Who says the current railway scene is boring?

321404 at Wolverton, 9 May 2008

One of the oft-repeated criticisms that I hear from railway enthusiasts is that the modern railway isn't that interesting or lacks the appeal that it once did. I've never been a subscriber to this view and while I doubt that current railway operations can combine with the awesome spectacle of steam and railways in their heyday, there is nevertheless plenty to be seen and enjoyed.

An often complaint is that the railways today are just a dull diet of multiple units with 66s dominating freight. Well, I grew up in Portsmouth, where seeing anything other than a slam-door was a rarity! I do have vague memories of seeing a Class 08 taking empty stock out of Portsmouth Harbour and the occasional sighting of 31s, 47s and 50s but these were only occasional visitors, as I recall and certainly by the late 80s, it was wholly a diet of multiple units of one sort or another, mostly in blue and grey. By contrast, today's railways are far more interesting with a plethora of liveries, different operating companies and seemingly endless reformations of stock and other modifications. There is, I would argue still plenty to see.

To prove the point, I spent just over two hours yesterday evening at Wolverton station and during that time I either noted or photographed, a pair of 90s, two 92s, numerous 321s, 350s and 390s, 325s on the mail, a 221, 56 and just one 66. That is nine different classes of multiple unit/locomotive in 2 hours, not bad I think! For me also the railways are more than just the trains that run on the rails and I think many enthusiasts loose sight of this. I am equally interested in the infrastructure, how the network operates and fits together, the stations, history of lines and the people that operate the railways. There is much more to see and enjoy than just noting train numbers or recording the passing of trains.