At 10 years old I often rode the el alone from Forest Park to Chicago and then would walk to one of the museums. Times have changed and I'd be afraid to let my grandchild do that now.
, I'm not at all mechanically inclined. I'm just a passenger and my knowledge of Amtrak is extremely limited as to what makes the train run.
Preface: I'm sorry if this offends anybody. I know it can be an emotional subject to people who've had to deal with autism in their own families, and having seen it first hand, I definitely understand why. So please, take it as it was intended, as a non-offensive tidbit that people might find interesting.
Well here's one thing to throw out there: far more men have autism spectrum disorders, and many of the traits displayed by railfans (intense focus on a subject, passion for knowledge of details others would consider trivial, inability to understand and connect with "normals" on certain levels, etc...) could very well be considered hints of that spectrum.
To be clear, I'm not saying all railfans have autism or anything like that. Like I said, it's a spectrum. Psychologists recognize that people can fall anywhere along the range of autistic behavior from, well, slightly quirky on down to full blown disorder, and it's not at all unusual or bad for people to register on the scale. Fact is, some of the traits associated with the autism spectrum are also clear in the railfan community, so whatever causes autism to be so skewed toward males (some say 4:1 ratio) could likely also exist with regard to railfans.
And anyway, some groups of people take pride in cheerfully diagnosing themselves as autism spectrum. Just look at the groups of computer enthusiasts who celebrate self-diagnosed Asperger's syndrome as if it was a requirement to join the club
This is a good observation. It holds more generally. For example, with a few word substitutions....
I have run into a few guys over the years (all guys), who fall into the category of autistic railfans. I am not a medical professional and in no way making a diagnosis or value judgment. But they were totally incapable of holding a conversation on any subject whatsoever--except for railway (and maybe bus) timetables, cars, routes, right down to specific car numbers and number of seats in each car. It's fascinating and often highly informative to talk to them. You might get more information about the intricate details of Superliner I vs Superliner II in 10 minutes of chatting them up, than you would in a full day of reading this forum.Preface: I'm sorry if this offends anybody. I know it can be an emotional subject to people who've had to deal with autism in their own families, and having seen it first hand, I definitely understand why. So please, take it as it was intended, as a non-offensive tidbit that people might find interesting.
Well here's one thing to throw out there: far more men have autism spectrum disorders, and many of the traits displayed by railfans (intense focus on a subject, passion for knowledge of details others would consider trivial, inability to understand and connect with "normals" on certain levels, etc...) could very well be considered hints of that spectrum.
To be clear, I'm not saying all railfans have autism or anything like that. Like I said, it's a spectrum. Psychologists recognize that people can fall anywhere along the range of autistic behavior from, well, slightly quirky on down to full blown disorder, and it's not at all unusual or bad for people to register on the scale. Fact is, some of the traits associated with the autism spectrum are also clear in the railfan community, so whatever causes autism to be so skewed toward males (some say 4:1 ratio) could likely also exist with regard to railfans.
And anyway, some groups of people take pride in cheerfully diagnosing themselves as autism spectrum. Just look at the groups of computer enthusiasts who celebrate self-diagnosed Asperger's syndrome as if it was a requirement to join the club
Interesting theory. Quite frankly we don't worry about our psychological profile and how it relates to enjoyment of train travel. If the truth be known my wife enjoys train travel more than I do. Do we place on the Autism spectrum? Who knows and who cares. As long as we are living productively, peacefully, lawfully with ethics, morals and God in our life, we are content.
I'm far from wealthy, but I do have a cousin 14 times removed (not true) named Vanderbilt!
(I go to visit them, and they removed me from the property 14 times, before they said not to come back! :lol: )
Preface: I'm sorry if this offends anybody. I know it can be an emotional subject to people who've had to deal with autism in their own families, and having seen it first hand, I definitely understand why. So please, take it as it was intended, as a non-offensive tidbit that people might find interesting.
Well here's one thing to throw out there: far more men have autism spectrum disorders, and many of the traits displayed by railfans (intense focus on a subject, passion for knowledge of details others would consider trivial, inability to understand and connect with "normals" on certain levels, etc...) could very well be considered hints of that spectrum.
To be clear, I'm not saying all railfans have autism or anything like that. Like I said, it's a spectrum. Psychologists recognize that people can fall anywhere along the range of autistic behavior from, well, slightly quirky on down to full blown disorder, and it's not at all unusual or bad for people to register on the scale. Fact is, some of the traits associated with the autism spectrum are also clear in the railfan community, so whatever causes autism to be so skewed toward males (some say 4:1 ratio) could likely also exist with regard to railfans.
And anyway, some groups of people take pride in cheerfully diagnosing themselves as autism spectrum. Just look at the groups of computer enthusiasts who celebrate self-diagnosed Asperger's syndrome as if it was a requirement to join the club
, but good she enjoys it. I like variety so much, that any reason to skip school, was an opportunity. I do love learning, and intend to keep learning until I know it all, yea right. :lol:
All that really matters is what train goes where and when!I do love learning, and intend to keep learning until I know it all, yea right. :lol:
AlohaAll that really matters is what train goes where and when!I do love learning, and intend to keep learning until I know it all, yea right. :lol:
:lol: :lol:
do you get amtrak fever if you're not on the train for awhile. do you start having hallucinations that you're on a train when you're notAlohaAll that really matters is what train goes where and when!I do love learning, and intend to keep learning until I know it all, yea right. :lol:
:lol: :lol:
Think I will disagree, What really matters is AM I ON IT?
I forget things, and may answer the same question over and over!do you get amtrak fever if you're not on the train for awhile. do you start having hallucinations that you're on a train when you're not
SOMEONE GET THIS MAN ON A TRAIN ASAPI forget things, and may answer the same question over and over!do you get amtrak fever if you're not on the train for awhile. do you start having hallucinations that you're on a train when you're not
I forget things, and may answer the same question over and over!
I forget things and may answer the same question over and over!
I forget things, and may answer the same question over and over!
I forget things, and may answer the same question over and over!
I forget things and may answer the same question over and over!
Does dreaming about train rides count? :lol:do you get amtrak fever if you're not on the train for awhile. do you start having hallucinations that you're on a train when you're notAlohaAll that really matters is what train goes where and when!I do love learning, and intend to keep learning until I know it all, yea right. :lol:
:lol: :lol:
Think I will disagree, What really matters is AM I ON IT?
We talked to the oldest Granddaughter about a train ride last year. She is a girly girl, but she wants to go too. I just have to figure out how to pay for it!Aloha
Just to support, or not to support, the gender notion. I just got 2 "yea's" and a bunch of "Cools" from my Granddaughter, when I asked her if she wanted to join the OTOL PNW Fest in July. This Fest is like the AU Gatherings in October. Getting Even to skip school, is not going to happen, so this is why she may never join an AU Gathering. Not quite sure how she got that interested in school
A few AU Members have met Even while they were in LA.
And I got the bug again. I was thinking the other day as I was working that I could retire with 31 years with my company in 9 years and then be an asst. Conductor on the CZ from OMA to DEN and back. I threw that one by Brenda and didn't get a whole lot of applause but I honestly was thinking that. I have met 3 asst. Conductors that are retired from other jobs that hired on at Amtrak in their mid-50's. No offense taken here. My 24-yr old son is considered to have a low-functioning PDD diagnosis. Last Sept we went out west on the CL and the SWC. He loved the train and slept thru the nights easily in the lower bunk. At home he rarely sleeps thru the night, a common finding with ASD people.Preface: I'm sorry if this offends anybody. I know it can be an emotional subject to people who've had to deal with autism in their own families, and having seen it first hand, I definitely understand why. So please, take it as it was intended, as a non-offensive tidbit that people might find interesting.
Well here's one thing to throw out there: far more men have autism spectrum disorders, and many of the traits displayed by railfans (intense focus on a subject, passion for knowledge of details others would consider trivial, inability to understand and connect with "normals" on certain levels, etc...) could very well be considered hints of that spectrum.
To be clear, I'm not saying all railfans have autism or anything like that. Like I said, it's a spectrum. Psychologists recognize that people can fall anywhere along the range of autistic behavior from, well, slightly quirky on down to full blown disorder, and it's not at all unusual or bad for people to register on the scale. Fact is, some of the traits associated with the autism spectrum are also clear in the railfan community, so whatever causes autism to be so skewed toward males (some say 4:1 ratio) could likely also exist with regard to railfans.
And anyway, some groups of people take pride in cheerfully diagnosing themselves as autism spectrum. Just look at the groups of computer enthusiasts who celebrate self-diagnosed Asperger's syndrome as if it was a requirement to join the club
Well, before i was laid off i was commuting 5 days/week on the Keystone service. I slept on the 85 minute OW ride most of the time. In 6 years I did sleep past my stop a few times. Going home (wbound at night) was no big deal as there are only 2 stops after mine so getting someone to come get me not a big hassle. Sleeping past my stop in the am (NYC bound) could be a bit scary as the next stop is the urban renewal wasteland at North Phila. Once I even overslept 2 stops and had to buy a commuter line ticket to backtrack from Cornwells Heights. And remember this is falling asleep in a coach seat, not a sleeper.
but it works.
