Drones have become immensely popular for doing video and photography. They provide views that one would not be able to get on the ground. Drones are an excellent tool but they also must be used responsibly, and they also must be registered on the FAA website. But despite the hassle and regulations it is worthwhile to look into getting one especially if you are a railfan. There are many reasons to get one and drones can help railfans do tasks that only a drone is capable of. RPJ has compiled a list of reasons for railfans to get a drone.
1. Drones can fly above train yards: Railroad management is normally hostile to railfans that are in the ground on foot. Railfans are always looking for specific engines and sometimes the only place you can see them by going through a train yard. Unfortunately this is Illegal to do on foot and can result in trespassing charges. However, a drone can solve this problem as long as it is no lower than 80 feet in the air. So if you have a hard time with getting a particular locomotive and you know it's in that yard it's possible to get it now thanks to drones.
2. They can prevent a meet blocking a desired train. One of the biggest pains a railfan can run into while railfanning is being blocked by another train. Just ask the railfans who got blocked from seeing Nickel Plate Road 765 at Berea and Horseshoe Curve! A drone could have easily solved this problem for any railfan who had to deal with this dilemna by being above the problem.
3. Another thing they can do is remove the annoyance of having objects or people in the way of your shot:
Let's face it, most of us have had to deal with the jackass lady with the ipad before that cuts in front of your shot to get her lousy photo. With a drone you don't have to really deal with that as you are above everything. It also prevents conflict breaking out thanks to ones ignorance.
4. Also, drones can take video and have still photos taken out of it: This is very useful for flying drones above areas with lots of trains such as LTEX, NREX, or museums that have too much equipment to record in one shot.
5. Drones can make shots much more interesting for your audiences. Let's face it, I run a page called Worldwide Railfan Productions as well and our viewers are always looking for something new and different than what the competition puts out. If they get bored because our material is getting stale we try to do stuff differently and it tends to gather their interest back into railfanning. Drones can be an excellent source of changing it up by providing unique views that you can't normally get.
Have any other reasons using a drone is beneficial for railfanning? Comment them below!
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