Passengers allowed to walk around train while NOT in station

[Cal]

I saw a post on Instagram by trains_central. As seen in pictures, apparently they were allowed to walk around while waiting for the tracks to be cleared. How common is this? Any regulations/laws broken? Just curious about the logistics of doing this.

 

[JoshP]

The direct link is and that is where it came from

 

[Cal]

The direct link is and that is where it came from

Yep, I just know that before when I’ve sent links some people can’t view them so that’s why I sent screenshots.

 

[JoshP]

Gotcha. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[cirdan]

I've never seen that happen myself, but I would guess that if the delay is long enough and the conductor judges the situation to be safe, people may be allowed to step outside for a smoke or whatever. The photos show the line to be single track so there is no risk caused by other trains. It also says the delay was multi-hour although it doesn't say whether that delay was all in this location or accumulated.

But allowing people to wander further afield sounds risky to me.

I don't know if there are any official rules for this type of situation.

 

[caravanman]

It's obviously not "encouraged" officially, but there are bound to be rules to allow passengers to exit the train at times of need. Seems like a decision made by a friendly crew. Most staff might be too worried about folk slipping over in the snow, and a medical and legal bill, to allow such freedoms...

 

[John Bredin]

I've never seen that happen myself, but I would guess that if the delay is long enough and the conductor judges the situation to be safe, people may be allowed to step outside for a smoke or whatever.

I was once on a Lincoln Service train, several years back before they extended sidings, and we were waiting so long in a siding that included a grade crossing that the crew opened the one door at the crossing and announced a fresh air break with a warning to reboard immediately when the horn blew.

I went out for a minute out of curiosity because we were in the middle of farm fields, but quickly returned long before the horn because the "fresh air" break must have been named by an Orwell fan: well over a dozen smokers puffing away furiously in the portion of the road between the train and the gates.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Funnily enough I read the thread title as "passengers not allowed to walk around train while not in station" thinking that everyone was confined to their seat while inside the train! Boy was I wrong!

 

[Steve4031]

I can understand that a crew would do this to accommodate smokers. It’s a better solution than just keeping them in the train.

I’m surprised they did this in the snow. The conditions could be slippery.

When 6 detoured through Wyoming a smoke stop was eliminated because the platform at the crew change spot was blocked by a freight. Smokers had a long day that day.

 

[MARC Rider]

When 6 detoured through Wyoming a smoke stop was eliminated because the platform at the crew change spot was blocked by a freight. Smokers had a long day that day.

They really should sell nicotine gum in the cafe car.

 

[cirdan]

I don't smoke myself but am quite happy for the concept of a smoke break as it means I can get outside for a bit - a welcome change on a long train ride. There is always a place where there is no smoke.

 

[oregon pioneer]

One of my trips on the SL from LAX to SAS, there was a broken track in AZ and we had to stop for a couple of hours waiting for it to be repaired. The weather was nice, and the conductor allowed people off the train. I got a little nervous about walking too far away from the train, until Hubby pointed out that the conductor was ahead of us strolling into the brush. After that, we just made sure we knew where the conductor was at all times, and followed him back when he went.

 

[CCC1007]

Yeah, my trip in November included a severe wind caused delay, and our conductor opened up a coach door to allow some passengers the opportunity to get some fresh air, and I took that opportunity…

This was rather fun. I had wondered why we weren’t parked at the station in the town instead, since we were less than half a mile away from the platform, which is along the main line. We were stashed in the siding instead.

 

[Steve4031]

Yeah, my trip in November included a severe wind caused delay, and our conductor opened up a coach door to allow some passengers the opportunity to get some fresh air, and I took that opportunity…View attachment 26624View attachment 26625

This was rather fun. I had wondered why we weren’t parked at the station in the town instead, since we were less than half a mile away from the platform, which is along the main line. We were stashed in the siding instead.

I believe you are near Osceola or ottumwa Iowa.

 

[CCC1007]

I believe you are near Osceola or ottumwa Iowa.

Not quite, East Glacier, MT. We were parked on the siding where the turning wye is for that town.

 

[Steve4031]

Not quite, East Glacier, MT. We were parked on the siding where the turning wye is for that town.

Oops. Shows what I know. Great photos.

 

[Cal]

I’m surprised they did this in the snow. The conditions could be slippery.

I'm also surprised they didn't stop the passengers from going up towards the engines, that would mean they were two engines plus the baggage car away from the transdorm -- whose door might not have been open. Too risky for me IMO.

 

[tgstubbs1]

It seems reasonable that they can't let people off if there is no platform or crossing.