drgw0579 Wrote:
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> I often wonder whether the Phraudo trips are
> ruining the experiences for the regular railfan.
> You know, the guy or gal that enjoys being on a
> different sort of train than what normal tourists
> get, but isn't into the hobby to fly around the
> world to see exotic stuff. He can barely tell the
> difference between a K36 and a K37. This person
> doesn't post his photos and doesn't care if anyone
> else likes them. He does, and he remembers the
> trip with a special smile. He had fun and met
> some neat people on the train. They might have
> shared some photographic hints, but basically,
> they knew they wanted photos of the train as it
> was, not how it was made up to be. And didn't
> care if the ballast was too perfect for 1957, or
> the tender wasn't lettered Rio Grande.
>
> Don't get me wrong. The Phraudo-Frieghts are
> great to have and they provide the incentive to
> restore more equipment. And to do the work
> perfectly. But I just think there's a market for
> those that are just getting into the hobby and
> don't want to be put down because they don't have
> the latest high-end DSLR. I'm sure there are
> very few of us who would have jumped into a $600
> trip the first time. So if I wanted to introduce
> a newbie to railfan photography, which C&TS trip
> would I recommend this summer?
>
> Bill Kepner

Bill,
Thank you for bringing up what I feel are oft-overlooked points. I suspect there is a lot more nuance to things than even you touch on, as I think one can establish a "third" style of railfan: the serious railfan who is not interested in expensive "Phraud-O" photo charters, but is willing to spend large amounts of money on their hobby.

I would say I fall into this category. The period-correct photo charters and their cost hold no interest to me, and I have long felt that they alienate a lot of people who are otherwise interested railfans. However, paying for unique experiences does interest me - and thus I'm willing to spend many thousands of dollars annually on the fireman/engineer schools. When it boils down to paying a lot to take some photos or actually drive the train...well that's a no-brainer. On my death bed, the photos will mean nothing but I will have the satisfaction of firing and driving K36s through the San Juans. Is it a curated experience, different than actually being a full-time engineman? Sure. But cab time is cab time, man.

That's not to say I dislike taking photos and photo charters - I do enjoy them! But the expensive ones just aren't worth the money to me. I'd be more than happy to spend a few hundred dollars on a simple fall freight charter, no theme or historical accuracy, or a Goose trip. But much more than $200 - $300 for a photo charter? Count me out.