Good topic IMO.
I don't railfan nearly as much as I did 10 or 20 years ago, but most of my troubles related to driving and cars. Once I was returning at nightfall from railfanning Brownville Jct when I came upon a large group of moose in the road. Moose are hard enough to see at night as it is, but in this instance an oncoming car had his highbeams on which were blinding me. At the last moment one of the moose was silhouetted in the car's headlight and I slowed in time. I flashed the other car to warn him, but he never slowed down or dimmed his lights. I don't think he even saw the moose or how close he was to colliding with them.
Most of my driving troubles are the other idiots behind the wheel.
I have had a few car troubles while chasing trains, and of course they are usually on quiet dirt backroads. Dead battery, failed alternator, flat tire, and at least once locking my keys in the car. Never got stuck or an accident, but I sure have gotten the car muddy or dusty and scraped the bottom more than a few times. I've encountered some people in "awkward situations" on some of those remote dirt roads. It embarrasses me more than them I think.
Police always seem interested in inquiring why I am parked in the dark with my lights off near tracks, but they have always been professional when I gave them a polite and honest answer. The only problem is they usually come just as the train I have been waiting for hours finally arrives so I can't give it my full attention.
A couple of times I have been trackside when a flatcar with loose metal strapping came flailing by. First time was a bulkhead with lumber (remember those?) and the second was last year at the east end of Waterville Yard with a flat of plate steel. I was on adjacent restaurant property so I was not in danger, but it would have been serious injury because that stuff is sharp.
I have had an occasional encounter with loose dogs, but never got bit or attacked. I would go sit in my car until it got tired of me.
Largely my experiences have been positive. I have seen wonderful sights of nature and rural vistas. I love exploring new back roads. I love the peace and quiet of simply waiting for a train, listening to the sounds of birds, watching wild turkeys, deer, foxes, etc. The only time have heard whip-poor-whils was while railfanning. i have met a lot of nice railroad people, some of whom I have helped give a ride to in certain circumstances.