I could actually become an enthusiast!
By Fleur
@Fleura (29174)
United Kingdom
April 17, 2024 6:09am CST
I have never understood train spotters and rail enthusiasts. Trains are really not that different to buses, and yes I know there are bus spotters out there too but I certainly never understood them either!
I’ve been on diesel trains and electric trains and underground trains, and enjoyed a variety of scenic rail journeys in Britain and elsewhere in Europe and in the USA. But the engines themselves never really did much for me.
But last week we went on a steam train trip, a first for me (for a change, Little One was the most experienced member of the family, having been with friends on a day out last year!) and do you know what? I was seduced! Steam engines really do have a romance about them, a feeling of power, and a certain beauty. I can see why children wanted to grow up to be train drivers.
In today’s world when we are all trying to cut down on energy consumption and air pollution and CO2 emissions, keeping going an old technology that uses tonnes of coal and requires starting a fire five or six hours ahead of time to get up to temperature can’t really be justified (although I’m probably wasting my time worrying about these things when you think about the amount of pollution and carbon emissions released by the current wars!)
And yet if I had spare time and lived nearby I might actually volunteer to grease the wheels and shovel the coal!
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2024.
11 people like this
9 responses
@marguicha (215614)
• Chile
17 Apr
We don´t have coal engines in my country and haven´t had them for a long time. But I took a coal train the first time I rode a train when I was a child. I remember we went to the end of the train to feel the coal dust on our skin. Now that I remember, it was another world.
2 people like this
@sharonelton (25083)
• Lichfield, England
17 Apr
My step-dad (Syd) likes trains. He used to go out trainspotting a lot but he doesn't do it any more.
I'm glad you enjoyed your steam train trip. 
2 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38663)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Apr
Would you really volunteer to do the things you mentioned? Not me thank you very much. I'm an enthusiast but for my garden. Not that my neighbors would agree as my garden needs a lot of work. But that's because I've worked two jobs for the last fifteen years.
Now that I'm retired from my main job I hope to work on it more. I have a ton of bulbs to plant. Only problem is that we need a new deck and ramp in front and I don't want my plants stomped on when they're putting one in. I've not decided yet whether to start planting or wait another year.
I've never heard of trainspotting before but after reading again eltons response I was reminded that when my dad was growing up a train went very near their house and he would go on a ride it. I wonder if his mother ever knew? I never thought to ask.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38663)
• Midland, Michigan
21 Apr
@Fleura good luck. It's still too cold at night too so much gardening here. Yesterday some people saw a bit of snow in the morning.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29174)
• United Kingdom
21 Apr
Yes, if I had time and was nearer. I don't mind getting dirty and I do have a soft spot for vehicles of all kinds.
Like you though I love gardening. I finally got some work done today. It's been so wet it's a nightmare with our heavy, sticky clay soil. Now if I'm not quick it will dry out and be too hard to do anything!
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29174)
• United Kingdom
22 Apr
That would be a great experience I'm sure!
Actually I really enjoyed a train trip from Wisconsin to Seattle. It took (I think) two and a half days so we got plenty of time to admire the scenery, at practically walking pace for some stretches, and enjoyed proper meals in the dining car with table cloths, glassware and all the works!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326065)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Apr
I love travelling on a steam train but electric ones don't have the same rhythm. Maybe they make the railway lines a bit differently nowadays. Vince's Dad was a guard on the railways and two brothers also. One has remained besotted with trains and even has a LP of train whistles, which I thought was very funny when I first learnt about it.
We travelled on a rack and pinion railway in Tasmania and wrote about it but I'd better stop or I'll carry on all day. 
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29174)
• United Kingdom
18 Apr
My partner's grandfather also worked on the railways, his father used to hang about the engine sheds after school apparently, and get little rides when they shunted the engines about. And his grandfather had the (I guess less prestigious) job of scything the trackside to reduce the risk of sparks starting fires in the vegetation. Apparently when retired he used to mow his lawn with a scythe.
I have bought a scythe but it's going to be a while before I can get a neat cut like that with it!
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6116)
• United Kingdom
17 Apr
I LOVE steam trains.
I wish we could go back to the age of steam. I used to love watching Casey Jones back in the day, and would have loved to have been a driver. I too would volunteer to be a part of the heritage railways, but I don’t live near enough any either. 
Woo Woo!
Woo Woo!1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156722)
• United States
18 Apr
I remember riding on coal-driven trains. It was always very sooty when the train went around a bend. I'm glad you had an opportunity to ride a steam engine train. Have a good day.
1 person likes this
