It was presented by the Mail on Sunday and Wolmar as being some sort of on-train riot, the accompanying article ridiculed diesel enthusiasts and came within a gnat's wing of saying that flailing is nazi saluting.
I was on the train and it was nothing of the sort. There was a fight about something or another and the Police were called, but nothing serious happened. In fact as we were in Doncaster station apparantly waiting for the fuzz, they were busy on board a southbound ECML working chucking off Ipswich Town supporters like it was going out of fashion, but this never got a mention.
Much as it pains me to post anything to do with the loathsome Mail, the article is here. Wolmar subsequently tried to backtrack a bit from his statements, but that's easy after the event.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...asts-facing-ban-claims-yobbish-behaviour.html
To be fair, the only comment ive seen of Wolmars, regarding Peak enthusiasts and nazi salutes, was basically explaining that flailing can look like a nazi salute. I read the comment, looked at the accompanying picture, and saw nothing wrong with what was said at all. OK if you want to be picky, you could probably point to very slight differences, but to the normal person in the street, the comparison he used gave them a good idea what he meant by 'flailing'.
Its perhaps not a nice comparison, but its a helpful one when trying to describe it. Certainly if someone asked me what it was, then id probably say something along similar lines.
As long as you dont take the comment the wrong way (which too many people have), then there is no reason to get upset by it.
Admittedly Wolmar isnt always full of compliments for some enthusiasts, but as long as you realise which enthusiasts he is taking a swipe at, then there is nothing to get worried about. Im an enthusiast, but i dont get upset by his comments, because i know that he wouldnt have any problems with any of my actions, and he is getting at the idiots that act like yobs (and unfortunately there are some about).
Thinking back to Virgins final 47 hauled arrival into Penzance, and what went on during the final hour of that journey. Shouting and screaming in the coaches and out the window, beer cans being chucked out the window, complaints from other passengers of rude enthusiasts, to such an extent that the police had to be called.
Thats who Wolmar is taking a swipe at, and I 100% agree with him.
