind of feel bad that I was quite on a couple of Tim's shots but it does not seem like he minded it that much. I am just standing my ground with this entry as a normal railfan. These things happen but the attitude THESE RAILFANS have shown me leaves me a sour taste. As Earl said, in the past 53 years he has only seen this shape up recently. 

PS: When Rudy gave the O.K. for them to stand by *WHICH I DOUBT THEY WERE LISTENING!* I was angered.  

Mal's Palmetto Spur - I MEAN Deerfield Beach

Mal (Alcanman) has been inspired by my ideas to do a Deerfield Beach of his own. He is taking a lot of creative license though and, whilst fitting it all into a cramped 10'x2' space or a little better, is altering the industrial formation. Not surprisingly his core is Sentinel and Publix, and he will feature TRANSFLO as well. I've been wanting to do TF but space has not permitted. If magically my layout can expand or be rebuilt with recycled materials, I would graciously include it. You can check out his thread at:
http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/55583-deerfield-beach-fl/
TRANSFLO is also great for a single layout of its own. O718 at night switches the bulk transfer facility which takes in all sorts of dry bulk in various cars. But, I know it is his vision to do Deerfield and I'm perfectly cool with it.

Speaking of which once I situate the table, my first section will be either Deerfield or Manatee (modified to have BrickAmerica railserved, the 51 ST lead removed, etc.).