-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
How do you trainspot
- Thread starter 43021HST
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
anthony263
Established Member
normally when i go out train spotting i just take pictures, although i do take notes occasionally, epescially if its a place i have not been to before.
GNERman
Established Member
I normally do videos and my dad does photos but best places to go are footbridges, stations, fields and lay-bys.
Aussie_Rail
Member
Well I take photos, I dont do the whole sightings thing, but here I log every transport journey I do, and after 2 years its a pain in the butt. Riding a tram one stop is not worth the paperwork lol.
But now that I have a video camera I can take better videos trackside.
AR.
But now that I have a video camera I can take better videos trackside.
AR.
metrocammel
Verified Rep - Retro Railtours
- Joined
- 11 Aug 2005
- Messages
- 954
In the UK, that is not 'trainspotting'! Trainspotters are the people who simply write numbers down, and log them in books. It's an activity that is often ridiculed as it's linked with obsessive disorders. Travelling on trains and logging 'moves' is known as 'bashing'. Again, this can become an obsession, but usually the people who 'bash' are less obsessive than 'platform-end' trainspotters. There are always exceptions to the rule, though. I suppose if you log the trains that you have taken videos/ photographs of, that could be considered a form of trainspotting, though a far more satisfying one in my opinion that simply writing numbers down. The amount of bashers today who started off trainspotting in the 1970s, who now greatly regret not taking pictures or actually travelling on the trains they were spotting is amazing!
90019
Established Member
I take photos and videos. I will have a look at numbers, but I don't note any down (and usually forget them pretty quickly anyway 
)
)
P156KWJ
Established Member
I just phot
FusionRail
Member
I don't do anything to do with trains apart from my job.
P156KWJ
Established Member
despite you going on the odd bash or two 
FusionRail
Member
EE Type 3
Established Member
Phot and film. Only write numbers down if I know I won't remember them. Usually I don't have to as I'm out for special workings most of the time.
37427
Member
I'm my opinion trainspotting is not the same as being a Rail Enthusiast.
Trainspotter's main purpose is to cop numbers, a rail enthusiast's main purpose is to get a photo.
I prefer the photography.
Trainspotter's main purpose is to cop numbers, a rail enthusiast's main purpose is to get a photo.
I prefer the photography.
Not necessarily.
Then you are what many would call a "photter" (as opposed to a "spotter" or a "basher").
Aussie_Rail
Member
Phoenix
Established Member
I Mainly phot but I do get down numbers just so I can compare how many loco's from each class I have seen on the mainline.
Other than that I like the odd bash on a rail tour or a rather more heritage service like anything with coaching stock.
And when I get the money and time I am going to start a model railway.
Finally I occasionally do videos but not all that often just every now and again I'll put all my recent footage into a music video.
Other than that I like the odd bash on a rail tour or a rather more heritage service like anything with coaching stock.
And when I get the money and time I am going to start a model railway.
Finally I occasionally do videos but not all that often just every now and again I'll put all my recent footage into a music video.
Aussie_Rail
Member
So what does the 3rd person do? You only mentioned two roles, but said its a 3 man job?I take the photos, my dad takes the numbers, essential for places like Clapham Junction although really, thats a three man job..!
AR
- Status