I've found everyone's insights into the "why's of shooting trains very intriguing, especially from the better known (read:more published) of the contributors. The "what's" of the hobby are great to have access to, but getting a chance to read about why we all take train photographs has been highly entertaining.
Years ago I decided that, with 50 million American photographers shooting every train that rolls across the landscape that my shots had no particular value to anyone but myself. Sure, maybe the magazines and an occasional book would put a little change back in my pocket, but the idea of a professional railfan seemed like a dream. It still does. So I shoot trains solely for the enjoyment I derive from the experience of being trackside. The thrill I experienced from early boyhood memories of watching either my Dad or Grandfather climb the ladder into a lightning striped New York Central E-unit from the platform of the Jackson Michigan depot has never left me. Even ten years as a braneman/conductor on the Joint Line for the Santa Fe didn't dilute my enthusiasm for experience of railroading. It's just as exciting to be behind my Nikon on Curtis Hill on the BNSF's main and feel the anticipation of an approaching headlight today as it was 35 years ago to see #357's headlight coming around the curve into the depot. I still love railroading (I'd better: I live right beside the BNSF's Springfield Tulsa main!) for what it is. And, really, it doesn't matter whether anyone else likes my shots or not. They satisfy my toughest critic...me! --> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects X-Mozilla-Status: 0001 Content-Length: 4721
