I used to RailFan all summer at one time. Some of the best times I had was trackside with my Coleman Stove, a pot of coffee and a bag of buns.
Unfortunately 9/11 pretty much changed all that. In most cases you can't get anywhere near the railroads anymore, and if you do, you are always looking over your shoulder. Alas as the old Blues song goes "The Thrill is Gone"
Yes, 9/11 changed many things.
When m kids were very small, we used to take my wife to Newark Airport many Sunday mornings for her work travel.
After the kids had finished running around the entire expanse of the airport, we would go to the adjacent, mostly quiet Port Newark facilities. Complete freedom to go anywhere. We even went aboard a docked cargo ship on our own, and were met with smiles.
No more.
