TRAINSPOTTERS are being urged to share their memories as part of a six-month season of events to celebrate the hobby.

The National Railway Museum is seeking to debunk myths about what it believes is a much misunderstood pastime and is calling on ferroequinologists to provide tales and photos highlighting their experiences.

The details will be used for a centrepiece art commission for the York museum’s Trainspotting season, which will start in September.

Museum volunteer Nick Beilby, of York, told how, as a schoolboy, he sneaked in a side door of York engine shed in an attempt to collect locomotive numbers, only to see a row of polished feet.

He said: “I legged it, but in entirely the wrong direction and ran smack bang into the boss.

“That boss is now a fellow volunteer at the National Railway Museum and a friend of mine.”

A museum spokeswoman said the season would explore the experience of trainspotting, from collecting and documenting to adventure and the sense of anticipation of trains arriving.

She said: “Trainspotting was one of the most popular hobbies for boys in the 1950s and 60s, and although our art commission will be looking the subject from a fresh and contemporary stance, we also need real stories from the tracks to inform our supporting trainspotting season, which will include a variety of events and activities.”

Those with trainspotting tales should email amy.banks@nrm.org.uk or post pictures and stories on the museum’s website, nrm.org.uk/NRM/GetInvolved/trainspotting.aspx