They may not have the romance or majesty of a steam engine, but the Class 37 certainly caught the nation’s attention.

The locomotive took centre stage last night in the second episode of BBC4’s Trainspotting Live! which was broadcast from Carlisle station.

The three-part series aims to foster a passion for trains within the wider public.

Train-lover Peter Snow and mathematician Dr Hannah Fry presented live from Didcot Railway Centre, while roving presenter Tim Dunn was on the platform at Carlisle.

Speaking ahead of the show, he told the News & Star : “Carlisle is a hub on the railway network, where different kinds of train meet from different directions.

“We can see some really interesting unusual locomotives in Carlisle.”

While the premise of the show might seem very niche, Tim insists there is more to trainspotting than a lone man in an anorak with a clipboard.

“Trainspotting is shorthand for rail enthusiasm now,” he explained. “It’s a shorthand term for anyone who likes railways.

“It’s about appreciating the things you’re seeing, as well as the history and context of rail and industrial design.

“We are in Carlisle for the Class 37 locomotives: there are lots of them based at the Kingmoor depot near Carlisle, because they haul freight and diesel trains.

“The Class 37s are real survivors: they were built as the steam locomotive was being phased out and are still lumbering around 50 years later.”

Viewers of last night’s live show were encouraged to head out to bridges and rail lines close to them, to catch a glimpse of the Class 37 and send a photo to the programme.

People were also urged to send in photographs of trains taken during the day to foster a community trainspotting event, as the presenters endeavoured to create a collection of footage and images of the UK’s most eclectic trains.

The hobby has seen a resurgence in recent years, as people look more at the heritage and history of rail.

Tim said that the recent resurrection of the Flying Scotsman has led to a new generation of train enthusiasts.

“There were literally hundreds of thousands of people waving as the Flying Scotsman went past,” he said.

“It was like royalty, everyone wanted to see it because of its historical connections.”

A spokesman for the BBC said: “This is not just a show for the thousands of trainspotters out there; this is a show for anyone with a passion for British history, travel and engineering. This is a love letter to trains told by trainspotters – the custodians of our train history.”