What is the point of rail enthusiasm?

[Harbon 1]

What's the point in liking football?

It's just where your interest lies. I enjoy the photography side, and the going on trains for the type of train that it is side (bashing to the rest on here )

 

[telstarbox]

There is no point to rail enthusiasm. Just as there is no point watching soaps on TV, watching football matches, fishing, playing on an X-Box, or thousands of other things.

It passes the time, and makes the person who does it happy, though I'm not too sure about the latter with some railway enthusiasts.

Took the words out of my mouth! Although the average happiness of those around me has been far higher on train meets than at football matches. Maybe the two groups could do some sort of cultural exchange - Pacer ultras, TOC replica kits, ground/seat bashing (already done by a minority of fans...)

If it doesn't do anyone any harm, what's the problem?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Ah, so you do that too!

I've started ticking them off - only one more until I've got the whole York south platform end lot cleared for sight

 

[Greenback]

Does it have to have a point? What is the point of fishing, gambling, cycling, stamp collecting, etc etc? Different things give pleasure to different people. Takes all sorts...

Exactly! If I was asked this sort of question I would ask what is the point of asking it!

And people like me who are fascinated by timetables?

And me!

Just plain weird.

Very probably!

The point is, it is a pleasurable activity which can be enjoyed. Does there need to be anything other than that!

No!

Most of the things we do in life don't really have a point.

 

[Temple Meads]

Exactly! If I was asked this sort of question I would ask what is the point of asking it!

I've got my answer I think

 

[ANorthernGuard]

I'm stuck in the middle, I'm a railway Guard (obviously) lol who is enthusiastic about the railways, Personally I will never understand the interest in pacers/sprinters etc. etc. or this Trainspotting malarchy my fav is the architecture. But what I see on a day to day basis seems to go against a few "enthusiasts" beliefs. Sadly there are too many people either living their lives with rose tinted glasses or even worse claim that they are 150% unequivically correct (and yes I can't spell after being awake for well over 17 hours) even when you have actually worked the train they are going on about (happened to me twice now over the years). I don't claim to know the ins and outs of what goes on in board rooms and MD's offices etc. but I am entitled to an opinion, I respect others sadly some people don't

 

[Beveridges]

Whats the point of Rail Enthusiasm?
See a Class 56 or 60 thrash out of Peak Forest with 2000+ tonnes of stone for example
Its a hobby like any other its to stop you going insane with boredom. If you dont have hobbies you end up having an extremely boring life watching TV all day.

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Do you think there is another planet with rail enthusiasts ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44DlSj6bnn4&NR=1&feature=fvwp

 

[43167]

Each to their own.

You could ask him whats the point of his hobby whatever that may be.

 

[Condor7]

It makes me happy.

 

[RichmondCommu]

For me more than anything else it's a link back to my childhood and my father and grandfather who were both career railway men. People who enter my office for the first time are often surprised to see railway prints but I see no shame in displaying my fondness for railways. It also serves to express my love of public transport and how important it is to the nation as a whole.

 

[Cable Car]

For me more than anything else it's a link back to my childhood and my father and grandfather who were both career railway men. People who enter my office for the first time are often surprised to see railway prints but I see no shame in displaying my fondness for railways. It also serves to express my love of public transport and how important it is to the nation as a whole.

Respect

 

[ex-railwayman]

The 'point' is, that it's an enjoyable way of spending your hard earned free time outdoors in the fresh air, well, unless you stand next to an old diesel loco and start chewing the fumes.

Cheerz. ex-railwayman.

 

[DiscoStu]

For me, the point was always the sound of old diesel engines. It was also about the character of the railways ... it seemed to be a living, breathing entity with a soul.

Nowadays, I have no real interest in railways. I don't bash, spot, photograph or even log journeys any more .... all the life and soul has been sucked out of it.

I only come on here to reminisce, or to keep up to date with what's going on with new franchises, HS2, or things that may affect me as a passenger in future.

 

[aspierail]

For me i like travelling on different types of trains although my prefer traction is diesel as i like the sound of them and admiring the scenery by looking out the window.

 

[YorkshireBear]

For me, the point was always the sound of old diesel engines. It was also about the character of the railways ... it seemed to be a living, breathing entity with a soul.

Nowadays, I have no real interest in railways. I don't bash, spot, photograph or even log journeys any more .... all the life and soul has been sucked out of it.

I only come on here to reminisce, or to keep up to date with what's going on with new franchises, HS2, or things that may affect me as a passenger in future.

in 30 years i will say the same about the current railway That is how generations work


I agree that what is the point in any hobby. It is for the enjoyment of the beholder. End of.

 

[Pyreneenguy]

For me, the point was always the sound of old diesel engines. It was also about the character of the railways ... it seemed to be a living, breathing entity with a soul.

Nowadays, I have no real interest in railways. I don't bash, spot, photograph or even log journeys any more .... all the life and soul has been sucked out of it.

I only come on here to reminisce, or to keep up to date with what's going on with new franchises, HS2, or things that may affect me as a passenger in future.

Sad, but I have to admit I feel the same way.

My main interest today is railway archeology.

Last year I thoroughly enjoyed a trip to the north Scottish lines and in particular, The Jacobite.

Due to illness/accidents, I've not taken any holidays this summer and I'm busy planning what I could do in the next few months. A french TV documentary series 'Des Trains Pas Comme Les Autres' has wet my appetite.
Perhaps Bolivia, Peru and Argentina , where the 'Tren de las Nubes' climbs to over 4200 m !

 

[GuyBarry]

I read somewhere that the railways tend to appeal to individuals with conditions on the aspergers' spectrum because of the strict routines and concepts used in day to day operation, such as knowing that at a certain time on a certain day, a train will run from A to B, stopping at X, Y, Z stations.

I've never seen any evidence of that. Perhaps they were talking about Switzerland