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Why you joined these forums?

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NoMorePacers

Established Member
Joined
18 Feb 2016
Messages
1,391
Location
Humberside
Hello forum-goers. I don't know whether or not this thread exists, but if not, then, the key question: What is your story for joining the forums? For me, it was the fact that I could have a place to freely talk about train-related things.
What about you?
 
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RailUK Forums

cf111

Established Member
Joined
13 Nov 2012
Messages
1,346
Something about Datum Plates if I recall!
 

johnnychips

Established Member
Joined
19 Nov 2011
Messages
3,675
Location
Sheffield
Used to go train spotting 1972-6. Had a mate in Nottingham, looked up fare, seemed ridiculous, Googled 'cheap fare Doncaster to Nottingham', never looked back.
 

Gutfright

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2016
Messages
639
I found out about these forums after watching a DLR "cab ride" video on youtube (DLR doesn't have cabs, but you know what I mean).

Anyway, I wondered if the stretch between Canary Wharf and Heron Quays was the shortest distance between two stations in the UK, so I googled something like "shortest distance between rail stations" and it lead to an old thread on these here forums.

It seemed to me like an interesting place with plenty of lively debate, so I lurked anonymously for a while and eventually took the plunge and signed up.

Still, I never did find out which are the two closest stations in the UK!
 

Barn

Established Member
Joined
3 Sep 2008
Messages
1,463
I found out about these forums after watching a DLR "cab ride" video on youtube (DLR doesn't have cabs, but you know what I mean).

Anyway, I wondered if the stretch between Canary Wharf and Heron Quays was the shortest distance between two stations in the UK, so I googled something like "shortest distance between rail stations" and it lead to an old thread on these here forums.

It seemed to me like an interesting place with plenty of lively debate, so I lurked anonymously for a while and eventually took the plunge and signed up.

Still, I never did find out which are the two closest stations in the UK!

I think you just need to look in the other direction: West India Quay must be closer than Heron Quays and (if we count DLR) I can't imagine any closer stations than that.
 

Gathursty

Established Member
Joined
31 May 2011
Messages
2,517
Location
Wigan
A curiosity of overgrown places in Wigan that didn't seem naturally occuring (Whelley Loop / Pemberton - Hindley (Wigan avoider) line) led me to browse RailUKforums before eventually joining.
 

Springs Branch

Established Member
Joined
7 Nov 2013
Messages
1,418
Location
Where my keyboard has no £ key
Back in 2013 I was interested in following the progress of the Liverpool-Manchester/Wigan electrification project - not always easy from the other side of the world.

When I did a Google search, it often brought up the RailUK Forum thread on that topic.

This was a very active and informative thread at the time - it usually gave me the info I wanted, plus other stuff I never knew I was interested in. This led me to exploring other threads in the forum, then becoming a regular lurker and pretty quickly to registering myself and starting to post.
 

Tracked

Established Member
Joined
30 May 2011
Messages
1,242
Location
53.5440°N 1.1510°W
Saw a poster for the North East Rover ticket on Durham station 5 years ago, then found out about the All Line rover, while looking into it I stumbled across this forum :D

Went trainspotting when I was young, the internets & playstations and that not existing back then, got bored of them a bit afterwards and prefer the travel aspect these days but like Springs Branch there's a load of stuff on here I didn't know I was interested in!

Also, I get the odd comment from workmates about going out on the train like it's some weird thing to do. Usually the ones who spend their days off in a shopping centre and their holidays drinking on the same beach for a fortnight :roll: At least here I can blather on about trains and not get that reaction, though I apologise for anyone put to sleep by my trip reports ... :oops:
 

tsr

Established Member
Joined
15 Nov 2011
Messages
7,400
Location
Between the parallel lines
I was asked to take part in a medical trial, assessing the impact of wearing waterproof clothing and consuming tea contained in flasks upon those interested in public transport. This forum was one of the support mechanisms recommended for those involved in the trial. Unfortunately it was quickly noted that I was a poor candidate for the trial because I don't actually like tea and my participation was voided because it was realised that my anorak was actually TOC uniform. As luck would have it, the medical trial company then went bust and sold the forum to Porterbrook, who refurbished it and let me continue for technical reasons which have never quite been established, possibly relating to a legacy wiring loom in the server room.
 
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backontrack

Established Member
Joined
2 Feb 2014
Messages
6,383
Location
The UK
Because I like trains, and I wanted to talk about trains.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Back in 2013 I was interested in following the progress of the Liverpool-Manchester/Wigan electrification project - not always easy from the other side of the world.

When I did a Google search, it often brought up the RailUK Forum thread on that topic.

This was a very active and informative thread at the time - it usually gave me the info I wanted, plus other stuff I never knew I was interested in. This led me to exploring other threads in the forum, then becoming a regular lurker and pretty quickly to registering myself and starting to post.

I started out the same way - different topic (and in 2014, and not in Australia), but found a RailUK thread and soon became a lurker. I don't at all consider myself a hardcore enthusiast, just someone who likes trains and always has.
 
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Gutfright

Member
Joined
22 Jan 2016
Messages
639
I think you just need to look in the other direction: West India Quay must be closer than Heron Quays and (if we count DLR) I can't imagine any closer stations than that.

Nor can I. I'm not sure why I said Heron Quays instead of West India Quay. :oops:
 

507021

Established Member
Joined
19 Feb 2015
Messages
4,670
Location
Chester
I genuinely can't remember, I can't even remember how I came across the forums in the first place.
 

trainophile

Established Member
Joined
28 Oct 2010
Messages
6,183
Location
Wherever I lay my hat
As a passenger whose use of the railways was increasing rapidly, I asked a question on another very popular forum, and someone kindly posted a link to this one. Never looked back since :D .
 

cactustwirly

Established Member
Joined
10 Apr 2013
Messages
7,447
Location
UK
I came across this forum after seeing something from this forum being posted on another forum I use (UKTrainSim)
 

Busaholic

Veteran Member
Joined
7 Jun 2014
Messages
14,029
To have an argument with someone other than my wife!

Seriously though folks, a curiosity about some aspects of railways that I thought could be satisfied, and to an extent have been.

I look at many of the sections, being interested in all aspects of travel, and sometimes feel I can add a little something to a topic, perhaps erroneously. Some members are very knowledgeable, and some most entertaining, and those that are both are worth their weight in gold.
 

ainsworth74

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
16 Nov 2009
Messages
27,539
Location
Redcar
I found the forum through a Google search (for what exactly escapes me now so many years later) but didn't hang around for long. I then joined a few weeks later to enquire whether the markings I'd seen on a rail (something like 5m 25ch) stood for miles and chains as using something as archaic as chains seemed almost unbelievable. Ahh how naive I once was :lol:
 

Cletus

Established Member
Joined
11 Dec 2010
Messages
2,227
Location
Dover
I was looking for ticket information. Registered to ask a question and finally reached 1000 posts today. Could be "established" soon!
 

Calthrop

Established Member
Joined
6 Dec 2015
Messages
3,296
For me, it was the fact that I could have a place to freely talk about train-related things.
What about you?

Pretty much the same with me – I having by chance, a few months ago, discovered RailUK Forums via an Internet link. I have the impression – whether accurate or not – that the railway hobby is less amply served by the Net, than are many subjects which interest people. This would seem to apply particularly to discussion boards; British-centred ones, at any rate. A wild generalisation here: but the picture tends to be got, that many railway enthusiasts are fairly non-social types, into “doing”, rather than yakking about it – thus maybe less of a demand for rail discussion forums, than there is in respect of many other interests?

As regards RailUK Forums, I see myself as outside the norm / just odd, in that I’m not greatly interested in or knowledgeable about the present-day British railway scene: my pleasure is mostly in stuff about past times, particularly re lesser and rural railways; and in railways abroad. There are, however, other participants here who share these predilections – I’ve enjoyed several months to date, of taking part.
 

fowler9

Established Member
Joined
29 Oct 2013
Messages
8,367
Location
Liverpool
I grew up loving the railways, used to go spotting and bashing. Still love the railways. Was on the dole a few years back and Googled something along the lines of "Railway Forums" for something to read. Stuck with it and have read lots of interesting stuff and got some good advice. I have also taken part in some daft arguments. Ha ha.
 

NY Yankee

Member
Joined
26 Mar 2012
Messages
487
Location
New York City
As many of you know, I'm an American (hopefully that changes soon)

I've been a train enthusiast since I was 3 years old. I originally joined a NYC subway-based forum called Subchat. 85% of the people there were friendly and knowledgeable. However, the other 15% were obnoxious and/or bigoted. They called people who disagreed with them stupid and other words that I can't post. They also insulted African-Americans. I was a member of Subchat from 2004 to 2012. After all of the years of cyberbullying, I just got sick of it.

I inadvertently stumbled upon the London Tube Series. After watching all 6 episodes, I fell in love with both the Underground and the city of London. 2012 was also the year where the Olympics took place in London. I quickly realised that unlike NYC, London is a friendly city where everyone gets along, regardless of their skin color. 5 days after I left Subchat, I joined this forum.

I've applied for my passport. If all goes well then I'll visit the greatest city in the world next year.
 

backontrack

Established Member
Joined
2 Feb 2014
Messages
6,383
Location
The UK
I've applied for my passport. If all goes well then I'll visit the greatest city in the world next year.

Indeed! York! :D

Of course your NYC is named after our Y. But they're much different. New Yorkers are very proud of their city; I'm quite proud of my city. Just don't mention the football team.
 
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fishquinn

Established Member
Associate Staff
Quizmaster
Joined
4 Oct 2013
Messages
6,643
Location
Warwickshire
When I had questions about the railways, I'd google them and almost always it'd be the forum that would give answers. After about the 5th time I decided to sign up. And I'm very glad that I did!
 
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