“Foamers” is how railroad employees refer to railfansbecause they think we “foam” at the mouth anytime we see a train. To them, railroading is just a job. To us, it's a passion.
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The term foamer started out as a derogatory term used by railroaders to describe a railfan. But, in the past few years within the industry, at least here where I work, it's not always used in the negative context.
deadhead. Slang A person who attends a performance, sports event, etc., or travels on a train, airplane, etc., without having paid for a ticket, especially a person using a complimentary ticket or free pass.
Etymology. From grice, supposed plural of grouse (on analogy to mouse/mice), likening a person who identifies railway locomotives to a sportsman who bags grouse.
Some spotters desire photos of the trains, whilst others just enjoy the satisfaction of having seen them in real life, and they do not feel like they require proof. Some spotters also take an interest in old rail tickets, timetables, rail signage or other railway related memorabilia.
Trains provide a surprisingly peaceful form of travel for those on the autism spectrum, fostering calmness and clarity of thought. Riding on a train is especially beneficial, with its rhythmic motion, as well as its unique aspect of providing visual stimulation as the scenery passes by.
A railfan, rail buff or train buff (American English), railway enthusiast, railway buff or trainspotter (Australian/British English), or ferroequinologist is a person who is recreationally interested in trains and rail transport systems.
The era of the freight train-hopping, job-seeking hobo faded into obscurity in the years following the Second World War. Many hobos from this era have since “caught the westbound,” or died. A small number of so-called hobos still hop freight trains today.
It is absolutely not legal to ride on any part of a freight train without the express permission of the railroad. You would be guilty of trespassing and of theft of service since you would be getting railroad transportation without paying for it.
Railfans get used to the usual patterns of trains in their area, and use scanners to listen in on railroad dispatch frequencies. But it takes knowledge and practice to decipher what you hear on the scanner.
Train surfing (also known as train hopping or train hitching) is the act of riding on the outside of a moving train, tram or other forms of rail transport.
Compartment and cabin would both work. The difference between the two words is that a cabin is meant for people, while a compartment could be for people, or for other things like baggage.