Here’s something you could probably guess within two minutes of visiting The Station Inn: We’re railfans. But “railfan” is an often misunderstood term, and it frequently leads to follow-up questions such as What is a railfan? and What is railfanning? 

You’ve come to the right place. We love talking about this stuff! Rely on our informative guide to learn more.

Table of Contents
What Is A Railfan?
What Is Railfanning?
Some of Our Favorite Railfanning Activities
Tips for Railfanning
Other Terms for Railfans
Visit Our Favorite Railfanning Destination

What Is A Railfan?

In simple terms, a railfan is anyone who loves trains. 

More specifically, a railfan is anyone who:

• Schedules trips on commuter trains for the fun of it.
• Studies up on railroad history.
• Visits popular railroad lover destinations (such as The Horseshoe Curve).
• Loves giving or receiving railroad-related gifts.
• Enjoys the photography of trains.
• Finds pleasure in anything related to trains or railroads.

What Is Railfanning?

Railfanning is the act of being a railfan—someone who loves trains and railroads. Railfanning can include activities such as:

• Riding on trains for the fun of it. 
• Reading railroad-focused magazines.
• Studying railroad history. 
• Photographing or videoing trains. 
• Visiting popular railfan destinations. 
• Passing the time with model trains. 
• Watching livestreams of railways to note the passing trains. 
• Collecting train and railroad memorabilia. 
• Hanging out online in train-focused forums and Facebook groups. 

Some of Our Favorite Railfanning Activities

You don’t become owners of Cresson’s famous railfan destination—The Station Inn—without having a deep appreciation for railfanning and its culture. 

Some of our favorite ways to live out our railfanning lifestyles include:

• Visiting the region’s exciting railroad-focused destinations, such as the Altoona Railroaders Memorial Museum or the Cassandra Railfan Overlook. 
• Watching the trains from our front porch. Our porch sits only 145 feet away from Norfolk Southern’s main line, where you can see approximately 50 trains pass in 24 hours. It’s a popular railfan destination, and our guests love discussing each train that passes by! 
• Supporting the railfan arts. We started our artist-in-residence program to celebrate the painters, photographers and other artists who’ve dedicated their careers to capturing the beautiful timelessness of the American railroads. 

Other common railfan activities include:

• Model Railroading. Different groups of railfans take model railroading to certain extremes, with some obsessing over tiny, minute details of the trains, engines, terrain, lighting, and other features. 
• Reading Railroad-Focused Magazines (like the ones we discuss in our 27 Gifts for Train Lovers article). Some of these publications have existed for 100 years, making them a mainstay in multiple generations of some families!
• Train Photography & Videography. The photography of trains is a popular pastime, and many will even chase after certain trains to capture the perfect shot for their collection. 
• Radio Communications. Some railfans simply like listening to the radios to hear which trains are passing nearby. 

Tips for Railfanning

If you’re new to railfanning or to the railroad community in general, follow these tips for an easier time fitting in:

1. Follow Safety Recommendations

Trains are powerful, enormous machines, and they could be deadly if they’re not properly respected. Some important tips to follow:

• Stay at least 25 feet away. The Federal Railroad Administration recommends this distance for safety reasons. While rare, debris or material can come loose and stray from the equipment.
• Only use designated crossings. Crossing in non-designated areas could expose you to life-threatening hazards, and could at least get you a trespassing citation. 
• Never loiter on or near the tracks. Trains are often quieter than you’d expect, and they could harm you before you have time to react. 
• Follow local laws and regulations. Check with local authorities for trespassing laws and other rules before stopping to hike or snap a picture. 

2. Be Respectful of the Tracks And Nature

Preserve the natural beauty of our railways by practicing “Leave no trace.” Never leave behind trash, and avoid damaging plants or infrastructure. Take only pictures. Leave only footprints.

3. Be Friendly And Polite

This should go without saying, but it’s worth focusing on: Remember to be friendly and polite to everyone you meet! Part of what makes the railroad community so wonderful is our shared love for all things trains, and we should all work to nurture that enthusiasm. That starts with being friendly and polite with everyone you meet, regardless of whether it’s on our front porch at The Station Inn or in a dedicated internet forum. 

Other Terms for Railfans

As you dive deeper into railfanning culture, you’ll find it useful to understand some of the lingo used by folks in the railfan and railroad industry—as not all of them are positive. Words to know:

• Railway Enthusiast – An interchangeable term for “railfan.”
• Train Fan – An interchangeable term for “railfan.”
• Train Buff – An interchangeable term for “railfan.”
• Rail Buff – An interchangeable term for “railfan.”
• Trainspotter – This is a term you’ll usually only see used in British English, and it can become more muddled since the release of the 1996 film based on Irvine Welsh’s novel about drug use. It’s become derogatory in some circles, meaning “people who loiter aimlessly.”
• Ferroequinologist – Coming from the Latin words for “iron” (ferrus) and “horse” (equine), a ferroequinologist is a person who’s interested in trains and rail transportation, and often chooses this more academic-sounding label to come across as serious and avoid some of the negative connotations around the other labels.. 
• Foamer – Ask around within the railroad community for a definition of “foamer,” and you’ll come up with a few different definitions. The most common theme of a foamer is anyone who takes their train enthusiasm to an unbearable level, or anyone who is overly obsessed with trains. Some see it as a compliment, some see it as an insult.
• Rivet Counter – Often used in a derogatory way, a rivet counter is an obsessive railfan who is most concerned with the minutiae of a train and its details—and is quick to point out when someone is wrong. 

You’ll notice that some of those aren’t exactly nice. With that in mind, we’ll remind you of our third tip for railfanning: Be friendly and polite! 

Visit Our Favorite Railfanning Destination

To really live out the railfanning lifestyle, visit The Station Inn! Our cozy, rail-themed B&B is one of the region’s most popular destinations, thanks to its proximity to the Norfolk Southern main line and location within Pennsylvania’s historic rail country. 
Contact us today to learn more!