Phil6219
Member
I think perhaps this illustrates one reason why spotting is not so popular now, aside from social attitudes, and that is the lack of variety across the network. While 20 or 30 years back you could travel the land and find different classes in different regions, all with a bit of noise and clag, now the only 'variety' is whether your humming yank tank comes in red or green Passenger stuff is increasingly in the hands of units of one type or another, and even what's left has been toned down you might say; HST's losing their screaming Valenta lumps, 47's turning into 57's, etc.
Humming Yank Tanks also come in Blue, Grey and a nice Orange & Yellow ensemble
I agree that there is too little variety these days, along with that there are considerably less freight workings too.
As for me, well I was a spotter when I was younger realistically from 1991 until I lost interest in 2000. I gave up mainly because my interest shifted into aviation but also because my Grandad was not able to come along any more. My interest was rekindled in 2010 thanks to an incident in work where myself and someone else happened to mention the railways. Now I'm back, I shoot video and do hang out at stations (usually Wigan NW), I also volunteer on a preservation railway and really enjoy it.
I had problems when I was younger for my hobby, it was high school and was to be expected really given that out of nearly 700 pupils I was the only one with an interest in the railways. Annoying really considering that I actually was very low key and kept my interest to myself. When my interest sprung back in 2010 I had a few people taking the p*ss but nothing sinister behind it, if anything I started to play along and work it up a bit and announce my intentions for "traction packed" days off. The difference is that aside from the more mature environment with adults I've also bulked up.
I feel bad every day though for loosing my interest when I did, as I missed out on so much during the dying years of proper traction and that even though I was old enough to go further afield on my own I never did and thus I never got as much as I could. Oh for a time machine eh?
I've not really had any problems when out on the station, Wigan NW seems to accommodate enthusiasts and spotters (even the really weird ones) a few funny looks maybe from passengers but nothing bad. I had someone stand in my shot on purpose once (as in platform edge, arms folded looking at me smirking) but I sorted him out (thanks to the bulking up & general look of anger) in time to get my shot of the steamer come through.
Phil