7. I am not a spotter I am an enthusiast.
I get what you're saying here but of course, some don't take numbers and many younger fans of the hobby certainly tend not to like the stigma of the 'platform end'. Personally, on the other hand, I really couldn't care less what people think or what stigmas the hobby brings.
I've never made a point of hiding what I do because that's just what ammunition people need to make mindless comments about me being 'sad' etc. Being open about the hobby isn't such a bad thing, after all, people are willing to learn about trains and I'm certainly willing to learn about other people's interests. I went Notts with a friend of mine last Wednesday and I've never seen someone look so scared as when I dropped the door window to get some cool air in!
I digress, I visit Nuneaton station every Monday night- my friends are well aware of this and know that I don't like being disturbed during this time, I take numbers of locos, all units and wagons and photograph anything and everything. I'm 17, been into the hobby for 3 years now and I absolutely love the various trips that I go on and opportunities to meet different people.
Perhaps I've gone off topic a bit but I get really irritated by those who keep their hobby secret because 'people don't accept it'- well bloody well make them and you tend to find that people know the difference between Freightliner and Shenker or an 86 and a 66 faster than you can say 'I like trains.'
In other news I'm a massive geek for Roger Moore and Michael Caine films as well as James Bond and classic cars.
Time to calm down!
Regards,
Bevan, Joseph Bevan.
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