Don't worry Jimmi, I feel that way about the hobby a lot of the time these days.

Don't worry Jimmi, I feel that way about the hobby a lot of the time these days.

For me it's partly how I seem to go to ridiculous lengths in this hobby at times for no reason whatsoever. Honestly why the hell am I going walking round an industrial estate nowhere near me to get a photo of something that will be in passenger service soon, I honestly don't know why I do this to myself and I end up doing it and just think, why?

Another problem I have right now is the Millburngate Bridge roadworks are horrendous so I am going to be home later than I thought and I can't stand being late for anything and I can't help but stress out about it when it really doesn't matter.

These are the sort of things going round in my head all the time and it can totally kill me at times so little wonder why I get so wound up.

Lost count of how many times I've ended up going somewhere and ended up wasting your time. One example was going on holiday to Berkshire in hope of getting on Newbury Buses MAN LionCity Decker. Turns out they withdrew it weeks beforehand, still got photos of it when I had a guided tour of the Reading Buses depot.

As if the afternoon couldn't get any worse, we have just come very close to being in an accident by some brain dead moron trying to overtake the 7 when a car was coming the other way.

The stress and the heating on the 7 has now leaving me feeling lightheaded and dizzy and I have the fear when I stand up I am going to fall to the ground which unfortunately happens to me sometimes.

Boy it's fun being me.

And this is what happened when I opened my bottle of Pepsi.


So now I have sticky hands and my jeans need to go in the wash and I am short on jeans at the moment and I am going out today. Oh and there's the fact that I looked like I've ****ed myself.

God this really isn't my day, I wish a black hole could swallow me up right now!

Thanks Poundland Eldon Square for not having carrier bags that you don't have to pay for.


And the Tapatalk app isn't posting my replies.

As if the afternoon couldn't get any worse, we have just come very close to being in an accident by some brain dead moron trying to overtake the 7 when a car was coming the other way.

The stress and the heating on the 7 has now leaving me feeling lightheaded and dizzy and I have the fear when I stand up I am going to fall to the ground which unfortunately happens to me sometimes.

Boy it's fun being me.

You could probably do with carrying around a rescue package. I always have a cereal bar and a bottle of water in my bag. Travelling around with an 11 year old can be handy, too, as he thinks nothing of opening a window, even when it ruins everyone's hair

Picking up on your comment about the Milburngate roadworks, I'm just having to roll with it, as far as they're concerned. None of the buses that pass my house avoid them at any point on my route. The Arriva App is handy for keeping anxiety levels down, while waiting, but falls apart when you're waiting at the start of the route, or even in the middle of the route when the delays are big ones. There's been a couple of times I've been tracking a bus that it's claimed has passed me. Once it arrived 10 minutes after it was supposed to have come past and the other time it never materialised - probably missed the village out entirely to make up time.

It seems more pointless when I went to Saltmeadow's this morning as well. Not like both are on my doorstep either.

Just seem to be constantly switching from fairly happy to miserable lately and I really don't know why. Really need to sort myself out but not really sure what is up with me lately and how to sort myself out.

Again sorry for boring everyone with my problems, if you hate reading these posts try being me, it's not easy!

Tell ya what mate...

Why don't you start doing a bit more trainspotting, something different for a while, it would be a shame if you become disillusioned with buses and pack it in

Tell ya what mate...

Why don't you start doing a bit more trainspotting, something different for a while, it would be a shame if you become disillusioned with buses and pack it in

Problem with trainspotting for me is realistically I'd have to go to Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough or Newcastle to do trainspotting so unlike buses it's not like I can do it on my doorstep like buses where in the last few weeks I have snapped a few odd workings on home turf which thankfully I usually get odd workings for my way via the Arriva Odd Workings thread. In Newton Aycliffe all we have is a Northern Rail service every 2 hours using Class 142's.

I could do with finding a new hobby to do as well as the bus hobby but haven't found anything that would appeal to me. If anyone has some random suggestions please give me your suggestions.

I keep meaning to scale the bus hobby back but I have a fair bit spare time on my hands and I can't sit in the house as I just get bored and just want to eat everything in the house. Also everytime I try not to participate in bus photography something intresting comes up, new buses, rare workings etc. and I can't just avoid it I will often end up finding myself out getting photos.

Another problem I have right now is the Millburngate Bridge roadworks are horrendous so I am going to be home later than I thought and I can't stand being late for anything and I can't help but stress out about it when it really doesn't matter.

Horrendous? What today?

I pass over the bridge 4 times a day (twice by bus and twice by foot), and I don't think it's been bad at all. In fact, I'd go as far as saying it's quieter than it is when all 4 lanes are open. tyresmoke had commented in another thread, that the Stockton drivers had been saying similar. I'm getting between the bus station and the New Inn in half the time it usually takes. Even at peak times.

You could probably do with carrying around a rescue package. I always have a cereal bar and a bottle of water in my bag. Travelling around with an 11 year old can be handy, too, as he thinks nothing of opening a window, even when it ruins everyone's hair

I have to say, opening a window is usually the first thing I do when I board. I tend to find a lot of the older ANE buses really warm and clammy inside though.

Couldn't agree more about the 'rescue package'! I usually carry similar around for longer trips, unless I'm going somewhere like London, where there's a Sainsburys local or Tesco Express every 100 yards.

Problem with trainspotting for me is realistically I'd have to go to Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough or Newcastle to do trainspotting so unlike buses it's not like I can do it on my doorstep like buses where in the last few weeks I have snapped a few odd workings on home turf which thankfully I usually get odd workings for my way via the Arriva Odd Workings thread. In Newton Aycliffe all we have is a Northern Rail service every 2 hours using Class 142's.

I could do with finding a new hobby to do as well as the bus hobby but haven't found anything that would appeal to me. If anyone has some random suggestions please give me your suggestions.

I keep meaning to scale the bus hobby back but I have a fair bit spare time on my hands and I can't sit in the house as I just get bored and just want to eat everything in the house. Also everytime I try not to participate in bus photography something intresting comes up, new buses, rare workings etc. and I can't just avoid it I will often end up finding myself out getting photos.

I went through a bit of a phase a few months ago, when I had it engraved in my mind that I was weird for liking buses. Nobody was saying stuff to me, or anything like that, it's just inside I felt like it was a bit weird. Then, after the MetroCentre rally, when I started going out and about with people, I realised it's nothing to feel ashamed of and I've never enjoyed the hobby as much as I do now. I do have a few other things that I enjoy doing in my spare time, one of which is trains. Although I don't really ride them that much, I like to keep up with everything going on. I wouldn't dream of being one of the Central anoraks, but if needs be, I'll do some spotting there. You'll find something, and don't be ashamed about it, if it interests you, and it's legal, you can do it.

Problem with trainspotting for me is realistically I'd have to go to Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough or Newcastle to do trainspotting so unlike buses it's not like I can do it on my doorstep like buses where in the last few weeks I have snapped a few odd workings on home turf which thankfully I usually get odd workings for my way via the Arriva Odd Workings thread. In Newton Aycliffe all we have is a Northern Rail service every 2 hours using Class 142's.

I could do with finding a new hobby to do as well as the bus hobby but haven't found anything that would appeal to me. If anyone has some random suggestions please give me your suggestions.

I keep meaning to scale the bus hobby back but I have a fair bit spare time on my hands and I can't sit in the house as I just get bored and just want to eat everything in the house. Also everytime I try not to participate in bus photography something intresting comes up, new buses, rare workings etc. and I can't just avoid it I will often end up finding myself out getting photos.

Not sure what you could do in place of your bus hobby...

I hope you don't lose interest all together, I like your pictures and your a nice enough person to hang around with...

Keep up the bus enthusiasm as ya don't wanna cost your olds more money by eating them out of house and home lmao

Horrendous? What today?

I pass over the bridge 4 times a day (twice by bus and twice by foot), and I don't think it's been bad at all. In fact, I'd go as far as saying it's quieter than it is when all 4 lanes are open. tyresmoke had commented in another thread, that the Stockton drivers had been saying similar. I'm getting between the bus station and the New Inn in half the time it usually takes. Even at peak times.


I have to say, opening a window is usually the first thing I do when I board. I tend to find a lot of the older ANE buses really warm and clammy inside though.

Couldn't agree more about the 'rescue package'! I usually carry similar around for longer trips, unless I'm going somewhere like London, where there's a Sainsburys local or Tesco Express every 100 yards. [emoji14]

It was just coming through Gilesgate that was bad (so pretty normal then) but after that it was fine.

I normally get a drink after so long to keep me hydrated usually cans or bottles of pop although I don't usually have much in the way of food often just have a pasty for lunch and not much else sometimes I get something like a packet of Haribo. Any suggestions on anything I should do like this? I am usually fine when I am out and about though but occasionally happens.

It was just coming through Gilesgate that was bad (so pretty normal then) but after that it was fine.

I normally get a drink after so long to keep me hydrated usually cans or bottles of pop although I don't usually have much in the way of food often just have a pasty for lunch and not much else sometimes I get something like a packet of Haribo. Any suggestions on anything I should do like this? I am usually fine when I am out and about though but occasionally happens.

What an understatement! 

I went through a bit of a phase a few months ago, when I had it engraved in my mind that I was weird for liking buses. Nobody was saying stuff to me, or anything like that, it's just inside I felt like it was a bit weird. Then, after the MetroCentre rally, when I started going out and about with people, I realised it's nothing to feel ashamed of and I've never enjoyed the hobby as much as I do now. I do have a few other things that I enjoy doing in my spare time, one of which is trains. Although I don't really ride them that much, I like to keep up with everything going on. I wouldn't dream of being one of the Central anoraks, but if needs be, I'll do some spotting there. You'll find something, and don't be ashamed about it, if it interests you, and it's legal, you can do it.

Usually end up feeling like this when things go wrong, if things go well on outings I have no problems. Not really done any outings with any enthusiasts recently other than Fozz last week and a few times when I have ended up in the same places as other enthusiasts and we have got the same bus, such as when I sampled the StreetDeck on the X21 from Bishop Auckland and Dan, aureolin were on this journey. Wouldn't mind having an outing with some of the members on here as I think it would be more fun, feel free to PM me if anyone is interested. I don't really get ashamed of my hobby much of the time but can do occasionally.

Not sure what you could do in place of your bus hobby...

I hope you don't lose interest all together, I like your pictures and your a nice enough person to hang around with...

Keep up the bus enthusiasm as ya don't wanna cost your olds more money by eating them out of house and home lmao

Thanks, I don't think I will lose intrest in the hobby but can totally resent it somedays.

What an understatement!  [emoji14]

I meant in regards to feeling dizzy, lightheaded etc.

Yeah things often go wrong when I am out and about.

Central anoraks, but if needs be, I'll do some spotting there.

Go elsewhere, some of the people who I've met there are reet knobs. I only go (past tense: went) there as I only had 3 hours to travel from Ashington to [enter place here], so I'd usually meet someone at Central station just to do something in the 1 hour that I would be there, best without nosey nebby respite workers who then go on to say that they had no idea what I was on about 

Morpeth (Arriva 2/44/X14/15/18) is an interesting station. You can stand on the station to get trains coming around the curve, or you can head to Morpeth North crossing or the footbridge (further along from the signal box) to take photos of trains coming from that curve or you can get a crossing shot (see avatar). Sean posted some handy tips a couple weeks back, which I'll certainly find handy! 

There are more places than you think to take photos of trains, you just need to find them! 

Go elsewhere, some of the people who I've met there are reet knobs. I only go (past tense: went) there as I only had 3 hours to travel from Ashington to [enter place here], so I'd usually meet someone at Central station just to do something in the 1 hour that I would be there, best without nosey nebby respite workers who then go on to say that they had no idea what I was on about 

Morpeth (Arriva 2/44/X14/15/18) is an interesting station. You can stand on the station to get trains coming around the curve, or you can head to Morpeth North crossing or the footbridge (further along from the signal box) to take photos of trains coming from that curve or you can get a crossing shot (see avatar). Sean posted some handy tips a couple weeks back, which I'll certainly find handy! 

There are more places than you think to take photos of trains, you just need to find them! 

There's a fair few places but it's finding some near me, I said Darlington but could probably only really do there if I was to get the train there which would be an additional expense, although there is the whole signing in thing at the likes of Central Station.

There is some bridges in Darlington that I could maybe use but may not be the best for getting photos from. Finding any other spots may be tricky, may try Thornaby Station.

There's a fair few places but it's finding some near me, I said Darlington but could probably only really do there if I was to get the train there which would be an additional expense, although there is the whole signing in thing at the likes of Central Station.

There is some bridges in Darlington that I could maybe use but may not be the best for getting photos from. Finding any other spots may be tricky, may try Thornaby Station.

go to the management centre, past the metro towards the car park (past the pub and Costa). Ring the buzzer at the door, the person at the desk will ask you what you want to do, "take photos of the trains", and then they'll ask for your name (this is just for an evacuation, so they can check all the visitors are present). They'll issue you with a ticket which you show to the person at the gates, once you've finished you return the ticket to the office.

go to the management centre, past the metro towards the car park (past the pub and Costa). Ring the buzzer at the door, the person at the desk will ask you what you want to do, "take photos of the trains", and then they'll ask for your name (this is just for an evacuation, so they can check all the visitors are present). They'll issue you with a ticket which you show to the person at the gates, once you've finished you return the ticket to the office.

The last time I was there for photos (for Tornado) was when I was on a Get Around (so no rail tickets/Explorer to get me through with the assumption I was going to travel), I was with Adrian and Adam. We didn't go through any of that procedure, we asked at a little information kiosk, and got redirected over to the ticket barriers where we asked for permission to go through. No questions were asked.

The last time I was there for photos (for Tornado) was when I was on a Get Around (so no rail tickets/Explorer to get me through with the assumption I was going to travel), I was with Adrian and Adam. We didn't go through any of that procedure, we asked at a little information kiosk, and got redirected over to the ticket barriers where we asked for permission to go through. No questions were asked.

That may have been for that day only, as the SMC would have been heaving!

That may have been for that day only, as the SMC would have been heaving!

If I remember correctly, there were only around fifteen enthusiasts that I could see.

go to the management centre, past the metro towards the car park (past the pub and Costa). Ring the buzzer at the door, the person at the desk will ask you what you want to do, "take photos of the trains", and then they'll ask for your name (this is just for an evacuation, so they can check all the visitors are present). They'll issue you with a ticket which you show to the person at the gates, once you've finished you return the ticket to the office.

See I hate doing anything like this, I can't bare going over and asking people for anything, seriously can't do it so I think if I wanted to go to Central Station for photos I'd want someone else with me as I can't do this.

If I remember correctly, there were only around fifteen enthusiasts that I could see.

Really? When the Wansbeck came through last year there was about 25 or 30 people. Then about 10 people at Bedlington when I passed through on the X21! 

See I hate doing anything like this, I can't bare going over and asking people for anything, seriously can't do it so I think if I wanted to go to Central Station for photos I'd want someone else with me as I can't do this.

You just have to give it a try.  You dont get anyway in this world without asking.

When I was younger I was like you, but by christ I have changed now....people can vouch for that 

Really? When the Wansbeck came through last year there was about 25 or 30 people. Then about 10 people at Bedlington when I passed through on the X21! 

I remember seeing a couple who I can name; Andrew John Todd (blonde hair and a blue coat), Thomas Pye (think that's name) and then one in that group was a girl (which surprised me, at the risk of sounding sexist, it's primarily a boy's hobby at the end of the day). Kenco was standing on the other platform with a few others, then standing at the top was some who I don't know.

It's odd how certain hobbies - perfectly respectable ones - feel like something to be ashamed of, isn't it? I think it's because society has a tendency to ridicule people who don't quite conform to a particular standard of presentation and interests. Somehow, collecting mass produced pottery, lead crystal or handbags falls into the realms of acceptability and having an encyclopaedic knowledge of plants or artists or a knowledge of certain aspects of history is seen as something to be admired. Heck, if you're really wealthy you can collect Ferraris and become as famous for that as anything else you've done. Yet an interest in anything to do with buses or trains or transport in general is something often ridiculed and here's you guys admitting to occasionally feeling ashamed and experiencing people who work with you or live with sneering that they don't understand the attraction.

I'm quite glad my son has got into this one. He became intensely interested in coins for a while and learnt an awful lot about them - would impress people by telling them whether their pound coin was real or fake. It was a rather insular interest, though and he tied himself in knots with it. The bus interest is a lot healthier for him, I think. It started with our occasional days out and he took an interest in the Go Northeast liveries. He started off printing off and assembling paperbuses from the ron and ton website, did some more reading, collected pictures he'd found, started collecting timetables and so on. Now we try to visit somewhere new each weekend - he and his brother appreciate the time apart and he's a lot more relaxed than when they're together (I'm ready to hit the wine, tonight, after a day at home with them both bickering, goading and sniping!) The fact that we get out is good for him, though I do have to hold his hand in bus stations, sometimes, or else he'd end up under one trying to get a look at al the registration numbers! He suffers with anxiety a lot and struggles with crowded places, but the fact that he loves the mode of transport helps him to work on keeping his cool (though he lost his rag in Whitby, the other week, because the X93 was full of other kids who were rather noisy and we'd already had to stand most of the way on the X7.)

I'm sure the buses will take a back seat to something else, at some point, but hopefully it'll be something else that's multifaceted. He's done some geocaching with school and enjoyed that, so we might do some of that when his brother's easier to take to places and a bit less unpredictable.

You just have to give it a try.  You dont get anyway in this world without asking.

When I was younger I was like you, but by christ I have changed now....people can vouch for that  [emoji14]

It's not that easy for me to ask for anything, my autism holds me back from doing so, it really is a problem for me with many things.

If anyone would go along with me I might do it but it's not going to happen if I'm on my own.

It's not that easy for me to ask for anything, my autism holds me back from doing so, it really is a problem for me with many things.

If anyone would go along with me I might do it but it's not going to happen if I'm on my own.

I would come along, but I don't think my mam will want me at Central station after the Quaylink launch, especially when I'll have to pay a full child fare to get to Newcastle at 8:45 

You just have to give it a try.  You dont get anyway in this world without asking.

When I was younger I was like you, but by christ I have changed now....people can vouch for that 

I order first at KFC in Penrith. Cashier: ''hello, what can I get for you?'' - ''erm, what he had, times two''. 

It's not that easy for me to ask for anything, my autism holds me back from doing so, it really is a problem for me with many things.

If anyone would go along with me I might do it but it's not going to happen if I'm on my own.

That's not uncommon, either. My son clams up completely with strangers (once he knows you, he'll let you know exactly how he feels about something, in no uncertain terms!)

Does having a written list of things to do (including things to ask for) help you? If you clam up, you then have something to busy yourself with to cover your embarrassment and point to if the words really don't come.