Trainspotters
Dec 14th 2011, 3:58 pm
#16
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,259
Re: Trainspotters
Brought tears to my eyes. (Both links)
Dec 14th 2011, 4:49 pm
#17
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South Florida
Posts: 2,068
Re: Trainspotters
Visions of cold, wet Kings Cross platforms come rushing back to haunt me!
Trainspotter mode switched off
Dec 14th 2011, 11:23 pm
#18
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Hong Kong, mostly.
Posts: 5,214
Re: Trainspotters
I have a friend who is a trainspotter out in the corn belt of Illinois. There you see massive freight trains of corn moving down toward the ports in New Orleans. He liked to go out and write down numbers or take picture or whatever trainspotters like to do.
And then the FBI came.
Seems he got reported by some 'terrorist activity hotline' as someone who was overly interested in trains. The FBI came to his house and asked him a bunch of questions and whatnot. The fact that he owned an old train caboose (and had it in his backyard) sort of backed up his train fascination claims, but it still was a bit spooky.
And then the FBI came.
Seems he got reported by some 'terrorist activity hotline' as someone who was overly interested in trains. The FBI came to his house and asked him a bunch of questions and whatnot. The fact that he owned an old train caboose (and had it in his backyard) sort of backed up his train fascination claims, but it still was a bit spooky.
Dec 15th 2011, 3:05 pm
#19
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Trainspotters
I have a friend who is a trainspotter out in the corn belt of Illinois. There you see massive freight trains of corn moving down toward the ports in New Orleans. He liked to go out and write down numbers or take picture or whatever trainspotters like to do.
And then the FBI came.
Seems he got reported by some 'terrorist activity hotline' as someone who was overly interested in trains. The FBI came to his house and asked him a bunch of questions and whatnot. The fact that he owned an old train caboose (and had it in his backyard) sort of backed up his train fascination claims, but it still was a bit spooky.
And then the FBI came.
Seems he got reported by some 'terrorist activity hotline' as someone who was overly interested in trains. The FBI came to his house and asked him a bunch of questions and whatnot. The fact that he owned an old train caboose (and had it in his backyard) sort of backed up his train fascination claims, but it still was a bit spooky.
Bloody hell
Dec 15th 2011, 3:12 pm
#20
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 4,891
Re: Trainspotters
Over-zealous law enforcement seems to be a problem in the USA.
Dec 15th 2011, 3:29 pm
#21
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South Florida
Posts: 2,068
Re: Trainspotters
I once had a visit from the FBI. You may remember that back in the summer of 2002, there was a rumor that Al Qaeda were plotting to blow up an apartment complex. At the time I was living in an apartment complex. It was a somewhat bizarre incident. Middle of the week in the afternoon, a knock at the door...
"Hi, I'm xxxx from the FBI (shows me his ID). I'd like to ask if you knew the guy who lived next door before the current gentleman?"
Me: "No. How long ago was he there?"
FBI: "About 3 years ago"
Me: "No sorry. I've only been in this apartment since earlier this year"
FBI: "oh well, if you hear anything or need us, here's my card"
Afterwards I realized he had to be checking me out. Non-USC (at the time), male, single and a pilot living in an apartment complex. He did ask for my name and write everything down in his little notebook as well. I'm sure that's why I spent more than 2 years stuck in the now infamous USCIS/FBI background checks for my Natz.
"Hi, I'm xxxx from the FBI (shows me his ID). I'd like to ask if you knew the guy who lived next door before the current gentleman?"
Me: "No. How long ago was he there?"
FBI: "About 3 years ago"
Me: "No sorry. I've only been in this apartment since earlier this year"
FBI: "oh well, if you hear anything or need us, here's my card"
Afterwards I realized he had to be checking me out. Non-USC (at the time), male, single and a pilot living in an apartment complex. He did ask for my name and write everything down in his little notebook as well. I'm sure that's why I spent more than 2 years stuck in the now infamous USCIS/FBI background checks for my Natz.
Dec 15th 2011, 5:06 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 83
Re: Trainspotters
I'll own up . In my youth (mid 60s) I spent many a happy day on New Street station Brum collecting numbers but best of all was Clapham Junction
Also illegaly sneaking into the train sheds was a challenge
I am still to this day fascinated by steam trains
Also illegaly sneaking into the train sheds was a challenge
I am still to this day fascinated by steam trains
Dec 15th 2011, 11:57 pm
#23
Daft.. not Stoopid
Joined: May 2011
Location: Memphis TN
Posts: 514
Re: Trainspotters
Memories.... Watching Deltics storm out of Kings Cross to overcome Copenhagen tunnel. Class 87's letting loose north of Watford. Showing My American wife what is like to stand on that yellow line.
Dec 16th 2011, 1:01 am
#24
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Richmond Hill, Ga (ex Birmingham UK)
Posts: 490
Re: Trainspotters
My mate went onto higher things - he bought a Class 87 named after him !! He will only be familiar of course to Brummies...
North Shields loco depot on a cold November morning in 1963......
Watching the Holyhead trains pass at Abergele station..in the 50's
"Cabbing" a King at Snow Hill...
Afternoons spent at Tamworth TV..or Crewe - the Mecca..
..Memories like that are still (and will always be) vivid in my mind...
PS Have you any idea how big an old penny can get when laid on a rail to let a 10 coach train roll over it?
Now? My fascination is with tracing vanished old routes using Google Earth & my trusty Jowett's Rail Atlas
Last edited by SirSteveUK; Dec 16th 2011 at 1:13 am.
Dec 16th 2011, 3:49 am
#25
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South Florida
Posts: 2,068
Re: Trainspotters
All the UK preserved diesel classes in one place on the web:
http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/engines/index.htm
My anorak is now gone for good!
http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/engines/index.htm
My anorak is now gone for good!
Dec 16th 2011, 5:02 am
#26
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Trainspotters
All the UK preserved diesel classes in one place on the web:
http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/engines/index.htm
My anorak is now gone for good!
http://www.preserved-diesels.co.uk/engines/index.htm
My anorak is now gone for good!
I'm being picky - the NIR ones had to be different because of the 5'3 gauge.
Christ, I stole your anorak. Have it back, I'm sticking to aircraft
Dec 17th 2011, 2:34 pm
#27
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Joined: Apr 2004
Location: CHELTENHAM, Gloucestershire, England
Posts: 1,494
Re: Trainspotters
I loved the typical British expletive from one of the spotters when a non stop train ruined his view of the loco as it sped through the station in the opposite direction......oh, bollox!
Dec 17th 2011, 2:45 pm
#28
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Joined: Jan 2006
Location: Dubuque, Iowa, USA
Posts: 3,770
Dec 17th 2011, 2:52 pm
#29
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 4,891
Re: Trainspotters
Dec 17th 2011, 3:04 pm
#30
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,190
Re: Trainspotters
I was never a trainspotter but used to work for WJV Anderson who took this photo at Glenfarg, he was a legend among spotters.
