Trivia: unwritten etiquette as a railway passenger

[ANorthernGuard]

And for guards to have there device switched on before asking for tickets, have their ticket machine with them and enough change. So passengers are not holding their phones out continually refreshing the screens waiting for you to warm up your scanner, they do not have to wait for you to finish the rest of the train then head back to your cab fish out your machine and then realise you didn't bring any change with you.

We get given a float and its very rare to actually run out of change nowadays (happened pre covid but the shift to mobile tickets has reduced cash sales to a very small percentage) and regarding the type of machines...StarMobile switches the screen off after a few minutes and then we have to log back on..we are human after all.

 

[Runningaround]

We get given a float and its very rare to actually run out of change nowadays (happened pre covid but the shift to mobile tickets has reduced cash sales to a very small percentage) and regarding the type of machines...StarMobile switches the screen off after a few minutes and then we have to log back on..we are human after all.

Try explaining that you are one to an RPI when he's dismissing the ticket you've bought that are so complex in the restrictions that the Enigma machine would struggle to work it out.

 

[Peter0124]

A pet peeve I have is people who slam the inter-connecting doors on 318/320 stock. It can give me the fright of my life. There's a handle for a reason.

 

[Falcon1200]

A pet peeve I have is people who slam the inter-connecting doors on 318/320 stock.

At least they have closed the door, worse are the ignorant ones who just leave it swinging open!

 

[LowLevel]

A pet peeve I have is people who slam the inter-connecting doors on 318/320 stock. It can give me the fright of my life. There's a handle for a reason.

The handle is to open it. The slam latch and strike plate are for closing it

 

[pinkmarie80]

If you can see someone is visibly disabled and might appreciate a seat, please do ask.

I had the misfortune to be on a couple of sardine tin EMR trains on Saturday. The first was so spectacularly awful that after getting on at Leicester I bailed at Kettering (I had split tickets at Kettering so I was perfectly entitled to) A very kind gentleman travelling with his two children gave up his seat for me which I was very grateful for, but I was feeling incredibly anxious and uncomfortable as the train was so busy.

I wish I had stayed on that train for the train I got on was even worse. I ended up standing pretty much in the middle of the carriage from Kettering to London. The whole carriage could see me and my very visible purple and pink rhinestone studded crutch. I was constantly being knocked and shoved, and as I was nursing a brand new tattoo on my right arm it was pretty uncomfortable. By the time we got to London I was incredibly sore and stiff and it took me ages to hobble from the train to the platform. One man came up to me and said if he had seen me he would have given me his seat- but I was stood directly in front of him and he even pushed past me to go to the toilet!

Coming back the train was once again rammed with football fans and after fighting my way into yet another rammed carriage where I was seemingly invisible I turned around and a thoughtful person who was in such a hurry to get past tripped me up and I fell out of the doors. By this time I was crying and thankfully for me there was a lovely lady sat in the vestibule who caught me, took my bags and sat me on her seat while calming me down.

I realise that standing isn’t pleasant, especially on a very busy train, and I know all about invisible disabilities (mine are mostly invisible) but when it’s clear someone needs a seat, please at least offer. (I literally found out on the morning I travelled that I had to go so there was no time for booking a seat and if I could have avoided it I would, especially knowing every flipping football team in the vicinity of London were playing each other on Saturday!)

 

[SteveyBee131]

If you can see someone is visibly disabled and might appreciate a seat, please do ask.

I had the misfortune to be on a couple of sardine tin EMR trains on Saturday. The first was so spectacularly awful that after getting on at Leicester I bailed at Kettering (I had split tickets at Kettering so I was perfectly entitled to) A very kind gentleman travelling with his two children gave up his seat for me which I was very grateful for, but I was feeling incredibly anxious and uncomfortable as the train was so busy.

I wish I had stayed on that train for the train I got on was even worse. I ended up standing pretty much in the middle of the carriage from Kettering to London. The whole carriage could see me and my very visible purple and pink rhinestone studded crutch. I was constantly being knocked and shoved, and as I was nursing a brand new tattoo on my right arm it was pretty uncomfortable. By the time we got to London I was incredibly sore and stiff and it took me ages to hobble from the train to the platform. One man came up to me and said if he had seen me he would have given me his seat- but I was stood directly in front of him and he even pushed past me to go to the toilet!

Coming back the train was once again rammed with football fans and after fighting my way into yet another rammed carriage where I was seemingly invisible I turned around and a thoughtful person who was in such a hurry to get past tripped me up and I fell out of the doors. By this time I was crying and thankfully for me there was a lovely lady sat in the vestibule who caught me, took my bags and sat me on her seat while calming me down.

I realise that standing isn’t pleasant, especially on a very busy train, and I know all about invisible disabilities (mine are mostly invisible) but when it’s clear someone needs a seat, please at least offer. (I literally found out on the morning I travelled that I had to go so there was no time for booking a seat and if I could have avoided it I would, especially knowing every flipping football team in the vicinity of London were playing each other on Saturday!)

Oh dear! Sorry to hear your unpleasant experience. Things like this are a pet hate of mine. If only more out there were kind and considerate. It restores faith in humanity when I see someone else who is, but they seem to be getting ever rarer!

 

[LowLevel]

If you can see someone is visibly disabled and might appreciate a seat, please do ask.

I had the misfortune to be on a couple of sardine tin EMR trains on Saturday. The first was so spectacularly awful that after getting on at Leicester I bailed at Kettering (I had split tickets at Kettering so I was perfectly entitled to) A very kind gentleman travelling with his two children gave up his seat for me which I was very grateful for, but I was feeling incredibly anxious and uncomfortable as the train was so busy.

I wish I had stayed on that train for the train I got on was even worse. I ended up standing pretty much in the middle of the carriage from Kettering to London. The whole carriage could see me and my very visible purple and pink rhinestone studded crutch. I was constantly being knocked and shoved, and as I was nursing a brand new tattoo on my right arm it was pretty uncomfortable. By the time we got to London I was incredibly sore and stiff and it took me ages to hobble from the train to the platform. One man came up to me and said if he had seen me he would have given me his seat- but I was stood directly in front of him and he even pushed past me to go to the toilet!

Coming back the train was once again rammed with football fans and after fighting my way into yet another rammed carriage where I was seemingly invisible I turned around and a thoughtful person who was in such a hurry to get past tripped me up and I fell out of the doors. By this time I was crying and thankfully for me there was a lovely lady sat in the vestibule who caught me, took my bags and sat me on her seat while calming me down.

I realise that standing isn’t pleasant, especially on a very busy train, and I know all about invisible disabilities (mine are mostly invisible) but when it’s clear someone needs a seat, please at least offer. (I literally found out on the morning I travelled that I had to go so there was no time for booking a seat and if I could have avoided it I would, especially knowing every flipping football team in the vicinity of London were playing each other on Saturday!)

Unfortunately Saturday was a Notts Forest away day in London and a Derby one in High Wycombe so the EMR Intercity trains were hammered - they did strengthen some to 10 cars but it was always going to be horrible. Even before 6am I had a healthy loading of Forest fans on my local train to Nottingham connecting for London. Class 222 or 180 is a hostile environment to have to stand in, they really aren't designed for it.

If it ever happens to you again then if you choose to bail out at Kettering take the time penalty and get a train from Corby - they're not particularly comfortable but they were all 8 coaches and you'd have been very unlikely not to find a seat from Kettering.

Did you ask the station staff at Kettering for help? You shouldn't have to I know but if you're struggling that can open other avenues to help you get a priority seat or similar.

 

[Runningaround]

Filming others is also bad etiquette, especially over their shoulders bit like reading their newspaper or text messages( Did work bad for the texter who was slagging off passengers nearby who had a friend behind reading and pointed it out). I include trainspotters who don't mind sticking a camera on a busy platform getting in the way of passengers and special distain for those who expect everyone to stand out of their way so they can get a shot.
I've almost missed trains due to overcrowded platforms of spotters blocking my way to the service train.

 

[railfan99]

I've almost missed trains due to overcrowded platforms of spotters blocking my way to the service train.

Don't railway enthusiasts in the UK traditionally gather at the end of platforms where there's typically a better view of arriving and departing trains?

The only exception may be when a steam special was about to arrive given then there'd be a lot more rail aficionados.

 

[Runningaround]

Don't railway enthusiasts in the UK traditionally gather at the end of platforms where there's typically a better view of arriving and departing trains?

The only exception may be when a steam special was about to arrive given then there'd be a lot more rail aficionados.

Not always that's usually when nothing interesting is around. Try a Saturday afternoon at a busy station when a railtour drops or picks them up you get the spotters and the rushing around to get a shot in some will be crossing over to get a better angle at least football fans just get on or off as soon as can be and don't linger around getting in the way.

 

[Archie810]

Don't railway enthusiasts in the UK traditionally gather at the end of platforms where there's typically a better view of arriving and departing trains?

The only exception may be when a steam special was about to arrive given then there'd be a lot more rail aficionados.

most do but a few have chosen 'questionable' placements

 

[railfan99]

Unfortunately Saturday was a Notts Forest away day in London and a Derby one in High Wycombe so the EMR Intercity trains were hammered - they did strengthen some to 10 cars but it was always going to be horrible. Even before 6am I had a healthy loading of Forest fans on my local train to Nottingham connecting for London.

Very good to see high levels of patronage. That's one aspect helping rail's cause long term. I was 'wrapt' (highly pleased) in late September and early October 2022 to experience the 0910 up from Penzance on a weekday and a similarly timed Avanti WC train from Glasgow Queen St that were respectively used by at least 350 as far as Taunton and perhaps 1000 in total to Euston (not all of whom were on board at the same time).

In my country before I was born, the then Victorian Railways Commissioners had a saying:

'USE IT OR LOSE IT".

 

[pinkmarie80]

Thank you! I unfortunately just missed the train from Corby so I chose to wait for the next train which happened to be the ‘Meridian’ type which had come from Nottingham.
I didn’t see anyone apart from the dispatcher but I’ll bear it in mind next time thanks.

 

[a1904]

I swear, half of the time I'm next to the toilet on a 185, someone will either leave the door wide open or just slam it with all their might

 

[Runningaround]

Platform etiquette goes right out of the window if a CAMRA festival nearby gets combined with a few special trains flying through or visiting, add in an obscure football match in an archaic ground and you'll have ''Game Set and Match''. For note taking, ticker specialists.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Platform etiquette goes right out of the window if a CAMRA festival nearby gets combined with a few special trains flying through or visiting, add in an obscure football match in an archaic ground and you'll have ''Game Set and Match''. For note taking, ticker specialists.

CAMRA festivals, special trains and obscure football matches in archaic grounds? Sounds like the perfect day out for many on here - including me!

 

[Wolfie]

CAMRA festivals, special trains and obscure football matches in archaic grounds? Sounds like the perfect day out for many on here - including me!

Me too lol

 

[DJ_K666]

Or do your make-up/paint your nails. Just get up earlier and do it at home.


Or do your make-up/paint your nails. Just get up earlier and do it at home.

Or eat the clippings (seriously!)

 

[PG]

Or eat the clippings (seriously!)

At least they're not leaving litter and are taking their rubbish home

 

[DJ_K666]

At least they're not leaving litter and are taking their rubbish home

Maybe not but still

Yeurgh!

 

[Drogba11CFC]

On the subject of litter, I ride the 64 to and from my office in Winchester every weekday. (And on Saturdays when Winchester City are at home or running a coach). On weekdays, the top deck is normally strewn with refuse; I remember one afternoon seeing it strewn with crisp packets, crisps, and half-melted ice lollies.