Are the Railways becoming boring???

[Proud Salopian]

And Coleham will soon have a shed again! Huzzah!

 

[Beaker]

Yes, I much prefer the foreign scene.

 

[EE Type 3]

And Coleham will soon have a shed again! Huzzah!

That it will

Shrewsbury is picking up

 

[Proud Salopian]

That it will

Shrewsbury is picking up

I cannot express the shock and delight of seeing that new shed for the first time a few weeks ago when passing SUB on the train to Bucknell with any of the emoticons available! For how long will the 97/3s be based there for? Will all four 97/3s be based there? And what will happen when they eventually depart? It would be sad to have that shed only in use for a couple of years. later edit - I have found that it has been given depot code SB. (see here)

(I have to admit thinking, when I first saw it, of having an 08 shunter based there, just like in the good ol' days when Shrewsbury had 3! But now I know that up to 4 class 37s could be based there... wow!)

Also - back to the subject of the state of the railways - let us not forget that we have a brand new steam loco on the rails!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00dzz5y/Absolutely_Chuffed_The_Men_Who_Built_a_Steam_Engine/

 

[Techniquest]

I nearly gave up on the hobby on Saturday, I got no Valentas after a monsterously boring journey (not even 221102 from Preston could lift my spirits, nor could finally getting 43306) up to the Tyne Valley, even though some were out. I think Comic Book Guy could easily be found saying:

Worst. Bash. Ever.



I've not given up yet, but it could easily be a New Year's resolution...Too boring the scene is these days.

EDIT: And I've just re-read my post on page 2 of this thread, I'm left here saying "What a load of crepe..."

 

[Aureol]

Railways becoming boring? Yes, it is a load of bull!
Julian, just because one bash doesn't land you with a Valenta PC doesn't mean it's the end of the world. :roll:
If you want Valenta or even VP185, your best bet is the EMT routes, or even Grand Central for Paxman Valenta.
Grow up...

Anyway, as has been pointed out above, the railways definately aren't boring, take the brand new A1 for example along with many other new builds underway.
Also, all the new TOCs cropping up here and there...
It's quite an exciting time actually

 

[jacknottm]

Agreed ! At the end of the day its the same powercar so whats all the fuss about. You'd be moaning even more if they ended up in a scrapyard, at least there garenteed life for at least another 20 years !

 

[LilLoaf]

I think the american trains are a lot better that ours. There is something about travelling down the Calofonia coast on the "surfline", travelling the high speed amtrack service from Washington - New york, Riding the New York City subway on the high level number 7 line through Queens, and not forgetting the mile long freight trains throught the mountains.

Off all i have to say the New York subway is the most interesting operation i have ever seen out of all the metro and subway systems around the world.

And they are so friendly towards train spotters over there aswell.

 

[Crompton Karl]

When i was a kid my father used to preach to me that modern railways were boring - this i was in 1984 and i'd had my first ride up the WCML in a MK2a brake with an 87 powering the train and a ride behind 40122 (D200) over the Settle and Carlisle in compartmented MK1's with Steam Heat.

My dad was became a passed driver back in 1960 so he did 2 years driving steam from Bricklayers Arms and then moved to Hither Green before driving all sorts of locos and Units all over the Southrn region from a number of Depots. I couldn't believe he Labled the Railway i was starting to Adore as Boring - i never understood why he didn't like the Big Diesels and all those loco hauled trains back then. However, he was from a different generation who missed all the atmosphere of the Steam and as he worked with (at the time) the modern Diesel locos and EMU's he found them to be lacking in excitement of when he really got interested in railways.

I suppose the same could be said of the Generation who remember the days of BR - the locos - the slam door stock - the different variety of rolling stock - who now see the trains of today in lacking that atmosphere, i've heard people call the modern trains Plastic Trams with Sliding doors - while i understand where these people are coming from i personally do not agree.

As i said to my father as a young boy its all still there for you to experience, just its slightly changed now being a Rail Enthusiast is what you make of it. I like the British Railways scene yes its different from BR in the 80's but its forward looking and fresh - if i ever want to look back and reminisce i go to a Diesel Gala or more often than not you'll find me chasing the locos in France or Germany or somewhere else in Europe. Everything you want is there in the Rail scene but you just have to look a little harder than you used to or even save up a little and hit the tracks of Europe.

All the best.

Karl

 

[Techniquest]

Railways becoming boring? Yes, it is a load of bull!
Julian, just because one bash doesn't land you with a Valenta PC doesn't mean it's the end of the world. :roll:
If you want Valenta or even VP185, your best bet is the EMT routes, or even Grand Central for Paxman Valenta.
Grow up...

It's not just the Valentas, it's getting the particular ones in whilst one still can. This bash of mine was my last chance to get a Valenta over the Tyne Valley, I'm far from impressed. When you've spent considerable sums of money going after them and not getting one after all, including a rancid overnighter, then you've every right to get annoyed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Agreed ! At the end of the day its the same powercar so whats all the fuss about. You'd be moaning even more if they ended up in a scrapyard, at least there garenteed life for at least another 20 years !

But it's not...

And for 20 years? You must be dreaming...

 

[jacknottm]

Its the same thing but it makes a different noise. Not that i wish to offend any people here that have problems hearing, but what if you were deaf? Would it really make much difference. No.

The fact is that they still are here and going strong, just because someones fiddled about with the insides is no reason to call them boring, they are still the same as before.

However i suppose all of us have opinions that we are entitled too. However some that are expressed sometimes make me wonder exactly what this hobby is all about :roll:

 

[Aureol]

Exactly, Jack.
Being a rail enthusiast I don't get worked up when I don't get what train/loco I want, I just accept it and hope for better luck next time. Example: when I go HST bashing on the MML between Sheffield and Derby, sometimes a 222 will turn up on the service, "damn" I'll think "oh well, I'll get this to Derby/Sheffield and hope for better luck next time" and I'll get on and take a seat and listen to my MP3 player. I don't get all upset about it, that's just childish.
As I said, a HST is a HST, grow up and accept it.

 

[87015]

Exactly, Jack.
Being a rail enthusiast I don't get worked up when I don't get what train/loco I want, I just accept it and hope for better luck next time. Example: when I go HST bashing on the MML between Sheffield and Derby, sometimes a 222 will turn up on the service, "damn" I'll think "oh well, I'll get this to Derby/Sheffield and hope for better luck next time" and I'll get on and take a seat and listen to my MP3 player. I don't get all upset about it, that's just childish.
As I said, a HST is a HST, grow up and accept it.

And is it so difficult for you to accept that to a basher the traction is of primary importance, and that you tend to go out for specific traction?

If a 86/90 turned up on WCML it'd always create a quiet mutter under my breath and often a place on the station bench for half an hour to cover the next service, presume that makes me childish aswell then :roll:

 

[Techniquest]

Well you're not a HST basher or a Valenta crank, so you wouldn't understand...[aimed at Aureol and the other guy before him]
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And is it so difficult for you to accept that to a basher the traction is of primary importance, and that you tend to go out for specific traction?

If a 86/90 turned up on WCML it'd always create a quiet mutter under my breath and often a place on the station bench for half an hour to cover the next service, presume that makes me childish aswell then :roll:

Thank you 87015, you saved me letting rip on the topic. I'd gone out for Valentas, very specifically, didn't get any gen (as I hadn't been online to get the gen, which apparently had been out on Friday night ), spent a fortune going blind and had the worst luck possible. So I'm acting childish. Right...

Might have to buy you a pint/can of beer or lager next time I see you 87015!

 

[eezypeazy]

I got no Valentas after a monsterously boring journey up to the Tyne Valley, even though some were out.

Which Tyne Valley HSTs were you on? I was on the 0844 ex Carlisle, 1017 ex NCL and 1207 ex Carlisle. I photographed the 1430 ex NCL west of Prudhoe, which was following the RHTT.......

Regards

eezypeazy

 

[Techniquest]

0802 Carlisle to Newcastle (300+306), 1017 Newcastle to Carlisle (306+300), 1207 Carlisle to Newcastle (312+208) and 1527 Newcastle to Carlisle (314+307) for me. Saw Valentas out and about, but couldn't get on them due to delays or no gen

 

[Mike McCormac]

Railways boring? No. I've been a follower since the mid 1960s. Change is constant, and it's always been constant. As a photographer, to me trains are about movement and people. And that means it'll keep on changing. Doesn't matter if its a Black 5, a 50, an HST or a 390 - they've all got that certain something that makes us keep going back.

 

[EE Type 3]

Railways boring? No. I've been a follower since the mid 1960s. Change is constant, and it's always been constant. As a photographer, to me trains are about movement and people. And that means it'll keep on changing. Doesn't matter if its a Black 5, a 50, an HST or a 390 - they've all got that certain something that makes us keep going back.

That is exactly why I don't think its boring

Bashing isn't what it used to be, but photography, which I turned to a few years back, is even better than before, alot more colour and shapes and sizes

 

[Proud Salopian]

Congrats on your 1000th post!

I'm more into the infrastructure and activities of the railways and so these days it's all pretty good going with investment finally being made in nearly all spheres of the railways in Great Britain.

 

[Julian G]

i don't think the railways are boring considering the variety of trains that we can see nowadays. I mean even in 2008 you can still see a couple of 37s and 31s out and about doing freight workings etc

 

[Spaceflower]

Well, I must admit, the railways aren't what they used to be when BR was around................

http://www.babydeltic.com/gallery/img017.jpg

 

[EE Type 3]

i don't think the railways are boring considering the variety of trains that we can see nowadays. I mean even in 2008 you can still see a couple of 37s and 31s out and about doing freight workings etc

One thing about these days is you have to travel half the country just to get them, theres never really any booked work that runs most days of the week. We're travelling more these days for alot less, traction wise. But usually its worth it

 

[Julian G]

One thing about these days is you have to travel half the country just to get them, theres never really any booked work that runs most days of the week. We're travelling more these days for alot less, traction wise. But usually its worth it

I see what you mean, i like travelling across the country and explore new places whenever I get the chance to. I went to Bescot back in May and was stunned to see the amount of trains i saw there (3 47s and Serco 31s 5 times!) I understand that 2008 won't give you everyday Deltic/Western/Roarers services but at least we can make do with we've got like railtours which give some of the folks a good reminder of the good old days

 

[EE Type 3]

I see what you mean, i like travelling across the country and explore new places whenever I get the chance to. I went to Bescot back in May and was stunned to see the amount of trains i saw there (3 47s and Serco 31s 5 times!) I understand that 2008 won't give you everyday Deltic/Western/Roarers services but at least we can make do with we've got like railtours which give some of the folks a good reminder of the good old days

Agreed, I like the travelling and when you bag that fantastic shot of that rare working you really do feel top of the world (I do anyway )

Haven't spoke to you in a while Jules, hope your ok