Great Western Coffee Shop

Just before I go on I should point out I am a parent - albeit of a grown up offspring.

However having been on a preserved line today I am reminded of how I wish there was an adults only carriage on heritage lines.

On both journeys today I was subjected to dads and granddads doing choo choo impressions for their younger charges.  Little girls suddenly shouting "Mum, mum - look at the sheep over there".  Johnny asking "is that engine Thomas?".  Finally one mum assuring her offspring "We are nearly there now".

I fully appreciate that a large part of these lines' income comes from family groups, but walking down the train I am sure there were enough single travellers and couples without children who would enjoy the journey being able to hear the steam loco and watch the countryside in relative peace.

Not just Dads and Grandads. Uncles have been known to unselfconciously make choo-choo noises when the nephews are in tow.  ;D

bobm, Today I had the quiet coach.  There were just two people in the compartment and the only noise was the 08 engine thumping away in front of us.  I looked back and saw the guard wave his green flag; an arm raised from the steam engine in rear. I raised my arm in acknowledgement, shouted "right-away" to the driver, and we were off.

Volunteer - you know it's right - and you get the best seat in the  house!

However: just a quiet hint - do look out for those red lights.  :P ::) ;)

Indeed, it might not just be the train going 'choo choo!'  :o

We volunteers tend to look for semaphore signals during the day time.   ;D

Professional drivers tend to look out for coloured lights.  And it is said amongst the professionals that the most important coloured light signal out there is the yellow one!

A few years ago I did a driver experience course on the West Somerset. After we'd done a session on trackside safety, someone asked why it wasn't necessary to wear hi-vis on the footplate, to which the answer was: If you need hi-vis on the footplate, you're doing it wrong! So best to keep an eye out for those flappy board things and the twinkly things, and an ear out for anything that goes BANG (if you can find the time between shovelling coal, topping up the boiler and tending the fire)