How did you become interested in trains?

[capitalomnibus]

I think I took a slight interest in trains from liking buses and it was also part of London Transport. I had lived near the Central line and that also increased my interest in the 1980's I could not wait to see the back of the 62 stock as they seemed old and ancient back then. The 92 stock seemed like something from the future when they came out. The damp smells, wooden floor, opening windows, loudness, trashy ride, full of grafitti in & out, shabby unpainted; all made me hate the 62 stock. It was only when they started going is when I missed them.

[Jam]

If I’m perfectly honest as a kid I used to watch Thomas the Tank Engine and play with wooden train track and trains, which probably hinted at my obsession with transport later on  .

For me the Tube set things off. More specifically the 1973 stock. At first I noticed the sounds they made, such as the DC traction motors and the brakes, something I won’t forget even after they meet their demise. The 1973 stock have so many subtleties in the design which also really got me interested, such as the masked windows.

The history of the underground also got me very interested, I mean the oldest bits are 159 years old after all! I’m also pretty interested in the architecture and designers, for example Charles Holden who designed Piccadilly Circus, Acton Town and many others.

That then set off my interest with SWR, mainly the 458/5 Junipers, 455s and 450 Desiros. 

Again, when I was little, I used to take the 450s into Waterloo, where my parents would take me and my siblings down to Southbank, which as a child was just sooo exciting!

Then the 458/5 Junipers came along and mostly replaced the Desiros and honestly, they have some of the most comfortable train seats around. They also have one for the best sounding traction motors around. It’s a shame SWR hasn’t looked after them since the conversion (SWR 458/0+ GatEX 460 into 458/5). When they move away to Portsmouth, they’ll get another refurb! It’ll be sad since we’re getting Class 701 with ironing board seats  .

And then there’s the 455s. Back in 2017 I started taking the bus then train to school (only lasted 3 months since I switched schools) which gave me time to bond with my Optare Tempos and I was able to take the 455s. All I can say is I’ll miss them when the 701s take hold. A lot. They have such bright interiors and comfy seats, a huge credit to South West Trains! I also remember trying to get on the ex Class 508 trailer that the 455/7s have. (These were put in those 455 sets when the 508s transferred to Merseyrail in the 80s.)

As you can see, it’s a combination of things that got me interested!

I’ve just realised that I’ve ranted a bit, so ignore this if you want!