York performance poet Henry Raby has only five minutes to answer five questions on his five-minute show, Train-Spotting (Not The Film) at the 2015 TakeOver Festival

FROM noon to 3.30pm tomorrow and on Sunday, York performance poet Henry Raby has his train spot on the Great Hall's Footbridge at the National Railway Museum.

As part of York Theatre Royal's railway-themed TakeOver Festival in its temporary Leeman Road home, Henry ponders what it takes to devote yourself entirely to a hobby in Train-Spotting (Not The Film). In his reflective five-minute piece, he speaks on patience, waiting and collecting, as he invites small audiences at regular intervals to watch the people watching trains.

Charles Hutchinson catches Henry's train of thought.

What does your Train-Spotting (Not The Film) slot at the 2015 TakeOver Festival involve, Henry?

"I’m presenting a character known only as The Trainspotter. He’s a friendly chap, and up for a chat on top of the Footbridge. He’ll explain the basics of train spotting, its appeal, and maybe invite the audience to do a spot of people watching from atop the bridge. Each performance is a mere five minutes long, for a small audience, so you can pop along while you’re enjoying the exhibits. It’s intimate, but not intimidating."

In a nutshell, what are your thoughts on patience, waiting and collecting. Do we still have time for patience in our busy, bustling world?

"We do a lot of collecting still, but we’re certainly not known for our patience anymore. We have become rather obsessed with immediacy. There’s nothing like a show about waiting for, usually delayed, trains, to remind you some things are worth waiting for. I like trains, because my phone can’t connect to the internet, so I have to make do with my own mind (or a book)."

Are you a trainspotter?

"I’m afraid I’m not a trainspotter, but I spend a huge amount of time on trains. I have my own ritual for train journeys, a little bit of wifi, a little bit of music, a little bit of a book, a little bit of writing. My bag is a survival kit. I do like stations, I’ve been to a fair few across the UK. Manchester Piccadilly is a pet hate, because my trains always go from the furthest-away platform. Peterborough station isn’t very inspiring. But I like to say 'Hello' to Larkin’s statue at Hull, and Liverpool has its Tommy Cooper."

As a poetic man of York, what does the NRM mean to you?

"What the NRM has been doing with York Theatre Royal over the past year is very heartening. To know two large institutions can work together to promote arts and history and collaborate is great."

Is the sound of train on track just about the most perfect meter for poetry, as in WH Auden’s This Is The Night Mail?

"Trains are great to write on. You see all sorts of people, things can catch your eye out the window, and there’s a rhythm to the train’s ride. Unlike buses though, they have little tables. Some people find it hard to write on trains as they travel, but I like it for scribbling notes. It’s time I’m not distracted by anything and gives some preparation time. When you’re in a car, I find my mind is too busy trying not to crash."

Henry Raby's Train-Spotting (Not The Film), Great Hall Footbridge, National Railway Museum, York, tomorrow and Sunday, noon to 3.30pm; running time: five minutes. Admission is free; book on the day at the Poetry Station or Footbridge.

For more information on Henry Raby, visit henryraby.com; facebook.com/henryrabypoetry or @HenryRabyPoetry

CATCH Henry Raby at Say Owt Slam, York’s only regular poetry slam competition, at The Basement, City Screen, York.

On December 18, he will be introducing Harry Baker; on January 29, Sally Jenkinson, both starting at 7.30pm, with tickets at £6. Slots are available for both nights; if you fancy competing, email sosyork@hotmail.com