GUNZEL - question

I'm curious,Here down under (Oz) the saying "GUNZEL" is cropping up a lot.
No one here seems to know actually what it means, or, where it came from originally.
So out of desperation have dropped a note here that maybe someone here can shed some light on it for me.The nearest I can find so far is.
Gunzel
(1) n. Railway enthusiast.
Originally derogatory, refering to overly enthusiastic or foolish railfans (c.f. US "foamer").Here it is being used as referring to a normal everyday railfan. (not "foamer" as in U.S. lingo)Please no stupid remarks, only enlightened answers need apply.
Thanks in advance for any help given.Regards,
John.

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RE: GUNZEL - question., ASR_Q301, Dec-17-03, 06:11 PM, (1) RE: GUNZEL - question., jm1941, Dec-17-03, 06:49 PM, (2) RE: GUNZEL - question., ozinoz, Dec-17-03, 07:39 PM, (3) RE: GUNZEL - question., rowie_nq, Dec-18-03, 02:26 AM, (4) RE: GUNZEL - question., Boweavel, Dec-18-03, 03:33 AM, (5) RE: GUNZEL - question., IcyFire, Dec-18-03, 01:54 PM, (7) RE: GUNZEL - question., nadnerb1982, Dec-18-03, 01:02 PM, (6) RE: GUNZEL - question., jm1941, Dec-18-03, 05:37 PM, (8) RE: GUNZEL - question., ASR_Q301, Dec-18-03, 06:16 PM, (9)

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John, Here in WA, "Gunzel's" refer to normal railfans. You dont have to be a foamer to be called a gunzel. The term "gunzelling" refers to railfan trips to a particular location.I hope this helps mate! >Mike Forster<
Perth, Western Australiapacificnational_nr103@hotmail.com

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Thanks Mike,
I already knew this, was the reason for my maybe stupid question.Here down-under the term "foamer" is never used, actually I was quite taken aback when the TS Forums first got going way before MSTS was around and I read the word "Foamer". ("foamer" not a nice name at all) I have never heard it used here in Oz and I was in railways most of my life. Retired now.What I would like to know is where the name "gunzel" came from.
How did as was quoted: Gunzel: Originally derogatory, referring to overly enthusiastic or foolish railfans (c.f. US "foamer") become now to mean for want of correct word a "normal railfan" and not some over zealous annoying equivalent to US foamer.It looks like originally it was a termed used to refer to a likeness to a US foamer. The reason for my curiosity is "Why would a person call oneself a "gunzel" which in reality means, like a foamer. (a US term)Somewhere along the line the term has been changed to mean something nicer. "A railfan"Regards,
John.

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G'day mate from Adelaide I guess it it one of those terms that is used, but nobody can put an accurate heritage on it. It is similar to the UK expression "Gricer", which means the same as "gunzel", although to be honest, I have only heard the "gunzel" expression in the eastern states, predominantly Victoria. From my Uk experiences / friends over there, to be a gricer / to go gricing, is part way between gunzel and foaming.The vagaries of the "english" language Sorry, but doesnt help much...Cheers

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From the Dictionary of Unusual Sexual Terms:GUNZEL: A passive, orally oriented, male homosexualWhich is why I call myself a railfan, or a foamer, when chasing GE's

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Cant say ive ever heard of this word Gunzel before.. Why cant people just speak normal these day and just say 'Railfan'.. sheeezzz Catchya's

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Us Americans use the word foamer all the time, I consider my self a foamer, and so do many others, really I don't find it offensive, I actually think it sounds better then "railfan"Shawn Kenselaar, shawnssk@yahoo.com
Texture Toucher & Ad designer for TKW & YLW, Forum Mod. Feel free to e-mail me.
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From what I understand, it was a term coined by train drivers. It does NOT mean a normal railfan. A Gunzel is so obsessed by trains, that he has no girlfriend and no interest in the opposite sex, they carry around notebooks to list the number of every wagon in every train they see, they usually do something foolish in order to get "that perfect shot" (eg stand in tunnel portals, climb barbed wire fences) etc etc etc. It basically describes someone who is just about sexually attracted to trains.The aus.rail newsgroup has had threads on this previously.
Above - A Fishtank crossing the Coathangar

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Well this is rather enlightening so far.
Found out a bit more, thanks fella's.Ozinos, Thanks mate. I'm from the Mount Gambier, just SE of you. Interesting bit about "Gricer"
Gunzel just may have roots from that. I noted in my checking so far Gunzel seems to have originated in Victoria.rowie_nq You cracked me up on that one.
Yikes,,, No wonder I'm questioning what a Gunzel is. I'm definitely not one of those from the "Dictionary of Unusual sexual terms" More reason I'll definitely stay well away from Gunzel. Just an old fashioned "Railfan" will do for me nicely.Boweavel I agree with you on this one. But everyone to their own I suppose, but then I belong to the "old farts club", in other words, too old fashioned. IcyFire Well their you go, it's how one sees it in their own mind, so its seems to be a personal thing as well.nadnerb1982 Hmmm I think you are close to what a GUNZEL is, normal Railfan first part of your answer.
Your 2nd part of answer of a gunzel doing foolish things (at times illegal) to get that perfect shot. Now I can see now how in my original post it stated, gunzel connected to a foamer.
Gunzel (1) n. Railway enthusiast.
Originally derogatory, referring to overly enthusiastic or foolish railfans (c.f. US "foamer"). This part now makes some sense.Now to see where it originated from, which seems to be Victoria in Australia, but may have roots from the English "Gricer".
Stone the crows,,, this is something like my wife doing her genealogy. Thanks again.
Regards,
John.

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>Which is why I call myself a railfan, or a foamer, when chasing GE's LOL!! Same here mate! Give me an NR, P Class, EL, GL or 2800 any day over this GM junk!! <waits to be flamed> >Mike Forster<
Perth, Westen Australiapacificnational_nr103@hotmail.com

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