Is it any wonder that sometimes station staff come across as a bit overzealous when telling people on platforms to stand well back/behind the yellow line etc when we see incidents like this?
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Child seen lying over edge of Trowbridge railway platform
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Deepgreen
Established Member
Having just had an argument on 'Flickr' with someone who was trying to defend his decision to climb over a fence onto the railway to get a photograph (three inches away from where he would have been on the public side), it's apparent that the message is far from delivered, even to those who should know better. As in this case, it takes a particularly childish outlook to seek to defend the indefensible by criticising others, as this Trowbridge man has done. As for the Trowbridge father's comment about a "do-gooder", the opposite is a 'do-badder' - i.e. the father for condoning the behaviour, and thereby presumably teaching his two daughters that it's OK - is that a regime of which to be proud? As for; "he's an inquisitive boy"; well, perhaps he will soon want to explore the third rail system and find out what makes it tick?
I think the father's attitude is rather like those who drink and drive.
You may drive home without an accident after drinking seven pints of beer, but that is just luck, and you are taking an unacceptable risk.
Similarly with this incident - just because nothing happened this time, the boy may do something similar again, perhaps when his father is not there, and he may not be so lucky.
You may drive home without an accident after drinking seven pints of beer, but that is just luck, and you are taking an unacceptable risk.
Similarly with this incident - just because nothing happened this time, the boy may do something similar again, perhaps when his father is not there, and he may not be so lucky.
father_jack
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The local BBC local news "Pants West" had a Network Rail bloke filmed at Trowbridge today mentioning that trains travel up to 125 mph at Trowbridge !!!!
SwindonBert
Member
The father has now made a comment https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-44924264
"We were on our way to the Bath Carnival and our train was delayed," he said.
"Devon is an inquisitive kid and wanted to pick up a stone or piece of wood from the track as treasure.
"I told him it wasn't a good idea and then he asked if he could have a quick look."
Mr Stanton said he was "standing right by" his son and "could see the direction the trains were coming from and the information board".
He said: "I knew the man who took the photo wasn't happy but it is just a snapshot - Devon was there for all of 30 seconds - and all the people who have commented weren't there.
"Anybody who knows me and knows my kids would realise he wasn't in danger."
Mr Stanton added that high speed trains which pass through the station are always announced via the station intercom.
"We were on our way to the Bath Carnival and our train was delayed," he said.
"Devon is an inquisitive kid and wanted to pick up a stone or piece of wood from the track as treasure.
"I told him it wasn't a good idea and then he asked if he could have a quick look."
Mr Stanton said he was "standing right by" his son and "could see the direction the trains were coming from and the information board".
He said: "I knew the man who took the photo wasn't happy but it is just a snapshot - Devon was there for all of 30 seconds - and all the people who have commented weren't there.
"Anybody who knows me and knows my kids would realise he wasn't in danger."
Mr Stanton added that high speed trains which pass through the station are always announced via the station intercom.
eastdyke
Established Member
And if you keep scrolling down that link includes:
As guilt has effectively been admitted an 'invitation' to attend a responsible parenting course (should such exist) would seem appropriate.
Isn't the main problem that it gives his son the wrong 'signal' , he might try something similar when he's on his own.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Is it just me who thinks of the poor kid being called "Devon"?
If he wanted to pick up a stone then there would be safer places to do so, just because the screen isn't showing something is due doesn't always mean nothing can spring out of the blue with the announcement of a passing train coming after it's passed (if at all)
If he wanted to pick up a stone then there would be safer places to do so, just because the screen isn't showing something is due doesn't always mean nothing can spring out of the blue with the announcement of a passing train coming after it's passed (if at all)
Shaw S Hunter
Established Member
Preferably in conjunction with a short-term banning order, say a month, just to ensure the message gets home that his irresponsible attitude is not conducive to railway safety.
Problem with online arguments is that people never naturally want to concede that they are wrong and will construct even more and more elaborate arguments (or wild diversions/change of tacts). Even when they totally are wrong (As, in my view, your argue-ee was in your case).
bramling
Veteran Member
It doesn’t take that much imagination to think that a computer may freeze or that the power to the p/a could fail. Perhaps this dimwit father could use his clearly limited brain function to think about such possibilities rather than trying to defend his stupidity.
Dieseldriver
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Funny, everytime I've gone non stop through there, it hasn't been announced as the PIS has still been advertising the next train booked to call...
WelshBluebird
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Just thought I'd post this little story too, just to show how dangerous it can be.
The railway back where I grew up is single track, so trains come in both directions as part of the timetable.
When I was in sixth form a pupil of the school that was joined to the sixth form died after being hit by a train. He was leaning over the edge of the platform either to see where the train was or to spit on the track (depending on who you believe), but facing the "wrong way" so didn't see the train approach and either had headphones in or was deaf (again, depending on who you believe).
From memory, it really shock up the staff involved and led to trains approaching the station at a snails pace when at the start or end of the school day in the years afterwards.
As cold and as potentially upsetting for the families involved, I really think there needs to be someway to share these stories so people actually realise the dangers. It doesn't have to be obviously dangerous for it to kill you (or your child).
The railway back where I grew up is single track, so trains come in both directions as part of the timetable.
When I was in sixth form a pupil of the school that was joined to the sixth form died after being hit by a train. He was leaning over the edge of the platform either to see where the train was or to spit on the track (depending on who you believe), but facing the "wrong way" so didn't see the train approach and either had headphones in or was deaf (again, depending on who you believe).
From memory, it really shock up the staff involved and led to trains approaching the station at a snails pace when at the start or end of the school day in the years afterwards.
As cold and as potentially upsetting for the families involved, I really think there needs to be someway to share these stories so people actually realise the dangers. It doesn't have to be obviously dangerous for it to kill you (or your child).
Deepgreen
Established Member
Quite so - I had to terminate the 'discussion' as it wasn't an appropriate forum anyway. I suggested he bring his argument to a rail forum, where I also suggested he might get short shrift. I may have been wrong, of course (but I'll never admit it!).
Deepgreen
Established Member
Exactly, as well as his two daughters next to him.
jonathan01n
Member
Yes, it is Very dangerous. The signal at the back is showing green, which means the train is on its way and will be there very soon. The child can be easily killed.
I’d also like to point out that it’s not possible to see the full CIS screen from where he was standing, as the footbridge cuts off part of it. Also very difficult to hear automated announcements at that end of the platform as there are no speakers! You can just about hear the speaker from outside the booking office from where he is. Also, the track curves either side of Trowbridge station, so trains can’t be seen from far away.
In general, a signal at green doesn't mean that at all. But that is completely irrelevant here, nobody should have their head over the edge whether it's green, red, yellow, purple or blue.
The boards don’t usually announce passing trains, though the automated announcements do.
Justin Smith
Member
The kid is in more danger than if he been standing on the platform, but let`s be frank he really isn`t in much danger is he, it looks worse than it is. You could see and hear a train coming quite sometime before it get`s there and the kid is in no danger of falling on the track. He`d be in more danger crossing the road just down from my house, and that is 100% legal. In fact the authorities are showing a marked reluctance to reduce the speed limit at the aforementioned road despite many residents wanting them to.
INCONSISTENT !
SWTCommuter
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This video suggests otherwise. (Scroll through to 5 mins 10 seconds for Trowbridge)
Wilts Wanderer
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You get about 5 seconds warning of a freight train at linespeed (50mph) at Trowbridge, due to the curvature of the line, the cutting and overbridge at the Westbury end and the fact that it is a 1:57 falling gradient into the station so any non-stop traffic is coasting.
One badly timed sneezing fit by the father...
Honestly was the child really in any danger?
Presumably if a train was coming the father would have taken the necessary action if the child hadn't moved away by themselves.
Probably wasn't the wisest thing to do but the self righteousness from certain quarters is quite nauseating.
Presumably if a train was coming the father would have taken the necessary action if the child hadn't moved away by themselves.
Probably wasn't the wisest thing to do but the self righteousness from certain quarters is quite nauseating.
Usual hysterical overreaction we get in this country these days utterly ridiculous
Still the same on tonight's programme.
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
Did you read Post #55 ?
bramling
Veteran Member
Yes the child was in danger. Had a train appeared and the child panicked then it’s quite possible the child could have fallen on the track.
It’s also rather stupid giving the message to the child that it’s okay, as they may well do it again perhaps without the supervision of a parent.
It’s quite reasonable to take a “not my problem” view, however it’s still something which should not be condoned as anything other than stupid.
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