railfan

R1A1I1L1F4A1N1

noun

A railway enthusiast.

Similar
chuggerferroequinologistgunzelrailbuffrailwayacrailwayisttrainiactrainspotter
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Meanings

nounrailfan (plural railfans)

plural railfans

  1. USA railway enthusiast.

    From my own experience, I cannot say how one becomes a railfan […]

    1975, Paul B Cors, Railroads
    2 more examples

    A previewing railfan pointed out a mistake in the animation showing articulation.

    1961, Augustus Wolfman, Photo Methods for Industry

    A number of US and Canadian book dealers regularly channel British titles to railfan collectors […]

    1989, M Thomas Inge, Handbook of American Popular Culture

    Synonyms: chugger, ferroequinologist, gunzel, railbuff, railwayac, railwayist, trainiac, trainspotter

Synonyms & antonyms

nounA railway enthusiast.

Similar
chuggerferroequinologistgunzelrailbuffrailwayacrailwayisttrainiactrainspotter
Also see
ferroequinologistgricergunzelrailbuffrailwayactrainiac

Origin

From rail + fan.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 鐵道迷 /铁道迷
  • 鐵道迷 /铁道迷 (tiědàomí)railway enthusiast
Japanese 鉄道ファン
  • 鉄道ファンrailway enthusiast
Korean 철도 동호인
  • 철도 동호인 (cheoldo donghoin)railway enthusiast
Cite this entry
APA

railfan. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/railfan

MLA

“railfan.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/railfan. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “railfan,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/railfan.

Source: railfan on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.