First post guys so take it easy on me. I am 48 and have just returned to spotting after a 20 plus year gap. I have noticed a few differences (where have all the locos gone?) but am really enjoying it so far. I have spent a few hours on Preston and did a day on the London Midland ranger ticket. I have bought the Ian Allan 2013 Rail Guide and found it to be excellent and informative, though I was initially taken aback by the non-class based format. What is the general view on this publication? I am not bothered with coach numbers (I'm sure a couple of guys on Preston the other day were discussing wagons) but is this the best 'combined volume' you can get. Cheers.
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Spotting Book
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Peter Mugridge
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The Platform 5 Combined Volume lists the entire UK fleet ( including carriages but not wagons ), if that's what you mean.
Haven't seen the other one you mention so I can't comment on that.
Haven't seen the other one you mention so I can't comment on that.
The Ian Allan guide is different from all others in that it lists loco's etc by the train operating company rather than just by class number.
This gives a different twist on 'spotting' as instead of just trying to complete and entire class, you can do it in sections by completing the class for each operator.
The 2013 addition however has come in for some criticism for it's inaccuracies.
The Platform 5 book(s) seems to get the best reviews and seem the most popular, as very comprehensive with photos of each class of loco priced at £18:95.
The NREA 'Spotters Companion' is the cheapest available at £8:95 and fits nicely into your pocket, but has no photos and is a little more stripped back than the others although has what most need and it is easy to carry around.
Also worth checking out is the Inter City Railway Society combined volume starting at £9:50 (£7:50 to members)
The only other one I am aware of is the ST Publications combined volume at £13:00.
This gives a different twist on 'spotting' as instead of just trying to complete and entire class, you can do it in sections by completing the class for each operator.
The 2013 addition however has come in for some criticism for it's inaccuracies.
The Platform 5 book(s) seems to get the best reviews and seem the most popular, as very comprehensive with photos of each class of loco priced at £18:95.
The NREA 'Spotters Companion' is the cheapest available at £8:95 and fits nicely into your pocket, but has no photos and is a little more stripped back than the others although has what most need and it is easy to carry around.
Also worth checking out is the Inter City Railway Society combined volume starting at £9:50 (£7:50 to members)
The only other one I am aware of is the ST Publications combined volume at £13:00.
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Thanks for taking the time to reply guys. Informative and interesting. I really like the Ian Allan Rail Guide and though I wouldn't consider taking it lineside it has helped focus my mind on where I need to travel. The new one is due out in March but not sure there will be enough new stuff in it to justify a purchase.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I highly recommend the NREA book, if you just need all the numbers listed by class and type, it'll do the job perfectly. For £8.95 it's very good value and I use them all the time. I also use ST Publications books and, to a far lesser extent than in previous years, AEB. Platform 5 used to be my preferred choice, but these days I find them too expensive for me. I prefer to spend money on fares than flashy books! 
Never tried that guide the OP refers to, and I wish him a warm welcome back to the scene
Never tried that guide the OP refers to, and I wish him a warm welcome back to the scene
The Platform 5 combined volume is now £18.95! Good grief I'm glad I'm not a spotter these days. (And that is nothing against the hobby as a whole, I bet the multiple unit section takes up most of it, another reason I am not so much of a follower any more).
I highly recommend the NREA book, if you just need all the numbers listed by class and type, it'll do the job perfectly. For £8.95 it's very good value and I use them all the time. I also use ST Publications books and, to a far lesser extent than in previous years, AEB. Platform 5 used to be my preferred choice, but these days I find them too expensive for me. I prefer to spend money on fares than flashy books!
Never tried that guide the OP refers to, and I wish him a warm welcome back to the scene
I forgot about the AEB combined volume at £9:95, so cheers.
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