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Trainspotting Days
Trainspotting is a very popular hobby, but for boys 'of a certain age' nothing can replace the heady days of train-watching and number-taking in the age of steam. This book captures in it, a hugely nostalgic collection of photographs to transport you back to those far-off days of 'cops' and 'cabs'.
128 pages, Paperback
First published July 24, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 27, 2026
"We did no damage, we stole nothing, we sprayed graffiti on nothing, and we were tolerated, if not welcomed."
Into the 1980s, and even the 1990s, most railway station platforms still buzzed with gaggles of Gricers. The subject of increasingly cruel taunts by public and media, this age-old hobby hurt no one and entertained and occupied generations of, mostly male, youngsters. It was a cheap hobby, little more than a notebook, pen and access to a railway line was required. While every aspect of railways has been explored in detail in multiple books only relatively recently have those who engaged in the pastime been the subject of study. This pictorially focused volume by Will Adams is a poignant piece of social history and nostalgia. Given that most railway focused photographers did their darndest to cut people out of their shots, the quality of photos offered here is impressive.
The book opens with a nostalgic memory offered by enthusiast Brian Blessed, followed by a comprehensive introduction to the subject by the author whereby he argues convincingly for the railway as "theatre". There follows multiple roughly themed chapters showing Gricers in their natural habitat. Sadly I missed the age of steam in Britain by a few years and am envious of those who experienced the real steam age (although I was lucky enough to catch the very dying days of steam in Central Europe) which is brought vividly to life in these pages. While I am no big fan of people in my photos here they add to the poignancy and nostalgia. The book does not confine itself to steam days covering the railscene into the 21st Century. The 1970s and 1980s were my years and the Deltics around which an enthusiasts cult of fanaticism of which I was a happy part makes the pages.
The changing attitude of the railway to the public is one of the things which leaps out from the pages. The casual attitude towards Health and Safety which made life more enjoyable, if potentially at life changing cost, is well illustrated. What we did at open days and out on the line back then, without malicious intent, would today bring down the full force of the law. I had a number of close calls and discussions with railway police or security in my time (something which I seem to continue to attract the attention both at home and abroad). However, even I shudder looking at pictures of the elephant of a loco 71000 covered by a swarm of ant like young enthusiasts who had they slipped from the top of the boiler would be lucky to escape with no more than bruises and embarrassment.
This is actually a much more fascinating publication than I expected. It's rather high cover price is justified by the care and attention taken to assemble an interesting range of photographs which themselves tell an important social history, one which is gradually fading from living memory. Together with informative, thoughtful and informed text this makes for an enjoyable, nostalgic read.
Into the 1980s, and even the 1990s, most railway station platforms still buzzed with gaggles of Gricers. The subject of increasingly cruel taunts by public and media, this age-old hobby hurt no one and entertained and occupied generations of, mostly male, youngsters. It was a cheap hobby, little more than a notebook, pen and access to a railway line was required. While every aspect of railways has been explored in detail in multiple books only relatively recently have those who engaged in the pastime been the subject of study. This pictorially focused volume by Will Adams is a poignant piece of social history and nostalgia. Given that most railway focused photographers did their darndest to cut people out of their shots, the quality of photos offered here is impressive.
The book opens with a nostalgic memory offered by enthusiast Brian Blessed, followed by a comprehensive introduction to the subject by the author whereby he argues convincingly for the railway as "theatre". There follows multiple roughly themed chapters showing Gricers in their natural habitat. Sadly I missed the age of steam in Britain by a few years and am envious of those who experienced the real steam age (although I was lucky enough to catch the very dying days of steam in Central Europe) which is brought vividly to life in these pages. While I am no big fan of people in my photos here they add to the poignancy and nostalgia. The book does not confine itself to steam days covering the railscene into the 21st Century. The 1970s and 1980s were my years and the Deltics around which an enthusiasts cult of fanaticism of which I was a happy part makes the pages.
The changing attitude of the railway to the public is one of the things which leaps out from the pages. The casual attitude towards Health and Safety which made life more enjoyable, if potentially at life changing cost, is well illustrated. What we did at open days and out on the line back then, without malicious intent, would today bring down the full force of the law. I had a number of close calls and discussions with railway police or security in my time (something which I seem to continue to attract the attention both at home and abroad). However, even I shudder looking at pictures of the elephant of a loco 71000 covered by a swarm of ant like young enthusiasts who had they slipped from the top of the boiler would be lucky to escape with no more than bruises and embarrassment.
This is actually a much more fascinating publication than I expected. It's rather high cover price is justified by the care and attention taken to assemble an interesting range of photographs which themselves tell an important social history, one which is gradually fading from living memory. Together with informative, thoughtful and informed text this makes for an enjoyable, nostalgic read.
November 15, 2011
Easy read book mainly of pictures showing trains and trainspotters of a bygone age
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews