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Bonding with the High Iron
By: Andrew Blasczcyk
May 2, 2007
 | | Andrew Blasczcyk |
I, like every railfan have been asked, “Why do you do it?” at least half a dozen times regarding why I like to stand by railroad tracks for countless hours waiting for a train that may never show up. Some people have witty remarks or turn the question back around on the person doing the questioning while others fumble around for a response that won’t make them seem like a “weirdo” or a “dork.” I prefer to use my photos to illustrate why I chose this hobby instead of spending my weekends at baseball or band practice or skiing in the winter. I don’t use one photo in particular, but rather chose one that will appeal to the person I want to share with. If it is a female friend I tend to use a photo that depicts a pretty scene such as a farm or a forest or a river to show the scenic parts of the country I visit. If I want to impress one of my thrill-seeking friends I will usually show them a photo that shows power such as a close, low-angle shot or even a pace shot that captures the excitement of a chase. For the rest I tend to use more artistic photos with dramatic lighting such as a sunset or a silhouette photo. I have just recently found that there is one type of photo that everyone reacts to the same and touches them in some way. This is the story behind my favorite one of these.
Since it was Winter break I had the full week off and knew that I would be spending my Wednesday out in western NJ chasing the Black River & Western from Three Bridges to Ringoes, NJ. My friend, Mike, a non-railfan, called me up on Tuesday afternoon asking if I wanted to hang out the next day. I told him my plans and he was perfectly content in joining me on the chase. The next day, Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 was forecasted to be a “partly sunny” day and turned out to be exactly that; one of those “Hey, look it’s partly sunny…over there!” kind of days. We got to Three Bridges a little after the local, which meant we had and hour and a half to kill before it was to head back to Ringoes so I showed Mike the spots I had in mind. He got a real kick out of the whole idea of literally chasing a train. After 30 minutes or so we went back to sit and relax until the SW1200RS was done switching the NS interchange. Every now and then the sun would come out so we’d get out of the car to take some shots (I let him borrow my camera when he wanted to take one).
With a constant 20-25mph wind blowing and temperatures in the mid-30’s(F) it felt a lot colder than it was so we took refuge in the car. While watching the switcher shuffle about in the distance I noticed a blue sedan cross the tracks, hot the brakes, and pull over to the side of the road. A man in his early 30’s got out of the car and got his son who couldn’t be more than a year and a half old out of the car seat in the back. He walked down the hill back to the BR&W crossing; I too had gone outside to get more shots despite having taken every angle possible. The man shouted to me across the tracks, “Is the train gonna pass soon?” I responded with a thorough, “As soon as he finishes switching those cars, he’ll come down here to pick these up.” He nodded with approval and went back to watching the EMD work with his son who has not stopped staring down the tracks. I crossed the tracks to go back to the car when I got one final idea for a photo. A quick look up at the sun revealed that I had a few more seconds of light down the tracks. Telephoto in, half-down on the shutter, and the man turned around and took a few steps back from the tracks responding with a loud “sorry!” Since, I had a ski-mask on to protect me from the harsh wind, I motioned with my hand as politely as possible for him to step up again, but he hadn’t seen. I freed my mouth and told him that I wanted them in the shot and once again he nodded and walked to his original position. Click! I had gotten it, in clouds, but I got the shot that defined the day!
I walked up to the gentleman and thanked him for posing and asked him if it was okay to use the photos as I saw fit. He was more than happy to oblige and explained, “I can’t leave until he sees the train go by. If I try to leave he will start crying.” I got a good laugh out of his response and walked back to the car with a smile to warm up again.
So, now when I get asked, “why do I do this?” I guess my answer would be to witness moments like that in this photo. Getting to see the next generation of railfans get their first taste of what this great hobby has to offer, and to see a father and son bonding over it. That to me is one of the many reasons that make standing by railroad tracks for hours on end all worth it.
Copyright © Andrew Blasczcyk. All Rights Reserved.
This article has been viewed 7021 times.
User Comments on this Article:
Posted by Craig Walker on May 2, 2007:
We've all be asked why we pursue this hobby, and this is a great explanation. Nice shot, too!
Posted by Ryan Schoenfeldt on May 2, 2007:
Beautiful Andrew, your message conveys exactly what I'd like to pass along to all those who wonder why I do what I do. In addition, its chance moments like this, with the father/son appearing trackside at the right moment, that can turn an average day into a most memorable one.
Ryan Schoenfeldt
Posted by George W. Hamlin on May 2, 2007:
An excellent piece of photojournalism!
Posted by Janusz Mrozek on May 2, 2007:
Excellent, Andrew.
One thing I rue as a father and railfan is that there is never anyone there to get one of me and my boy together trackside.
Posted by NS conductor on May 2, 2007:
Excellent article! This explains the hobby to a tee.As a professional railroader myself I look forward to seein a fellow railfans along the rails.Even on my off time you can find me along the tracks watchin trains.Some fellow employees tell me to leave it at work.But it is impossible to do I found out! Again excellent article.
Posted by J. Cataquet on May 2, 2007:
Great article! This reminds me of my Daddy and I. Im ten and have loved trains my whole life. This photo shows how little things, such as taking your boy to the tracks and watching trains because you love trains just really sets that love off. Thanks to my Daddy I love trains. Also doing this really brings the parent-child relationship closer. Say a boy loves football and Daddy loves trains. They have different interest's, so they don't spend a lot of time doing that together. Same interest= More time together. As for the "Why do like trains", I hate it when someone does that. Should they pick my hobby? Should we all play golf, or watch Sunday night football? No. That is how we are unique.
Posted by Mark Rosnick on May 2, 2007:
Great article Andrew. That photo reminds me of my son & I 20+ years ago whenever I'd take him with me railfanning. This is a hobby that is truly passed down from generation to generation. I became a railfan from my father, and my son because of me. Great photo and article.
Posted by Pat Lorenz on May 2, 2007:
great writting, its really not easy to put this subject into words, and you nailed it spot on. I enjoyed the whole thing. Great job. Pat Lorenz
Posted by Mitch Goldman on May 3, 2007:
A very nicely written tale with an image that speaks volumes and beautifully compliments the story.
Posted by Nick McLean on May 3, 2007:
Great article and very nostalgic (at least for me) photo, Andrew. I too get THE question a lot, as I'm sure we all do whilst standing, rather conspicuously, around the tracks with our cameras and such. Its apparently the atypical thing for folks our age to be associated with this hobby (love, obsession, etc.), which is a shame. Your article was a breath of fresh air, relating to the more human side of being a railfan. Some of my best railfanning memories deal not with what trains I saw but with who I met while waiting to see a train. Thanks for the article! --nick, nc
Posted by Joe LeMay on May 4, 2007:
Great article, Andrew. I was just out yesterday and saw a young boy and his mother at the Metra station, waiting for his dad to come home from work, and was reminded about how I got my start!
Posted by trainmaster611 on May 4, 2007:
I like the story. Its nice to know that there are railfans out there in a newer generation.
Posted by Celyn Rogers on May 6, 2007:
I'm 9 years old and I love trains! Just the problom is that I can't find any youth railfans in southeastern Michigan.
Posted by J. Cataquet on May 12, 2007:
Im right with you Celyn! I live in New York and nobody likes trains.
Posted by Chris White on May 14, 2007:
Great article !!! I still remember remember my grandfather taking me to the Texas & Pacific depot in Longview, Tx when I visited family there in the summer. That was my first exposure to railfanning. Now, 30 years later, I still enjoy the enjoyment that railfanning brings. The friendships we make, the little towns that have thrived (and faltered) because of railroads and caturing history and memories. Now I am able to pass this along to my two sons now. Thanks Andrew for showing us how fulfilling this hobby really is.
Posted by Kurt Clark on May 23, 2007:
Sums it all up very well. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by Rich Kaminsky on August 2, 2007:
Very nicely done, Andrew. This photo of yours has a personal significance to me.
The spot I railfan most is very popular with older railfans since it is easy access and very safe. I am a grandfather myself, and it always makes me smile when I see dads and grandads out there with their young children and grandchildren, introducing them to the power and beauty of the railroad. I have witnesses many scenes like the one you depict here, and I never get tired of seeing it.
I can't wait until I can take my grandson to Berea, and then I can be the guy in the picture holding the little one.
Posted by Kyle Jacobs on March 13, 2008:
Very nice article, Andrew! This reminds me of how my father would take me to various stations to see NJT action. I also remember when I was very little and my parents treated me to a "Day out with Thomas". This is a very good explanation for the times when we are asked why we are railfans. Thanks very much.
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