help needed identifying train types

[new spotter]

If you are reading this thankyou in advance.

I have a freind who is mad about all kinds of different trains but mainly freight.
I know little or nothing about trains but would really like to be a little wiser so when we travel the uk I can get involved in the chats instead of standing there and smileing.

I know its a big ask and may not be suitable for this forum but if anyone knows where I can find help getting atleast some basic knoledge on trains it would be greatfully received in the form of good websites, books I can buy or even just a few emails.
Thankyou for reading and if you think you can help in any way do not hesitate on contacting me

 

[asylumxl]

Wikipedia would be a good place to start:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_Rail_classes

 

[455driver]

Plenty of books and websites available.

 

[Techniquest]

It does seem likely that the Rail Guide would be a good idea for the OP, although I forget who publishes it. Failing that, picking up a copy of a railway magazine and reading through it may not be a bad idea either.

Freight wise, there's not that much variety in terms of motive power with an awful lot of it in the hands of Class 66 locos. As for the stuff carted around, there's a bit of variety with coal, steel and containers trains across much of the country plus other less well seen things like gypsum and car trains. I'm sure some of us can advise on where to go to see different types of freight, but as a general rule of thumb places like Carlisle, Doncaster and Newport (Gwent) are three of the hotspots across the country for freight.

I sympathise with the issue at hand, I know jack all about aviation and having to pick up bits and pieces as I go along.

 

[Temple Meads]

It does seem likely that the Rail Guide would be a good idea for the OP, although I forget who publishes it.

Ian Allan publishes the 'RailGuide'.

 

[samuelmorris]

If you primarily stay in a particular area - it may prove a lot easier to get to know what serves that area first, before trying to remember the entire country as a whole, which would be a very daunting task to start from scratch.

I don't study freight much so as far as actual wagons go - pass. Locomotive wise it's fairly simple, certainly compare to passenger trains (and the various multiple unit types).

 

[Condor7]

Ian Allan publishes the 'RailGuide'.

This is without doubt the best book for your needs.
It lists every train operating company, and has a colour photo of every locomotive owned by that company along with technical details about each one, and the numbers of each loco in their fleet.

It is published every year and the next edition is due out in the next month or so, and will retail at around £20.
You can however pick up the 2013 edition now for around £12 and for your needs it may not be necessary to have the very latest edition.

Edit: If you go onto Amazon they sell it for £13:40, however if you look at the alternative suppliers (just below where it says how many books are left in stock) you will see '20 new from £9:95' click on that and Booksforlife are offering it at £9:95.

 

[new spotter]

Sorry for the delay in replying. Thankyou for the advice it is greatly received thanks