Drivers: Do you like people waving from platforms?

James2810 · 1 Sep 2019

Drivers, when passing through a station non-stop, do you like it when people on the platform give you a wave? I imagine that it is nice to receive some form of human contact on longer routes and it can show respect, however it may distract you. If the answer is both yes and no, what are the conditions that should be met if someone were to wave at a passing driver?

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vikingdriver · 1 Sep 2019

They can wave if they like, I tend to only acknowledge small children waving as that is part of the magic of the whole thing for them. I strongly dislike people standing close to the edge, waving or not. Approaching at speed from a distance all I can see is a blob near the edge and my major concern is whether that blob will be coming through my windscreen.

Eccles1983 · 1 Sep 2019

I acknowledge children. It might make them think twice about throwing a stone/rock in the future. I will also give them a toot of the horn. They are kids and full of wonder.

I ignore adults. They shouldn't need acknowledgement, especially the one who think it's normal to make a "blow the horn" motion.

Ethano92 · 1 Sep 2019

Can I expand this to stopping trains, when you're pulling in and you're slowing down, I never know if drivers would appreciate if I looked and smiled/nodded/waved at them or if you really couldn't give a toss about yet another passenger whether they're polite or not. I suspect, especially when it's cold outside, that if I smiled I'd look more like I'm just glad the train is here

whoosh · 1 Sep 2019

In agreement with the above. Waving is okay, and not really a distraction. Walking close to the edge with your back to us isn't good. Being close to the edge with back to the train and wearing a backpack isn't good. Cycling, scootering, skateboarding, hoverboading (!) on a platform isn't good.
Waving is fine. Sometimes I'll wave back, if I don't I'm concentrating on controlling the train or didn't see you until the last minute.

vikingdriver · 1 Sep 2019

Ethano92 said:
Can I expand this to stopping trains, when you're pulling in and you're slowing down, I never know if drivers would appreciate if I looked and smiled/nodded/waved at them or if you really couldn't give a toss about yet another passenger whether they're polite or not. I suspect, especially when it's cold outside, that if I smiled I'd look more like I'm just glad the train is here

I imagine most would be concentrating on stopping the train in the correct location so would not acknowledge you, they may not even see you.

Ethano92 · 1 Sep 2019

vikingdriver said:
I imagine most would be concentrating on stopping the train in the correct location so would not acknowledge you, they may not even see you.

I suspected so. It was more for the few but regular times I've made eye contact with the driver, especially on stock with a central driving position. I've always been stumped on whether I'll look stupid if I smile, I gather they're looking for the stop marker or a point of reference to stop to. Thanks though, it's an excessive thing to think about, as you say most drivers will be focused on their duties.

berwicksfinest · 1 Sep 2019

Also worth noting there's waving and throwing arms in all directions, as a driver are you waving and saying hello ?? Or are you trying to warn me of something and trying to stop me.

startingaparty · 2 Sep 2019

I think people who wave moronically at passing trains need some psychiatric help. This isn't the Famous Five. You wouldn't stand at the side of the road waving at drivers. Absurd.

61653 HTAFC · 2 Sep 2019

If I'm at a station where services pass through at speed, particularly if it's isolated, I'll raise my hand to passing drivers just to reassure them I'm not going to jump into their path.

But otherwise yeah, waving maniacally unless you're under 6 (or with an under 6) is a bit silly.

61653 HTAFC · 2 Sep 2019

startingaparty said:
I think people who wave moronically at passing trains need some psychiatric help. This isn't the Famous Five. You wouldn't stand at the side of the road waving at drivers. Absurd.

No, but that's because road vehicles are boring...

Mintona · 2 Sep 2019

I only wave back to kids. And their mums.

jamesst · 2 Sep 2019

Yeah I'll generally always wave back. But an old guy standing on a bridge doing the blow the horn sign I do struggle to comprehend!!

St Rollox · 2 Sep 2019

My mate who used to shout, wave you bazzas
And that was to people on the opposite platform.
Amazing the people who waved back.
Take it they thought he was special needs.

St Rollox · 2 Sep 2019

startingaparty said:
I think people who wave moronically at passing trains need some psychiatric help. This isn't the Famous Five. You wouldn't stand at the side of the road waving at drivers. Absurd.

Mention railways and it's surprising how often people mention "waving".
I'm sure it's a very British/Railway Children gig.

PudseyBearHST · 2 Sep 2019

When I saw the thread title, I thought this was about platform staff or ‘suicide watchers’ which is quite normal to receive and give wave to and maybe even a toot on the horn.

Otherwise unless it is children, I am with startingaparty with this one. It is a bit weird/amusing to randomly receive a wave from an adult (not to say it doesn’t happen occasionally)- the first thing that would come to mind is that are they (off duty) staff.

HLE · 2 Sep 2019

Only if known to me. Why would people wave randomly at someone they don't know?

baz962 · 2 Sep 2019

Sometimes adults are not just waving. I get people actually putting out their arm to request a stop as if I'm driving a bus . Makes me chuckle though. Same as most other drivers here though, I wave to children if I see them in time.

krus_aragon · 2 Sep 2019

baz962 said:
Sometimes adults are not just waving. I get people actually putting out their arm to request a stop as if I'm driving a bus . Makes me chuckle though.

I suppose it's forgivable if you're at a station that is a request stop...

baz962 · 2 Sep 2019

Not one on my route though .

dk1 · 2 Sep 2019

I don't mind the odd wave & tend to wave back although i do sometimes think it's rather odd. Not something I would do unless it's a driver I would know.

My biggest bug bear are the enthusiasts that want me to blow the horn especially in stations. I ignore them with a passion.

class 9 · 2 Sep 2019

Yeh, they want you to blow the horn, but raising their arm up and down, to a Driver is the hand signal for creating brake pipe pressure during a brake test!

DBS92042 · 2 Sep 2019

I only wave to thank the drivers if they've chosen to give me a toot on the horn.

I've also had the odd horn from drivers of passenger workings when I've been near/on a bridge. Presumably this is them saying that they've seen me so that I'm less likely to throw anything at them (not that I was intending to in the first place)?

Peter C · 2 Sep 2019

I've seen platform staff at places such as Banbury raising their arm to drivers as they arrive at the station, and drivers respond, as if they know each other and are old friends. I always find this interesting and quite nice - even if it is just procedure, it is good to know that there is still some happiness in the world!

I wouldn't raise my hand or wave to a driver, however, purely because I don't see any reason to!

-Peter

Strat-tastic · 2 Sep 2019

At a foot crossing I use drivers will sometimes give me (unbidden) a couple of toots on the low horn and a wave when they spot me.

The_Train · 2 Sep 2019

I've given drivers a wave or acknowledgment as they depart a station if they'd popped out of their cab for a brief chat during their stop. There is also a lovely XC driver who generally makes a point of popping his head out for a chat when he stops at Stafford so I've had a few chats with him and will acknowledge him if I see him (not that it's easy to see the driver on the Voyagers).

I don't tend to randomly wave at drivers like some enthusiasts do though. The only other time I do so is if I feel the driver might appreciate me giving him a sign that I'm aware he is approaching, particularly at somewhere like Nuneaton if I'm trapped between building and platform edge on P3 or P4 as a Pendolino flies through

Mintona · 2 Sep 2019

I always toot the horn if I see someone near or at a foot crossing, whether it has a W board or not. I want them to know I’m approaching.

Astramis · 2 Sep 2019

Eccles1983 said:
I acknowledge children. It might make them think twice about throwing a stone/rock in the future. I will also give them a toot of the horn. They are kids and full of wonder.

I ignore adults. They shouldn't need acknowledgement, especially the one who think it's normal to make a "blow the horn" motion.

i agree with you partly but in my experience, the adults making the ‘blow the horn’ gesture are usually ones with learning difficulties etc.

Darandio · 2 Sep 2019

Behaviour that makes visiting/passing through a station such as Northallerton a chore. 'Kids' with tripods in the way while jumping around waving their arms near the platform edge and making silly horn gestures.

Astramis · 2 Sep 2019

i live in Paignton and although i don’t personally wave, i see a lot of kids and elderly people waving to the drivers and i think it’s great! i see it mostly at the level crossings though. on Goodrington beach as the steam train goes past you see everyone turn around and wave not only to the drivers, but the passengers too. i personally think it’s part of the magic of railway and definitely a part of the tourism side of rail.

Drivers: Do you like people waving from platforms?

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