I’m trying to find out how many rail enthusiasts there are in the US, the UK, and the rest of the world. And which countries have the most enthusiasts?
If you can help, or know of any research that has been done in this area, would you please let me know. I would be very grateful.
Thanks very much
Well, at least in the US its a fairly prominant hobby. when I go down to the tracks, most likely Im not the only one there. on a typical sunday if I go out there are 7 or 8 other people in the parking lot I railfan at at a time, and I know its more or less in other areas. plus parks like Rochelle bring in good crowds many times. as for studies, I don’t know of any, so I can’t help there.
I doubt you will be able to acquire this data as trainheartedguy says that depending on location will depend on the crowd. Also it depends on the event. I went to a train hobby show in Springfield, MA in February and it was a 3-day event and it encompassed 3 football sized building and it was packed. Looking at live steam, at places it is hard to get a good clean shot as there are so many people. Myself, I prefer to watch trains in places by myself - off the beaten track - as to me the beauty of trains is something I enjoy without a lot of useless chatter. Bill (ww)
Very well said wwarner, I wish I could said it as well[#ditto]
Most any Friday night,there are between 10-15 railfans at the Fullerton Amtrak station,and almost as many on Saturday.
There doesn’t seem to be too many of us out here in the lowermainland – usually all the same guys out there.
Though there was excellent turn out when the 2816 came steaming through.
Have to agree with above quote - not so many people out in the Fraser valley of BC area , normally can go out all day and not come across another railfan , although they may not want to identify themselves! I can go to my favorite spot and only see the local folks, who are obviously not interested in the trains as noted by their comments .
In the UK trainspotting is popular.
We have many societies, whose membership vary fromvery active, to armchair interest.
I was membership Sec for one of the larger ones, and our circulation was c3,500.
In addition there are about a dozen main stream magazines that find sufficient circulation to publish monthly (including one specialising in European Railways as well as “Trains”)
I would estimate 15,000 active UK enthusiasts.
Regards
Other countries that are big on enthusiasm are Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands and Japan.
Japan is reported to have upwards to 9 million model train enthusiasts!!!
(Try buying a Japanese model train outside that country, especially a new item that hasn’t been pre-ordered).
Brian W.