Trainspotters: do you wave at trains?

[greyman42]

I wouldn't and didn't do when I was younger.
God forbid is something happened and I distracted the driver, OK it's a small chance but one all the same.

What sort of thing did you have in mind?

 

[Trackman]

What sort of thing did you have in mind?

Nothing specific, but some disasters do happen due to a chain of events not a specific one.

 

[75A]

What's wrong with that? People use bridges that cross tracks all the time.

Some of the worst bridges have wire mesh over them, to stop people throwing objects (or themselves) over them.

 

[Bevan Price]

If I am taking a photo and the driver sounds a tone, I will give a quick wave of acknowledgement; however, if the train is moving quickly, the driver will have gone past me before I have time to wave.

 

[mmh]

Different world I think, no request stops on the BML, hence different reactions.

What, so if I were to raise my arm at Gatwick station, say, it would cause a driver to emergency brake? Sorry, but this idea is just codswallop. It doesn't happen.

 

[75A]

What, so if I were to raise my arm at Gatwick station, say, it would cause a driver to emergency brake? Sorry, but this idea is just codswallop. It doesn't happen.

No of course they wouldn't, who says they would? - certainly not me.

 

[greyman42]

Nothing specific, but some disasters do happen due to a chain of events not a specific one.

Well i am going to take punt here, that no disaster has ever happened where waving at the train was part of the chain of events.

 

[Gloster]

It doesn’t have to be a disaster, but it could be an incident. A driver catches sight of someone waving and, because it is only a brief glimpse and he doesn’t have a clear view, thinks that the person is giving them an emergency signal, and makes an emergency stop. At the least, this could cause disruption to the train service itself, and possibly to other services. But, purely as an example, if an elderly person is walking to the toilet, they could be thrown to the floor and suffer injuries. Or...there are numerous possibilities which could cause disruption or industry. And all because of a casual wave.

Emergency stops are necessary, but involve risk, so that it is better to avoid them as far as possible except when they are needed.

 

[greyman42]

It doesn’t have to be a disaster, but it could be an incident. A driver catches sight of someone waving and, because it is only a brief glimpse and he doesn’t have a clear view, thinks that the person is giving them an emergency signal, and makes an emergency stop. At the least, this could cause disruption to the train service itself, and possibly to other services. But, purely as an example, if an elderly person is walking to the toilet, they could be thrown to the floor and suffer injuries. Or...there are numerous possibilities which could cause disruption or industry. And all because of a casual wave.

Has this ever happened or is it ever likely to happen?

 

[75A]

Has this ever happened or is it ever likely to happen?

Can't say as I've ever heard of it.

 

[Trackman]

Well i am going to take punt here, that no disaster has ever happened where waving at the train was part of the chain of events.

Perhaps, I think what I am trying to put across here is that I will not distract anyone in a safety critical role needlessly (as per my first post).