How I got into trains? I can credit this to four things My great grand parents, Connellsville, Pennsylvania, watching conrail trains in Salem, Ohio, and Youngstown Sheet and Tube no. 301 aka the canfield fair train.
Favorite Railroads? I'd definitely say four for sure Baltimore and Ohio, Chessie System, Conrail, and Ferromex.
Favorite paint scheme on a locomotive? I love the 8114 heritage unit because of the paint, however that is ironically one of four heritage units i have yet to catch.
Favorite Place To Watch Trains? It's hard to say one place as I have been to many. My top three would have to be North East, Pennsylvania Rochester, New York and probably Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
Worst day of railfanning ever? A lot of my friends know that I am not a fan of the Norfolk Southern Dash 9 widecab whatsoever, in fact some days I downright hate the stupid things. Anyways one day i was out railfanning at Salem, Ohio and I had gotten 8 trains in 2 hours which seems pretty good right? Well, there was a problem with that. EVERY ENGINE on EVERY TRAIN was a Dash 9!!! No variety whatsoever! I would take a day where i only got one train over this..
Best memory while railfanning? Probably the weekend where I got The Wabash heritage unit, The central of georgia, Bessemer and lake erie, Illinois central, a millitary train, and probably a ton of epicness I'm forgetting in those two days... Berea Railthon 2013 was amazing too.
Encounters with police while railfanning?
Yeah every now and then there is an instance where someone will think I am suspicious and call me in. Typically nothing bad has happened because of this, never got a fine or asked to leave by them, in fact one of Salems police officers will occasionally watch trains with me and has gave me some train dvds for Christmas before. So there is definitely no hard feelings by me or them.
Weirdest thing that has happened to me while railfanning? I witnessed a mama bear and two cubs cross the tracks in North Springfield, Pennsylvania this year. Does that count?
Have you ever been in the cab of a locomotive before? Yes a handful, Ive been in the cab of the south shore commuter trains in chicago twice, two different alco rs3 locomotives , a GE 60 tonner, a couple of Youngstown and Southeastern locomotives and a bunch of ones that don't run.
How long have you been photographing trains for? I've been at it for four years, a decision I ultimately regret as I wish I was born with a camera in my hands. I missed a ton of cool stuff growing up.
GE or EMD Trains? How about Alco or Lima instead!
Least favorite thing about the railroads? Cab signals no question as beneficial as they are for railroaders it was mostly the death of variety, other than mega mergers
Thing you miss the most while railfanning? I'm actually sad they don't run roadrailers on the fort wayne line any more.. I used to hate the things when I was young, but then i learned my line was one of two that had them... glad I got what I did.
Your typical railfan squad? I normally hang out with my good friends Roger Chamberlain, Lee Kemmer, Sam Zitello, and Enoch Hamilton. Occasionally I'll do it with Ben Craft or Brian szemon, but I'm typically down with doing it with just about anybody.
Pick your poison Dash 9s for the rest of your life or no trains the rest of your life?
Probably no trains, I'm sure I can find something else to do.
Favorite steam locomotive? Nickel Plate Road 765 would probably be the one! Although I wish B & O had an EM1 still..
Funniest memory while railfanning?
Probably when my friend Ben cussed out some trespassers in Rochester, Pennsylvania.
How many rail museums have you visited? 13 so far.
What hot spots have you visited? Chesterton, Berea, Fostoria, Altoona, Cresson, Rochester (Pennsylvania and New York), Elkhart, Conneaut, Alliance, Bellevue, Connellsville, North East, Erie, Toledo, Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Willard
Favorite short line? Youngstown and Southeastern for sure.
Favorite rail museum? Either Mad River and NKP or Lake Shore Railway Museum.
If you could go back to one decade to railfan and you got to take your camera with you what decade would you choose? The 1950s you get literally the best of everything then. 1990s would be a close second.
Favorite Railroader? Either my Great Grandfather or Chris Ratini.
Sketchiest spot you railfanned at? Youngstown or Philadelphia...
Advice for younger railfans? Don't wear the vest, please just don't wear it. You'll thank yourself later.
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