Strange

Outrage over Trainspotting Ban Claim

by Jordan Yerman | March 16, 2009 at 09:18 am

219 views | 3 Recommendations | 2 comments

Rail enthusiasts are furious over claims that National Rail will ban trainsportters from crowded station platforms. Apperently the old saw of "security reasons" has been cited, though rail timetables are publicly available for anyone and everyone who wishes to see them.

National Rail denies the allegations, even as it installs automatic turnstiles in major stations. Trainspotters can get special non-transit passes to access platforms.

Trainspotting is a British tradition, and has been practiced for something like 170 years- if you arent' familiar with the practice, you can find out more about trainspotting here.

The Transport Salaried Staffs Association said its officials were told at a meeting that the ban is being planned by National Express on its East Coast line, at stations including York, Leeds, Doncaster, Wakefield, Newcastle and London King's Cross.

National Express strongly denied the claim and said platform passes will be issued to train spotters.

But the union said the move is being planned, adding that it would end a 170-year long tradition of one of the industry's most "enduring and iconic traditions".

National Express is instigating the ban as it installs automatic ticket gates at main stations along the line, say union leaders, who accused the operator of "mindless vandalism".

Gerry Doherty, general secretary of the TSSA, the industry's second largest union, said one of his officials had been told by a manager that trainspotters posed a "security risk".

He said: "Do they really think that a 10-year-old boy with a pencil and notebook is in possession of a dangerous weapon? You do wonder sometimes what planet these people are on."

Like all subcultures, trainspotting has its own lexicon of jargon. Give it ago and see if you an blend in with the anorak set.

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Yuliya Talmazan

at 09:42 on March 16th, 2009

I do see where they are coming from with the potential 'security risk.' I personally would not be very comfortable with random people standing on the train platform given the vulnerability of train stations to terrorist attacks. This is a long-standing cultural tradition; however, once buying a morning paper used to be part of our culture too...