5 replies to this topic

[Texan Eagle]

I was trying to search on Google (with little success) if there are any railfan groups or interested folks in Dallas area who would be interested in going out railfanning/trainspotting and train photographing, thought might as well ask here first. So yeah, anyone on this forum who lives in Dallas interested in meeting up sometime on weekend and going trainspotting and train photography (not necessarily Amtrak, considering we have only one train per day)? I would be up for an hour of two of drive to go to some nice spots to catch trains in action on a good weather day.

Alternately, does anyone here know any groups, websites, forums that I can see to get this information and/or find some company to go trainspotting? I do not wish to go "out in the woods" alone, mainly for security concerns.

[Devil's Advocate]

I do not wish to go "out in the woods" alone, mainly for security concerns.

Oddly enough the only security concerns I've ever had dealt with the railroad police and rent-a-cops themselves. All it takes is one bad move or one wrong word on your part and you could be looking at formal trespassing charges or worse, including possible arrest. The people who frequent the tracks haven't really given me much of a scare as of yet. Have you been afraid for your life because of people who live or work along the tracks or the like?

[cirdan]

Oddly enough the only security concerns I've ever had dealt with the railroad police and rent-a-cops themselves. All it takes is one bad move or one wrong word on your part and you could be looking at formal trespassing charges or worse, including possible arrest. The people who frequent the tracks haven't really given me much of a scare as of yet. Have you been afraid for your life because of people who live or work along the tracks or the like?

Actually, I have to agree with this. I've run into some pretty scary-looking people on occasions but they never actually threatened me or prevented me taking my pictures. In some cases I even chatted with them and they told me their life stories. Once you've broken the initial barrier most people aren't half as scary or evil as they appear at first. But then maybe I've just been lucky.

[Texan Eagle]

I do not wish to go "out in the woods" alone, mainly for security concerns.

Oddly enough the only security concerns I've ever had dealt with the railroad police and rent-a-cops themselves. All it takes is one bad move or one wrong word on your part and you could be looking at formal trespassing charges or worse, including possible arrest. The people who frequent the tracks haven't really given me much of a scare as of yet. Have you been afraid for your life because of people who live or work along the tracks or the like?

Not really "afraid for my life" but a bit uncomfortable, yes. I have tried a couple of times going alone to some vantage points to photograph trains and wrapped up the idea in a few minutes since I did not feel comfortable alone. As I have mentioned previously, I am not a US citizen and not well versed with the laws and rights of citizens. Without going into much details lets just say I don't "look" like majority of the people around and as much as we'd like to believe it is not the case but the sad fact is that today in this country racial profiling is big. You may not have experienced it but I know it from personal experience. Now don't get me wrong, nobody has threatened me or physically attacked me, but if I am alone outdoors photographing things that are not really scenic in eyes of tourists (freight trains for example) I have seen people give a second look at me. A 50-year old Caucasian male taking photos of a train may not bother anyone but a 25 year old "alien" taking photographs where others of his age usually don't evokes suspicion. Long story short, I'd like to go trainspotting with someone for company because it just makes me feel more comfortable (and hey, its more fun too ).

So coming back to the original question- anyone out there in DFW area who'd be interested in going train photographing and/or know any groups or forums where I can go look?

[jb64]

Have you tried Meetup? Or maybe start a Meetup group? I joined a hiking group through MeetUp because I don't like to hike alone.

[Devil's Advocate]

Here in San Antonio being a Caucasian doesn't make you any sort of majority, but I hear what you're saying. Hard to feel entirely safe with millions of misinformed people harboring suspicious views, quick tempers, and easy access to the world's largest market of deadly weaponry. I don't do a lot of spotting here in SA simply because I get tired of being badgered and threatened by big egos in a country where even minor infractions can result in severe penalties and punishments. Our legal system is a total crap shoot. No telling if you'll come out on top or on the bottom, and either way you're likely to lose your job, your healthcare, and your savings in the process.