My idea for a Rail Enthusiasts Register

NicButcher1977 · 14 Apr 2017

I am wondering if anyone would welcome the idea of having either a regional or national wide register of Enthusiasts which could be given to TOC's Network Rail and other operators to help them to Identify which of us are genuine and which are not, the scheme could include a membership card idea so that station staff know who we are and why we are there

If this gets the go ahead I would be looking to hopefully have someone to become a contact for the TOC's or Network Rail to help them to identify who is genuine and what their choices are, such as HST fans, those who like Departmental stock, those who like different classes of Locomotives etc

I am open to idea's and feedback from anyone who works for a TOC

RailUK Forums

theironroad · 14 Apr 2017

NicButcher1977 said:
I am wondering if anyone would welcome the idea of having either a regional or national wide register of Enthusiasts which could be given to TOC's Network Rail and other operators to help them to Identify which of us are genuine and which are not, the scheme could include a membership card idea so that station staff know who we are and why we are there

If this gets the go ahead I would be looking to hopefully have someone to become a contact for the TOC's or Network Rail to help them to identify who is genuine and what their choices are, such as HST fans, those who like Departmental stock, those who like different classes of Locomotives etc

I am open to idea's and feedback from anyone who works for a TOC

Who's going to set up and run the register and who is going to pay for it and the staff needed?

How do differentiate between those who are 'genuine' and who is not? Would there be some sort theoretical and practical test?

It's not going to happen.

306024 · 14 Apr 2017

Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm but why would a TOC care exactly? What would they do with this information? If you hope they will put a HST on the 12.00 Liverpool St to Norwich for example you may be a tad disappointed.

NicButcher1977 · 14 Apr 2017

theironroad said:
Who's going to set up and run the register and who is going to pay for it and the staff needed?

How do differentiate between those who are 'genuine' and who is not? Would there be some sort theoretical and practical test?

It's not going to happen.

The register would be set up by us and managed by appointed people within our community,

A genuine spotter is one who acts in an appropriate manner and doesn't cause any disruption or has to be ejected

I am hoping to get a test run done to see if the idea would work

One idea I have is to introduce a card scheme which lets station staff know who we are and why we are here

theironroad · 14 Apr 2017

NicButcher1977 said:
The register would be set up by us and managed by appointed people within our community,

A genuine spotter is one who acts in an appropriate manner and doesn't cause any disruption or has to be ejected

I am hoping to get a test run done to see if the idea would work

One idea I have is to introduce a card scheme which lets station staff know who we are and why we are here

I think you're intentions are good and it's not impossible. Self policing of the rowdier and more disrespectful enthusiasts would be good, but i just don't think you're going to get any widespread acceptance by the tocs/nr/ rdg (rail delivery group), if any, unless there is a big problem at a specific location.

NicButcher1977 · 14 Apr 2017

306024 said:
Sorry to dampen your enthusiasm but why would a TOC care exactly? What would they do with this information? If you hope they will put a HST on the 12.00 Liverpool St to Norwich for example you may be a tad disappointed.

Would you like to have a bunch of out of control hooligans running around your platforms causing havoc? If the TOC has a list of those who are known to be genuine spotters they can identify who is who and the information could be used to weed out the "bad eggs" the register could become a positive tool for US as we would be safe in the knowledge that we are welcomed and the TOC's wouldn't have to worry about US being a nuisance

As for the HST comment I was saying that there various enthusiasts that like various rolling stock such as HST's as an example

If an enthusiast is made to feel welcome there is a chance that they could post about there time at a station, which others will read, go to said station and therefore giving the TOC good publicity as well as extra revenue

NicButcher1977 · 14 Apr 2017

theironroad said:
I think you're intentions are good and it's not impossible. Self policing of the rowdier and more disrespectful enthusiasts would be good, but i just don't think you're going to get any widespread acceptance by the tocs/nr/ rdg (rail delivery group), if any, unless there is a big problem at a specific location.

I am hoping for a meeting with an area manager of one TOC to hopefully get the green light for a trial run of the scheme and another TOC manager is interested in what I am proposing

The problem I think I will have is with NR and the BTP although if we work with them they could accept the idea

The only TOC i have had major problems with is Southern, who seem to have a total hatred for us and see us as a nuisance

steamybrian · 14 Apr 2017

Sorry but I cannot see this working.
1. As well as names would it contain addresses, telephone numbers, etc. I do not want my personal details circulated.
2. Such a register would have thousands, hundreds of thousands of names and who would continually update it.?.
3. Many of the stations have limited staffing hours or no staffing so such a register would have no value.
4. What checks would be made to ensure any names added to such a list are genuine. Your average hooligan could say he is an "enthusiast" . His name would be added to the list and when he gets into trouble it then give the hobby a bad name.

RichmondCommu · 14 Apr 2017

What would be your criteria for the identification of "genuine" rail enthusiasts?

Dr Hoo · 14 Apr 2017

There are, of course, numerous 'station adopters', 'friends of [anytown] station', Community Rail Partnerships, etc. that have 'membership' and TOC recognition. Perhaps some as yet unenrolled 'enthusiasts' could join these and do a bit of gardening or other useful activity whilst waiting for their favourite HST to pass.

Joe Paxton · 14 Apr 2017

When I first saw the thread title I wondered if it was some sort of joke along the lines of the sex offenders register.

Darandio · 14 Apr 2017

RichmondCommu said:
What would be your criteria for the identification of "genuine" rail enthusiasts?

And is there some sort of induction involved whereby you are graded on your enthusiasm before being accepted?

Some sort of test could be set up in different locations around the country. Take Northallerton for example, when a HST passes at 125mph the enthusiasts could be graded on their behaviour, how close they get to the platform edge, how many times they jump up and down and how many 'horn' signals they make.

squizzler · 14 Apr 2017

Would it be a proper club with constitution, finances, newsletter and stuff like that?

Dr Hoo said:
There are, of course, numerous 'station adopters', 'friends of [anytown] station', Community Rail Partnerships, etc. that have 'membership' and TOC recognition. Perhaps some as yet unenrolled 'enthusiasts' could join these and do a bit of gardening or other useful activity whilst waiting for their favourite HST to pass.

I reckon that route sounds more promising - as an umbrella organisation for bodies assisting with local lines or national interest groups we are probably members of already. When you deal with your annual subs, just check a box on the form to be put on your database (presumably a glorified mailing list shared amount interested parties). I've got a membership card for my local line travellers association, don't need another. Job done.

eastdyke · 14 Apr 2017

mmmm ....

As a teenager I was a member of my local Land Transport Society.

On a trip to the north-east our group (including officers of the Society) visited various MPD's with permits. Permits could not be had for Gateshead '52A' but that did not stop us entering and getting about half way round before being ejected.

Railway security is rather better now but boundaries will still be pushed. We trespassed 'responsibly'.

My point is that the administration of any such 'Rail Enthusiasts Register' would be enormous and would not enable any TOC or the BTP to balance that with a reduction in resource.

SPADTrap · 14 Apr 2017

Isn't there already a similar register?

RichmondCommu · 14 Apr 2017

Darandio said:
And is there some sort of induction involved whereby you are graded on your enthusiasm before being accepted?

Perhaps you need to wave your arms up and down whilst trying to get your head knocked off by a passing train / signal.

PaxVobiscum · 14 Apr 2017

Joe Paxton said:
When I first saw the thread title I wondered if it was some sort of joke along the lines of the sex offenders register.

"...found in possession of 73,963 photographs of locomotives and complete trains, some over 100 years old. Over 37,000 of the images were in the most tedious category."

steveandrews · 14 Apr 2017

I am amazed at the level of negativity in this thread. Obviously getting this idea off the ground is both time intensive and complicated. Currently I live in Germany but will be retiring back to the UK within the next year. I will be very happy to help out on this project.

Perhaps some practical and positive suggestions wouldn't go amiss!! The benefits should be obvious to all.

It might not work but it shouldn't be for a lack of trying. Add me to (probably) short list of interested individuals.

PaxVobiscum · 14 Apr 2017

steveandrews said:
...It might not work but it shouldn't be for a lack of trying. Add me to (probably) short list of interested individuals.

Despite my attempt at humour above, that goes for myself as well.
Can you call it something else though?

Cowley · 14 Apr 2017

PaxVobiscum said:
Despite my attempt at humour above, that goes for myself as well.
Can you call it something else though?

Well I thought it was funny

The idea reminds me of the old Rail Riders club a bit.

AlterEgo · 14 Apr 2017

How are you going to stop "bad people" from signing up to the register? If you can't answer that question, scrap the idea.

61653 HTAFC · 14 Apr 2017

SPADTrap said:
Isn't there already a similar register?

Wondered how long that would take...

Peter Mugridge · 14 Apr 2017

SPADTrap said:
Isn't there already a similar register?

There is something along these lines for aircraft enthusiasts in the vicinity of Heathrow isn't there?

But that's one location, managed locally, with a relatively small number of people involved.

I do get where the OP is coming from and it has been debated many times; the stumbling block is the sheer number of people involved, that it would be nationwide and that, as I see several poster have already touched upon, results in an immense administrative effort at great cost.

ChiefPlanner · 14 Apr 2017

Done in the past - Ian Allan

https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2004/feb/15/magazine.features7

Trainspotters weren't always thought of as anoraks. They were quite respectable in the Forties, Fifties and Sixties, especially after an incident in 1944, when spotters laid pennies on the tracks of the West Coast mainline at Tamworth, so that passing trains would flatten them; we formed the Ian Allan Locospotters' Club to keep them in order. Members had to sign a pledge of good behaviour on railway property. We ended up with 260,000 members and took them the length and breadth of Britain by Ian Allan steam specials. ...

Bertie the bus · 14 Apr 2017

This idea is pointless and intrusive. If people behave badly they should be dealt with appropriately but people who refuse to sign up to a register, or more likely have never heard of it, shouldn’t be excluded from a perfectly legitimate and harmless hobby.

I'm also unsure who appointed the OP our representative. Was there some kind of ballot I missed?

DarloRich · 14 Apr 2017

Spotters on railway property with an id card - dont male me laugh!

I have no problem with a railway club or society but a national spotter registration card is frankly bonkers and completely pointless and a recipe for a data management disaster

district · 14 Apr 2017

I can just see hordes of people at barriers waving their spotters ID cards demanding entry!

eastdyke · 14 Apr 2017

district said:
I can just see hordes of people at barriers waving their spotters ID cards demanding entry!

Whilst hordes of non-spotters with forged ID cards are causing mayhem on the platform?

507021 · 14 Apr 2017

It's certainly a different idea, but it isn't one I think could or would work. It would cost a sizeable amount of money to start up and then subsequently maintain, and there's the matter of who (it would need more than just a few people) would maintain it in the first place. On top of all that though, I just don't think a registered list of rail enthusiasts is actually necessary.

My idea for a Rail Enthusiasts Register

New Member

RailUK Forums

Established Member

Established Member

New Member

Established Member

New Member

New Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Member

Established Member

Forum Staff

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Established Member

Established Member

Veteran Member

Member

Established Member

Established Member