Earplugs while Railfanning?

[JohnTrainHead]

A question for those who also enjoy watching trains:

Does anyone else out there wear earplugs while railfanning, or am I the only one? Maybe others aren't so bothered by the noise, but trains have left me half deaf on some occasions; not to mention that I tend to s**t myself when engineers give me an unexpected horn blast.

[EngineerJohn]

Brief exposure to loud noise of a train rushing by for a couple of minutes isn't any big deal. BUT...

Horseshoe curve can be deafening with the wheel grinding through the bend. If you plan on being there for several hours, I would recommend ear plugs then. The streams don't do it justice how loud the friction of metal on metal in a quarter mile long bend can be.

[Terry]

I haven't done any serious railfanning, but I have sat in my car at a crossing (on a straightaway) and it can be loud. Put in those earplugs and save your hearing!

[ForceGhost]

It never hurts to protect your hearing, so if you are feeling you need to wear the plugs then by all means do it.