Foamers?


jacon12

Member
I must have been asleep when this one came about, but what does the word foamer mean as it relates to trains and how did it originate?
Jarrell
 
Here are a couple of definitions from our very own Glossary. (See link at the top of the page.)

Foamer: Railfan that behaves unsafely on or near RoW. Probably also a FOMOR.

FOMOR: Foreign Object Meandering On Right-of-way, such as a cow, trespasser, foamer railfan, etc.

Another definition I like is from Henry Kisor's 1994 book, Zephyr: "...a species you'll find everywhere flanged wheel encounters steel rail. A foamer "bubbles at the lips when discussing his favorite subject --- trains."

You won't find any of those around here, of course. :D
 
Lady_Railfan said:
Another definition I like is from Henry Kisor's 1994 book, Zephyr: "...a species you'll find everywhere flanged wheel encounters steel rail. A foamer "bubbles at the lips when discussing his favorite subject --- trains."

I loved that book. Read it in college. Liked the way he goes behind the scenes. Makes you appreciate the onboard staff even more.
 
Foaming Over At the Mouth Excited Railfan is the definition I've read.
 



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