I really don't know how it came about, just fasinated by all things on rail! My Dad has never been interested in railways, but I started with a train set, took up trainspotting, magazines (i get through about 5 a month still), joined several societies(mainly S&D ones) and am a part owner of a class 103 DMU(Helston Railway Diesel Group)...basically just can never get enough of all things (British) railways....still building model railways too, current one is called 'Backwater Road', check out www.brblue.co.uk if you got 5 mins spare!

Andrew

deltics
 

living near ecml in york laying in bed at night hearing deltics coming through the now gone chaloners whin junction closed when the divertion route to aviod the selby coal feilds was built.

I suppose I was about 5 (56 now) we lived near the line into Blackpool Central and I can remember spending all my time collecting train numbers with the many excursions that use to visit Blackpool. It progressed after receiving a combined Ian Allen book price 10/6 when my life revolved around train spotting.I had an Auntie that lived opposite the main line from Birmingham to Bristol and use to spend 2 weeks each summer holiday staying there. I will always remember dragging my poor old Auntie twice a week to visit Birmingham Snow Hill and was mystified as to why I saw trains which previously I only saw during our annual holidays to Devon & Cornwall. As i got into my early teens I ventured further away either on day trips to York or push bike to the west coast main line near Garstang. Sadly girls and football took over my life but just recently, maybe I am reliving my youth, I have been visiting all the sites around London I could only dream about as a child.

Once a railway man its in your blood, I joined BR in 1961 when a teenager of 17. Starting as a cleaner, ( I could have had an office job too as good at taking dictation then) anyway I had better adventures on the footplate.

Thats until Mr Beeching decided we were surplus to requirements!.
Never mind I have some great memories. Still have a deep interest in steam railways.

Coventry station
 

Well I did not come from a railway family, but as a little chap in short trousers and riding a bike, I used to go to a bridge over the aproach to Coventry Station in the early 50s and watch the trains come and go, especially a train called the MIDLANDER.
But what got me hooked on railways generally I think, was the general atmosphere, the smell of smoke, steam, the smell of the station. There is a lot if not most of that sort of atmosphere gone on todays railway, atmosphere which todays enthuiast will never know.

Then in my working life, spending it all on the railway and now I am retired I have become an even bigger enthusiast having time on my hands.

48111

Much younger than most here, and I still can't remember how it started. My parents tell me I was drawn to trains by the time I was three, but anthing more than that...

The only thing I can remember is that there was a time when "dual flag" locomotives and double-stack trains were new. (Since most of you aren't Canadian... CP introduced the "dual flags" scheme in 1993, and I think that's the year stack train service started here.)

Hi,

I don't have any ties with railways at all. I've always watched programmes about steam engines and the like. Last year I had a bleak patch. Call it a mid life crisis if you will. I gave up writing aviation books and looked around for another interest. I found it under my very own nose.

My son is Autistic and has virtually no speach. He has always been interested in Thomas the Tank engine and has nearly all the videos, dvd's and Tomy train sets and trains. When he gets upset he goes to his Thomas stuff to calm down. He will be 13 this year and we don';t have that father/son relationship that other's have. You can't really interact with him due to his problems. He also has a rare heart condition.

In January this year I decided to try and share an interest with him. He doesn't like it when you try to interact with him, but we persevere. I got some N Gauge stuff and started a layout in one of our garden sheds. He now enjoys coming in and having a go at the trains. He actually comes in and takes control. So much so that we have decided to get him a Hornby train set for his birthday. I sold off all my canaries and will now convert the aviary, 13' x 5', into Alistairs very own train shed. It will all be Thomas stuff as that is his main pleasure in life. As with most things it will be added to as and when we can afford it.

Sorry to waffle on but everyone has a different story as to why they do something, and this is ours.

Alex

Definitely no need to apologise Alex.
I defy anyone to come up with a better reason for developing an interest in trains than yours.
Hope it all works out well.

Good morning Alex, no need to apologise mate, you certainly have a lovely story there. I send my kindest regards to you and your son, you have a very genuine reason.
I hope all goes well with the lads train shed.

48111

Hi,

Thanks for your kind replies. I'm sure the two of us will come up with a good representation of the Island of Sodor.

I must admit that the research bug has taken hold again, perhaps that's the writer in me always wanting to find out more. I've started to look into all the local railway lines in the Levenmouth area of Fife. I never knew there were so many coal pits in such a small area, each with it's own line running to it. The two main operators were the Wemyss Coal Company and the Fife Coal Company along with some other smaller companies.

My main interest however is the Kennoway Goods Yard. I lived there for 25 years and knew about the old railway line but not the yard. I recent trip found some of the building still standing and a section of platform. I'll post some photos once I get my editing software fixed.

Alex