Great Western Coffee Shop

Sideshoots - associated subjects => Railway History and related topics => Topic started by: grahame on March 10, 2022, 07:21:19



Title: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: grahame on March 10, 2022, 07:21:19
From IanVisits (https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/twists-in-smoking-history-on-trains-115/)

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In the 1950’s it was (apparently) almost impossible to sit on a train in the UK without sitting next to someone puffing away on a cigarette (or pipe in first class), so it may come as some surprise to realize that one of the earliest bastions of anti-smoking was in fact the railway companies.

In June 1865, the General Manager of the Great Western Railway (GWR) issued an order banning smoking on all company properties – including on its trains. This was not a popular decision though, as a lot of people considered smoking to be a healthy activity.

On 10th March 2000, First Great Western made all trains 'No Smoking'.  (Link (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=25828.msg317173#msg317173))

From GWR (https://www.gwr.com/help-and-support/faqs/travelling-with-gwr) these days

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Smoking is not permitted inside any of our stations, or on our platforms and trains. As well as cigarettes, we don't allow e-cigarettes, vaping devices, or any other smoking devices either.

If you're not sure about where you can smoke, please speak to a member of staff. They may be able to point you in the direction of the nearest designated smoking area.


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: infoman on March 10, 2022, 07:30:01
My memory are as follows before the total ban.

Half of "B" and half of "C" were non smoking

Decision then made why don't we lump the smokers in just one coach.(B)

Then it was half of B before the total ban


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: ellendune on March 10, 2022, 08:06:22
My memory are as follows before the total ban.

Half of "B" and half of "C" were non smoking

Decision then made why don't we lump the smokers in just one coach.(B)

Then it was half of B before the total ban

I though it was all of C and half of B


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: infoman on March 10, 2022, 11:20:25
time does not do anything for your memory,always prepared to be corrected,any one else have memory of the reducing of the smoking zones?


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: Robin Summerhill on March 10, 2022, 13:07:08
My memories are different again, and as a smoker it used to affect me!

All of coach B was a smoking coach, as was H in first class

Then we went to half of those coaches before the total ban was introduced


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: grahame on March 10, 2022, 14:56:23
Of course, you can still see someone still smoking on the platform

(http://www.wellho.net/pix/smokerplat.jpg)


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: Robin Summerhill on March 11, 2022, 11:42:42
Of course, sometimes smoking bans can be taken to extremes...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/20265005638/


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: johnneyw on March 11, 2022, 13:41:46
Of course, sometimes smoking bans can be taken to extremes...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/93122458@N08/20265005638/

And how about this one?  Found along a footpath/cycleway near to the newer Filton Road entrance to University of the West of England.  It's been there for years and is slowly being obscured by the bushes.


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: broadgage on March 11, 2022, 15:39:17
I agree with the ban on smoking in trains, in waiting rooms, and almost all other enclosed public places.

What I feel is OTT is the prohibition on smoking on open air platforms. This is NOT against the law but is a railway rule, that feels like a case of "because we can"


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: grahame on March 11, 2022, 16:02:51
And how about this one?  Found along a footpath/cycleway near to the newer Filton Road entrance to University of the West of England.  It's been there for years and is slowly being obscured by the bushes.

Fire risk??


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: didcotdean on March 11, 2022, 17:09:52
Bradshaw's Companion for 1843 includes: 'Smoking is not allowed at the stations nor in any of the carriages'.

Other advice includes being at the station ten minutes before departure, preserving your ticket until called for by the companies' servant, 60 lbs of luggage is permitted, and you mustn't lean on the carriage doors. Plus children under 10 at half fare, dogs not to be taken in carriages, and that the companies' servants are enjoined to pay every attention to the convenience of passengers and aren't allowed to accept gratuities.


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: Reading General on March 11, 2022, 17:22:00
Blimey, was it that long ago? I recall one coach of the southern slam door stock were the last trains you could smoke on lines running out of Reading (General). As a smoker at the time I wasn’t that bothered that it came to an end, it never made for a pleasant atmosphere on trains. On the platform took a bit more getting used to.


Title: Re: OTD - 10th March (2000) - Ban on smoking on FGW trains.
Post by: Robin Summerhill on March 12, 2022, 00:02:56
What I feel is OTT is the prohibition on smoking on open air platforms. This is NOT against the law but is a railway rule, that feels like a case of "because we can"

Some years ago when I was still working, I had just done a house survey in a village south of Yeovil and was heading for the main road for my next call in Dorchester, when I chanced across Thornford Brisdge Halt. Complete with ts No Smoking sign on the gate to the platform.

I almost stopped to go down to the platform to have a fag, just for the sheer hell of it...



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