Train hobbyists, or railfans, have existed for decades. The hobby has many forms of interests from photographing, modeling, writing, track side train watching, trade in railway paraphernalia, to devoted historians. This is the only hobby I have encountered that actually has a derogatory term that is given to enthusiasts that exhibit undesirable conduct that could harm the hobby. Railfans call undesirable railfans “foamers” if they practice unethical, poor, rude or illegal behavior that harms the hobby as a whole.
Railfan enthusiasm even has a celebrity following.
New Jersey’s own Frank Sinatra was such the enthusiast; he dedicated an entire song to the theme of Trains:
Another train enthusiast with a New Jersey connection is Walt Disney. His train hobby created a miniature railroad in his own backyard all they way up to dedicating life sized locomotives at his theme parks.
In 1958, Walt Disney acquired Locomotive No. 4 from New Jersey. The locomotive was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1925. The train was being used as a tourist train at New Jersey’s own Pine Creek Railroad. Prior to Pine Creek, the train was used by Raritan River Sand Company in New Jersey.
This train with a New Jersey past runs today at Walt Disney World and is named after Walt Disney’s brother, the Roy O Disney.
Related:
https://timestincup.com/railroaders-of-morris-county/
Railroaders of Morris County
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