“Who was the world’s first trainspotter?” in BBC News Magazine
The first trainspotter may have been Jonathan Backhouse who watched the inaugural journey of the Stockton to Darlington railway in September 1825.
He wrote a letter — filled with enthusiasm — to his sisters that is likely to be the earliest documented evidence of trainspotting.
The letter is on show at a new trainspotting season at the wonderful National Railway Museum in York.
Trainspotting Exhibit
“Discover the adventure, mischief, and drama of trainspotting through a fascinating season exploring the much misunderstood hobby” says the website for the Trainspotting Exhibit at the railway museum.
Drainspotter
We know who the first drainspotter is — and he’s probably the only one: DMC member Archie Workman.
