About Trainspotter 

Trainspotter History

Trainspotting was invented already in 1942 by Ian Allan in 1942. He was working as trainee in PR at London Waterloo station. In that time he got so many information requests about locomotives that he asked the management if they want to publish some booklets with locomitive specifics. As this was rejected he had to write it himself. At the same time some trainspotting already started to become a hobby of some fanatics. Quickly some shocking stories appeard about rail enthusiats being arrested for walking on tracks, so Ian Allan made it his duty to launch the first rail enthusiasts clubs, to support the hobby but also to create awareness for the dangers of threspassing tracks. By the mid 50s not only a railway club culture established but Ian Allan also started to sell thousands of books, magazines and even videos.

Read more about Ian Allan Publishing: www.ianallanpublishing.com

Definition of Trainspotting

The word trainspotting is very famous for the likewise called movie from 1996. The movie itself features only one train and is more about Scottish heroin addicts than anything else.

Trainspotting is actually a hobby primarily about collecting sightings of trains and basically anything on rails. Each trainspotter might keep his focus on certain categories of railways or the make and model to complete his collection. Nowadays it's much easier and cheaper to hold huge collections than ever. Due to the digital revolution thousands of pictures can be stored on home PCs and even online. Collections are not limited to pictures only, videos are even more vivid and enrich the shots with real engine tone and cracking rails. So great sightings are not appearing in books and magazines anymore. Today, plenty of websites feature the most beautiful trainspotter recordings and social media forums discuss rumors about rear heritage appearances coming up. Shots at certain stations, bridges and at tunnels are of particular interest, just to mention some. This is also the reason why this website has been set up. The trainspotter hobby goes even further to the collection of timetables, tickets and rail stock signs. Many of the enthusists also engage in clubs to restore old locomotives, however with so many options to follow the hobby, most of the railfans concentrate on one particular area of interest. What ever such an area is, all rail enthusiasts like rail tours with steam, diesel and electric locomotives.

Typical utensils of a Trainspotter

Data and statistics books are usually carried by railway enthusiasts. Trainspotters also tend to take with them notebooks, pens and a recorder device (photo/video). There are even some who use their mobile to get in touch with other railfans waiting at different spots that oneself. Additionaly, many rail operators have build their own mobile apps and trainspotters use them to get live train times on the road. Mailing lists are also used to get updates on passing trains, enhusiast events.

Opinions about Trainspotter

Railway enthusiasts can be found everywhere around the world but plenty of people look at the with disgust and no understanding. As you are not doing something bad just react by smiling at them back. Remeber that it is nothing to be ashamed of and only your hobby. Make the most of what is fun for you in that sense, but keep well in mind that there might be legal restrictions to your actions in certain countries and zou should never bring yourself or others in danger while following your hobby.

Read more about the risks of being a Trainspotter here.