Do you like trains?

Looks a serious survey to me Max, though don’t expect the national statistics company to be buying the results from us! I too have noticed the trend in organitus suffers also having the train bug. The real question is (and this is a rhetorical one!)… which is the more socially acceptable hobby: organ spotting, train spotting, or neither?

which is the more socially acceptable hobby: organ spotting, train spotting, or neither? All out in front with the organs I would say. Warm Summer evenings with a flagon of Wiscombe cider touring the organs down at Dorset. It has to be the better option.

Too true Max! We organ buffs don’t usually wear anoraks either, nor for that matter do we spend an hour setting up a double camera/tripod and then wait around all day in the rain on the off chance that an organ might briefly show up or drive past. Another one for the train/organ debate – how often do you see train spotters talk to each other? Fight for the best position yes, but the ones I’ve seen (while playing organs at persevered railways) don’t even talk to their poor wives sat in the refreshment room, let alone fellow enthusiasts! Having an interest and appreciation of trains is one thing, but going to all extremes in pursuit of the hobby is quite another! (perhaps not the best time to mention the full-size signal in my garden???)

Nothing wrong with steam trains!! I like anything mechanical and alive, so that’s both of them! Organs are the less selfish pastime I suppose as everyone can enjoy them at some level, and the people in this world are on the whole friendlier than the train spotter clan. The real question:- will anyone here own up to having any steam train records? Organ records any day, but train recordings is taking it just too far for me. Warmest wishes, Jim

The problem is the media think of anyone in doing something different as 'anoraks', (a derogatory term originally aimed at locospotters with notebooks). I've been interested in organs the same amount of time as trains, about 37 years! Interestingly where I live there is neither a railway (thanks to Dr Beeching) or organ in town, (other than my still incomplete busker). Although I am involved with an organisation to reinstate the local railway! www.ccrdc.co.uk if you fancy a look! Who else out there is into railways as well??? Regards Robert Washington :D

I like trains, I'm an big fan of steam trains (& also traction engines). During the summer or easter I go to the Great Central Railway in Loughborugh & go from Loughborugh to the last station and back. Ben :)

Nothing wrong with steam trains!! I like anything mechanical and alive, so that’s both of them! Jim Does anyone have any sort of passion for diesels? I can see why steam holds an appeal, but diesel? My dad did his apprenticeship on steam and always says the railway lost it's 'charactor' when diesels arrived.

Hmmm, I was torn between... "Nothing compares to the wonderful world of mechanical music." and... "I wish I was the Fat Controller" A steam train is very nice, but only because it reminds me a little of a steam engine and rallys. No real other reason I am afraid. The fat controller always seemed to have a bit of fun in his job on 'Thomas the Tank Engine', but being the boss of trains that talk and are naughty would get a bit tiresome day in, day out I suppose. He was also always a bit unhappy- I recon he had a pay cut, and now he is the boss of Virgin Trains.

Hello On the subject of trains, they are also another one of my interests. However I'm no expert on them and compared to organs, my knowledge of trains is fairly limited, but I love the sight and smell of the old steam locomotives and the diesels, thesedays found on the preserved railway lines, bringing back all of that wonderful nostalgia. I have to admit, trains actually run in the family (well at least my mum's side of the family anyway!) because my uncle is actually an owner of a Peak diesel locomotive which for you train enthusiasts is class 45 45118 "The Royal Artillery Man" based on the Northampton and Lamport railway along with three of his coaches (don't ask for their numbers-please!) Somehow, I can't help feeling that my organ hobby comes from this passion. It wouldn't be surprising though! David :D

I can hold my hand up & say I have a 45 record with steam trail going through Malton station (Where i used to live). Although I do like to look at model railway layouts & used to have an 'N' gauge set myself years ago I also like to see proper steam trains running. That said I am not a train spotter - guess it's just another type of steam engine. Can't stand the modern diesels though. Give me steam anyday. Gary

Interesting results so far! Perhaps we should combine iMOD with a new train enthusiast section?! Going from the comments above, I think a name like “INATS BILT” would fit the purpose nicely, this being an acronym for “I’m Not A Train Spotter, But I Love Trains”. More interestingly, how many hardened train spotters like listening to mechanical organs then! Wonder if a “Steam, Organ and Diesel Society” (work out the acronym yourself!) is the way forward?

Organ Rally at a Train Museum
In Union, Illinois there is a HUGE train museum with many steam engines, passenger cars, as well a mammoth collection of trolley and tram cars. Their website is: http://www.irm.org/ Several months ago discussion started in the Lake Michigan Chapter of the Musical Box Society International to have an organ rally at the museum. Most thought it would be a superb idea including people from the museum. A popular spot for band organ rallies in America has been Crossroads Village in Flint, Michigan. Crossroad Village is a restored town with a paddle boat, a carousel, and a fine steam train. Rallies there have always been well attended. Its website is: http://www.geneseecountyparks.org/crossroadsvillage.htm For years the late Harvey Roehl was a big flag waver for trains and fair organs. His enthusiasm was infectious. I once remember picking him up at Union Station in Chicago and taking him not to see music machines but directly to a hobby store where he bought items for his model railroad exhibit.

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