There are large groups of people, pro-rail and pro-aviation. I use my passion and knowledge of railways and aircraft to explain situations to less informed friends and colleagues. In these times of recession, I encourage people to travel.

I know who works at my local airport (Providence RI), just as I knew who worked at my local station. (Stevenage). I know enough not to leave bags unattended, and if I see anything suspicious, I have my cell phone to make a call to local law enforcement. With my camera I can even take a photo should it be needed.. Wasnt there a problem in the Reading/Basingstoke area a few years back where BTP were asking for any rail enthusiast photos?

Lets be honest, a terrorist who has the intention of inflicting carnage is hardly going to be worried at some pissant telling them they cant take a photo. At worst, they will come back another day.

Always remember, if you never have a dream, you can never have a dream come true – best of luck.

Ah, Concorde. So very beautiful and, yes, iconic. Roars British [plus just a tinsy bit of French possibly perhaps, if we really must etc. etc.] self-confidence and the technological optimism of the late 60s. Animate, somehow. A living thing. [Well, its face could do expressions.]

Enthusiasts. They’re great. Horribly misrepresented in popular kulture. These are people who are absorbed by interests outside of themselves; who develop levels of expertise borne of passion – and there’s none better than that. No amount of “customer care” training will make an employee care if they don’t already.

There’s little or no ego involved. As a middle-age working/hobby pub-musician at the chuff-end of the entertainment industry, I fantasise about retiring to a steam-powered canal-boat and getting really interested in locks or something, in the manner of an assembly-worker dreaming of sunlight over green fields.

“I don’t like the idea of marked “zones” for spotters”

I know what you mean but some years back, living near Heathrow and being a keen photographer, I wanted my own still and videos of the “iconic” Concorde’s last flights. Although “plane spotters” may be considered as sad as “train spotters”, in fact and as I got to know them, they were a brilliant bunch.

Fully equipped with radios tuned to the correct frequency, they were a life saver because they knew when it was coming/going and could point you to the right sector of sky etc.

We often take the “hiss” out of enthusiasts of all kinds – “The Sealed Knot” for example and yet they have much to share to even the most casual observer. The other thing I found was that in true ‘Britishness’ they were happy to laugh at themselves but still continue doing what they liked.

Before Concorde’s last flights, I was a muddle class snob, by their generosity, I was humbled and will never again question a true “enthusiast”, they are brilliant !

No chance. You’re assuming intelligence where there is none. You’re assuming an ability to apply rules intelligently and equitably as appropriate. Instead some silly little Doris wants to prove how she’s the BOSS LADY and an old man MUST OBEY.

I frequently wonder if Hitler was a woman. Why’s it always bloody women who have to act by the utter letter of the rules, whereas us blokes can actually interpret them? it’s enough to drive one towards misogyny at times……

Oh, and don’t bother travelling by Virgin Trains. They’re late, smelly, overpriced and crap. Don’t even get me started on that one……………..

In fact, who better to run a railway than railway enthusiasts? A visit to any of our preserved lines bears testament to the skills and competence of these fine people. [As well as the clear superiority on every level of the old railways over the new. Harumph.]