For those who work on the railroad, the term 'foamers' is often used in a derogatory way to describe railroad fanatics. But where does this term come from? Some suggest it is derived from the idea that fans foam up in the mouth when they see a train. Others point to the use of polystyrene foam in the construction of railway models, or the related term Foamite (which stands for Far Out train enthusiast and Mentally Incompeted Train Enthusiast). However, the most likely explanation is that it is related to the sheer volume of trains that pass by.
On some days, up to 100 or more trains can be seen, with a mix of passenger and freight trains. The engines roar and the brakes whistle as each train passes by. It was around 20 or 30 years ago that staff at a famous publisher dedicated to prototypes and model trains began referring to those with an excess of passion as foamers, suggesting they are people who froth through their mouths when it comes to their hobby. Train enthusiasts have been called foamers for decades now, and it's likely that this term will continue to be used for many years to come. Whether it's related to the sheer volume of trains or the use of polystyrene foam in model making, one thing is certain - train enthusiasts are passionate about their hobby!.
