Hello from Gillian
 

Dear All,

Firstly, I would like to say hello and that I enjoy visiting the forum.

I have recently joined the forum as I have a genuine request for any train enthusiasts who could spare some time to answer some questions about trainspotting.

I am a mature undergraduate studying Social Science at the University of Brighton and I have a sincere desire to appreciate your passion for trains and railways.

The sort of thing I would like to know is how your interest in trains and railways began, what sort of things you do and the sense of community you share as train enthusiasts- that sort of thing.

I am looking to ask questions on-line. If you are not happy to be interviewed but know someone who will be, please could you pass this on.

My e-mail address is [email protected]

Thanking you in advance,

Gillian

Hello Gillian and welcome to the forum.
I'm sure that many of the answers to your questions can be found by reading through the forums threads.
This particular thread will certainly be informative. :)
http://www.railwayforum.net/showthread.php?t=918

Hi Gillian and welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the site Gillian.

My reasons for becoming interested in railway are stated in that thread that Swisstrains highlighted, though its just a short version. There's an email on its way to you if you want to ask any more questions.

Hi and welcome to the forum, Gillian

Welome to the forum Gillian.

I'm sure that any questions you ask will be happily answered by most (if not all) of us.

Welcome to the forum Gillian.
Paul.

Hello Gillian and welcome to the Forum.

Hi Gillian,

As you can tell we are a fairly relaxed bunch with a sense of humour, so we can take all the jokes about trainspotters, anoraks and duffel coats in our stride, even though I doubt that anyone here would voluntarily describe themselves as a "trainspotter" ;)

Although I just remember the end of steam in 1967, I had nothing to do with railways for many years, expect as a fairly miserable time communting on the Southern in the 1970's.

I suppose the start of my interest was visiting the Bluebell Railway about 15 years ago and seeing a large express steam engine. Bit by bit I have got involved mostly in what could pomposly be called engineering historical research, or even social history and the transfomation of England into an industrial nation. (By the way, I am not particularly in awe of the Victorians and Brunel the younger is not one of my heros.)

I occasionaly go out and take bad photos of steam trains. They are more dramatic and difficult to capture on filmthan flowers or trees. I am also involved on the edge of several steam locomotive owning groups by donating a few quid a year rather than having time to go to working groups.

There is obviously a thrill from seeing and hearing any train. But I wouldn't describe myself as passionate about trains. It's just a pastime.
"Passion" is reserved for flying - and I literally stand open mouthed at the big jets landing and taking off at Heathrow. When I fly commercially, I am there next to all the kids pressing my nose against the window, and secretly hoping, like all private pilots, for that dramatic anouncement from the flight deck:- "The Captain has been taken ill ! Is there a pilot on board? " :D :eek:

Back in the 1950 we were Trainspotters,
Anoraks were not invented and Duffel coats were mostly worn by the services in cold climates. As for other terminology used within the pastime of watching railways it all came about after I stopped underlining the numbers in my Eastern region ABC (?)
John (G)

Good point. Trainspotting was an honourable pastime once.
Today the word has been hijacked to be used as an insult.

Welcome to the Forum Gillian.

Is the University of Brighton the former Brighton College of Education at Falmer?

Best wishes,

John H-T.