Events in busy/major train stations

[mbreckers]

Could I get folks opinions on events in busy and major train stations.

The reason I'm asking is, as someone with autism who is hypersensitive to sound, train stations can already be challenging enough, with announcements, lots of people chattering, train movements and all the other bits and pieces of normal station operations making noise.

I dont speak for anyone else on the spectrum, but we understand that this is normal, noise from normal operations cant be avoided, we take steps to minimize how it affects us.

But when there are events such as Central Station Live (http://www.centralstationlive.com), which is in Glasgow Central every Friday during rush hour, which can be heard through-out the station. Surely there are better places in Glasgow of all places to be holding weekly music events than a busy station.

Sorry if this seems like a rant, it kinda is. But anyway, what are other peoples thoughts on this, are busy stations appropriate for events like this?

 

[6Gman]

I agree.

But I wish you'd written railway stations.

 

[rebmcr]

I don't really have an opinion on events in stations, I just wanted to suggest the use of noise-cancelling headphones when you're out and about — you might find them helpful. :)

 

[Blindtraveler]

Whilst Im sure the office workers and executives iether love it or scream at it, I can sympathise here. Its a good idea in principal but maybe needs refining a bit?

 

[yorksrob]

We sometimes have choirs and brass bands at Leeds City. It would be a shame if they stopped it to be honest.

 

[GatwickDepress]

A few stations (Brighton and St Pancras International, et al) have pianos for public use and they can get quite loud, especially if my friend is thrashing the poor Brighton one to high heaven!

Generally I'd suggest wearing noise-cancelling earphones, waiting outside the station or off the concourse until the train's called, and boarding as soon as the train appears on the departure boards.

Railway stations are used as community spaces in a few cases and noisy events can be part and parcel of that.

 

[Aldaniti]

I sympathise with the OP. The world is becoming more polluted by noise every day and its a shame that some people seem to value peace and quiet less and less. In my neck of the woods a seemingly increasing number of people, especially kids, don't even seem to be able to talk normally these days, they communicate by shouting and wailing. I had a rare trip by train the other day, one parent and accompanying brat were quite happy to be listening to a video and playing computer games without headphones in a public coach. Since when did that become acceptable? As for music acts on stations, I wouldn't mind so much if it was any good, but it seems all you need these days to get up on stage (or even just to annoy people in the street) is a guitar, a pair of tight fitting drainpipe jeans and not much else. I reckon Simon bleeding Cowell has a lot to answer for.

 

[Emblematic]

The GWR Paddington Band (formerly the Great Western Railway and Paddington Borough prize silver band, and later the Great Western Railway Staff Military Band) have been playing in and around the station for almost a century. 19.30 onwards on Fridays, between Easter and Christmas. https://youtu.be/RnSjDylvZ7o

 

[Aldaniti]

The GWR Paddington Band (formerly the Great Western Railway and Paddington Borough prize silver band, and later the Great Western Railway Staff Military Band) have been playing in and around the station for almost a century. 19.30 onwards on Fridays, between Easter and Christmas. https://youtu.be/RnSjDylvZ7o

Now, that's far more appropriate for a railway station.

 

[Tio Terry]

There was some form of filming going on at Waterloo on Friday, they were in the process of setting themselves up when I saw them. There were signs being put up about Commercial Filming. I caught the 07:50 to Reading so didn't see much of what they were doing - but I do remember The Bourne Identity series of films have some of it shot on Waterloo Station.

 

[AM9]

Now, that's far more appropriate for a railway station.

Why would a silver band be more appropriate for a railway station (in your opinion)?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It's not just events INSIDE stations that can cause issues both for the railway and for those of us on the spectrum (or indeed anyone). The annual Huddersfield food and drink festival this weekend has caused havoc for passengers, given that it takes place right outside. As insufficient seating and circulation space is provided, both the steps outside and even the unpaid side of the concourse became thronged with people. This particular event seems to get bigger year upon year, and today's situation suggests that more work is needed for crowd control.

 

[BurtonM]

I don't like the pitch people advertise on in Manchester Piccadilly. Come in from the approach and you're either getting free samples shoved at you, there's some pointless noisy marketing guff going on, or even worse, ****ing chuggers.

 

[jopsuk]

There's a balance to be had. The whole idea with something Central Station Live is to brighten up commutes and long distance travel. It's hard to balance that out against the needs of those on the spectrum who are affected badly by it- obviously not all those significantly affected on the spectrum will be affected by such events, making it even more complicated.

 

[ItsGrimUpNorth]

There was some form of filming going on at Waterloo on Friday, they were in the process of setting themselves up when I saw them. There were signs being put up about Commercial Filming. I caught the 07:50 to Reading so didn't see much of what they were doing - but I do remember The Bourne Identity series of films have some of it shot on Waterloo Station.

Always wondered how they filmed the Bourne scenes at Waterloo, given an Actor was 'shot' dead. You can see folk trying not to look at cameras etc.

Assume they make a lot of tannoy announcements when they're about to roll? Must be confusing for folk who just walk in whilst going on? Or is it done through the night with a rake of extras as travellers?!