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RailUK Forums
Hi All.
I'm Dan,
Just joined the forum, came across it as I was researching another job within the industry.
I've been working on the infrastructure for about 10 years now, started out part time doing p-way alongside my firefighting job, now a full time Structures Examiner covering the South East Route (Kent and Sussex in old money).
My day to day is examining Arches and Signal Posts (if anyone wants a photo of a specific post for library reasons I've probably got it).
I also regulary ES/manage our work sites for the overtime.
Recently I started doing more confined space and rope access stuff which makes the day to day that bit more interesting.
Away from work I'm an Avid football fan, and also Volunteer for HM Coastguard as as Coastguard Rescue Officer in South Essex.
Nice to meet you all.
I'm Dan,
Just joined the forum, came across it as I was researching another job within the industry.
I've been working on the infrastructure for about 10 years now, started out part time doing p-way alongside my firefighting job, now a full time Structures Examiner covering the South East Route (Kent and Sussex in old money).
My day to day is examining Arches and Signal Posts (if anyone wants a photo of a specific post for library reasons I've probably got it).
I also regulary ES/manage our work sites for the overtime.
Recently I started doing more confined space and rope access stuff which makes the day to day that bit more interesting.
Away from work I'm an Avid football fan, and also Volunteer for HM Coastguard as as Coastguard Rescue Officer in South Essex.
Nice to meet you all.
Welcome to the forum Dan.
Hi all,
I'm a PhD student in the transport research group in Southampton! I love all forms of transport, whether that be rail, air or road transport and it is great to be on a forum with other people who love discussing these sorts of things!
On an unrelated note, I'm trying to contact admins on this page, but I can't do it via PM or through the contact us page! Any help would be appreciated!!!
I'm a PhD student in the transport research group in Southampton! I love all forms of transport, whether that be rail, air or road transport and it is great to be on a forum with other people who love discussing these sorts of things!
On an unrelated note, I'm trying to contact admins on this page, but I can't do it via PM or through the contact us page! Any help would be appreciated!!!
There is a 'Contact Us' link at the bottom of each page, which should work. What happens when you try?
Hey
Whenever I try it comes up with the following message:
Oops! We ran into some problems.
Your content can not be submitted. This is likely because your content is spam-like or contains inappropriate elements. Please change your content or try again later. If you still have problems, please contact an administrator.
It isn't spam or inappropriate, so I don't know what the issue is!
galwhv69
Member
Hello
You may know me from a few other forums, such as Fellowsfilm or The Bus Forum under the same username. Been lurking on here over the past 2 or so weeks and have decided to make an account as I have seen a few threads I would like to contribute on. Am interested in Rail & Bus, particularly in the south east as I live in London, as well as Croydon Tramlink. I come from Poland, however have lived here quite a long time, so may be able to contribute to any Polish Transport discussion that may occasionally pop up on here as well.
You may know me from a few other forums, such as Fellowsfilm or The Bus Forum under the same username. Been lurking on here over the past 2 or so weeks and have decided to make an account as I have seen a few threads I would like to contribute on. Am interested in Rail & Bus, particularly in the south east as I live in London, as well as Croydon Tramlink. I come from Poland, however have lived here quite a long time, so may be able to contribute to any Polish Transport discussion that may occasionally pop up on here as well.
Master Cutler
Member
Hi all, I've joined the forum after many visits as a non member.
I don't work in the rail industry but have many family connections both historically and currently.
My main interest though is preserved rail and heritage workings.
Having recently enjoyed the Blue Pullman trip on 12th Dec I feel that I may be able to add to some of the forum content.
My name comes from working many years in the Sheffield steel industry, and living in close proximity to the MC rail route.
I don't work in the rail industry but have many family connections both historically and currently.
My main interest though is preserved rail and heritage workings.
Having recently enjoyed the Blue Pullman trip on 12th Dec I feel that I may be able to add to some of the forum content.
My name comes from working many years in the Sheffield steel industry, and living in close proximity to the MC rail route.
Welcome to the forum @Master Cutler, thanks for the introduction.
Iskra
Established Member
Welcome, a very nostalgic and appropriate name you have chosen too
Master Cutler
Member
Many thanks Iskra, Sheffield holds many fond memories for me.Welcome, a very nostalgic and appropriate name you have chosen too
Kremlin Stooge
Member
Ah, just found this topic. A little bit late on parade as I’ve already been posting. Anyway here goes:
A former bus driver based out of Lawrence Hill, Bristol depot where I worked on the First WoE city services, had to take early retirement in 2008 on health grounds. My original career training was as a quantity surveyor specialising in building services (HVAC, plumbing/heating and drainage/sanitation services) but the early 1990’s series of recessions in this industry led me to seek a career change. Whilst bus driving was obviously a lot less money in terms of earnings I found it to be far more stable and secure and actually getting paid for overtime was a far cry from my previous salaried positions.
Always had an interest in transport, right from my earliest years when growing up in my grandmother’s house. The then East London branch of the Metropolitan Line ran directly past the foot of the garden and upstairs the back bedroom window afforded sweeping views of the London & Greenwich viaduct as it approached London Bridge, I can still remember seeing the Southern 4DD stock working along this. There was also a bus stop right outside the front which was served by RFs on what was then the 202 route. Other early bus memories include roofbox RTs on the 47, RMs being introduced on the 1 and 36, and later the appearance of the Merlin single decker, the DMS and Scania Metropolitans.
A former bus driver based out of Lawrence Hill, Bristol depot where I worked on the First WoE city services, had to take early retirement in 2008 on health grounds. My original career training was as a quantity surveyor specialising in building services (HVAC, plumbing/heating and drainage/sanitation services) but the early 1990’s series of recessions in this industry led me to seek a career change. Whilst bus driving was obviously a lot less money in terms of earnings I found it to be far more stable and secure and actually getting paid for overtime was a far cry from my previous salaried positions.
Always had an interest in transport, right from my earliest years when growing up in my grandmother’s house. The then East London branch of the Metropolitan Line ran directly past the foot of the garden and upstairs the back bedroom window afforded sweeping views of the London & Greenwich viaduct as it approached London Bridge, I can still remember seeing the Southern 4DD stock working along this. There was also a bus stop right outside the front which was served by RFs on what was then the 202 route. Other early bus memories include roofbox RTs on the 47, RMs being introduced on the 1 and 36, and later the appearance of the Merlin single decker, the DMS and Scania Metropolitans.
Welcome to the forum. Good to have you on board!
70014IronDuke
Established Member
- Joined
- 13 Jun 2015
- Messages
- 3,699
Ah! The Master Cutler. I remember it on the ECML in 62, usually behind a Tinsely Brush 2 (Class 31 to you) D58xx and then behind Falcon (or was it Lion?), then an EE3 (Cl 37). It probably went to a Cl 47, but I wasn't on the ECML then. In 68 or 69, it was transferred to the Midland, first via Derby (and, unusually for the line, behind a Cl 47 rather than a Cl 45) and then via the Erewash. I never saw it on the GC, alas, behind one of the Leicester C A3s.
I also remember the sparks and glowing furnace past Brightside at 01.30 in the mornings on the overnight St Pancras - Glasgow sleeper in 65/66. That was a scene to behold. Sheffield was an inspring city for me at the time.
A classical name! Welcome to the forum.
Master Cutler
Member
You describe a wonderful variety of traction and a colourful snapshot of 60s Sheffield 70014IronDuke.
Many thanks for the welcome.
Many thanks for the welcome.
66513
New Member
Hi everyone I have just joined the forum. I have no ties to the railway industry but I am a huge fan of the Class 66 and the different types of freight they carry.
I'm looking forward to being involved in some of the discussions.
Kev
I'm looking forward to being involved in some of the discussions.
Kev
markmccormick
New Member
I'm a railroad fan and my name is Mark McCormick Northern Ireland. I have come to the forum recommended by a friend who is already registered here and I would love to meet people with my same tastes to share with you. I hope we can meet in the forum. Thank you very much.
Lek
Member
I should have made this announcement a few months ago when I first joined. I recently rekindled this hobby after finding a load of my old 00 Gauge railway models in the attic during a house move. I was into trains from an early age and also recovered my old Locoshed books from 1983 onwards during the attic clearout, with all the trains I saw around the Peterborough area underlined, the last book I bought was Motive Power in 1988 from the time I was travelling around stations all over the UK, this covered locos, multiple units and carriages in one hardback.
As for the 00 gauge side of the hobby, I have been scouring ebay for model locos from the '80s era which I would often see around my hometown of Peterborough, as I plan to model Peterborough station in the 1980s, once my attic conversion is complete. This will be a huge project which I will open a new YouTube channel for once it's underway.
This attic find has also rekindled my interest in trains and I have purchased many books on the subject, as much has changed on the railway since the '80s and I wanted to bring myself up to speed. One such set of books was Platform 5's 2021 set with the list of all running trains. I have not transferred my previously spotted trains (much of which has since been condemned), as that was a different era, but instead started again with a fresh hobby. Interesting to see that many of the common classes I would often see running in the '80s are either near extinction or completely wiped from existence.
My new house has a railway track running behind the back garden, although I mostly see class 380 EMUs and the occasional freight train coming from Hunterston ore plant around once a week if I'm lucky enough to jump up to the back window when I hear the rumble in time to see the back of a double headed class 68, although almost never getting to see the number.
Other than that, my interests are music and electronics... I build analogue electronic music equipment (synthesizers, effects and outboard units) and run a recording studio in which I produce music and release for sale on various formats; an interest that took over my initial interest of trains, when I started releasing records into the industry. I'm finding the rekindling of my interest in trains very interesting to say the least.
As for the 00 gauge side of the hobby, I have been scouring ebay for model locos from the '80s era which I would often see around my hometown of Peterborough, as I plan to model Peterborough station in the 1980s, once my attic conversion is complete. This will be a huge project which I will open a new YouTube channel for once it's underway.
This attic find has also rekindled my interest in trains and I have purchased many books on the subject, as much has changed on the railway since the '80s and I wanted to bring myself up to speed. One such set of books was Platform 5's 2021 set with the list of all running trains. I have not transferred my previously spotted trains (much of which has since been condemned), as that was a different era, but instead started again with a fresh hobby. Interesting to see that many of the common classes I would often see running in the '80s are either near extinction or completely wiped from existence.
My new house has a railway track running behind the back garden, although I mostly see class 380 EMUs and the occasional freight train coming from Hunterston ore plant around once a week if I'm lucky enough to jump up to the back window when I hear the rumble in time to see the back of a double headed class 68, although almost never getting to see the number.
Other than that, my interests are music and electronics... I build analogue electronic music equipment (synthesizers, effects and outboard units) and run a recording studio in which I produce music and release for sale on various formats; an interest that took over my initial interest of trains, when I started releasing records into the industry. I'm finding the rekindling of my interest in trains very interesting to say the least.
BlueTrainLady
Member
Hi, my name is Tegan also known as the Blue Train Lady on Instagram. I have only recently discovered train spotting and it has saved my life and I say that as no exaggeration.
Last year I become disabled as in woke up one morning mobility gone! I have been home alone as a young widow trying to cope and been mostly bed bound but decided if I didn’t try and use my muscles I would loose use of them completely. I got myself a mobility rollator (walker with wheels and seat) and the furthest I could walk/wheel was to the local train station, then would need to rest for half an hour. I started taking pictures of trains to kill the time, then started reading books on Trains, London Underground and anything else train related and before I knew it I had an Instagram page and a reason to live.
Twice a week I walk/wheel to the station and every two weeks passenger assistance at Aldershot help me get on a train to visit another station to train spot.
I’m very green when it comes to train spotting so any guidance is very welcome but I never thought I could smile and feel alive again even when I’m in chronic pain 24/7. Trains help me forget and the train spotting community are just so lovely!
Last year I become disabled as in woke up one morning mobility gone! I have been home alone as a young widow trying to cope and been mostly bed bound but decided if I didn’t try and use my muscles I would loose use of them completely. I got myself a mobility rollator (walker with wheels and seat) and the furthest I could walk/wheel was to the local train station, then would need to rest for half an hour. I started taking pictures of trains to kill the time, then started reading books on Trains, London Underground and anything else train related and before I knew it I had an Instagram page and a reason to live.
Twice a week I walk/wheel to the station and every two weeks passenger assistance at Aldershot help me get on a train to visit another station to train spot.
I’m very green when it comes to train spotting so any guidance is very welcome but I never thought I could smile and feel alive again even when I’m in chronic pain 24/7. Trains help me forget and the train spotting community are just so lovely!
D6130
Established Member
Hi Tegan,
Welcome to the forum! Your story is very inspirational and I hope that you will derive much pleasure, obtain lots of useful information and maybe even make new friends both through this forum and on your rail trips. You will be able to tap many peoples' knowledge on here regarding every aspect of railway interest....including the best (and worst!) stations for disabled access and interchange. Many years ago - before you were born, I would think! - I used to live in Hampshire and I still have quite a few friends in that area. I lived in Petersfield and commuted up and down to Wimbledon (via Waterloo on the outward journey and Woking on the return) on the old Southern Region slam door units. I've noticed a couple of your recent posts on other threads, so if I am able to offer any answers I shall do so. In the meantime, stay safe, stay happy and enjoy your spotting and photograhy!
Welcome to the forum! Your story is very inspirational and I hope that you will derive much pleasure, obtain lots of useful information and maybe even make new friends both through this forum and on your rail trips. You will be able to tap many peoples' knowledge on here regarding every aspect of railway interest....including the best (and worst!) stations for disabled access and interchange. Many years ago - before you were born, I would think! - I used to live in Hampshire and I still have quite a few friends in that area. I lived in Petersfield and commuted up and down to Wimbledon (via Waterloo on the outward journey and Woking on the return) on the old Southern Region slam door units. I've noticed a couple of your recent posts on other threads, so if I am able to offer any answers I shall do so. In the meantime, stay safe, stay happy and enjoy your spotting and photograhy!
Purple Train
Established Member
I've been lurking and regularly browsing for a couple of years now, so the novelty of having an account hasn't quite worn off yet. I've been interested in railways from a very young age, in addition to music (mostly classical), cricket, and being irritatingly pedantic when it comes to grammar (though I've managed to restrain myself on the forum so far). In terms of age, I'm much less old than I feel, which, at my sort of age, is quite worrying, really...
Purple
(No, my real name is not Purple, to be clear, and I don't think I'd like it if it was.)
Purple
(No, my real name is not Purple, to be clear, and I don't think I'd like it if it was.)
Last edited:
Am Broc
Member
Hi Purple! Good to meet you. I'm a bit of grammar pedant too as I'm a translator by profession!
Domagoj Vu
Member
- Joined
- 24 Aug 2017
- Messages
- 15
Grettings from the Croatia, my name is Domagoj.
Since I've been on this forum for about 2 years now, I think it's finally a time to introduce myself and my hobbies.
1. Railway hobby
I am one of the few 'railfreaks' who deals with the records of freight wagons, considering that it is a rare hobby, I have listed my knowledge about wagons in the already known topic about Polybulk wagons, especially STS Uafoos E574, since recently I have been keeping records of various foreign wagons, previous numberings and similar. I started dealing with wagons ten years ago and started taking photos of them a couple of years ago, from Christmas 2021 I finally switched to a DSLR camera, with which I am still learning how to take photos.
I have been keeping records of the old numberings on wagons since 2 years ago, when I first saw such a plate, considering that I am still learning about freight cars and their 'hidden' things.
Sometimes I manage to find some wagons and their history myself. and sometimes with the cooperation of other wagon hunters, considering that i can't do everything by myself.
Since I was a child, I have always been attracted to wagons from the former Cargowaggon, with its recognizable iconic logo, this was my initial love for freight wagons, and when I catch them I am always glad when I catch them, that's why I have a former Cargowaggon and GE (today Touax) among the favorites.
So far I have caught various wagons from Cargowaggon, including various H sliding door wagons from them, including Habfis H2 from Railadventure, Habis 3 (continental variant of the same wagon), Sins which was sold to Romania GFR together with Habis 3, Habfis H2, and Finnish Sis from JIT Trans, and Touax (the succescor of CW and GE) 2744 Habiins in CW and BMW Steyr variants and Hiirrs 5 and 7 from Transwaggon and Touax, which actually exist and British profile (Hfirrs) which are also my future targets. Besides regular continental Hiirrs wagons, these wagons have been leased to Slovenian Railways (SŽ) and the Austrian Railways (ÖBB). There are few variants still on my target list, on first visit in Denmark i did not had best luck, hopefully this year i'll catch few of them.
From the tanks from the former TipHook / GE, I caught Zaffns and some Arbel Fauvet Rail GE301 Zacns for Hydrochloric Acid or other compatible chemical products (of which there are probably only 20 or 30 pieces). The wagons are owned by Atir Rail now.
I personality think GE had best looking fleet of wagons, especially sliding door wagons.
The other wagon leasors along my favorites are VTG, Ermewa, Atir Rail, Millet and RailReLease.
I am the only one in Croatia who keeps records with freight wagons, considering that nobody is interested in freight wagons anymore (including on forums) and i will not give up becousei really enjoy doing wagon hobby, and helping other wagon friends.
Among the wagons, my favorites have always been wagons with sliding walls (series H) and various tanks.
I probarly have 1.000 images of various wagons mostly from Croatia, Hugnary, Austria and Denmark which is olny place i can go for cheaper on vacation.
I also like UK profile wagons, besides that they are not that famous in continental Europe due to weird size, they are still attraction for me.
I'm not personally interested in locomotives and passenger wagons except for individual ones, I like the passenger wagons the most that I caught in the composition of the freight train.
About freight trains, i like moslty mixed freights, blocks. and unusual mixed compostitions such as passenger cars.
2. Other hobbies
Apart from railways, I play gaming, mostly various shooting games, Euro Truck Simulator, PlayStation. Of the games, I liked playing Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot from the PS1 era the most, which indicates why I also like GE's wagons, considering that General Electric once owned Universal Interactive Studios, which created Crash and Spyro with Sony and other gaming studios. I also play sports, currently bowling and probably darts in the future, and I am an autistic person with disabilities and ussualy shy person. I used to be a javelin thrower in the past from few years.
I haven't competed in bowling yet.
Best regards and goodnight from the Croatia
Waggonspotter
FreightWagonCard (Domagoj)
(P. S apologies if i pick wrong subforum)
Since I've been on this forum for about 2 years now, I think it's finally a time to introduce myself and my hobbies.
1. Railway hobby
I am one of the few 'railfreaks' who deals with the records of freight wagons, considering that it is a rare hobby, I have listed my knowledge about wagons in the already known topic about Polybulk wagons, especially STS Uafoos E574, since recently I have been keeping records of various foreign wagons, previous numberings and similar. I started dealing with wagons ten years ago and started taking photos of them a couple of years ago, from Christmas 2021 I finally switched to a DSLR camera, with which I am still learning how to take photos.
I have been keeping records of the old numberings on wagons since 2 years ago, when I first saw such a plate, considering that I am still learning about freight cars and their 'hidden' things.
Sometimes I manage to find some wagons and their history myself. and sometimes with the cooperation of other wagon hunters, considering that i can't do everything by myself.
Since I was a child, I have always been attracted to wagons from the former Cargowaggon, with its recognizable iconic logo, this was my initial love for freight wagons, and when I catch them I am always glad when I catch them, that's why I have a former Cargowaggon and GE (today Touax) among the favorites.
So far I have caught various wagons from Cargowaggon, including various H sliding door wagons from them, including Habfis H2 from Railadventure, Habis 3 (continental variant of the same wagon), Sins which was sold to Romania GFR together with Habis 3, Habfis H2, and Finnish Sis from JIT Trans, and Touax (the succescor of CW and GE) 2744 Habiins in CW and BMW Steyr variants and Hiirrs 5 and 7 from Transwaggon and Touax, which actually exist and British profile (Hfirrs) which are also my future targets. Besides regular continental Hiirrs wagons, these wagons have been leased to Slovenian Railways (SŽ) and the Austrian Railways (ÖBB). There are few variants still on my target list, on first visit in Denmark i did not had best luck, hopefully this year i'll catch few of them.
From the tanks from the former TipHook / GE, I caught Zaffns and some Arbel Fauvet Rail GE301 Zacns for Hydrochloric Acid or other compatible chemical products (of which there are probably only 20 or 30 pieces). The wagons are owned by Atir Rail now.
I personality think GE had best looking fleet of wagons, especially sliding door wagons.
The other wagon leasors along my favorites are VTG, Ermewa, Atir Rail, Millet and RailReLease.
I am the only one in Croatia who keeps records with freight wagons, considering that nobody is interested in freight wagons anymore (including on forums) and i will not give up becousei really enjoy doing wagon hobby, and helping other wagon friends.
Among the wagons, my favorites have always been wagons with sliding walls (series H) and various tanks.
I probarly have 1.000 images of various wagons mostly from Croatia, Hugnary, Austria and Denmark which is olny place i can go for cheaper on vacation.
I also like UK profile wagons, besides that they are not that famous in continental Europe due to weird size, they are still attraction for me.
I'm not personally interested in locomotives and passenger wagons except for individual ones, I like the passenger wagons the most that I caught in the composition of the freight train.
About freight trains, i like moslty mixed freights, blocks. and unusual mixed compostitions such as passenger cars.
2. Other hobbies
Apart from railways, I play gaming, mostly various shooting games, Euro Truck Simulator, PlayStation. Of the games, I liked playing Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot from the PS1 era the most, which indicates why I also like GE's wagons, considering that General Electric once owned Universal Interactive Studios, which created Crash and Spyro with Sony and other gaming studios. I also play sports, currently bowling and probably darts in the future, and I am an autistic person with disabilities and ussualy shy person. I used to be a javelin thrower in the past from few years.
I haven't competed in bowling yet.
Best regards and goodnight from the Croatia
Waggonspotter
FreightWagonCard (Domagoj)
(P. S apologies if i pick wrong subforum)