Hallo everyone. I'm David.
I've been a member of the forum since 2009 but have rarely posted, although I am a regular reader of the forums. My lack of direct participation is for multiple reasons : endless difficulties in logging in, crap IT, plus - as an amateur enthusiast - I am never quite sure how much value I can bring to the threads.
But I love the forum and want to pay tribute to the incredible knowledge and expertise here. I now have a shiny new laptop so hopefully - with a bit more confidence - I will be a bit more active in the future.
Unlike many I was not an enthusiast as a kid, but it slowly developed during my adult years, particularly when I became a Southeastern Sidcup line commuter in the early 1990s. I remain fascinated by the Dartford lines and re-wrote some of their Wikipedia entries a couple of years ago (hopefully improving them).
I have been a subscriber to Modern Railways since the early 1990s and still find that (and Rail and Today's Rail UK) enjoyable reading. I love combative writing and am a great fan of Roger Ford and Ian Walmsley !
I have recently began to take an interest in the preserved / heritage scene although modern rail remains my main interest.(Despite having lived on the south east London / Kent borders for over 20 years it was only a few months ago that I made my first trip on the Spa Valley, my "local" preserved line - although I have been a fan of the Epping & Ongar since it opened (I originally came from Central Line territory - Loughton in Essex).
I love reading about railways and have built up quite a big library. Visits to Robert Humm's shop are lethal and I usually come away much poorer ... (Does anyone remember a secondhand rail bookshop in Charlotte Place near Tottenham Court Road ? I remember going there in the 90s and buying up back issues of Modern Railways).
Anyway there are a few more details :
Occupation : Civil servant (but not for much longer, voluntary redundancy at the end of next month).
Favourite Lines : The three Dartford lines, East Coast Main Line, Barking to Gospel Oak (for 6 months in 1992 I lived next to it in Walthamstow), the GN & GE Joint line.
Favourite Rolling Stock I have a soft spot for 465/466 'Networkers' despite their many drawbacks, Class 357s, any DMU.
Despite being predominantly a fan of the modern scene, I am increasingly interested in rail history. So much so that I have recently enrolled in a Postgraduate Diploma in Railway History run my the university where I graduated in History in the 80s (York). Hopefully this will keep my busy when my 30 Civil Service career ends ....
That's all for now.
I've been a member of the forum since 2009 but have rarely posted, although I am a regular reader of the forums. My lack of direct participation is for multiple reasons : endless difficulties in logging in, crap IT, plus - as an amateur enthusiast - I am never quite sure how much value I can bring to the threads.
But I love the forum and want to pay tribute to the incredible knowledge and expertise here. I now have a shiny new laptop so hopefully - with a bit more confidence - I will be a bit more active in the future.
Unlike many I was not an enthusiast as a kid, but it slowly developed during my adult years, particularly when I became a Southeastern Sidcup line commuter in the early 1990s. I remain fascinated by the Dartford lines and re-wrote some of their Wikipedia entries a couple of years ago (hopefully improving them).
I have been a subscriber to Modern Railways since the early 1990s and still find that (and Rail and Today's Rail UK) enjoyable reading. I love combative writing and am a great fan of Roger Ford and Ian Walmsley !
I have recently began to take an interest in the preserved / heritage scene although modern rail remains my main interest.(Despite having lived on the south east London / Kent borders for over 20 years it was only a few months ago that I made my first trip on the Spa Valley, my "local" preserved line - although I have been a fan of the Epping & Ongar since it opened (I originally came from Central Line territory - Loughton in Essex).
I love reading about railways and have built up quite a big library. Visits to Robert Humm's shop are lethal and I usually come away much poorer ... (Does anyone remember a secondhand rail bookshop in Charlotte Place near Tottenham Court Road ? I remember going there in the 90s and buying up back issues of Modern Railways).
Anyway there are a few more details :
Occupation : Civil servant (but not for much longer, voluntary redundancy at the end of next month).
Favourite Lines : The three Dartford lines, East Coast Main Line, Barking to Gospel Oak (for 6 months in 1992 I lived next to it in Walthamstow), the GN & GE Joint line.
Favourite Rolling Stock I have a soft spot for 465/466 'Networkers' despite their many drawbacks, Class 357s, any DMU.
Despite being predominantly a fan of the modern scene, I am increasingly interested in rail history. So much so that I have recently enrolled in a Postgraduate Diploma in Railway History run my the university where I graduated in History in the 80s (York). Hopefully this will keep my busy when my 30 Civil Service career ends ....
That's all for now.
