How to do Trainspotting

[Charkebab]

Sorry I didn’t know where to post this. I’m new to train spotting and I’m a little unsure how to start. Do people use log books or do you just use notebooks, is there a timetable for steam trains and if there’s a decent location in Lincolnshire to spot?

 

[Railwaysceptic]

When I did it - 65 years ago!!!! - we all used normal note books. No idea about steam trains now but in my day nearly all the trains on the ECML were steam hauled. Diesel were just beginning to appear. One was a prototype being tested exhaustively. It was called the Deltic diesel.

I'd imagine that Lincoln station would a good place for trainspotting. Spalding too should be pretty good.

 

[PerryPacer]

This website has timings of steam trains on the national network - https://www.railadvent.co.uk/steam-locomotives-on-the-mainline

 

[NoMorePacers]

Sorry I didn’t know where to post this. I’m new to train spotting and I’m a little unsure how to start. Do people use log books or do you just use notebooks, is there a timetable for steam trains and if there’s a decent location in Lincolnshire to spot?☺️

There's a website called Trainlogger that lets you log any train numbers you've seen if you register an account on it (if you have a smartphone with internet access of course).

I believe Barnetby is quite a popular spotting location so you might want to consider a trip there.

 

[NSE]

Welcome to the forums. I’m not a spotter but you can use what you like. Lots of people go traditional with notebooks but I also know many take notes on their phone and keep record on spreadsheets they update later. Some people use voice recording for somewhere like Clapham
Junction for sheer volume. I don’t really know much about steam though. Also Peterborough is a good place to go for a variety of stuff. If you’re south Lincolnshire that’s not a bad place
To
Go

 

[Deepgreen]

Welcome. A question is; what turned you towards train spotting as a hobby? It's less common these days than decades past and it's interesting to know what prompts people to do it today. The other thing is, are you trying to spot as many UK locos/units, etc., as possible, or just what you see locally? There are numerous publications listing all the locos, units, coaches, and even wagons to be found on the network, so you could use those to cross off the ones you see. My father started me off as a boy in about 1970 (just missing the end of steam!) and it's a great way to get to know the railway.

 

[Charkebab]

Welcome. A question is; what turned you towards train spotting as a hobby? It's less common these days than decades past and it's interesting to know what prompts people to do it today. The other thing is, are you trying to spot as many UK locos/units, etc., as possible, or just what you see locally? There are numerous publications listing all the locos, units, coaches, and even wagons to be found on the network, so you could use those to cross off the ones you see. My father started me off as a boy in about 1970 (just missing the end of steam!) and it's a great way to get to know the railway

I just fell in love with trains, my grandad had model trains and had travelled a lot so I think his story’s and models have just made me fall in love! I want to spot as many as possible, I don’t mind travelling but for now I think local spotting would be best as I learn the different types and things!

 

[HST274]

Sorry I didn’t know where to post this. I’m new to train spotting and I’m a little unsure how to start. Do people use log books or do you just use notebooks, is there a timetable for steam trains and if there’s a decent location in Lincolnshire to spot?

I too am fairly new, about 2 years and counting. I started with a battered notebook with a piece of paper taped to the front that said 'Trains and their numbers' but now have moved onto a slightly nicer logbook. However it is completely down to personal choice.

 

[birchesgreen]

I don't "train spot" anymore, take photos instead, but my youth I used to write down the numbers of loco which I had seen and then when I got home I'd underline the numbers in my Ian Allan abc.