Train numbers/symbols - Trains Magazine

My railfan experience has gravitated over the years.  Years ago it was taking photos of trains, particularly the locomotives with interesting backdrops such as towers, depots, scenery, etc.

Today it is more about monitoring the railroads thru the web cams and on line scanners and observing the operations.  Thus, I am more of an "economic railfan".  I like to know information such as 1. origin/destination 2.  types of freight being transported 3.  Schedule 4.  Is the train on time 5. Number of cars, tonnage, length, etc. 6.  Possible revenue per train.

Difficult to gather that info, particularly revenue, cars, tonnage, etc....but by observing operations over a period of time, one gets a pretty good idea of how a railroad is operating.  

Train symbols can be gathered on certain wiki pages...just type in CSX train symbols (or whatever railroad).  Listings are provided, but not schedules.

I watch Berea, Oh webcam and listen in on the attached scanner.  Also Deshler...which has a load of info with the train log.  I like Berea better because it has both NS and CSX mainlines.

I keep my own "log" of daily trains observed with time and if time permits the number of cars.  I do this for particular trains such as hot intermodals carrying LTL and UPS/FedX.  Also certain manifest trains such as CSX 368 which carries a large number of lumber racks and refer.  One can sort of monitor the economics of the nation by watching certain trains and car movements.

I have gotten pretty good at identifying trains by symbol number when I turn the scanner down to concentrate on work.  Trains are very repetitive on car types carried and schedules.

Am I a nerd?  Guilty.

ed