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That's rail hobbyist, or railfan, talk, Miss Vicki
Posts: 9979 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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your report is terrific, David. You have the ability and talent to bring the reader right along with you and the humor is super. Maybe you are in the wrong job or do you write?
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Don't know Homer Simpson. But I have seen both rail fanning and rail foaming used. I guess foaming is just more intense? I have learned a lot you know. I now discuss consists and train sets with my friend and soon to be fellow traveler, Sue. I sent her a copy of the analysis of why the Sunset Limited has timeliness problems which I believe one of you provided to me and she said she "found it interesting and was oddly disturbed that she found it interesting." I'm afraid we are both becoming fans (but not yet foamers). I have even been to the Tehachapi loop, how's that for fanning? And we dropped into Union Station on Saturday to check out the parking, etc. and just loved the atmosphere. Our husbands think we have lost our minds. Sue asked me if I had put my monitoring of the CS and the SL times on a spreadsheet yet so I could send it to her. I guess we all need hobbies, right?
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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quote:Originally posted by HopefulRailUser: Don't know Homer Simpson....
D'oh! And I thought only people from BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.34 would have trouble with that one.
But let me try to explain. Last year a survey ranked Homer Simpson #5 of the 100 all-time greatest TV characters (Vicki, maybe your problem is you have a life and don't watch enough TV). And like so many celebraties, he's also become quite active in politics (getting thousands of write-in votes every year, especially where I live).
See, he's this cartoon character. Some people say he's just make-believe, but they're just so wrong. One of his characteristics is that he tends to foam at the mouth whenever he sees a doughnut (Vicki, you're a nurse, right?: so you probably recognize the doughnut as one of your basic food groups). Homer also often foams when he sights a Duff (his favorite brand of beer, which you know is generally recognized as the pinnacle of the nutrition pyramid).
(You know, as my fingers strike the keyboard pounding this out, I'm thinking maybe I should get a life).
Anyway, you see, some think a railfan spotting a train causes this same reaction as Homer gets spotting a doughnut. (It may cause the involuntary discharge of other bodily fluids, but we'll stick to foam and drool discharge for now). Ergo, "foamer" became the nickname for avid rail fans. And at least one book I've read claims that's how the nickname came about. "Foamer" came from Homer.
Now, have you ever heard of Rocky and Bullwinkle? (Vicki, don't answer; stay still; keep quiet; avoid eye contact--and maybe I'll stop with Homer and go away).
Posts: 445 | Registered: May 2002
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Foamer is railroader slang for a railfan who is so rabid he (or she perhaps) foams at the mouth every time they see a locomotive or anything railroad related.
I'm definately an enthusiast but I try not to annoy professional railroaders in the process!
When I referred to 'weekend foaming' that means that for the next several months any rail travel for me will mostly be of the weekend tourist railroad variety. It's not the California Zephyr but it will do!
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Believe it or not Mr. Zephyr, I have heard of Homer Simpson, but I have yet to watch the show.
I think it is carried by Fox broadcast network, but conflicts with the schedule for '60 Minutes' and/or Dateline NBC.
Posts: 9979 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I thank you David and Zephyr for those definitions. Zephyr: the food groups are sugar, fat, starch, diet Coke and ice cream I believe. At least that's what I learned in nursing school. As for Rocky and Bullwinkle, I'm sure that must be before my time. Zephyr - yes, you need to get a life. I also see who is connected with MP 18.34. Don't you pick on my friend Gilbert. Besides, I think The Simpsons conflicts with the 4400 for me - you do understand that the aliens placed me back on earth for a reason, don't you?
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Vicki, You left out the most important food group.......CHOCOLATE!!!!! Speaking of which Amtrak used to have the most wonderful selection of chocolate desserts. Now I gather there is only one per menu.
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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Zepher: I must of needs request that you amend your name each time you post and include a number in parenthesis and a date (e.g. Zepher 9(28), lest we mis-identify who, what, and where you are and where you are coming from (either literally or metaphorically).
Otherwise I take great delight in your posts.
Riding welded rails Eyes closed, I wander backward, Hear the clickety clack
I was on a lengthy road trip a week or so ago and as I cruised interstate 70 for almost 900 miles, I recalled the way Route 40 sounded: a rythmic ka-thump, kathump, ka-thump as we passes over sections of pavement many years ago. Nicer ride now. Fond memory of both sets of roads of my childhood.
Posts: 300 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Ira Slotkin: Zepher: I must of needs request that you amend your name each time you post and include a number in parenthesis and a date (e.g. Zepher 9(28), lest we mis-identify who, what, and where you are and where you are coming from (either literally or metaphorically).
Yeh,yeh--I know what Mr. Norman and you are trying to do. You're trying to make my head explode.
But I have three serious (yes, I know it sounds crazy) questions for you Ira (our Denver correspondent).
First, I saw the Ski Train two weeks ago CZ'ing (you know, 6(whatever blah-blah)) through Denver. Wow, what a beautiful train. Have you (or jump-ball for anyone else for that matter) taken this train. What's it like?
Second, do you have any recommendations for reasonably priced (you know, NTE $25/night with complimentary breakfast, in-room sauna, and 1 hour full-body massage) lodging near the Denver Union Station? I want to "Do Denver" next summer, so I'd appreciate any insights you can provide.
Third, do you realize October is approaching? You know what that means (though "Vickie with a Life" and others may not). Shall we behave this year, or just let 'er go? For me, I'm going to delay my decision until it's determined how twerpy the stadium names are.
Speaking of which, my goal was to attend five minor league games this year. To date, one short. I've caught the Sacramento River Cats, Chico Outlaws, St. Joseph Blacksnakes, and Kansas City Royals (I know, I know Mr. Norman, but it's just an itty-bitty technicality). My hope is to catch #5 in SoCal this weekend. But speaking of minor league games, if Zephyr Does Denver (available on VHS or DVD) next summer, is it walkable from Denver Union (or that reasonably priced lodging) to the ballpark?
And by the way newby members of this forum, let me introduce Ira Slotkin. He's an innie-outie (comes and goes) member of this forum. He dabbles in poetry (note the trainku 2 posts north). One I came across on the internet, about a dad playing catch with his son, knocked my socks off. Maybe your socks would remain a-feet, but then that's art. But, for me, that was an excellent piece of writing.
And Vicki. Oh, Vicki. Vick-eee. (Begin Twilight Zone theme). You made eye contact. Prepare yourself for meeting....(mid-Twilight Zone theme)....Rocky and Bullwinkle (fade to Vicki frantically pulling her hair out, rising camera shot to stars in the galaxy blinking in a dark, dark night).
Posts: 445 | Registered: May 2002
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Thanks for the poetry plug. I hope to have a book out w a CD of me reading my own work (and perhaps some others works) in the spring. I'll have a version of the "More Than A Game" poem in it. I've resisted self publishing, but it has an honorable tradition, so...
I haven't ridden the Ski Train but know folks who have and they've enjoyed it. Not likely to get delayed either.
There is a hostel in downtown that is about the range you are talking as I recall. Shared facilities. And there are a couple of hotels close but outside of downtown - I go by them often but the names escape me at the moment. I'll check and send the names along. I'm a 25 minute walk to either.
The stadium is a long fly ball (center field, upper deck, home run) from the station. The hotels in the price range you are seeking are a bit far to walk with your luggage but a less than $10 cab ride.
Pentametrically
Ira
Posts: 300 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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Ira, maybe we can work out a deal here. How about your book for my "Zephyr Does Denver" VHS (or DVD if you prefer)?
Now this Denver "hostel" you mention. Does it meet my "reasonably priced" criteria per hour, or per day? Enquiring minds want to know (most notably my wife's). And what about the breakfast and the massage-thing?
And that "pentametrically" sign-off? What's that mean? Is that really a word? Can normal lips actually pronounce it? You trying to make my head explode? You teaming up with Mr. Norman?
Posts: 445 | Registered: May 2002
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quote:Originally posted by HopefulRailUser: Zephyr has a wife????
Yes I do. And LOL. I've met my match. I will spare you from Rocky and Bullwinkle.
This is getting spooky, the quoted message differed from the published one for at least five minutes. Twilight Zone indeed. Wife of Zephyr actually is pretty lucky. Finding someone with such a sense of humor is not easy. But Ira is at the next level of wit, with poetry to boot. Maybe I like this train stuff because the train "foamers" are so interesting.
-------------------- Vicki in usually sunny Southern California Posts: 951 | From: Redondo Beach, CA | Registered: Aug 2006
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Google "Hostel Denver". There are two andf they are close to your price. What hostels lack in amenities they make up for in community. They have mostly dorm sapce, but a few "private rooms". Hostels woprked for me when I traveled Europe back in the sixties, but I'm a bit more creature comfort conscious nowadays.
One is in downtown and the other is not realistically walkable from the station.
Meanwhile, keeping this train related: A lot of additional light rail should be operating by the time y'all are visiting next summer. And thger is a lotm of dveelopment along the new lines so there might be a cheap hotel not in downtown but readily accessible by train.
Don't fret the exploding brain thing. Vicki is a Nurse.
I'll give you a discount on the book. You could even come heer me read at a local downtown venue. Inexpensive, smoke free, vegetarian and vegan as well. Near light rail.
Innie/Outie/Lurking.
Ira
Posts: 300 | From: Denver, CO USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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You guys are getting WEIRD!!!!!!!!!!! But that's OK -- we're all railfans, and by definition, that means we're nuts anyway, doesn't it? And now Vicki wants to be a "foamer!" Actually, Ms. Vicki -- welcome to the WEIRD nation of railfans!! I took my wife on her first long train trip this summer, and she too loved it!! She wants to take another trip soon!!
And David -- back to the "trip report" topic -- Train Web stil hasn't posted my trip report, but Steve G says he'll be doing that soon "in the next couple weeks." Steve says Train Web is moving from Fullerton to La Plata, MO!!! (Why????????.........)
Posts: 2428 | From: Grayling, MI | Registered: Mar 2002
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I stayed at the Atlanta hostel on my trip to Atlanta recently (see my trip report in this thread). It centrally located in midtown atlanta. I always stay at hostels on my trips. Ive stayed at hostels all around the world, and throughout the US. I havent stayed at the Denver hostel, however. If you have any questions about them just let me know.
Posts: 416 | From: St. Albans, Vermont | Registered: Feb 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Ira Slotkin: You could even come heer me read at a local downtown venue. Inexpensive, smoke free, vegetarian and vegan as well. Near light rail.
Got Duff on tap?
See, here's what I have in mind. My wife (yes, yes--there is a Mrs. Zephyr, and she has become quite experienced in rolling her eyes) and I will likely attend the Oregon-California Trail Association (OCTA) convention in Gering/Scottsbluff NB next August. The general plan is to rail to Denver a few days early and then head up to the convention.
We kind of did that earlier this month when we attended the OCTA convention in St.Jo MO. We lollygagged (technical travel term for not direct) by rail to Kansas City a few days before the convention. We stayed at the Westin, which is an easy walk (enclosed all the way) from the station. We really enjoyed exploring Union Station in KC. I can't imagine anyone who wouldn't find something of interest there. This huge relic of the hey-day of rail has been beautifully restored and now hosts museums, theaters, restaurants (opening soon is a restored Harvey House), a chocolate shop (got your attention, train lady?) and on and on. And it offers plenty for foamers. Check out www.unionstation.org for more information.
Our room on the 16th floor of the Westin provided a great view of the station and track. You could grab a Duff and watch a constant parade of trains. A docent at Union Station told me more tonnage goes through KC than any other city (even Chicago, which may have more trains because of more pax rail, according to Mr. Docent, but not the tonnage). It was foamer heaven.
Shopping and baseball were easily accessable. Besides Union Station, opportunities to stimulate the local economy can be readily found at the Crowne Center mall. It's adjacent to the Westin, and is all linked (they call it "The Link"-clever, eh?) by an elevated, glassed-in, air-conditioned walkway.
A bus (Royals Express) stops in front of the hotel for transportation to the ballpark ($5 per head, but you get a $5 discount on your ticket; correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Norman, but that's like free, isn't it?). The fans we met on the bus ride were great and a lot of fun. Ah, it was zephyr heaven.
And that's what I have in mind for next year in Denver. Lolligag (by rail, of course) into Denver a few days before heading to the convention. Catch a game. Ride the Ski Train to Fraser-Winter Park. Get a day pass and ride the light rail system (I've done all of Portland's and Salt Lake City's). Explore downtown Denver. Get a room with a view of the rail action. Ah, hurry up 8(07). So, Ira, I may be asking you for some of your local expertise closer to the date of travel (like 6(07) or 7(07)).
As a side note, I'm surprised not many on this forum attend rr conventions. We went to the Great Northern Railway Historical Society convention in Kalispell MT in July, and had a great time. You can check out convention activities by clicking the "conventions" botton atwww.gnrhs.org. Note train lady this convention even included a tour of Montana Tom's, one of the best chocolate makers on planet earth (according to my wife, which you can take as expert testimony). It was a great time with a lot of really great people. Though not on the website yet, next year's convention is scheduled for Minot ND ("Why not Minot" is the visitors bureau's slogan). I highly recommend attending this, or any other historical society (or modeling or advocacy) convention that may interest you, to any "foamer."
So, there. Unlike Ira, you can see I can keep to the topic of the thread (we're talking trip reports here, Mr. Slotkin, not trainku). You gotta keep a close eye on him. He's a big trouble-maker (as evidenced by his attempts to make my head explode). But that's just between you and me.
Posts: 445 | Registered: May 2002
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Mrs. Zepher is a woman after my own heart. Tell her in Boise we found the visitors center had delicious chocolate potato chips and Potatos made from chocolate. You will like Scotts Bluff. We were there when we were following the Oregon Trail ( I know Mr. Norman, the trail no longer exists but one can follow pretty closely where it was). We took the train to Denver and after visiting family rented a car and followed the trail. Over the past years we have done that a number of times going to different places out west and in Canada. I have often thought Amtrak should put forth that idea. Take the train to .......and drive to different places. BTW how did I ever miss Montana Tom's in Kallispell?
Posts: 1577 | From: virginia | Registered: Jun 2005
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