If this really did happen, it would be quite surprising.

Just a short walk up the concourse from the platforms, in almost any moderate to large British railway station, you will find concession stands full of "Train Spotting" magazines and guidebooks. "Train Spotting" is a common and well promoted pastime in England (and in many other parts of Europe too). Much as it once was here, prior to the big war.

Maybe our own paranoia is getting infectious.

Or maybe they're finally getting infected by America's 50 year bout of narrowmindedness, over people's varying interests; and thus forgot that "Train Spotting" has long been a great British tradition.