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Interesting article on trainspotting in UK

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Aiel
Member

Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 736
Location: Bangalore

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:28 am Post subject: Interesting article on trainspotting in UK

How Osama bin Laden killed trainspotting Trainspotters are an endangered species, driven out by officialdom, hypersecurity and a lamentable lack of fashion Link to the article here _________________ My Flickr photos My JP.net account

Aseem
Member

Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 1429
Location: YYZ

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:30 am Post subject:

that idiot killed my two hobbies in one shot _________________ My Love: Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200 VR

flightgearpilot
Member

Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 287
Location: BLR

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:45 am Post subject:

When we become paranoid as a society, guess who is winning? Why don't they make spotting into an added security measure by volunteers? Spotters can be made to register by filing an application and providing a verifiable proof of their identity like their passport or something. They can then be given a unique spotter id and identity cards which they can wear when spotting. In fact, spotting can add an extra element of security with the photographs and notes taken by spotters acting as more evidence in cases of bad events. After all, terrorists use mobile phone as well, and we can't clamp down on mobile phone users. While we can regulate an entire nation of mobile phone users by making it mandatory to register while buying a mobile phone, why is it such a big problem to regulate spotting?

vivekman
Member

Joined: 26 Dec 2006
Posts: 747
Location: BOM

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

Thankfully, trainspotting OR railfanning is alive and kicking in India courtesy an excellent group called IRFCA (Indian Railways Fan Club), even though this hobby is not yet recognized by the authorities. Do you guys know, that it is still OFFICIALLY PROHIBITED to click photos on Indian Railways premises (stations, trains, yards, bridges, etc). It is an ultra-stupid, ancient, British era rule that still exists till today. Who needs an Osama Bin Laden to kill our hobby, when you have such archaic rules to do the needful? BTW, I am aware of the following dual-spotters (AI netters+IRFCAns) on our forum: Akshay Marathe Aseem Johri Binai K Sankar (binaiks) Krishna Kumar (threekay76) Shashanka (vt-ala) Venkat Vivek Manvi Any more hidden out there?

airindia787
Member

Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Posts: 487
Location: Stamford, CT

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject:

Count me into the group of train + plane spotters as well. This comes from living in NYC + taking the Metro North every time I go there. _________________ "My longest flight was 18 hours - Singapore to New York on a very slow Airbus" - Tom Brokaw

wingspan
Member

Joined: 27 Mar 2008
Posts: 49

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 6:46 am Post subject:

vivekman wrote:

Thankfully, trainspotting OR railfanning is alive and kicking in India courtesy an excellent group called IRFCA (Indian Railways Fan Club), even though this hobby is not yet recognized by the authorities. Very Happy

Any more hidden out there? Wink

I've read IRFCA and I'm a dormant member...alas, I'm usually 8500 miles from CSTM or SBC so I can never snap the AirTel Raj or the elegant WAP-5s. I have always liked train travel in India, and generally prefer SL class - give me a side lower berth and I'll go from Kanyakumari to Udhampur without a complaint. Time permitting, I'll always choose the train over bus/plane/whatever.

It's pretty funny though that photography is illegal. I'm sure it's been enforced about oh, 3 times since 1960 or something like that.

Aseem
Member

Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 1429
Location: YYZ

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:21 am Post subject:

vivekman wrote:

Any more hidden out there? Wink

even ApuWDM2 is here, but he never posts Crying or Very sad

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My Love: Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200 VR

PNQIAD
Member

Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Posts: 25

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject:

I am an IRFCA member too - as in I subscribe to the list and am a railway enthusiasts - but mostly a read-only member of that forum.

avbuff
Member

Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 1476
Location: FL,USA

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:12 pm Post subject:

PNQIAD wrote:

I am an IRFCA member too - as in I subscribe to the list and am a railway enthusiasts - but mostly a read-only member of that forum. Smile

Same here! Railways is something of my interest as well.

TKMCE
Member

Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 253
Location: BLR

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 11:59 pm Post subject:

I try hard to like the train but never succeeds because of the following reasons Despite an average speed of 50 kms an hour or less 90% of the trains run late ( I sam speaking of the trains which I have taken which are quite a few from the Kalka mail to the Kanyakumari express from BOM- my horror train). I am not an affluent chap who can travel in II A/c comfort day in day out but I do pay the sleeper class supplement even for short day journeys! But what is the use - beggers everywhere in day time (not to speak of hijdas on any train passing through AndhrapPradesh) - not my ideal way of relaxing journeys! Paul Theroux may have loved the grime and filth and the 20 km an hour journoys he undertook in the "Great Railway Bazaar" but although I liked the book it has not swayed me to travel anymore than absolutely necessary in the Indian Railways! Instead, being too poor to take the plane (unless my employer sends me on one!) I settle for the bus. Atleast I have to contend with 25-50 pax (not an official 72/ unofficial100-150 in the train coach), it is no slower than mos t of the IRs pride and joy flagship expresses and you get a video , most often in a language you cant understand which helps one in mastering the art of sleeping through movies played at obnoxious volume. Are there any long distance bus travel fan website??? Count me in if so!!! Have done the COK-BLR-BOM and TRV-BLR-HYD longhauls by bus quite a few times! Also done the HYD-BOM and PNQ-BDQ trips as well. Next target is TRV-CCU on Volvo! Should be able to do it as per the info I have with just two stops!! TRV-MAA , then MAA-VTZ- VTZ-CCU. Apparently APSRTC has Volvos on the last two legs!!

binaiks
Member

Joined: 15 Jul 2007
Posts: 50
Location: NOW IN Bangalore...

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:53 am Post subject:

TKMCE wrote:

TRV-MAA , then MAA-VTZ- VTZ-CCU. Apparently APSRTC has Volvos on the last two legs!!

While, this looks interesting, I'm afraid this wouldn't happen!

A newspaper report shows that the Kolkata Volvo is withdrawn by APSRTC owing to poor patronage!
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Binai

TKMCE
Member

Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 253
Location: BLR

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject:

Sad!!! Too many trains inthe route!! People will get wiser soon I hope Anyway there should be buses on Viag-Puri or Berhampur and from there to CCU

Aseem
Member

Joined: 15 Dec 2006
Posts: 1429
Location: YYZ

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:02 am Post subject:

was wondering if ever there is a forum of bus fans?? might find one for Greyhound otherwise doubt very much. _________________ My Love: Nikon D200 + Nikkor 18-200 VR

sammyk
Member

Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 1849
Location: Austin, TX

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 1:49 am Post subject:

There is a bus forum but I can't remember the URL, I had it bookmarked on a different computer. There's a great picture site though: http://www.busexplorer.com

TKMCE
Member

Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Posts: 253
Location: BLR

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:55 pm Post subject:

[url]travelbyvolvo.blogspot.com[/url] Interesting one although on Volvos. The big draw back of Volvos is the reduced leg room and minimum capacity is usually 36-40 going upto 50-52 on the BOM-PNQ shorthauls. Actually there are even 25 seater non AC buses 2 x 1 on some long routes which are not bad. Sharma Transports has one on BLR-COK, KP used to have one on MAA-COK. One tip - never take the last seat on a Volvo. Intead of a blanket you will need ice packs! They are on top of the engine which is at the rear!!!!

Akshay
Member

Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 282
Location: Mumbai, India

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:57 pm Post subject:

Aseem wrote:

was wondering if ever there is a forum of bus fans?? might find one for Greyhound otherwise doubt very much.

I am the Admin of a forum for discussion of BEST buses in Mumbai. Here is a Link to the forum
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airindia787
Member

Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Posts: 487
Location: Stamford, CT

Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:02 am Post subject:

Just arrived from an overnight train from Tirupati. The seats are very comfortable, clean, pillows & blankets were provided, and I was able to take a few pics with no problem. _________________ "My longest flight was 18 hours - Singapore to New York on a very slow Airbus" - Tom Brokaw

airindia787
Member

Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Posts: 487
Location: Stamford, CT

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 6:47 pm Post subject:

Train/plane spotting is still legal in the US. In fact, it is illegal for a police officer to tell you to stop or to tell you to erase your memory card or confiscate it. _________________ "My longest flight was 18 hours - Singapore to New York on a very slow Airbus" - Tom Brokaw

sammyk
Member

Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 1849
Location: Austin, TX

Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject:

airindia787 wrote:

Train/plane spotting is still legal in the US. In fact, it is illegal for a police officer to tell you to stop or to tell you to erase your memory card or confiscate it.

While this is true you can still get in trouble with some ego driven cops making up rules as they go along. If you confront them about it they'll give you a lot of grief...especially if your skin is brown. Rolling Eyes

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