Topic: Foamers
started by: Leisher
Posted by Leisher on Feb. 08 2011,10:27
(No point to this, I'm just sharing.)I believe I've always known about these people, but I didn't know anything about them until now. Foamers are people that are insane for trains. Not the kind of trains talked about by the 2 Live Crew, but the kind that ride on tracks and make "choo choo" noises.
I should note that "foamers" is a negative slang term given to these people. I guess in the old days they were also called FRNs (Fucking Rail Nuts). The foaming refers to them foaming from their mouth...I don't get why. I assume it's about them being "mad" for trains.
Now you might be thinking that it's a hobby like any other, and you'd be wrong.
I work with two foamers who go nearly every day during lunch to watch, follow, talk about, and take pictures of trains. Both surf train web forums, and both have websites up all day showing the locations of trains, their schedules, etc.
Now one is less into it than the other, and he's a sports fan as well. Although, he has no other real hobbies aside from the occasional video game.
The one who is way into it has pictures published in train magazines. I've seen him standing on guard rails on bridges, with no safety net or anything, just to take a picture of a train. He takes days off of work to drive somewhere to see trains.
Both have pictures of trains in their office and as their PC's background.
I know some of you are wondering, and one is married (his wife is attractive too, but they're both quiet and religious), while the other was recently divorced (he's the big train nut and they were not an issue in his divorce) and has a kid. His kid likes Thomas the Train Engine.
Both also like model trains, BUT (and this is where is gets really interesting) they look down upon certain model train enthusiasts. Why? Well, if your train isn't to scale, then you're a lower tier of train nerd. Ditto if your train's engines and cars don't fit together in terms of types and eras.
At the Toledo Zoo they have model train folks come in at Christmas and setup a display for the kids. These two can go on for hours about how shitty it is because nothing is to scale, fits one era, etc., etc.
Yes, they know they're nuts, and acknowledge their nerdity.
They will jet out to lunch early because some train is coming in late or because it has a different logo than it should or a different paint job or maybe one engine is pulling another for whatever reason. You should see the excitement when the circus comes to town!
It fascinates me that a man made invention has so captivated the imaginations of such a large group of people (the biggest train magazine in the U.S. has a circulation over 100000). And it's not just a U.S. thing. The nuttier one says he's met foamers from other countries here visiting just to look at trains.
Anyone here a foamer? Am I misrepresenting foamers here or am I speaking the gospel? Anyone else run into these people?
Posted by TheCatt on Feb. 08 2011,10:34
I don't understand model trains at all.At least model cars can go places. Trains just go in circles, or loops, or whatever.
Posted by Malcolm on Feb. 08 2011,12:10
You can take any hobby to at least a semi-disturbing extreme degree.
Posted by TPRJones on Feb. 08 2011,14:04
That's pretty weird. Or at least a decade ago it would have been pretty weird. These days it's a little odd but not remarkably so. At least I assume they aren't trying to have sex with the trains.
Ah how the internet has changed us.
Posted by GORDON on Mar. 03 2011,07:35
Leisher, which of your coworkers posted this?< http://casualencounters.com/blog....in-room >
Posted by Leisher on Mar. 03 2011,07:54
Hilarious!They're getting emailed asking that question right now.