Does being called a train spotter offend you (if your just a rail fan)?

[Bangroad]

Not sure if I'm a spotter but since joining the industry I've developed a fascination for trains, I like photography so it seems a good idea to photograph the things and if that makes me an anorak/spotter so be it I really don't care.

Strange but no ones called me a spotter yet? maybe its the shaved head boxers nose and the same dress sense as Travis from the film Taxi driver...lol.

 

[37401]

But you are the one who can remember all the numbers. Hmmmmmmm?

remembering numbers of locos ive bashed doesnt make me a trainspotter
when I take pics of locos I have no idea on the number unless its something like syphon, bomb or a grid (311 or 312 easy to remember easy to tell apart) but thats about it to be honest

 

[Toots]

remembering numbers of locos ive bashed doesnt make me a trainspotter

I'm afraid it does!

 

[Metroland]

I'm very offended by the term trainspotter because it tends to have an image of someone with a narrow interest in numbers, who does nothing all day but standing on platforms collecting them and has no other interest. This has been linked to autism (I scored 10 btw, the average is 16).

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.12/aqtest.html

The reality is most enthusiasts have a broad interest in the subject and many spin off interests (art and design, engineering, history, geography, architecture, politics and so on) and enjoy the social side of meeting up, going on rail tours, model railway shows, preservation so on and so forth. It is absolutely no different from an interest in other transport, especially public transport (such as buses or planes), indeed many of us do like other transport or are taking transport related qualifications.

 

[gordonthemoron]

If...

 

[Drsatan]

If...

Sad but true, given that the police have arrest targets and it's easier to arrest law-abiding people than go after the real criminals.

I haven't been called a trainspotter (yet) but I would be offended if I was called one since I do not stand on the end of station platforms taking numbers. In fact, I hardly ever go to stations with the express intention of taking photos: it's only if something interesting passes through that I might whip my camera out. I prefer to be called a railway enthusiast since I have an interest in the history of railways, as well as geography and railway operations, not just the trains themselves. Since I'm at uni I don't explicitly state that I'm a railway enthusiast when meeting someone: it's only if the conversation drifts onto railways, or if I'm helping someone with a fare enquiry, that I'll volunteer to help, or state that I'm interested in railways. Helping others with ticket related enquiries is useful since fares in this country are way too expensive anyway, and being a student I really like to save money when buying train tickets. If I was to stand on, say, Exeter St Davids station platform with a mate and start frothing at the mouth (or just getting very excited) when an HST pulls in that would look odd.