Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this article is not intended to give medical advice.
The coronavirus is leading many businesses and schools to close their doors indefinitely, and it doesn't seem like they'll be reopening any time soon. It's looking like we'll all be stuck at home for the foreseeable future. CDC guidelines suggest staying 6 feet away from those outside your family and practicing "social distancing."
People who gather at their friends' place every week are understandably upset by this. Railfans, on the other hand, are overjoyed to have all this time on their hands. Or should I say, were happy to have all this time on their hands.
Railfanning is usually a hobby that leads to social distancing anyway, because it's usually done alone and us railfans don't have social lives anyway.
However, with many states updating their social distancing guidelines to not let people leave their homes at all, most railfans can't go railfanning anymore. (I so envy you if you have trains in your backyard.)
I'd like to present some alternatives for you. (I'd also like to thank Train Aficionado for the idea for this article).
Model railroading
Rail cameras online
Looking through the Archives
Train Simulators
Model railroading is something a lot of us do. Maybe now's the perfect opportunity to weather that box car or do some landscaping on that field! Or if you're like me, do some work on getting the space of your future layout prepared. If you're tired after a long day, then just relax and run some trains instead. Model railroading takes time, and what better opportunity is there for a whole day's worth of time at once?
Not into the model trains? Why don't you spend some time watching a rail cam? I've put in some time on the Horseshoe Curve camera by Virtual Railfan for some NS power and I caught a BNSF grain train in Washington! You have the surprise factor that comes with railfanning while staying in the comfort of your own home.
Or maybe you have a collection of photos you've been meaning to organize. So now when you want to see or share a certain photo, you'll have a nice and easy way to find it. You can organize videos too with a similar system. Who know's what you'll find? A friend of mine found a shot of an old Conrail unit he took ten years ago!
Finally, Train Simulators can be a fun, relaxing way to recreate the experience of the railroad without leaving your home. You can work on a route, retexture a model, or just run some trains. The possibilities are endless!
No matter what your area has you doing to slow the spread of the coronavirus, be safe. Wash your hands!