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Video: Railfanning in Batavia

By Philip Anselmo

Railfanning is alive and well here in Batavia. Railfanning, I've since found out, is the verb (to railfan) that goes with the noun (a railfan) that describes the phenomenon of inching up to a set of railroad tracks and holding still as the train bullets past. Railfanning.org has this to say about railfans:

Along the rails of America, stretch from one coast to another, you will see people standing beside the tracks enjoying the splendor of trains. Whether it is a freight train, a passenger train or an excursion train, little parallels the adrenaline rush caused by a train barreling past at 60 mph.

Turns out, there's an especially avid railfan from Cleveland who documents his outings. He's 14 years old and he calls himself: ConrailForever, and it looks like he was in Batavia this past month getting footage of his railfanning escapades. Here's one of the videos we picked up off YouTube this morning:

Any railfans out there in Batavia?

Daniel Jones

I can't say that I've ever tried it....but its great to have him here in Batavia! Perhaps we could turn this into some sort of tourist attraction....Batavia, the place for Railfanning!

Sep 17, 2008, 4:34pm Permalink
Russ Stresing

There's another word for it: trespassing.

Sounds pretty stupid to me. Things fall off of trains all the time. Brake handles that weigh 5,6,7 lbs, made of hardened steel, whizzing along at 60 mph. And imagine the poor emergency personnel who have to clean up the mess one of these clowns leaves behind.

At least its a way of thinning the herd, though.

Sep 17, 2008, 11:14pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

did you ever try it?????

I never stood to close my self but I have watched them go by you just have to appreciate the awesome power they have like race cars fighter jets.... It's the power they produce that attracts people like ME :)

EDIT: So I guess I might be part of the herd that needs thinning. As stated in the other post

LoL YA baby

Sep 18, 2008, 4:54pm Permalink
lazario ladou

I have stood about 20 feet or so from the CSX at Dewitts pond and then up on that ramp hill
during a winter blizzard -10 4 years ago

Trains are very cool machines but I'm not going to the tracks whenever possible to stand next to them loitering

If there were still real steam powered locomotives I'd surely seek them out a bit more

Train travel is the nicest

Sep 18, 2008, 6:52pm Permalink
Mark Wiatrowski

When I first saw this article, I couldn't play the video. I thought that the thrill was to get as close to these trains as possible without becoming shredded wheat. After finally watching the video, I get it now. I too have done what is now called "railfanning". I just called it watching a train go by. Standing on the sidewalk in Bergen on the wrong side of the crossing guard. You can feel the power these incredibly large machines are capable of.

Sep 18, 2008, 8:15pm Permalink
Tom Gilliatt

There ya go Mark it's The power these trains have... 100's if not 1000's of horse power Well I feel better knowing I'm not the only one thats feels this ways.

Sep 19, 2008, 4:29pm Permalink
pat z

I do believe there are railfans in Batavia. Most of the videos this young man shot in Batavia were taken on Donohue Rd off Rt 3. Cross the tracks and on the side of the road is a paved parking lane next to nothing but field. I wonder why else it would be there? Also, there were a couple men there each of 4 nights I spent there with my son. Yes, we spent mornings, afternoons and evenings until dark there ..... all told, about 52 separate videos were shot in Rochester, Chili and mostly Batavia.

Contrary to what some may think, not all railfans are trespassing, garbage dropping thoughtless people. Most are well aware of the danger and do NOT stand so close to the tracks when the trains are going past. Our family spent 4 night in a Batavia hotel, bought gas in Batavia, and ate 3 meals a day for 4 days in various Batavia restaurants. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your city. I would think the city might appreciate the visitors.

There are some cities that have taken advantage of the business railfans bring to the town by providing a SAFE place for railfans to get get views and photo ops of trains that go through. Viewing platforms set up, perhaps a scanner and speaker, sometimes a pop machine, a few tables and benches, and maybe a portable bathroom. Examples are Rochelle, IL; Cresson, PA; Gallitzin, PA; Deschler, OH. And if anyone is interested, check this site for information about the railfan park planned for Fostoria, OH - the "Iron Triangle" is a great place to fan, and relatively close to home for us (still need hotel room, restaurants, etc). http://www.trainorderpix.com/FostoriaPark.htm.

Thanks for the hospitality of your city, and the memories!

Sep 19, 2008, 11:54pm Permalink
Cody Zamostny

Hey everyone, this is ConrailForever from YouTube, Cody Zamostny. I see that this video from my railfanning trip to Batavia has raised a bit of controversy and inquiry about railfanning. To clarify, the goal of my outings is not to get ridiculously close to a speeding train. It is to capture the sheer power and beauty of tons of freight being hauled by some of the most powerful creations spawned by man. If you watch more of my videos on YouTube, you can see the wide variety of shots and angles I have taken over the past 10 or so months. I'm hoping this clarifies for everyone that railfans are not daredevil train dodgers or whack jobs. We're a group of people who enjoy and always will enjoy the essence of railroading at it's finest!

Cody Z

AKA ConrailForever; Blue Rail Productions

May 24, 2009, 10:16pm Permalink

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