Spotters/enthusiasts and wearing hi vis

[londonboi]

Just wondered why train spotters/enthusiasts feel the need to wear orange hi vi jackets it is really off putting. Only today I was pulling into a platform saw this guy with a orange hi vi jacket on the platform taking pictures then raised his hand as if to say he was acknowledging Me. I understand there passionate towards the railway etc etc but tbh there is no need for them to wear hi vi jackets etc etc. They do not go in the track there on a platform which is a public place. It got me thinking earlier thats all not a rant or anything I am always more than happy at termini to stand a chat away to spotters and enthusiasts as more often than not you always learn something knew and at end day it costs nothing to be polite to a fellow human being. But just the hi vi jacket and vest I feel there is no need for it

Like I say not a rant or anything just wondered why they wear them

 

[Clip]

How did you know he wasn't doing a survey of some sort? When I started In pway years back we always got told to back owledge a driver even if on a platform ?

 

[Scott M]

Maybe some are a bit embarrassed about their hobby (not that there is any reason to be) and so they want to dupe the public into thinking that they are members of staff.

 

[Bromley boy]

Just wondered why train spotters/enthusiasts feel the need to wear orange hi vi jackets it is really off putting. Only today I was pulling into a platform saw this guy with a orange hi vi jacket on the platform taking pictures then raised his hand as if to say he was acknowledging Me. I understand there passionate towards the railway etc etc but tbh there is no need for them to wear hi vi jackets etc etc. They do not go in the track there on a platform which is a public place. It got me thinking earlier thats all not a rant or anything I am always more than happy at termini to stand a chat away to spotters and enthusiasts as more often than not you always learn something knew and at end day it costs nothing to be polite to a fellow human being. But just the hi vi jacket and vest I feel there is no need for it

Like I say not a rant or anything just wondered why they wear them

Definitely should NOT be done, in my view.

Orange hi-vi jackets are the only way of identifying p-way rail staff, from a drivers' perspective. Spotters are rightly accommodated at the end of platforms, or other positions of safety, in standard clothing. From a security and safety perspective, it's vital that non-rail staff do not wear orange hi-vi on railway property.

That said, I'm not sure many spotters actually do this?

 

[Welshman]

Maybe they feel it gives them a kind of kudos, a sense of importance, to be acknowledged by the passing driver.

 

[birchesgreen]

I think it just helps with the fantasy that they are involved with the railway industry in some way.

 

[AlterEgo]

Because they are sad and inadequate people who will never work on the railway. Also, tonezzzzz.

 

[AM9]

Isn't it the rail equivalent of those rather sad individuals that put on a white coat and hang a stethoscope around their necks who think that it makes them look like doctors in a hospital, (not counting those who do it for nefarious reasons)?

 

[AlterEgo]

Isn't it the rail equivalent of those rather sad individuals that put on a white coat and hang a stethoscope around their necks who think that it makes them look like doctors in a hospital, (not counting those who do it for nefarious reasons)?

Yes. In the military they're called Walts.

http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/Walts

 

[WestRiding]

Probably because it makes them feel important in their head. Maybe they get a certain thrill if a passenger mistakenly asks them for train running info, thinking they are an employee.....? HI-VI clothing has become such a fashion trend, that it is becoming meaningless. People even parade them in the pub these days, as if they think the other pub goers are sitting in amazement because someone has a job where a HI-VI is required. Sad. A HI-VI is not cool. If I worked on a station where this happens I would not be very pleased, as it is detracting from the importance of the proper station employee.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Do we know the person in the OP's post wasn't a staff member on their break for instance.

 

[a_c_skinner]

I've been accosted for advice in my navy blue suit (on a GNER platform), in my red fleece (VTEC) and most recently in a yellow HiViz vest (I was on my bike) on Lancaster. I've no idea why someone will wear orange in a public area, all it is likely to do is bring nuisance!

Andrew

 

[zaax]

Probably because it makes them feel important in their head. Maybe they get a certain thrill if a passenger mistakenly asks them for train running info, thinking they are an employee.....? HI-VI clothing has become such a fashion trend, that it is becoming meaningless. People even parade them in the pub these days, as if they think the other pub goers are sitting in amazement because someone has a job where a HI-VI is required. Sad. A HI-VI is not cool. If I worked on a station where this happens I would not be very pleased, as it is detracting from the importance of the proper station employee.

Maybe they should help out at stations like Women's Royal Voluntary Service do at hospitals

 

[RPM]

I agree it can be offputting when enthusiasts wear HV clothing but I don't think there's a lot that can be done about it because orange HV is not exclusive to the railway. I quite often see people commuting in their orange HV workwear and they do look like rail workers until you get close up - I've accidentally waved at orange clad passengers in the past!

 

[DasLunatic]

I've seen lots of people wearing orange - it happens every time Wolves play away from home...

 

[GarethJohn]

Most people wearing high-vis in public on stations are Cyclists who don't want to bother changing for the time they are using a train. Orange also stands out more than Yellow.
I have noticed people with disabilities wear High-Vis certainly those with visual impairments.
Does it bother me? Not in the slightest if someone wants to stand out and be more visible who cares? And since when have trainspotters been a follower of fashion. The fact that it may become associated with them might mean normal people will stop wearing them. Who would want to stand out as a trainspotter?

 

[Mordac]

Maybe they're cycling to and from the station and like to wear hi-viz for safety?

 

[Royston Vasey]

Some of my running routes take me across foot crossings and along roads so usually wear a luminous yellow or orange running top, or jacket in winter... if waiting for a train to pass I will acknowledge the driver out of courtesy when he whistles (as he is required to do) but I'd hate to think he thought I was a spotter wannabe! I don't hang around on platforms though!

 

[Trog]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Conversely has any one else tried shopping in B&Q during their lunch break, if you do it is useful to have a good idea of the store layout?

 

[John Webb]

I've recently been involved in a day at Banbury helping usher people on four tours of the soon to be demolished Banbury North Box. NR insisted everyone wore Hi-viz to identify them as party members as we went through the station barriers and along the platform to the box walking route. On a couple of occasions we waited at the end of the platform while a train departed to avoid the driver wondering where we were going!

 

[al78]

Maybe they're cycling to and from the station and like to wear hi-viz for safety?

I wear a yellow hi-viz jacket when cycling in poor weather conditions (although I've not seen any evidence hi-viz makes cyclists less likely to get hit by a car), and so will occasionally wear it if I am cycling to the station then catching a train. If rail workers are wearing orange hopefully yellow won't confuse them.

 

[The Crab]

There was the report of a photographer standing in a field about 200yds from a preserved line. As the train approached he put on his hi-vis jacket, took his picture and then took off his jacket.

 

[D6975]

I used to have a HV (an Irish one given to me by a signalman)
I used it solely for going round depots, back in the day when this was possible. Most depot foremen wouldn't let you round without one.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Didn't someone out you as not a driver a while back?

How did you know he wasn't doing a survey of some sort? When I started In pway years back we always got told to back owledge a driver even if on a platform ?

When was he outed?

The only time I can say IO have been mistaken for a railway employee was about ten years ago when wearing a blue shirt in London and somebody asked me which platform they needed for a tube train to Embankment

 

[Sprinter153]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Conversely has any one else tried shopping in B&Q during their lunch break, if you do it is useful to have a good idea of the store layout?

I don't wear orange (unless it all goes completely base over apex) but I've had to give up shopping in Asda after work having being asked for all manner of things from haemorrhoid cream to Sauvignon Blanc

 

[DarloRich]

I think it just helps with the fantasy that they are involved with the railway industry in some way.

Because they are sad and inadequate people who will never work on the railway. Also, tonezzzzz.

this. very much this.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Because they are sad and inadequate people who will never work on the railway. Also, tonezzzzz.

A lot of spotters work on the railway - your argument is, therefore, invalid

 

[teslatech]

I don't wear orange (unless it all goes completely base over apex) but I've had to give up shopping in Asda after work having being asked for all manner of things from haemorrhoid cream to Sauvignon Blanc

Happens to me all the time in various shops if I'm wearing a suit. Guess I must look like a manager.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

 

[highdyke]

I've heard tales of people getting false uniforms and going on holiday in them or dressing up pretending to be staff!

There's definitely some spotters circle jerk going on, while it's a really good thing the railway is better regarded these days (at least in spotters circles) unfortunately one train company in particular the uniform is very similar to a leading supermarket! Mix ups are inevitable!

Of course it's not just spotters, well known politicians have been known to don the orange jacket...

 

[Harbornite]

One thing I heard (which has been mentioned here already) is that they do it to get drivers to use their horns. I'd never do this because, quite frankly, it is sad. Saddos and squares are the words that spring to mind.