Re: Why do Railfan charters have to be so exclusive?

RichB Wrote:
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> Brian Norden Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > One thing to realize is that "rail fans" have
> > different interests and depth of interests.
>
> And I recall an individual that got all wound out
> of shape if someone was in the frame of his photo.
> Not another photographer, but someone around the
> train.

Hi Rich, all,

Most of the charters that I ride on are organized very specifically as "photo charters" vs. fan trips. Therefore, the folks on board are nearly all serious photographers, and mostly RAILROAD photographers (or videographers). Yes, we do get the occasional person with a generalized photography interest who thought this might be fun, but not too often. Very few simple fans (or "foamers") ride these trips. They are excessively expensive and not the basic train rides that people who are "just fans" are looking for.

I'd say that the majority of photographers who are paying for this experience are indeed looking for "clean" photos....meaning photos that look like they were made by a lone photographer, not a participant in a big photo line, so yes, in general, folks don't want other photographers, chasers or locals in their photos. Most however, don't mind having railroaders in the shot, and in fact, a lot of us would prefer to have them visible.....as long as they are not wearing obviously modern clothing, like baseball caps or bright green safety vests. Those do tend to ruin any authentic look that the photo might have.

Now, many of us will make exceptions to those "rules" if we're at a public event, where it is obviously impossible to get "clean" photos, and in fact, the presence of spectators is part of the environment. A great example is the recent Union Pacific Big Boy event in Wyoming & Utah. Many shots of that event will have spectators in them and that's OK. Such events are history being made, not an attempt to re-create history. We WANT a record of what happened and the presence of big crowds tells future viewers of the photo 50 years from now that the event was a big, public spectacle.

As for people getting bent out of shape..... Forgive me, but this is a pet peeve of mine. I know a lot of people who frequent the photo charter scene. The vast majority of them are very nice people with cool heads and they are fun to be around. BUT, there are a few who will pop a gasket if someone in the photo line inadvertently nudges them.....5 minutes before the train comes. I'm not kidding. It has happened to me. Most of us walk around with our heads on a swivel when we are at these events. We avoid getting within 30 ft. of the locomotive (30 ft. rule!!!), and we're constantly checking to make sure we're not fouling someone else's impromptu shot. But there isn't anyone among us who hasn't inadvertently walked into a frame a few times and most of us keep that in mind when we end up being the victim of it. But yes, there are a few hot-heads out there and after a while, everyone knows who they are. What I find troubling is that some of these same hot-heads show up on photo trips packing other forms of heat. Anger management issues and firearms don't mix well. Unless it's to deal with aggressive wildlife, I've never understood the need for side-arms when folks are on a photo freight in the middle of nowhere with 40 people, who are just there to take steam engine pictures. But that's just me....

/Kevin Madore