Youngsters & A4s.........
Youngsters & A4s.........
Just put on a VHS tape today(Titans of Steam) for my lad Alfie to look at.In amongst the opending titles was 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley & straight away he said "Look Daddy.....Spence!"
Can you imagine how impressed I was?
He's not 3 years old until the end of May & he can spot the difference.
Anyone else know of a trainspotter at such a young or even younger age?
Can you imagine how impressed I was?
He's not 3 years old until the end of May & he can spot the difference.
Anyone else know of a trainspotter at such a young or even younger age?
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
Thomas the Tank Engine is probably the only real remaining link with steam locomotion that people under 40 have.
That said, I was amused to hear a young mother say to her toddler-in-pushchair, "Look, here comes the choo-choo!" The toddler looked on gleefully as the boxy EMU of the Tyne & Wear Metro approached, making no such sound.
That said, I was amused to hear a young mother say to her toddler-in-pushchair, "Look, here comes the choo-choo!" The toddler looked on gleefully as the boxy EMU of the Tyne & Wear Metro approached, making no such sound.
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Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
Oh dear, you need to get out more!Brianetta wrote:Thomas the Tank Engine is probably the only real remaining link with steam locomotion that people under 40 have
I managed to see my first steam train in about 1979 and my first in BR mainline use in about 1986
I then managed to get some footplate time in 1991, albeit shunting around Aberdeen on 60009 (with its fake nameplate)
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Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
I saw my first steam loco when i was 5 at the Severn Valley Railway.However i was more interested in the 2 diesels there Western Ranger and Western Courier.If memory serves i think Ranger was in blue and Courier Maroon.My mom and dad used to read me Thomas the Tank engine stories but my favourite was always Co Bo and Diesel so i guess i was born into diesels.
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Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
There is a very real difference between 'trainspotters' and 'people'.m8internet wrote:Oh dear, you need to get out more!Brianetta wrote:Thomas the Tank Engine is probably the only real remaining link with steam locomotion that people under 40 have
I managed to see my first steam train in about 1979 and my first in BR mainline use in about 1986
I then managed to get some footplate time in 1991, albeit shunting around Aberdeen on 60009 (with its fake nameplate)
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
I must admit that even now I refer to the Metrovick Co-Bos as "BoCos" - as Rev. W. Awdry himself observed, "BoCo" flows better and sounds more affectionate.
I think it's the TV production team's credit that even now, long after they've stopped using Rev. W. Awdry's original stories, they still use real life prototypes for their own characters - even if some are a little unlikely on a British railway.
I think it's the TV production team's credit that even now, long after they've stopped using Rev. W. Awdry's original stories, they still use real life prototypes for their own characters - even if some are a little unlikely on a British railway.
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Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
Alfie hasn't used the phrase for almost a year & prefers the word "train".Okay,an engine isn't a train,but just a mere part of one,but still an improvement.Brianetta wrote:"Look, here comes the choo-choo!"
He calls the 0-6-0 "Ring Haw" by the name "Percy" & tends to relate colours to names.But at this rate I think he'll have grown out of Thomas at an early age & probably want "proper" engines in his trainset layout.Good job I don't plan to DCC-chip them all I suppose..........
No doubt it'll be me who keeps the likes of Gordon,Duck,Toby & James on mine instead
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
I'd suggest the majority of people who visit the larger of the preserved lines such as the SVR aren't spotters or remotely interested in trains... but like a ride behind a steam engine... and many kids get introduced this way... in fact I know that takings on the SVR Diesel Gala aren't as good as normal weekends... thats why they have tended to run some steam trains amongst the diesels in the past... before anyone says anything, thats not criticising diesels, its just a fact of life that a steam engine has more "pull" than a diesel for the great unwashed...
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
The best takings ever at the ELR were a deltic special weekend in 1998 IIRC with 3 of the brutes Diesel powwwwwarrrrrr! LOLb308 wrote:I'd suggest the majority of people who visit the larger of the preserved lines such as the SVR aren't spotters or remotely interested in trains... but like a ride behind a steam engine... and many kids get introduced this way... in fact I know that takings on the SVR Diesel Gala aren't as good as normal weekends... thats why they have tended to run some steam trains amongst the diesels in the past... before anyone says anything, thats not criticising diesels, its just a fact of life that a steam engine has more "pull" than a diesel for the great unwashed...
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
There are some lines that are "known" for diesel traction... ELR being one... but on traditional steam ones like the SVR, Bluebell, etc diesel is not as big a draw... though it is increasing in popularity I admit!
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
They want to ride behind a steam engine out of nostalgia. Their kids won't grow up having known what steam was like. They will choose other days out, as I do. I'm too young to have any affection for steam, and it's no surprise to me that Thomas days are what keeps many preserved lines open.b308 wrote:I'd suggest the majority of people who visit the larger of the preserved lines such as the SVR aren't spotters or remotely interested in trains... but like a ride behind a steam engine...
I just barely remember Ivor the Engine. My outstanding childhood railway memory is seeing those spanking new 125s in yellow and blue.
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
It would be interesting to find out if the preserved lines have actually done any research and published their findings as to what people who visit these lines go there to see and do (bearing in mind that the majority are not enthusiasts except at something like a diesel gala)... as at the moment we are just guessing...
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
I would guess that, if a youngster saw an A4 at speed... some kind of change might be necessary.
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Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
When I was a kid I knew what a "Pacer" and a "Sprinter" were Not that this will impress any steam fans
"Out of commission become a pillbox, out of ammo become a bunker, out of time... become heroes"
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http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Fo ... 67#p215267
Layout updated 18/10/09!
http://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/Fo ... 67#p215267
Re: Youngsters & A4s.........
Sorry if this is dragging up an old topic,but I thought I should post here rather than open a whole new thread......
Can anyone help answer a question for me?
Does anyone know what colour background were the nameplates of 60009 Union of South Africa in the early 1970s?
Were they black at all or have the always had a red background?
Apologies,but I can't find any pictures of the locomotive from that time anywhere
Can anyone help answer a question for me?
Does anyone know what colour background were the nameplates of 60009 Union of South Africa in the early 1970s?
Were they black at all or have the always had a red background?
Apologies,but I can't find any pictures of the locomotive from that time anywhere