I recently posted an open invitation to anyone wishing to publish their photos of trains on the web, but the response was not good, however I did receive a reply from my non-anorak friend, Phil Spencer - a professional photographer, no less - who regularly travels the world covering international news stories. In between hanging about in bars, Phil may take a few railway shots for me to have a gander at on his return home...isn't that what pals are for?

Of course, many non-anorak types think 'nerdish' people like me (who have a passion for trains) are totally bonkers - 'chuffing loco' as Phil eloquently puts it, but he's only partly right. There is a logical side to railway enthusiasts too. We might be misty-eyed steam fundamentalists who lament the passing of an era, but hankering after the old days isn’t only because we miss the spectacle of BR steam in everyday service, it's because we miss the vitality of youth. It’s called nostalgia, pure and simple. I love browsing through pictures of 'Streaks', 'Semis', 'Crabs' - even 'Big Boys' from America. It's one of the best ways of blowing away the cynicism that comes from living in the 21st Century -  In case you're wondering,  I've thrown in these double entendres to flummox Phil...Big Boys from America? He won't have a clue what I'm talking about!