Many years ago, trainspotting was the hobby. If you didn't go trainspotting there was something worng with you. In those days their ranks included doctors, accountants, barristers, politicians and even bishops. Trainspotting taught you many skills, including patience, attention to detail and a good appreciation of geography, amongst others. Without doubt, the hobby does attract some oddballs - just as every hobby does - and then in the 80's, people such as Jasper Carrot (who I always found to be as funny as toothache) decided to set upon them. The rest is history and it sometimes feels like today's trainspotters would receive less public ridicule if they were a paedophile.
Let's look at a few other hobby's. Fishing - sitting adjacent to a stretch of water for hours on end waiting to insert a metal hook into a creatures mouth. Some even remove the hook and throw the fish back into the water, starting the process all over again. Football. Twenty-odd grown men wearing shorts, chasing a ball on a perfectly manicured field. Supporters quite often indulge in anti-social behaviour causing annoyance and inconvenience to others. Shooting/Hunting - the sole purpose being to kill a live animal. Boxing - knocking seven bells out of another man, often aiming for the head, where the most vital human organ resides. I could go on.
Trainspotters and rail enthusiasts often tend to be quiet, mild-mannered individuals who keep their heads down. Its probably for this reason why they are are the target of so much abuse. Yes, some are excitable and boisterous, a few can be a real pain in the backside, but by and large they indulge in their hobby, minding their own business and causing no harm to anyone. They are natural supporters of the railway, contributing thousands and thousands of pounds every year. Sadly, some of the newly privatised companies where slow to appreciate their value, having probably been seduced by the negative impression built up in the media, but things do seem to be improving these days and whilst the level of interest is nothing like it used to be, it is clear that the hobby will never die out.
So, if anyone feels any embarrassment in being a trainspotter or a rail enthusiast - don't. The chances are you are a better all-round human being than many of your contemporaries.
The hardcore in question were basically running around like drunk nutters (And they were drunk) and claiming seats from people already sat in them saying it was their speck and actually being threatening. The flailing out the window I can cope with since I've hung out the window myself, although without such vigorous shouting and the weird arm movements. The threatening behaviour to fellow railway enthusiasts was something else. Keeping in mind my girlfriend found the fellas recording the train sounds out the window odd enough hooligan train bashers was quite a shock for her. 
