Where to start?

[telstarbox]

£4 or £6 for a year.

http://thomas-cairns.co.uk/railmiles/

 

[Strat-tastic]

This is a Railaholics Anonymous thread Hello, I'm Martin and I.... like railways. * Rounds of applause ensue*.

Didn't the term anorak come about from spotters on platforms wearing them to keep out the weather?

As for being embarassed/concerned about what people think, I try to live life by the maxim 'Your opinion of me is none of my business', which it isn't.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Well I actually recorded my first train traveled on for the first time today - 455 811 (just read that these are over 20 years old - Hoping to get a 455/7 soon) - Are 455/7 units used by Southern?

Southern exclusively use the /8s; SWT have all the variety, with /7s, /8s, and /9s in their pool. Southern do operate 456s which sometimes replace booked 455s, so there's a chance of an entirely different class altogether.

Just 45 more Southern 455s to go.

 

[Super Sprinter]

Southern exclusively use the /8s; SWT have all the variety, with /7s, /8s, and /9s in their pool. Southern do operate 456s which sometimes replace booked 455s, so there's a chance of an entirely different class altogether.

Just 45 more Southern 455s to go.

Yes, I have been on the odd 455.

They are uncomfortable, you end up playing knock knee with the person sat opposite!

 

[317666]

I've been interested in railways all my life, although I tended to keep it a secret in school. Different people find different aspects of the scene interesting. Personally I'm into railway photography, as well as just riding on trains and enjoying it really. I normally note down the numbers of trains I've been on, although I don't do traditional trainspotting (writing down the numbers of trains I see). However, I'm sure there are others who enjoy doing that and maybe don't enjoy photography so much, as they say it takes all sorts!

As for railway magazines, I would personally recommend Today's Railways. I have read Modern Railways, but I find that Today's Railways seems to be aimed more at the enthusiast. Plus, it contains updates to the Platform 5 Pocket Books, which are well worth having if you ask me.

 

[wbbminerals]

For me, the hobby is just going out, playing about with the camera taking pictures and often having a good time with friends. I don't really see how it's sad - though admittedly it can be boring at times with little freight/variety of trains at the moment.

 

[swcovas]

Hi All,

I am quite new to the whole rail scene and am quickly catching the bug!

I am eager to learn more about all the different types of rolling stock, lines, latest developments etc. Where is the best place to start?

Additionally, I am a secret enthusiast. Are there many of you who keep this to yourself?

If this is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it.

I am an avid rail enthusiast AND an avid football fan. Strangely many of my fellow rail enthusiasts are also football nutters but I never seem to go to footie matches and meet rail enthusiasts!

 

[Super Sprinter]

Well I have now recorded three units!

Are all the 455/8's operated by Southern? Personally I think it is a good commuter train, plenty of seats but also a lot of free space for standing.

Out of interest, does anyone know of a train spotter who actually never liked travelling on a train?

 

[deltic1989]

I can't help but have a little giggle at this thread. Some of the posts sound as if we are professing our love for some strange or objectionable type of pornography .

I have never really felt the need to hide my enthusiasm. My family are very accepting.
Mrs D even let me take her to the Fab 4 event at Barrow Hill on her Birthday last year.
My family take advantage by using me as a free route planning service.

To summarise don't hide in the tunnel, step out into the light.......We have cookies

 

[The Decapod]

Books, magazines and the internet are good places to start.
There is so much to learn about railways that nobody could know everything! Wikipedia is a good first port-of-call when researching any topic. There are also a lot of videos on YouTube that show how things work or how they're made.
You could break your study down into categories such as:

Railway history - worldwide and the UK.

Railway technology and operation - how steam / diesel / electric locomotives work, plus multiple units, carriages and wagons, track, signalling and other infrastructure.

Railways in your locality - go into the history of the lines in your area in more detail - including any that are closed and returning to nature.

Armed with a bit of knowledge, you could join a local heritage railway as a volunteer and start, like everyone does, helping with basic jobs and then gradually acquiring skills and experience while soaking up more railway knowledge. And if you're a volunteer at a heritage railway, you won't feel the need to keep your hobby a secret any more!

 

[NSE]

Nah, Southern- /8's
SWT- /7's /8's and /9's

 

[Searle]

I can't help but have a little giggle at this thread. Some of the posts sound as if we are professing our love for some strange or objectionable type of pornography

Well, while we're confessing...

 

[LE Greys]

I can't help but have a little giggle at this thread. Some of the posts sound as if we are professing our love for some strange or objectionable type of pornography .

I have never really felt the need to hide my enthusiasm. My family are very accepting.
Mrs D even let me take her to the Fab 4 event at Barrow Hill on her Birthday last year.
My family take advantage by using me as a free route planning service.

To summarise don't hide in the tunnel, step out into the light.......We have cookies

You're evidently luckier than I. My family generally just don't talk about it, and I've had it made very clear to me not to discuss it with most people. When out and about somewhere, I usually only talk about railways when with fellow enthusiasts or preserved line volunteers. So, when at somewhere like Didcot I can spend hours sitting at various places talking about various lines, engine histories, steam driving and so on, when with family or non-enthusiast friends, I'm playing a different character. It's similar with pen names, if I ever get a railway book published, I'll stick with L.E. Greys (and see how many readers spot the anagram) rather than one of my other names.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Books, magazines and the internet are good places to start.
There is so much to learn about railways that nobody could know everything! Wikipedia is a good first port-of-call when researching any topic. There are also a lot of videos on YouTube that show how things work or how they're made.
You could break your study down into categories such as:

Railway history - worldwide and the UK.

Railway technology and operation - how steam / diesel / electric locomotives work, plus multiple units, carriages and wagons, track, signalling and other infrastructure.

Railways in your locality - go into the history of the lines in your area in more detail - including any that are closed and returning to nature.

Armed with a bit of knowledge, you could join a local heritage railway as a volunteer and start, like everyone does, helping with basic jobs and then gradually acquiring skills and experience while soaking up more railway knowledge. And if you're a volunteer at a heritage railway, you won't feel the need to keep your hobby a secret any more!

I'll definitely agree with all of that. Almost any preserved line will have a second-hand shop, so there's a good place to look. Also, try the local library under 'transport', 'engineering', 'history' or 'local history'.

 

[Super Sprinter]

You're evidently luckier than I. My family generally just don't talk about it, and I've had it made very clear to me not to discuss it with most people. When out and about somewhere, I usually only talk about railways when with fellow enthusiasts or preserved line volunteers. So, when at somewhere like Didcot I can spend hours sitting at various places talking about various lines, engine histories, steam driving and so on, when with family or non-enthusiast friends, I'm playing a different character. It's similar with pen names, if I ever get a railway book published, I'll stick with L.E. Greys (and see how many readers spot the anagram) rather than one of my other names.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I'll definitely agree with all of that. Almost any preserved line will have a second-hand shop, so there's a good place to look. Also, try the local library under 'transport', 'engineering', 'history' or 'local history'.

That is a shame.

I am not sure how mine would react, but hopefully in a better manner than that.

 

[LE Greys]

That is a shame.

I am not sure how mine would react, but hopefully in a better manner than that.

And people wonder why I'm so screwed up. That's one of the main reasons.

 

[Beveridges]

Additionally, I am a secret enthusiast. Are there many of you who keep this to yourself?

I certainly keep it to myself, as in the Railway industry (well at least in the busy London area) most people are laughed at or ridiculed if they mention their enthusiasm to their colleagues!

Its quite simple what to do in this industry.

Keep it to yourself when you are only around non enthusiasts. By that I mean don't talk trains to them. Still feel free to read railway magazines, browse rail websites on your laptop, watch rail dvd's on your laptop regardless of whos around.

Feel free to watch that rare loco move passing the depot. unless it compromises the safety of what your doing in your job.

" Don't give a s**t " is the best attitude. Just keep it to yourself and don't bore them to death about railways (unless its related to the job) because they are not interested.

If you are around other enthusiasts then feel free to talk about trains regardless of who else is around within hearing range.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I don't really see how it's sad - though admittedly it can be boring at times with little freight/variety of trains at the moment.

couldnt have put it better myself

I don't go "spotting" anywhere anymore. I have no need to, seeing what job I come from. Like you said its not sad but its boring at times as there is a lot of waiting around nowadays for what little there is of interest.

 

[317666]

Are all the 455/8's operated by Southern? Personally I think it is a good commuter train, plenty of seats but also a lot of free space for standing.

455801-846 are operated by Southern, and 455847-874 are operated by South West Trains

 

[Super Sprinter]

455801-846 are operated by Southern, and 455847-874 are operated by South West Trains

Well I mainly travel on the Southern ones, two a day!

I did 455 846 yesterday, the last Southern operated one.

Should clear all the Southern ones hopefully!

 

[Frosticles]

Loving some of the replies here

When I was at school it was almost the norm to have an interest in trains (School was right next to the ECML). Everyone was open about it. (Late 70's/early 80's). I stopped spotting around 1984ish & never bothered with anything rail wise until January this year when I started taking pics after buying a good camera. I still have no interest in spotting IE Number Crunching but do take a note of all numbers I have pics of.
Doesn't bother my wife really as her brother was my best mate at school & also spotted. My daughter though, finds it hilarious!!!!
Personally, I couldn't care what anyone thinks & have gone through my entire life with this attitude (Ex-Punk )

 

[David]

Some people collect used postage stamps :-?.

Nowt wrong with that hobby, as it's something that I do as well. I'm not sure of the exact value of my collection, as I haven't checked values recently, but at the last check, it was well in excess of £10000, considerably more than what I've spent on it.

 

[317666]

Should clear all the Southern ones hopefully!

You'd be surprised how long it can take, eventually when you get down to only needing five or so more the same few always turn up every time!

 

[NSE]

This is certainly a cheaper interest than my other, playing guitar. I could bore people to death about various tunings that I found interesting. Swings and roundabouts ennit

 

[PhilipF]

Interesting thread!

I've run a small farm all my life - so virtually no time away whatsoever. However since becoming "leisured" close to 18 years ago :cry: both my wife and myself have taken to rail travel. Done a lot of "rovers", the first being around Wales when I did manage to wangle the time off. Quite a few others since - North of England, and Scotland being two of the best.

Last few years become very keen on European Rail travel. Done some in Spain, including the metre guage along the north. France also. Longest being a journey starting at Cherbourg, via Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Through Demark, then Stockholm and the "Inlandsbannem" up past the Artic Circle, then back down through Norway and home with a final tour through Demark.

Needless to say i'm a reader of the Platform Four rail magazines, just started a sub. for the English monthly. Long time reader of the `European one.

Philip.

 

[trainophile]

Welcome PhilipF, you've come to the right place!



I treated myself to a boxed set of four DVDs plus a magazine, entitled Beeching's Legacy, on sale in WHSmiths today for £9.99. Looking forward to watching/reading them, but we haven't got our DVD player set up at the moment so it may not be immediately. Wondered if anyone else has bought this set, and what they thought of it?

 

[ScottMathew]

@ trainophile, I saw those in WH Smith but didn't get them. Wish I had now. I am sure when you get DVD player set up, you will enjoy it.

 

[NSE]

I really want a DVD called 'Endless hours of busy slam door NSE scenes through major stations, particularly focusing on the 421/423 classes heading through Croydon and Clapham and the Essex Thameside slam door stock out of Fenchurch Street, sandwiched between fantastic shots and clips of Network South East stations and Trains in their heyday and any other old glimpses of Network South East right up and too and during privatisation' and I want it to come on a HD version of the screens that still occasionally hang up in certain stations and come with a seat from the 423 first class compartment.

I guess I can buy rail magazine instead

 

[Birdbrain]

I really want a DVD called 'Endless hours of busy slam door NSE scenes through major stations, particularly focusing on the 421/423 classes heading through Croydon and Clapham and the Essex Thameside slam door stock out of Fenchurch Street, sandwiched between fantastic shots and clips of Network South East stations and Trains in their heyday and any other old glimpses of Network South East right up and too and during privatisation' and I want it to come on a HD version of the screens that still occasionally hang up in certain stations and come with a seat from the 423 first class compartment.

I guess I can buy rail magazine instead

Brilliant! I would buy that DVD!

 

[daddy_badger]

Fairly newish - just wondered what trait would you need to be a closet enthusiast? I've been trying to get work in the railway industry for years now and starting to worry I may be a closet enthusiast...

 

[LE Greys]

Fairly newish - just wondered what trait would you need to be a closet enthusiast? I've been trying to get work in the railway industry for years now and starting to worry I may be a closet enthusiast...

Well, you might have a large collection of American wardrobes, preferably with skeletons or repressed homosexuals in them...

 

[daddy_badger]

Well, you might have a large collection of American wardrobes, preferably with skeletons or repressed homosexuals in them...

Thank you - I deserved that . I haven't got as far as recording rolling stock yet. Though I am subscribed to some online rail mag, purely for the jobs (of course) and news. Oh and a member of a rail forum and travel by rail when it's viable.