Lost interest

[LilLoaf]

Is it just me or are railways really boring at the moment?

Over the last 4 mounths or so i've totally lost interest in trains / railways. Bit of a problem as i'm due to start conductor job next year (apparently Long story). Its got to the point where i'm really not bothered if i get the job or not. I work in a call centre at the moment and its ok really easy money but not what i want to do at all. I like the idea of bus driving but i wouldn't last 5 mins doing that.

In terms of the hobby my last train outing was last day on the Oldham loop, which i found ok but was starting to get bored after the 3rd train of the day. The last one was fun as everyone was jumping on and off and i was "tipse" anyway so it was a good one.

I've been all over the country on the trains and been to varies open days, model shows, and done a few ALR trips. I've wrote a few books (nout to make a fuss about just little articals to keep me busy). So i'm just wondering will i get the buzz back in me for trains or have i grew out of it completly.

 

[Techniquest]

That would depend on what got you interested in the first place. Find out what that was, then you'll know if you get an interest again or not.

In a scene that changes all the time which is capable of throwing you some surprise workings, it's hard for the scene to stay boring for long. Maybe even try something different (like if you've not gone linesiding before, try that for a few hours on a few occasions at different spots and see how it goes, for example) to re-ignite your interest.

 

[Metroland]

Is it just me or are railways really boring at the moment?

Over the last 4 mounths or so i've totally lost interest in trains / railways. Bit of a problem as i'm due to start conductor job next year (apparently Long story). Its got to the point where i'm really not bothered if i get the job or not. I work in a call centre at the moment and its ok really easy money but not what i want to do at all. I like the idea of bus driving but i wouldn't last 5 mins doing that.

In terms of the hobby my last train outing was last day on the Oldham loop, which i found ok but was starting to get bored after the 3rd train of the day. The last one was fun as everyone was jumping on and off and i was "tipse" anyway so it was a good one.

I've been all over the country on the trains and been to varies open days, model shows, and done a few ALR trips. I've wrote a few books (nout to make a fuss about just little articals to keep me busy). So i'm just wondering will i get the buzz back in me for trains or have i grew out of it completly.

Try something further afield (say Europe or America) or have a look at a different era? I guess its hard to explain just what inspires us all, you just have to see what happens I guess. Interests tend to be organic. I must admit, I'm getting more and more into steam and model railways, I don't have the interest for the modern railway I once did.

 

[berwickspotter]

Is it just me or are railways really boring at the moment?

Over the last 4 mounths or so i've totally lost interest in trains / railways. Bit of a problem as i'm due to start conductor job next year (apparently Long story). Its got to the point where i'm really not bothered if i get the job or not. I work in a call centre at the moment and its ok really easy money but not what i want to do at all. I like the idea of bus driving but i wouldn't last 5 mins doing that.

In terms of the hobby my last train outing was last day on the Oldham loop, which i found ok but was starting to get bored after the 3rd train of the day. The last one was fun as everyone was jumping on and off and i was "tipse" anyway so it was a good one.

I've been all over the country on the trains and been to varies open days, model shows, and done a few ALR trips. I've wrote a few books (nout to make a fuss about just little articals to keep me busy). So i'm just wondering will i get the buzz back in me for trains or have i grew out of it completly.

This is why i have never herd from you in age's mate
All i can say is i was the same when class 37s 56s and 60s were fading out in the North East and 66s took over everthing i lost interest and gave the hobby up it was only 2 year ago when i got back into it and i wished i had never been away. anyway start coming to some locations with me in 2010 and i'll see if i can get you hooked again

 

[313103]

Well if you are starting a job on the railways, your losing interest at the right time. Many, Many staff start of with a interest in the railway, myself included, but the fact you have to deal with difficult passengers, difficult managers and to a point difficult members of staff. Then there is the getting up / getting home at 02.00 (not just a jolly sitting at Crewe for a bit of spotting etc once in a blue moon) but most days soon puts an end to your enthusiasm anyway.

Your enthusiasm may of waned because of many things, to me it would be that everything is very much of a muchness now, very little choice unless you like class 66s in different garbs then there isnt much choice. I dont really know why you may have lost interest, but perhaps having more then one hobby outside of railways could help you get your interest back.

BTW what company have you applied for to be a conductor? I am one on London Overground, perhaps we could have a chat. As i dont want to seen as putting someone off.

Keith

 

[Geezertronic]

Maybe a break is required. Sometimes too much of something stifles the imagination. Maybe the love will come back after a break from the scene.

 

[AlexS]

I do apply for work on the railway now and but I'm not that bothered any more for some reason whether I get it. I think my office job is a bit too comfortable even if it does mean permanent 5am wakeups.

I have a nice balance at the moment of spending weekdays working and earning and my weekends helping to keep a railway moving.

I have the odd foray on 'the big railway' when Network Rail have something they want to get rid of signalling scheme wise and that suits me fine.

 

[Drsatan]

Is it just me or are railways really boring at the moment?

Over the last 4 mounths or so i've totally lost interest in trains / railways. Bit of a problem as i'm due to start conductor job next year (apparently Long story). Its got to the point where i'm really not bothered if i get the job or not. I work in a call centre at the moment and its ok really easy money but not what i want to do at all. I like the idea of bus driving but i wouldn't last 5 mins doing that.

In terms of the hobby my last train outing was last day on the Oldham loop, which i found ok but was starting to get bored after the 3rd train of the day. The last one was fun as everyone was jumping on and off and i was "tipse" anyway so it was a good one.

I've been all over the country on the trains and been to varies open days, model shows, and done a few ALR trips. I've wrote a few books (nout to make a fuss about just little articals to keep me busy). So i'm just wondering will i get the buzz back in me for trains or have i grew out of it completly.

You could always focus on preserved railways, given that some preserved railways operate quite a wide range of traction and tend to be a bit friendlier than mainline railways. Sometimes you need a break from 150s, 158s and so on and need a good run behind 60019, a 52, or a 37!

 

[Zamracene749]

[The last one was fun as everyone was jumping on and off and i was "tipse" anyway so it was a good one.]

There you are- you answered your own question!

Combine trains and fine ales in the uk, or better still go to europe and combine fine trains and fine beers- proper loco thrash with opening windows, excellent high speed services, superb pilsners and specialist beers, great food and all at a far cheaper price than the uk!

 

[LilLoaf]

Off course this might just been down to the fact that i've been really busy at work recently and not had time to think about trains never mind go on them or watch them. I've read my train mags each week but never seem to find anything interesting in them. I'll still go and meet varies people who are spotting around my local area but don't go on my own anymore. I was going to take a few days holiday and have a run around on my favourite trains Northerns DMU around the North West and the XC down to Birmingham. However with work as busy as it is i need all the hours i can get. I'm on a 64 hour week at the moment and next week is going to be a 50 hour and still climbing, with that in my mind where is the time?

 

[Drsatan]

I'm on a 64 hour week at the moment and next week is going to be a 50 hour and still climbing, with that in my mind where is the time?

If you're becoming dissatisfied with Britain's railways (like myself) you could try driving trains that you like, to places that you want to go, by buying MSTS or RailWorks. I'd recommend MSTS since that doesn't place so many demands on your PC and there are lots of free locomotives, items of rolling stock and routes available for download at www.uktrainsim.com. To get unlimited download speeds you'll need to pay a subscription fee of £3 a month, which is less than a pint in most pubs these days.

Or, if you're still stuck for inspiration, try going abroad. Buy an InterRail pass and spend a few days travelling around Europe and see how railways should be run!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

I lost interest when I started working the platforms.

 

[graham125hst]

Maybe a break is required. Sometimes too much of something stifles the imagination. Maybe the love will come back after a break from the scene.

I am hoping that will work with one of my other hobbies, Rollercoasters.

I have just lost all interest in them at the moment, there are two reasons I think for that. Firstly the rollercoaster forums seem to be full of people who have petty arguments and dont respect opinion at all. Something I have not noticed on here so far thankfully. Secondly in May we went to the USA for two weeks and did the worlds greatest rollercoasters at Six Flags Great Adventure, Holiday World and Cedar Point. After those Alton Towers and Blackpool Pleasure Beach seem like park rides sadly.

But less time with theme parks means more time pursuing this interest

 

[GB]

I lost interest when I started working the platforms.

Its funny. ive been working on the railways for over 6 years now and my interest and enthusiasm has pretty much maintained at a steady level. I guess Im lucky in the respect I actually like (usually) what I do... which in turn I believe makes me better at my job and of course makes it a hell of alot easier.

 

[poshbakerloo]

I've become more interested in railways recently. I've always liked em since I was a lil boy, but now I'm 'older' (19) I like em even more lol

 

[theblackwatch]

I think a hobby only becomes boring if you have a narrow interest - ie someone who only bashed 47s or 90s isn't going to find a lot of interest nowadays. Similarly, if you only go spotting, bashing, photting (or whatever) you may well find yourself trying to do the same thing all the time and get bored. If you broaden your horizons, there is actually plenty (or too much!) to do. In the past few weeks, I've done a day on a preserved railways (90 miles with a Class 20), a tour getting some new track in the North East, another tour for a day out behind 37s to Scotland, a farewell tram event in Blackpool, and photographed around 7 tours withing 20 miles from home in the past week. Hardly 'boring', apart from the 2 weeks I was laid up ill!

As a couple of people mentioned, try going aborad for some variety. I've done Portugal (even had EE power built in the UK!) and Germany and both were good holidays.

 

[33056]

Having been "into" railways for more years than some people on this thread have been on this earth I fully agree with this statement;

I think a hobby only becomes boring if you have a narrow interest.....

.

Thinking back over the years, my railway interests have changed many times and, just when I think that maybe I'll take up stamp collecting or whatever instead, something else turns up to draw me back into the hobby.

 

[SouthEastern-465]

Every once and a while everyone looses interest but they probally just need a break from railways but the enthusiasm will soon come back dont worry.