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I have the impression that Japan is the center of trainspotting worldwide. When I lived there, I often went hiking with a Japanese friend who would often ask me

by jansan 3y ago

I have the impression that Japan is the center of trainspotting worldwide. When I lived there, I often went hiking with a Japanese friend who would often ask me if it was a problem to make a little detour, because at station X there is currently the rare train Y and he would like to take a picture. I never declined, so I participated in quite a few trainspotting events despite having no particular interest in trains. I have never seen this in Germany. Not once. Maybe there is a trainspotting scene in Europe, but it seems to be much, much bigger in Japan. I may be biased due to my personal experience, so hopefully someone with real insights can shed more reliable information.

busfahrer 3y ago
I had several experiences similar to what you describe. One of my favourites was a TV show we stumbled across while visiting Japan. It was sort of a game show, where three blindfolded contestants had to sit on a bench that had been taken from a train, and they had to guess which type of train said bench was taken from, simply from the feel of the bench. The programme then continued with what seemed like various stats and tidbits about the correct train type.
LargoLasskhyfv 3y ago
Uhm. When I grew up in .de I've been part of the youth movement collecting 'Vorsichtsbefehle' and 'Bremszettel' from the engineers in their locomotives. From maybe 1979 to 1982, that is ;-) We were thrilled when we spotted the Lufthansa Airport Express https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_403_(1973) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_403_(1973) , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_VT_11.5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_VT_11.5 , or gave us free cab-rides from Bonn to Cologne, or Koblenz and back on the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_103 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_103 ! Later from about 1990 to 2008 in different parts of Germany (mostly Rhine-Ruhr-Area and Hamburg) whenever I saw lots of people on bridges or roadsides with cameras and tripods I knew there was something special on approach, and stopped if time permitted. It was often worthwhile because of thundering steam :-) Meanwhile I moved away and visit only 1 to 2 times per year, but it still is like this. Maybe you are not watching? Or your ways don't go along where the rail tracks are, often enough? Thinking about it, I haven't seen any of it over the whole Covid-phase. That was a definitive dent. I hope it starts again.
- gerikson 3y ago
  The trainspotter in their anorak, notebook or camera in hand, is a staple UK trope. Or it was when I was growing up.
Tor3 3y ago
There are a number of special trains which are only passing now and then, so yes. Sometimes they're just painted in a special way, but at other times they're different physically, with maybe extra facilities (I went a couple of times on some sets which had newly installed coffee machines in a designated car. The train also had a very different (and nice) look. Used for the 'limited express' service).
traceroute66 3y ago
> Maybe there is a trainspotting scene in Europe I'm not a trainspotter, but even I have heard of Mr Bourgeois[1]. I'd guess there is a trainspotting scene in Europe if he has 3.1m followers on TikTok. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bourgeois_(trainspotter) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bourgeois_(trainspotte...
euroderf 3y ago
Youtube has several videos taken in stations in Japan, where Shinkansens come barreling thru at top speed. Very impressive.
johncoltrane 3y ago
In video #1, the railway company organizes an official event, with closed registration, memorabilia distribution and all, to celebrate the replacement of a departure time display in the Kawasaki station. In video #2, an event is organized for the last trip of a specific train. The train itself is full of trainspotters and the platform is overflowing. People cry and scream. Yes, there _is_ a scene over here but it's nowhere near the size and intensity of the Japanese scene. #1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poexzRiI_Bg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poexzRiI_Bg #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxcgfrZDGkg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxcgfrZDGkg

by jansan 3y ago

busfahrer 3y ago

I had several experiences similar to what you describe. One of my favourites was a TV show we stumbled across while visiting Japan. It was sort of a game show, where three blindfolded contestants had to sit on a bench that had been taken from a train, and they had to guess which type of train said bench was taken from, simply from the feel of the bench. The programme then continued with what seemed like various stats and tidbits about the correct train type.

LargoLasskhyfv 3y ago

Uhm. When I grew up in .de I've been part of the youth movement collecting 'Vorsichtsbefehle' and 'Bremszettel' from the engineers in their locomotives. From maybe 1979 to 1982, that is ;-) We were thrilled when we spotted the Lufthansa Airport Express https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_403_(1973) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_403_(1973) , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_VT_11.5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_VT_11.5 , or gave us free cab-rides from Bonn to Cologne, or Koblenz and back on the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_103 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DB_Class_103 ! Later from about 1990 to 2008 in different parts of Germany (mostly Rhine-Ruhr-Area and Hamburg) whenever I saw lots of people on bridges or roadsides with cameras and tripods I knew there was something special on approach, and stopped if time permitted. It was often worthwhile because of thundering steam :-) Meanwhile I moved away and visit only 1 to 2 times per year, but it still is like this. Maybe you are not watching? Or your ways don't go along where the rail tracks are, often enough? Thinking about it, I haven't seen any of it over the whole Covid-phase. That was a definitive dent. I hope it starts again.

gerikson 3y ago
The trainspotter in their anorak, notebook or camera in hand, is a staple UK trope. Or it was when I was growing up.

Tor3 3y ago

There are a number of special trains which are only passing now and then, so yes. Sometimes they're just painted in a special way, but at other times they're different physically, with maybe extra facilities (I went a couple of times on some sets which had newly installed coffee machines in a designated car. The train also had a very different (and nice) look. Used for the 'limited express' service).

traceroute66 3y ago

> Maybe there is a trainspotting scene in Europe I'm not a trainspotter, but even I have heard of Mr Bourgeois[1]. I'd guess there is a trainspotting scene in Europe if he has 3.1m followers on TikTok. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bourgeois_(trainspotter) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bourgeois_(trainspotte...

euroderf 3y ago

Youtube has several videos taken in stations in Japan, where Shinkansens come barreling thru at top speed. Very impressive.

johncoltrane 3y ago

In video #1, the railway company organizes an official event, with closed registration, memorabilia distribution and all, to celebrate the replacement of a departure time display in the Kawasaki station. In video #2, an event is organized for the last trip of a specific train. The train itself is full of trainspotters and the platform is overflowing. People cry and scream. Yes, there _is_ a scene over here but it's nowhere near the size and intensity of the Japanese scene. #1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poexzRiI_Bg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poexzRiI_Bg #2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxcgfrZDGkg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxcgfrZDGkg