The Railfans

On my recent trip to Sarnia to visit family, I was able to make repeated visits to the Sarnia Via Rail station, which sits on the edge of CN's rail yard. It's interesting that, in my recent visits to the yard, I have come across a number of railfans quite often. It's interesting, in that, I have very rarely come across railfans there in the past. But there is no doubt that there are a number of regulars who sit on the Sarnia platform and film the mainline trains. There are even some others that come and go, including kids (see picture below). Most seem interested in taking videos. 

I mention this because I don't know that I have ever shared my experiences as a railfan and my limited interactions with railfans. When you live in Ottawa, your experience with fellow railfans is limited. But this summer in Sarnia, I have to say that I saw a wide swath of railfans and it left me feeling somewhat ambivalent.

 

I will come out with the truth. I much prefer railfanning on my own, without any interaction with anybody. I don't say this because I am antisocial. I say it because railfanning, to me, is my own private time where I can zone out trackside, listen to the wind, smell the creosote and forget about the world. I've always been this way. Not many people know I am a railfan, even among my close friends. I prefer it that way. It's certainly not a popular hobby and, let's be honest, outside our railfan circles, we are ridiculed. It's not unlike the people who camp out at the end of the runway at the edge of the Ottawa Airport property, watching the planes. I think it's cool, but not everyone sees it that way.

For some people, I simply explain it this way. Some people like classic cars. Some people like following ships. Me? My family has a long history with the railways and this is my way of keeping up the tradition.

So I will say I was a bit surprised when approached by railfans in Sarnia when I was there in July. They were camped out trackside and had been there for quite a while, they told me. One of the railfans was from Guelph visiting family and was sitting next to his cousin. Beside the two of them was a woman who could not have looked any more disinterested. I felt for her. If you're not into it, I can't imagine why you would be there! The whole vibe to me was a little off.

What surprised me was that they were asking me when I was coming to the station next, because they figured we should all get together during the time when trains were sure to come. I appreciated the offer, of course, but told them I was squeezing in time trackside in between visiting my family, which was my main priority in visiting. I found it surprising that someone would come to visit family and spend hours watching trains instead. But maybe that was the plan all along for them. If so, I guess that's fine. It's just not my thing.

Even here in Ottawa, I rarely come across railfans. I think that we are a unique breed up here. Some rabidly chase the one west-end freight train each Wednesday. Me? I don't bother following CN 589 to and from Arnprior much. If I have a chance, fine. If not, I'm not all that bothered by it. Others fill their free time capturing Via Rail corridor trains at either one of our two local train stations. There's not much to choose from and, as I have a job, family and other duties in my community, I suppose my options are even more limited than younger railfans.

I generally find the vibe on the Eastern Ontario Rails Facebook group to be very friendly and supportive. I appreciate everyone's outlook on that group. 

But I can't help but mention my ambivalence over that encounter in Sarnia. I guess railfanning is not a social thing for me at all. I enjoy discussing railways online and trading messages with fellow bloggers, but I'm just as likely to trade messages about music, writing, current affairs or anything else that captures my attention. I hate to limit myself. That is why my railway photographs have changed quite a bit over the last few years. I'm more interested in capturing a railway scene, rather than capturing a tight shot of a train. Sometimes, we tend to limit ourselves, I feel.

Maybe I'm just not as big a railfan as others. Maybe it's because I prefer to split my time between multiple pursuits. That's why I find it fascinating when I come across railfans who talk about epic bike rides, or their family history, or their pursuit of music, or their love of hockey, or whatever else it is they do.

I suppose what I'm getting at is that railfanning is a small part of me as a person. I am in the midst of preparing my next two books for publication. My daughter is a budding writer and it's inspired me to take up a pen again. I find this just as exciting as being trackside. I'm thankful for my curious mind.

When I have these encounters with railfans, I wonder what else is there to these people? My guess is everyone has fascinating things to share and has many unique strengths and talents. We are all unique in this world. We all are complex, interesting and baffling in our own ways.

Railfanning is just a part of who we are.