starting again
 

hello everyone recently joined this site.put my spotting books to rest about 1 5 years ago fo other commitments which have now grown up!times seem to have changed a lot in that time . stations i used to visit in the north seem empty of enthusiasts, is it still O.K.to collect numbers /take photo's? or is it siply not as popular? I presume all passenger trains are now non-loco hauled leaving freight as the alternative if you want to see loco'scoulld anyone sggest suitable station sites to visit?places to avoid? Any help would be much appreciated. Regards to all from soapy in sunny lancashire.

Hi soapy and welcome to the Forum. You'll find it a friendly place and get lots of tips from knowledgeable people. As regards photography on railway premises, this is a subject that comes up now and again. Some enthusiasts have reported being hassled by jobsworths on stations but most responsible officials appreciate that we are law-abiding and usefully provide "eyes and ears" whilst we are around the railway. The head of the British Transport Police has given guidance making it clear that it is NOT against any law to take photos.

Hello soapy and welcome to the forum, you can carry on from were you left off and collect numbers and take photographs, get yourself a spotters book and away you go, enjoy and all the best.

Hello soapy and welcome to the Railway Forum.

Welcome to the Forum Soapy. There are quite a few loco hauled charters on the mainline: steam,diesel and electric. Then there are all the Heritage Lines.

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Welcome back
Now for the Culture shock as the number of loco's has declined in favour of units then those of us who still collect numbers have diversified. So now you can find groups who collect

Wagons
Coaching stock
On Track Plant (including Road Railers)
Departmentals
as well as loco's and units

there are quite a few different spotting aids around at various prices most combines now retail at +£15 and when you add in subscriptions can get a little :eek:

What I've started (as it's a non-stop job) is make an Excel database of all loco's, coaches, wagons, Departmentals, OTP and the like not forgetting preserved stuff so I can keep track of what I've seen

Good luck it does get mind boggling compared to the old days when numbers had a D prefix

hi all,many thanks for the words of encouragement, decided that i'll pay a v isit to crewe, it's easy to get to from here ,so the camera battery's on charge ready for saturday, looking forward to it. best regards, soapy

Hi Soapy and welcome from me too. Hope you enjoy the company on this site. A good bunch of lads and lasses for sure.
There are quite a few books on the subject and I guess a good start would be British Railways Locomotives and coaching stock. Try typing it into Google and see what comes up. For the Heritage scene there is "The inside guide to Steam Railways of Britain" and "British Steam Preserved". Anyway whatever your pasion just enjoy your hobby, that is the main thing!
All the best
Phil

Hi Soapy,
Going to Crewe on Saturday? On the way through Piccadilli, take time out to go out onto the Approach where Ian Allen has a super bookshop, get yourself a Platform 5 "Locomotives and Coaching Stock" Combined Edition.
If you have a car Darwen is a great place for day trip access to Manchester, Preston, Leeds, Doncaster, Crewe, Derby amongst other great spotting places. There arn't as many spotters around now but they are usually pretty knowledgeable and are usually friendly.
Regards, Tony (ex-pat Lancastrian)

And a warm welcome from me too, dear Soapy.