Why do many people think train enthusiasts are sad?

[S19]

many of the boy racers arent actually "racers" just enthusiasts who get labelled in the same category because they meet in a car park and discuss each others pride and joy, the number of times i've heard the local enthusiast car club labelled as boy racers/ chavs etc because they sit all evening in a car park i've lost count. ok a very minimal number of them are boy racers, but all of these enthusiasts get labelled in the same stereotype!

Being called a 'Boy Racer' depends on what car you own. I'm 25 and I've certainly never been called one in my 370BHP Mitsubishi Evolution VIII lol

If I was driving a Vauxhall Nova however, then that's a whole different kettle of fish!

I joined the site more for ticket advice than anything, because health problems have left the Evo as a toy and not the daily hack (and what a fun daily hack at that!) it used to be.

I'll admit, i'm one of those that In the past has called 'spotters' or 'enthusiasts' sad *******s under my breath. However since i've used rail travel more than ever recently, and used this forum, my stance has changed. Being a petrolhead and liking all things big and powerful, i've actually begun to appreciate trains/locomotives/engines or whatever we wish to call them.

After all, they have wheels and an engine don't they. I guess you could say i'm almost converted. I'll never go out of my way to ride a certain train, certain route, or collect numbers though.

 

[wintonian]

There's certainly some people who are just interested in numbers, and once they finish with trains will move onto (usually) buses and planes. There is a close tie between spotters and Aspergers syndrome: A love of routines, collections, people who are usually good at mathematics rather than the creative arts. People who are black and white, and not grey, do not understand metaphor, irony, and subtleties of the language.

Aspergers has been linked to transport in general, computers, sci-fi, animals, astronomy, chemistry and numbers/mathematics. It's also linked to obsessive compulsive disorder: problems with hording, drinking, obsessions with routines, brands, objects. It's not an illness, it's a way of thinking. The opposite would be the world of the musician or artist, who gets off on sounds, concepts, feel, touch, texture. Then there are those in the middle, interested in geography, politics, possible business, economics, who look for strategy, the meanings behind understand data, or have an interest in the built environment or humanities. Others enjoy the practical aspect of machines, and construction, mechanics and how things work.

All of the above can be rail enthusiasts.

I think the point is, there are a million shades of enthusiast from all walks of life.

Well I'm rubbish a maths and definitely not creative so I'll pooh pooh that stereotype - though I do like a drink so maybe not

Trainspotting is an passion that cannot be explain! i grew up with them when i was a child onwards, i'm 24 and started taking photos of them since Nobvember 16th 2009, but it's more than taking numbers, photos and videos, it's chance to see the entire United Kingdom by rail, this time last year, travelling to London and seeing London was an dream but the dream came true on Feburary 19th thanks to London Midland using their Great Escape, this year i been to places that i never visited and this time last year were like london, just an dream

Trainspotting to me is more than taking numbers and photos, it gives you an chance to go out and travel to new places, it's an hobby that isn't frustating and relaxes you, some days you can go out and take photos or videos and you don't know what you could expect!

I completely agree the railway is the best way to travel and see places and that it's self can lead to an interest in routes, stock and history etc.

 

[tbtc]

I started off collecting numbers, but I think that's a simple way for a youngster to "understand" the railways, get a grounding in there being these different classes and types of trains.

But, older, I can't get as excited about it for two main reasons. Firstly there's nothing to show for it (other than a list of numbers). Secondly it'd be too easy these days. Back in the day I used to stand on Carstairs platform and not know what would turn up (or what colour it would be). Nowadays you can find everything out in advance, or afterwards, through computers and phones, meaning the "random" element has gone.

Each to their own, there are room for all types, but there are a few spotters and flailers who give others a bad reputation

 

[WL113]

Trainspotting, as the press like to call it, harms no one and I could give two examples where the actions of railway enthusiasts actually saved lives.

I would certainly rather have a platform full of railway enthusiasts than a load of football 'fans' any day.

 

[Aictos]

In defence of football fans, they're not all bad in fact Hertford has a large Arsenal following but I've never encountered trouble yet from them as it consists mainly of families enjoying a day out and are very well behaved, no loutish behaviour here!

On the other hand, you will always get some enthusiasts who spoil it for the majority who seem to think it's their god given right to do whatever they please including trespassing, being abusive to staff and generally being complete tossers who I rather not have anywhere near my station.

So that being said, you cannot label one group as being better behaved then another.

 

[Kernowfem]

Im a railway enthusiast, and quite proud of that fact. Its been in my blood from being a baby...since my dad used to take me to the station in my pram to give my mum a rest. I have never experienced anyone laugh at me or call me sad...for liking trains. But my other hobby of landrovers and off roading have got me many unusual looks over the years!! Each to their own i say. I would never judge someone simply by the interests they have. I also find its a common misconception that 'spotters' wear anoraks or cagouls....i can honestly say ive never seen a 'spotter' wearing either Stereo typing....pfffft!

 

[TDK]

Some enthusiasts are sad, not getting away from it.

I'm not saying all enthusiasts, or most enthusiasts, but certainly some...

The public tend to "notice" two types - the ones who spend all day at the end of platforms and the ones who "flail" out of windows like big kids.

They don't notice the rest of us, the ones who might be on the trains, or at the stations, but don't draw attention to themselves.

No point worrying about it, its never held me back, like all hobbies there are different "levels" (e.g. your average football supporter would look down at "groundhoppers")

From a different pointof view. The reason I think some spotters are sad:

1. Hanging out of windows causing a risk to themselves and the working of the train

2. Trying to tell an experienced driver how to drive a train because he/she has a simulator on their computer.

3. Making pathetic hand gestures for the driver to sound the horn.

4. Abusing the driver verbally because he did a requested engine swap and the "one they want" was taken off.

5. Posting pathetic comments on forums like this

6. Making comments on a subject they think they know all about and are totally wrong.

7. Using flash photography into a drivers face.

8. Tresspassing for that ultimate photo

9. smelling of B.O. and stinking the coach out.

10. Making comments to the driver when things are not going right like "have you broke it", "have you tried this and that", "if it was a class 37 I would organise my life around your service", "the line speed here is good for 90mph" many other comments I have had that I cannot remember I think are also sad.


Anyway,I have met many pleasant spotters enthusiasts in my time and the majority are not sad, or strange but are just enjoying a hobby but there are some who give all you descent enthusisats the "sad" name, I can work out on this forum who they are so I betyou can too.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Being called a 'Boy Racer' depends on what car you own. I'm 25 and I've certainly never been called one in my 370BHP Mitsubishi Evolution VIII lol.

A boy racer, in a small car with 4 mates, base ball cap on, loud exhaust, driving like a tit leaning to one side whilst driving and under 20 years old (generally) I hate them

 

[NXEA!]

i take numbers tbh people on here who think its sad to take numbers are sad themselves for being interested in it if for some reason liking trains is sad. so it doesnt matter really what aspects of the hobby you enjoy it may not appeal to you but thats no reason to put it down!

 

[4SRKT]

From a different pointof view. The reason I think some spotters are sad:

1. Hanging out of windows causing a risk to themselves and the working of the train

2. Trying to tell an experienced driver how to drive a train because he/she has a simulator on their computer.

3. Making pathetic hand gestures for the driver to sound the horn.

4. Abusing the driver verbally because he did a requested engine swap and the "one they want" was taken off.

5. Posting pathetic comments on forums like this

6. Making comments on a subject they think they know all about and are totally wrong.

7. Using flash photography into a drivers face.

8. Tresspassing for that ultimate photo

9. smelling of B.O. and stinking the coach out.

10. Making comments to the driver when things are not going right like "have you broke it", "have you tried this and that", "if it was a class 37 I would organise my life around your service", "the line speed here is good for 90mph" many other comments I have had that I cannot remember I think are also sad.


Anyway,I have met many pleasant spotters enthusiasts in my time and the majority are not sad, or strange but are just enjoying a hobby but there are some who give all you descent enthusisats the "sad" name, I can work out on this forum who they are so I betyou can too.
[

So, essentially, the definition of a 'sad' person is someone who does something that annoys you, or of which you (subjectively) disapprove. Hardly an answer to the question of why many people think railway enthusiasts are sad.

The world is too full of people who get angry or upset about the activities of others (not just railway enthusiasts, but anyone who has the gall not to conform 100% to what society appears to 'demand'). This is called prejudice, and yes, it is an ugly word.

 

[starrymarkb]

"Have you broken it?" is not confined to spotters, think everyone gets that said to them at some point or other. As long as it is said in jest

 

[Greenback]

A lot of the behaviours that TDK listed are dangerous rather than sad. So he has a right to be annoyed with camera flash, trespass, hand signals and abuse!

I don;t get angry very easily, but one of the things I do get irritated by is the foolish actions of people causing risks to themselves and others around them. There isn't enough consideration around, and some people simply don't think through the consequences of their actions.

I donlt think society 'demands' as much as used to be the case! We live in a much less rigid environment these days.

I oftenw odner about the word 'sad'. It's used much more these days, but I can't really decide exactly what it's supposed to mean. Sometimes it's used in the same context as weird, sometimes it seems to have an association with pity for the person so described. Either way, it's probably used by many simply to describe they don't understand, and don't want to understand,

I suggest therefore, that it is a pretty harmless term in itself!

 

[TheWalrus]

I agree with the first few posters. How is it different to being into football or bikes or cars?

 

[37401]

Im not going to post what I find sad in some spotters, at the end of the day if asking for horns or jumping about at the sight of a 66 or a unit makes them happy and as long as its not endangering anyone let them get on with it.

I will however post what I find iritating about certain spotters

1. Yabbering on and on thinking that they are a top man because they have access to "TRUST" or "TOPS" or whatever system that only staff should have access to

2. Yabbering on when it comes to gen, even more so with passenger working gen saying "its MY gen, ask ME before passing it on" made even more pathetic when they say it about passenger workings, how would thing have worked if these people did this in the 70s 80s and 90s bashing days "Im not telling you what locos on 1V32 because thats MY gen not yours MINE!!"

3. Older "enthusiasts" that think they are above the rules, Smoking, using flash, blocking up stairs, trespassing ive seen all those by certain folks at Tamworth station alone


4. Abusing the driver verbally because he did a requested engine swap and the "one they want" was taken off

using TDKs one there, not heard abuse because 670xx worked and they need 670xx but have heard it becuse they didnt let them in the cab or toot the horn, no need for it at all

10. Making comments to the driver when things are not going right like "have you broke it", "have you tried this and that", "if it was a class 37 I would organise my life around your service", "the line speed here is good for 90mph" many other comments I have had that I cannot remember I think are also sad.

I can see how you would find this irritating, your fustrated that something has gone belly up on the engine and you get someone telling you to do this and that because they read it in a BR manual they got off Ebay or they drive it in a game, on the Yarmouth 20 tour the chap I bumped into was talking to the driver of 305 when he was trying to work out what was wrong so I can see how it would be annoying

However it depends on the class though if its a class that has preserved members than maybe that person works on them (e.g if its a 20 the person telling you to try this and that may have put in several hours helping to restore the loco) so they may well have good knowlage on the locos

but if its a 67 and its a young chap telling you what to do, inless its
"43034TheBlackHorse" id put money on them not having a clue

 

[Greenback]

The Walrus: It's not, except for the stereotype nerd with glasses, notebook and anorak.

Science fiction fans are similarly stereotyped, especailly trekkiea (see The Simpsons!). Football fans also suffer the illiterate thug stereotype (to a lesser extent), bikers can have a negative image, as can boy racers as already discussed.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Im not going to post what I find sad in some spotters, at the end of the day if asking for horns or jumping about at the sight of a 66 or a unit makes them happy and as long as its not endangering anyone let them get on with it.

I will however post what I find iritating about certain spotters

1. Yabbering on and on thinking that they are a top man because they have access to "TRUST" or "TOPS" or whatever system that only staff should have access to

2. Yabbering on when it comes to gen, even more so with passenger working gen saying "its MY gen, ask ME before passing it on" made even more pathetic when they say it about passenger workings, how would thing have worked if these people did this in the 70s 80s and 90s bashing days "Im not telling you what locos on 1V32 because thats MY gen not yours MINE!!"

3. Older "enthusiasts" that think they are above the rules, Smoking, using flash, blocking up stairs, trespassing ive seen all those by certain folks at Tamworth station alone


4. Abusing the driver verbally because he did a requested engine swap and the "one they want" was taken off

using TDKs one there, not heard abuse because 670xx worked and they need 670xx but have heard it becuse they didnt let them in the cab or toot the horn, no need for it at all



I can see how you would find this irritating, your fustrated that something has gone belly up on the engine and you get someone telling you to do this and that because they read it in a BR manual they got off Ebay or they drive it in a game, on the Yarmouth 20 tour the chap I bumped into was talking to the driver of 305 when he was trying to work out what was wrong so I can see how it would be annoying

However it depends on the class though if its a class that has preserved members than maybe that person works on them (e.g if its a 20 the person telling you to try this and that may have put in several hours helping to restore the loco) so they may well have good knowlage on the locos

but if its a 67 and its a young chap telling you what to do, inless its
"43034TheBlackHorse" id put money on them not having a clue

Behaviour traits will vary from individual to individual. At cricket matches I often hear old men telling professional cricketers how to bowl because they once truend their arm over for the Seaside 2nd XI! It's not limited to railways!

 

[4SRKT]

A lot of the behaviours that TDK listed are dangerous rather than sad. So he has a right to be annoyed with camera flash, trespass, hand signals and abuse!

I agree, but poeple shouldn't say this is why railway enthusiasts are sad. Say it's because some dickheads do dangerous things.

 

[37401]

I agree, but poeple shouldn't say this is why railway enthusiasts are sad. Say it's because some dickheads do dangerous things.

Totally agree

 

[Greenback]

Yes, that was why I mentioned the use of the word sad. I don't think it was appropriate, annoyed or irritated would have been much better!

 

[Geezertronic]

traits will vary from individual to individual. At cricket matches I often hear old men telling professional cricketers how to bowl because they once truend their arm over for the Seaside 2nd XI! It's not limited to railways!

And you get thousands of people trying to be the manager or the referee at football games...

 

[Lampshade]

And you get thousands of people trying to be the manager or the referee at football games...

To be fair, they'd have probably done a better job than that idiot last Sunday

 

[GNERman]

i just think it's becahere are some of us that dress awfully, have no sense about clothing (cough wensley cough) and it makes them think that this is how we all are.

 

[TDK]

So, essentially, the definition of a 'sad' person is someone who does something that annoys you, or of which you (subjectively) disapprove. Hardly an answer to the question of why many people think railway enthusiasts are sad.

The world is too full of people who get angry or upset about the activities of others (not just railway enthusiasts, but anyone who has the gall not to conform 100% to what society appears to 'demand'). This is called prejudice, and yes, it is an ugly word.

The word sad as Greenback mentions is probably the wrong word, the type of spotters I mention in my post are lets say irritating, annoying and need to think what thay are doing before they do or say it. From the cab seeing a spotter move their arm up and down for the driver to blow up makes me feel that these people look stupid and are in my eyes making a fool of themselves. You mention the word prejudice, yes, I am prejudice against the spotters who fall into the catagory on my list if prejudice means I favour decent spotters against the tits.

 

[Greenback]

Aren't spotters and enthusiasts two different things? Or are the terms interchangeable really?

I consider myself to be someone with an interest in railways, but I don't go and note down numbers or try and look for particular units or locos. I do, soemtimes, take photos of trains near here, but I take photos of old buildings too, as I am also interested in local history!

So am I an enthusiast, a spotter or both?! And am I sad?! lol!

 

[37401]

I favour decent spotters against the tits.

Had a chuckle at that, you drive for WSMR dont you? (guessing form posts) bet you see all the tits then what with them operating locos and Mk3s

 

[krus_aragon]

I'd expect taking numbers to have been more understandable in the past when more engines were named, and when there were more locos than DMUs. If I see a Virgin 57/3 I'll look closer to see 'who' it is; I wouldn't concern myself with the number of a 150 taking me home.

 

[TDK]

Had a chuckle at that, you drive for WSMR dont you? (guessing form posts) bet you see all the tits then what with them operating locos and Mk3s

I get photographed at least 20 times a day and get the hand gesture at least every day too, I have seen my fair share of tits and my fair share of descent folks, I suppose that is the downfall of driving locos. I should start a tit thread and report exactly what I see in a day and then some folks on here will understand why I get fed up and frustrated at the way some spotters behave.

 

[37401]

I get photographed at least 20 times a day and get the hand gesture at least every day too, I have seen my fair share of tits and my fair share of descent folks, I suppose that is the downfall of driving locos. I should start a tit thread and report exactly what I see in a day and then some folks on here will understand why I get fed up and frustrated at the way some spotters behave.

Take a camera with you, name and shame them

 

[Greenback]

A tit thread may attract a great deal of interest from those not necessarily into railways...I mean birdwatchers of course!

 

[37401]

A tit thread may attract a great deal of interest from those not necessarily into railways...I mean birdwatchers of course!

Both kinds of bird watcher

 

[I T S]

I would make the analogy that an enthusiast trying to see / photograph everything is no different from a football fan trying to watch every match their team plays.

Thats very well said there. I think people that make fun other enthusiasts have very little to do with themselves and no doubt have no social life

 

[NSE]

I think that with anything there are always the minority that take it too far and over the top (sometimes dangerously), and these give off a negative or sad image. I personally do not fit the stereotype enthusiast. I'm in my late teens, and generally do not tell my friends of my interest.
I've never been a spotter, I've occasionally mentally noted numbers to ask people on here questions, and one or two because certain things happened on them (for example 365536 failed when I was on it and was quite interesting watching them lower and raise the pantograph). But generally I prefer to simply read stuff on the 'net and choose to travel by train when the chance arises.
Afterall I believe that surely you'll more likely to witness something unusal whilst going past many stations and depots than just sitting at a station where the the frequency is generally the same every hour.
I'm sure many of you are the same, I just simply like trains