I learned a new double word today from one of my students. She was telling the story of how her Dad and everyone on his side of the family (and now she includes herself) are rail foamers, people who are fanatics about trains and train travel. She shared how she and her family take the train to Florida every winter break and take the train to the east coast in the spring.
She said the word is not necessarily a positive description about such lovers of trains because it comes from train workers who see these passionate people as “foaming” at the mouth at the sight of a train. (Obviously rail workers are not foamers.)
So there you are. Who knew?
As for myself, train travel is something I don’t really relish. I’m not comfortable in the seats and am consistently frustrated with the frequent delays.
I save my foaming for chocolate.
Nexus 
I’m torn — my dad was a rail worker, albeit in the form of a railroad cop. I sort of love the idea of rail travel and in Europe have relished the idea of speedy travel between wonderfully exotic and entertaining destinations. My only non-commuter rail travel in the US has involved lots of waiting, and even though I am not uncomfortable, I am often annoyed!
Rail foamers? Okay…I probably save my foaming for chocolate too, but I do understand the fascination with trains. I have friends that have hopped trains and traveled across the country with grocery produce and who knows what. They would take off in the morning and come back a week or two later after quite an adventure. One of my good friend’s mother dropped her kids at school and hopped a train. I think she was suffering from giving birth to 6 kids in 10 years. A train looked like a good place to take a nap. Probably as close as she was going to get to a vacation for a good long time!
Like trainspotters, only they travel?
I love the TGV, fast train, comfortable interior, small table, subtle lighting, electricity point, good coffee, grand views and 300 km/hour. And possible to get a 1st class ticket cheaper than 2nd class if you are lucky 🙂
CANTWAIT
TO
RAILFOAME
ON
JAPANESE
FASTRAIN
I’LL
BRINGTHE
CHOCOLATE