I spent most summer Saturdays and some weekdays after school at the station with my brother Dennis and our friends, we noted some of them had posh loco spotting books with text and pictures. So we got dad to buy us one each the next time he won on the horses, we had to wait a little while.

1957 was the year I left school, I found employment as a projectionist at the Botchergate cinema. I enjoyed working the late shift because it gave me the afternoon until 16.30 to spend some afternoons at the station. With some real money in my pocket I bought a Brownie 127 still camera, which I still have in my film cupboard.

NEXT PAGE Spotting 1958/9

Train spotting was not easy in 1956 & 57. Carlisle Station was loosing some it overhaul roof. It suffered neglect during the war years and was in poor condition. So we spent our time on the station approach ramp talking down the numbers.

1957 Ian Macleod age 12. Note the dress, a far cry from the anoraks. It was later in 1960 Ian asked me if  I wanted to join a local loco spotting club.