I am like you. I have sat near the tracks before to watch trains, and sometimes take a picture or two. It's all just something to do outside, much like a hike or a picnic.
I have learned that the guys that really get into it *really* get into it. That is why they are sometimes humorously portrayed as obsessive fanatics (foamers). The "foamer" culture to me is bizarrely fascinating, and at the same time hillarious. I've never understood the excitement over a photo run by, where hundreds of guys will stand shoulder to shoulder as a train rolls by so that they can all get nearly the same photo from the same angle. There are a few more obsessive than others, and will climb a nearby tree - and that person is often ridiculed by the rest of the foamers (probably out of jealousy because the tree climber is in better shape or younger
). When there is some kind of historical railroad event, foamers will get all worked up about a "night photo shoot" in which they pay money for the privilege of being able to take pictures at night. I find it comical sometimes, but the reality is that this fanaticism pays for the restoration of historic equipment- and that is a good thing. But for me personally, the more interesting image is not so much of the train itself, but of the line of people standing there to take a picture of the train.
Back to your original question - yes scanners help. But I have found that many railfans simply know the railroad they are observing. Through experience they know the best places to go and when the best times of day or year are in which they will see the most trains. For example, one might learn that a particular branch line has a regular schedule and runs trains in the AM only on certain days of the week. Showing up in the PM on the off days would yield squat. If there is a particular line you are interested in, i would suggest finding someone who knows about that railroad to ask when and where is the best time to go. I often see questions posted to forums such as this asking when and where is the best place to take photos of the X railroad in Y location. Railfans are all over the country, and likely you would get a response from someone who visits that track regularly.
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Kevin
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