Train spotters

[Barry Izbak]

On the way up to Brentford on Saturday I was amazed to see that the phenomenon that is the Trainspotter is alive and well, and residing on the end of Clapham Junction Station on a Saturday morning. Baffling really. But they seemed happy with their notebooks, jotting down numbers of the most unremarkable collection of rolling stock on the way into and out of London to suburbia.

Now I like a train - as long as its not called First Capital Connect - and would thoroughly recommend a day out at the National Railway Museum, or Sheffield Park, but what are these people on? One of em had a kid with em. Now that can't be healthy can it?

On the other side of the coin, I was on a train going through Newport on the way to the Arsenal/Saints FA Cup Final a few years back, with a ticket in my pocket for which I had paid north of £200. The collected fans on the train were taking the piss loudly of the geeky trainspotters at Newport Station - until someone on board pointed out that we had travelled hundreds of miles and spent sickening amounts of money to watch a football match.

The train went distinctly quiet, as we privately wondered who the real mugs were.

 

[GT49er]

Not hugely interested in the stuff that rolls through Claphham Junction these days myself - but surely it is a sign that all is not yet wrong with the world when young kids are still train-spotting on platform ends?
Beats smoking crack and robbing, doesn't it.

 

[clapham_gull]

Not hugely interested in the stuff that rolls through Claphham Junction these days myself - but surely it is a sign that all is not yet wrong with the world when young kids are still train-spotting on platform ends?
Beats smoking crack and robbing, doesn't it.

Saw an unexpected steam train chugging through there a few weeks ago on the way to work.

 

[defrocked priest]

Not hugely interested in the stuff that rolls through Claphham Junction these days myself - but surely it is a sign that all is not yet wrong with the world when young kids are still train-spotting on platform ends?
Beats smoking crack and robbing, doesn't it.

or quitting school and shagging your cousin, ...lala you know how it goes.

 

[GT49er]

or quitting school and shagging your cousin, ...lala you know how it goes.

Deoends what your cousin(s) look like I suppose....in my case, I much preferred the option of staying in school!

 

[Cantona's Flying Dropkick]

A couple of seasons ago whilst returning from Walsall on the Wednesday after the 2-1 win, there were trainspotters at Bescot Stadium station! What were they hoping to see? The Flying Scotsman? Weird, the lot of them.

 

[BHAboi]

arnt all trains the same? might get a bit boring after a couple

 

[7:18]

arnt all trains the same? might get a bit boring after a couple

I don't really understand what all the fuss is about either, how does this "trainspotting" work?

 

[Beach Hut]

Saw an unexpected steam train chugging through there a few weeks ago on the way to work.

There was a steam train after the Brentford game that went through Clapham Junction, very impresssive as well.

 

[goldstone]

In the days of steam it was a worthwhile hobby. So many different types of steam locomotive to "spot".

Now that all the multiple units look the same it appears to be a very sad pastime.

 

[Kent Seagull]

There was a steam train after the Brentford game that went through Clapham Junction, very impresssive as well.

That would have been the £3 million worth of brand new replica locomotive Tornado which recently featured on Top Gear with Clarkson, probably why so many people were about to see it.

 

[Icy Gull]

In the days of steam it was a worthwhile hobby. So many different types of steam locomotive to "spot".

Now that all the multiple units look the same it appears to be a very sad pastime.

As is spotting Eddie Stobart trucks, what's that all about?

 

[gullshark]

I remember waiting at a level crossing just outside Canterbury that had a bunch of people set up with cameras around it, some train went past, they all took pictures and started high fiving each other and hugging... odd.

 

[Beach Hut]

That would have been the £3 million worth of brand new replica locomotive Tornado which recently featured on Top Gear with Clarkson, probably why so many people were about to see it.

Really, thought it looked shiny and new

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I read somewhere recently the theory that trainspotting is a mild form of autism.

 

[The Uninvited Guest]

or quitting school and shagging your cousin, ...QUOTE]

depends on if you live in Norwich

 

[Arthur]

Beats smoking crack and robbing, doesn't it.

Hmmmm you say that as it's a choice between the two.

Easy Dave, what you doing today blud?
I iz off out on the rob and the pipe.
f*** that shit, me and da crew iz going trainspotting.

Can see that conversation happening all over estates in South London.

 

[The Uninvited Guest]

I remember going to an Albion away match somewhere up north and the train had to be diverted because a light aircraft had hit the over head electric cables. When we went through a small station in the middle of no where all the train spotters were jumping up and down creaming themselves at the sight of the Intercity 125. Steam trains are exciting but anyone who goes about writing down train numbers and getting even more excited when they have seen the same train before needs to get out more.

 

[1234andcounting]

I don't really understand what all the fuss is about either, how does this "trainspotting" work?

I believe it involves taking copious quantities of heroin.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

needs to get out more.

they are out more.