PalQ

If you've ever ridden British trains you probably (or may not have) noticed folks, usually kind of nerdy-looking middle age men, standing at the front of the platforms, a ubiquitous thermos of hot drinks at their feet, dutifully recording the train head code numbers of all trains that come thru - they collect the number of trains they see and the various types. Clapham Junction, the UK's busiest train station is a top trainspotting venue.
The Guinness World Record holder for train spotting, Bill Curtis, has recently died, so there is hope for others. Bill recorded a prodigious numbers of 85,000 locomotives, 11,200 electricl units and 8,300 diesel units in 31 different countries in his 40-year spotting career. It's rumored that an American now has his eyes cast on Bill's record.
In death, Bill, who was apparently homeless when alive, will continue to spot trains perhaps as he's buried in the Clacton cemetery right next to a rail line.

Guy18

Okay, this is not meant to be judgemental or sarcastic or mean...do these gentlemen have a mental disorder? I mean, what is the point? I'm trying to understand...

RufusTFirefly

I guess it might be similar to many who are into serious birdwatching. The thing is to record more birds than anyone else, not to enjoy the birds.

cigalechanta

There's a guy who is at the Palais Royale everyday. He feeds the birds and actually draws them and has names for all of them. He seems very normal when you talk to him.

Intrepid1

Some people count locomotives, varnish, rolling stock; other people count their money; some count the hairs remaining on their heads..and SOME actually count the number of times people post here...it is beyond understanding so just accept it!

amyb

I actually know some trainspotters, as well as plane spotters, and they get excited about a new model or seeing something that doesn't usually appear in a particular region (like when the Concorde flew into Boston a few years back). This is much like stamp collectors care about new releases and car collectors care about new car models, isn't it?

I wouldn't call it a mental disorder... it's all in what interests you. I'm sure we'd all find something you do "odd", Guy18.

Guy18

Okay, that helps to explain it. Although I have to admit that train stations, numbers and machinery seem a lot less interesting than nature's beauty and variety. My own prejudice I suppose.

PalQ

I think in UK they don't consider them mental cases as there is so many and they look normal, albeit kind of nerdy, and like Rufus says it can be compared to bird watching - though some would say that's a bit daft as well. If it brings enjoyment and excitement to their lives i'm all for this harmless hobby. (Some UK plane spotters were arrested i think in turkey, however, as presumed sabateurs a few years back.)

Brian_in_Charlotte

Yes, "mental disorder" goes a bit far. I prefer the more politically correct term, "weirdo".

RufusTFirefly

I don't tell Mrs. Fly what I'm spotting when we're out and about. And I don't keep any written records either!

Guy18

My last post was a response to the birdwatching analogy. You helped to further explain it, myb. And I didn't say they had a mental disorder; I asked if they did. And now I understand fully that they don't

Zeus

You nailed it Brian in Charlotte!!!

luv2cthings

I thought Rufus nailed it!

PalQ

Then there's plenty of weirdos in the world - coin and stamp collectors, baseball card collectors, bird watchers, etc. But perhaps there is more "more" in those hobbies than standing if the oft wet cool British weather writing down train codes. I wonder what wives say "oh my hubbie's out trainspotting" - rarely seen any women trainspotters.

wasleys

PalQ,

You haven't met my wife and daughter.

Curt

Used to take a lot longer to count the hairs on my head then it does now! Darn.

henneth

Our High School was located next to a railway line so we could train spot from the comfort of the science block. All practical experiments would stop when a Class 40 thundered past pulling a load of oil tankers, much to the annoyance of the Chemistry teacher.