Drivers... When will they ever learn?

In the past few weeks, there have been numerous train and vehicle collisions. Semi trucks have caused engineers and conductors to be seriously injured or killed, passengers have been killed or injured. Also, the driver of the vehicle can get killed or injured too. But the question is, Why does this keep happening? Let me go through the major points on why this happens.

1. Semi truck drivers go places they are not supposed to: Sometimes semi truck drivers will cut corners to get a delivery to where it needs to be on time. This can cause semi trucks to stall or get stuck on the tracks when they are not supposed to be cutting corners. This has been happening a lot with Amtrak and Metrolink trains.
2. Drivers get scared when the gates go down while they are on the crossing: I can not help but think of the metro-north crash a month or so ago when six people were killed, including all of the people in the mini van. A mother and her kids were killed when the train hit them. As well as some people on the train were killed.
3. Gate Runners: People think they don't have time to wait for the train to cross, but often this can be a fatal mistake and it happens very often. It is not worth risking your life or the life of the train crew.

That is all I have for today, Let this be a lesson on why you should never take risks when it comes to trains, safety comes first! Please once again check us out on Facebook and Twitter. Until next time, keep calm and railfan on!

Heritage Units Vs. Fallen Flags Units

I apologize, for not posting in a while. I have been busy with school work and other endeavors.  But I thought I would share with you a subject that recently I have been thinking about. This subject has been one that railfans have been discussing all over the United States and Canada. Are Heritage Units better or are fallen flags better? Why don't we take a look at the pros and cons of both of them

Heritage Units: 

Pros:  1. They tend to last longer than fallen flag locomotives.
          2. Excellent Public Relations tool.
          3. They are very attractive.

Cons: 1. Paint schemes can be inaccurate.
          2. Horns are never the originals.

Fallen Flag Units:


Pros: 1. They are originals from their railroad
         2. An original can be better than a copy

Cons:1. They are repainted by the railroad that they are merged or brought into.
          2. Original horns and other features are either rebuilt or replaced often.

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Why Do People With Autism Like Trains? Find Out Here

  Why do so many people on the Autism spectrum like trains? What is it that makes them so fascinating to them and myself?  People with Autism (including me) like trains for a lot of different reasons, but there are three very common reasons why, which I will go into detail about!

1.  They are predictable: People with autism tend to like trains more than other forms of transportation because they have set schedules, they run back and forth on the same routes, and they can predict when one is coming (or in my case hear it from miles away)
2.  They are colorful: Children and Adults with autism tend to be very visual, we like stuff that catches our attentions, and Trains definitely fit in this category. Whether it is the Brightly Colored Locomotives of Railroads like the BNSF, Florida East Coast, or Amtrak; Or the graffiti on the sides of train cars.(Not to mention the bright red crossing lights) People with Autism tend to be attracted to trains. (Be careful and do not get too close to them)
3.  They are orderly: Autistic Individuals like stuff to be orderly and lined up. People with autism tend to think very literal and logical, plus people with autism like trains due to their patterns and order.
4. They can be relaxing:  I know what you're thinking, Why would you think they are relaxing? First of all, a neuro-typical individuals brain and an individual with autism's brain is wired very differently. What may be normal to you may cause an autistic individual to have a sensory overload and vice versa.  An old song called The City of New Orleans talks about the gentle beat a train has. It's all a matter of perspective.

I hope you enjoyed the main reasons, people with autism like trains. You have to admit trains can be quite fascinating at times. Once again please check us out on Facebook, Twitter , and Youtube. Thanks for your support! Please keep checking for new entry's on here, and do what you do best!

10 of the Coolest Things About Norfolk Southern

In recent times, I have been struggling with a depression about seeing nothing but the black and white engines of Norfolk Southern leading (I live in cab signal territory which for a railfan is like a rainy dreary kind of place that is undesirable) So in light of this I have decided to create a list of the  10 perks about being a Norfolk Southern railfan. So here they are.

1. The 21st Century Steam Program: Other than Union Pacific, no current railroad in the United States can say they have a program like this, Now that Norfolk and Western 611 is about done, we can easily brag about an awesome program!
2. The 30th Anniversary Heritage Units: In 2012, Norfolk Southern ordered 20 specially painted units to celebrate how far they have come, railfans everywhere go crazy to catch these units, examples of these include Conrail, Norfolk and Western, Southern, Wabash, Pennsylvania, Erie, and Illinois Terminal among others. So definitely one of the greatest perks.
3. The Office Car Special (The Business train): Norfolk Southern restored streamliner diesels and passenger cars to create a business train for their employees, which not only provides luxury travel for them, but makes for quite a treat for us railfans.
4. The Employees: I can honestly say I have only met maybe one NS employee I did not like, and maybe then I may have caught him on a bad day, when I sent a letter to NS they sent me a heritage unit calendar and a special, edition of Trains magazine as well. I have had other employees give me shirts special cups, shot glasses, and other great memorabilia.
5. High Hood Diesels: While these are disappearing due to them being rebuilt as needed, these are some of the coolest vintage power, plus railfans love the ones with Southern Railway paint bleeding through (Including Myself)
6. Road-railers: This is perhaps one of my favorite things NS had, They were the last ones who had them, but they kept them around forever. From what I heard they are going to be putting these on trailers soon, so better catch them while you can.
7. Horseshoe Curve: This is one heck of a hot spot that NS owns, and is an engineering fathom. During World War II Hitler and the Axis Power targeted this as a place to launch an attack on.
8. Conway Yard: This massive yard is chock full of trains and just about anything can come out of the yard behind a Norfolk Southern Locomotive (unless headed up the Youngstown Line, then anything can) Anyways, with a great spot like Rochester, Pa nearby it is definitely a place to check out.
9. Operation Lifesaver Locomotives: NS has painted a number of their engines in Operation Lifesaver paint including some Dash 9's and General Purpose (geep) locomotives.
10. The Horse Head: NS is the only active Class I railroad that uses an animal as a company mascot which sets them apart from the rest.

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