Having been around some overly enthusiastic railfans I can understand how easily they can be dubbed foamers. Some I've met do give the rest of us a bad name. I can't get excited about getting pictures of every possible engine variation or the whole roster of a given railroad. I avoid those who want to show me hundreds of pictures taken at the same location. When the non-railroader witnesses or hears some of these guys they might think we're all crazy!
Professional railroaders in many instances abhor railfans for their behavior around what is a heavy duty industry and who could be potentially hurt. I personally know some professionals in the industry who have had to eject people from the property. They also have a lot of laughs at the "foamers" during the performance of their jobs.
I'm currently doing research and consulting work with a shortline railroad. The president has laid out some strict conditions about railfans anywhere near the property and giving out any company information for people to post on forums. This isn't anyone's big toy. It's a business like any other.
