Ferroequinology
 

The study of trains, or more precisely, locomotives, is referred to by the rather glorious name of Ferroequinology.Some Trainspotters like to call themselves Ferroequinologists - from the study of the iron horse. And I believe in Australia the term Gunzel is sometimes used. While in France trainspotting is known as Ferrovipathe which literally means “railway disorder”.
Alan Locojoe

I like the American term "Railfan". :)

Ian Allen ABC
 

Ian Allen ABC did you have one of these.
Alan Locojoe

Yes....... I did:)
These are the only original ABC's that I still have. Notice how the price of my combined volume has gone up by a whole shilling since the one shown in your picture.:)
Attachment 207Attachment 208

I used to have lots of ABC's, still have a few of them, I think. :)

Inflation
 

That's inflation John we really did have inflation in those days didnt we.
Alan Locojoe

Spotters
 

I've always thought this was a good photo of spotters, location. Doncaster

Is that the works or the shed Alan? The shed was pretty easy to get around, but the works? It'd be easier to infiltrate the Kremlin!

Hi Trev it's the works if you hold your mouse over the thumbnail it says works. Are the boys lying down to see under the gate or are they having a kip.

Came across this ABC book whilst looking through some old stuff today. It's probably my last spotters book and although it's not dated, it must be the 1965 edition as the numbers are 'checked' up until late 1964 according to the intro.

Having a quick look through to see what was and wasn't around at the time, all of the 8P Midland region 'Princess' and 'Duchess' classes had gone and the rebuilt 'Scots' and 'Patriots' were reduced to a dozen examples. Stanier's Class 5 4-6-0s and 8F 2-8-0s were well represented, though, with 730 and 641 survivors, respectively.

All of the 'Britannias' were there as were 95% of the 9Fs. Surprisingly, 436 'Austerity' 2-8-0s were still intact - not bad for a war-time 'quick-fix' loco!

Oldest ones that I could find were 5 class 1F Johnson Midland 0-6-0T locos numbered between 41708 and 41835, originally introduced in 1878! J36 0-6-0s from 1888 were represented by 9 examples including 65243 'Maude' which, I believe is still around. There were, also, 16 Isle of Wight Adams class O2 0-4-4Ts listed, originating from 1889.