Where to start?

[Super Sprinter]

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.

 

[ewsdbs]

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.

Me too. 20+ years in the railway and just started to show an interest, mostly on yards and methods of working. Just started posting photos too.

http://s1274.photobucket.com/user/Drive66/library/?page=1

 

[Urban Gateline]

Welcome to RailUK!

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!

You can certainly learn a lot on here just by trawling through threads, otherwise the best bet is to get out there and bash as many lines and stock as possible!

 

[trainophile]

Have a look at the railway magazines in Smiths (other newsagents are available ). My husband gets Modern Railway, and another one that comes out fortnightly I think. Loads of interesting reading in those, not too techie either, as they seem to be aimed at amateur enthusiasts.

 

[asylumxl]

I can't say I hide it, everyone I know is well aware of it. Are you worried about what your friends etc. will think? I'm not saying this is the case, but I'm of the belief if they make something out of it they aren't your friends.

I'd recommend Modern Railways as the above poster did. Modern Railways and Rail are the best railway magazines in my opinion as most others are mostly aimed at people interested in preservation etc.

 

[ScottMathew]

Urban Gateline, not just in the rail industry. I don't tell anyone where I work about my train/rail enthusiasm. It does tend to be something that most people find strange, odd and weird; something that they think only eccentric people are into. Most people cannot understand why somebody would be so excited about, let alone interested in, "just a train".

I have however started posting photos of trains on my Facebook profile, so I'm starting to be not so embarrassed about the whole thing anymore...at the end of the day, if you have an interest, hobby or a passion then why should you care what anyone else thinks about it ?!!!
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Super Sprinter; asylumxl is correct by the way about RAIL being the best railway magazine. I would also recommend this one.

 

[Super Sprinter]

I can't say I hide it, everyone I know is well aware of it. Are you worried about what your friends etc. will think? I'm not saying this is the case, but I'm of the belief if they make something out of it they aren't your friends.

I'd recommend Modern Railways as the above poster did. Modern Railways and Rail are the best railway magazines in my opinion as most others are mostly aimed at people interested in preservation etc.

Thanks for the recommendations.

I presume these can be bought in Smiths?

In terms of me being worried about what my friends think, I am more worried about what the wife would think!

I am a little unsure of how to take the next stop in terms of spotting. I would like to start recording the units that I travel on in a subtle manner......is this possible?

Thanks guys!

 

[asylumxl]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I presume these can be bought in Smiths?

In terms of me being worried about what my friends think, I am more worried about what the wife would think!

I am a little unsure of how to take the next stop in terms of spotting. I would like to start recording the units that I travel on in a subtle manner......is this possible?

Thanks guys!

Yes it can. It's a great magazine in my opinion.

Well your wife should love you anyway and having a like of trains should not change that . I'm sure you've told her worse things before.

I can't say I spot, but why not just take a look as it comes in the station or as you walk past at a terminus and log it down on your phone?

 

[455driver]

Just log them on your phone (as if doing a text message ) and then transfer them to a notebook.

Or be like me, accept what you are and do it in front of people as if you dont give a <cough> what they think.

Its funny when I used to hide it and a mate found out about my secret hobby he started to take the ****, but as soon as I thought "oh sod it" and was open about it he lost interest in taking the wee wee as it wasnt a "secret" any more, I wont mention the fact that every time him and his missus come over for a visit he spends hours playing with my model railway to the point that she is getting a bit fed up with him!

I log everything I ride on including the coach numbers on loco hauled trains.
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I do wonder how many other men like trains (they can weigh 1000s of tonnes or do nearly 200mph, whats not to like) but wont admit it as trains are not cool?

 

[asylumxl]

they can weigh 1000s of tonnes or do nearly 200mph

Same description describes Kim Jong-Un in a plane...

 

[43074]

Todays Railways UK is a good magazine as well as Rail and Modern Railways.

If your looking to find out more about the different types of train, then I would strongly recommend Colin Marsden's 'Traction Recognition' or any of the Platform 5 Pocket Books (and if you don't want anyone to find out about your hobby, the Pocket Books can be concealed in a coat pocket or anywhere else with ease). I found out about a few train types (HSTs, Turbostars, Sprinters etc.) by simply watching the trains at Leicester station.

I'm sure there are many people out there who don't tell anyone about their interest. I've been interested in railways for 10+ years now and I've only just started telling people about it. It can be difficult to hide your interests.

A National Express East Anglia (now Greater Anglia) guard saw me photographing trains at Ipswich stabling point once and told me to 'get a life'. I had a contact in the media relations part of the company and told them. I hear he was disciplined by his manager and I haven't seen him since.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Same description describes Kim Jong-Un in a plane...

excellent.

 

[Super Sprinter]

Thanks for the advice!

It is great having this forum. To be honest I just enjoy the variety of it all and the relaxation of just sitting down on a train watching the world go by.

At the end of the day, we are not harming anyone.

 

[NSE]

I too keep it a secret, I'm not ashamed, its just easier kept quiet. I don't find interest in spotting, so that makes it easier. But, also have a read of Wikipedia pages. That's where I learnt which class was which with regards to classes away from where I live and stuff.

 

[rebmcr]

'Geeky' pastimes are becoming more mainstream. As long as I make it clear I'm not a spotter, and just admire them as pieces of machinery, people tend to accept it.

 

[Bedpan]

Never thought of my hobby as being the slightest bit strange. Reading this thread makes me wonder if railway enthusiasm is some sort of code word for a weird deviant and corrupt pastime from the twilight world!

PS Just to clarify, my hobby is having an interest in railways, not the other pastime that I've been referring to!!

 

[trainophile]

I think Portillo has made it all eminently respectable now, and not in the least weird .

Some people collect used postage stamps :-?. At least we get out and about, see a bit of the country we live in, and get some fresh air!

 

[ScottMathew]

Bedpan, I also don't consider my rail enthusiasm strange or weird. I don't really get why people see it as such or as "geeky" and think we're all a bunch of eccentric sad people.

I see it in the same kind of way as many people love cars, or love motorcycles; I love trains.

I used to feel embarrassed about taking photos of or videoing a train pulling into a station platform (something I do regularly) but now I just don't give a damn! I agree with you Super Sprinter that it's great to have this forum; I only recently found it and am over the moon that there are people that I can share my interest/hobby with, even though it is only online.

I used to worry people on the platform would laugh at me for taking pictures/making a video, but actually you find that most people don't bother, and I don't care anymore anyway. At the end of the day it is them that have the problem, not me or you.

 

[455driver]

PS Just to clarify, my hobby is having an interest in railways, not the other pastime that I've been referring to!!

Yeah course it is!

 

[asylumxl]

Yeah course it is!

That's not what he said last night to me!

 

[Manchester77]

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.

Hello and welcome

Although not always reliable, I started on Wikipedia! I started out as an London Underground enthusiast and it just grew from that. From that it moved onto London Overground and just from there onto National Rail. I would read Wikipedias pages on TOCs, Rolling Stock and then I'd look through google images to see what the train looked like and I just begun to memorise. I know it isn't the best way but it was my way!

And yes I am too a 'secret enthusiast' I'd imagine there are a lot!!

 

[ScottMathew]

Manchester77, I am just getting really fed up of lying to my family that when I go out, I say I am going to go to a nearby town to look in the shops or something; when really I am getting on a train and going to a station for the enjoyment of the train ride and to take pictures and videos of trains at the station I choose to travel to. I'm not coming straight out with it that I am an enthusiast, but have started putting photos of trains that I have taken with my mobile phone on my Facebook page. People will get the hint . I really just don't want to care anymore

 

[Sun Chariot]

At least we get out and about, see a bit of the country we live in, and get some fresh air!

Wise words - just reflecting on what the hobby has given back to me:

1) A love of the British Isles - almost 'adventure spirit' back in the '80s when youth hostelling / rail rover exploring.

2) A really good awareness of Britain's geography and topography. Plus it gives one a fantastic in-built Sat-nav when driving across the country.

3) A respect, appreciation and curiosity for Britain's architecture / infrastructure.

4) A healthy cardiovascular workout. Walking closed railway routes in bracing fresh air!

5) Jovial, inoffensive dialogue with like minded folk - ability to not take life too seriously.

So - put that in your XBox 360...

 

[MCR247]

Manchester77, I am just getting really fed up of lying to my family that when I go out, I say I am going to go to a nearby town to look in the shops or something; when really I am getting on a train and going to a station for the enjoyment of the train ride and to take pictures and videos of trains at the station I choose to travel to. I'm not coming straight out with it that I am an enthusiast, but have started putting photos of trains that I have taken with my mobile phone on my Facebook page. People will get the hint . I really just don't want to care anymore

Ah theres no point lieing to your parents, you might as well just tell them Friends etc I can understand though (as none of mine know!)

 

[ScottMathew]

There should be no reason for anyone to feel ashamed or embarrassed about being a rail enthusiast/train lover. Like trainophile said, at least we get out and about and do some travelling. And I agree wholeheartedly with Sun Chariot, it gives me a sense of pride in Britain and all the wonderful places we have in this country.
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MCR247 Yeah your right, I know. It's just silly isnt it!

 

[NSE]

Oh my parents know, they're used to me travelling somewhere such as Sheffield from Cambridge and for a mid journey call to come Birmingham or Manchester, or even somewhere like Exeter wouldn't surprise them. But you're right, this interest also gave me a fantastic geographic knowledge of the country, although I love reading maps of any kind, to the point when people at uni go "oh I'm from up North, you won't of heard of it" and I can usually narrow it down from near Leeds, to near York, to Harrogate, to Poppleton :P

 

[43074]

For me, rail enthusiasm has given me fantastic geography skills, an appreciation for old buildings and architecture and another hobby in the form of photography.

My family get irritated when I go somewhere (e.g. Ely) and do not see the sights (the Cathedral, Cromwell's House etc.), but I go to see my last GBRf 66 and not to drown my sorrows in boredom walking around a place of worship/historical significance.

As I said in my earlier post, I'm sure there are many secret enthusiasts - I am frequently asked by members of the public about whether there is a special working etc. that I am waiting for. I don't think we are necessarily alone in this often downtrodden hobby.

 

[GatwickDepress]

While I'm more of a traditional spotter perfectly happy to stand at the edge of a platform noting down numbers, my boyfriend prefers to admire the trains. I get to see places I know I'd never normally visit (when would I ever go to Limehouse, Newhaven, or Uckfield under normal circumstances?) and develop a sense of geography along with it.

Luckily I'm from a family with a history of anoraks, so I'm not considered weird!

 

[Super Sprinter]

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?

I have decided to not spot, but to make a note of all trains I actually travel on and see if I can start to clear classes. I think that will take a long time though! I commute daily on 455's and occasionally the odd 377.

I am not quite at the stage where I feel the need to take pictures, but as I get to know the different units that may develop.

Thanks for everyone's input, it is great to have the support.

 

[telstarbox]

Have you got a Railmiles account SS? You can use it to track the units you use and it also records how much distance you've covered, as shown in my signature below.

Example (not mine): http://jordy.railmiles.org/

 

[Super Sprinter]

No I have not.

Is it free or do you have to pay?

Additionally where and how do you create an account?