Read on Twitter
This, and a lot of the replies, are deeply reckless - but also inaccurate. Itâs not something the industry is necessarily helping, but letâs put a few facts straight... https://twitter.com/every_station/status/1278249506753187842
Travel for leisure is already permitted, although only a handful of TOCs have admitted this thus far. This includes train spotting on stations, riding simply for the purposes of riding and, of course, a more traditional leisure trip. NB: This is all âwider lockdownâ permitting.
(That is to say, where restrictions still exist, or where restrictions are re-introduced, travel may be restricted again.)
Capacity on public transport is limited. In some cases this is due to (IMO) overzealous restrictions from TOCs (Northern, LNER, Iâm looking at you), but mainly because people are rightly more cautious about travelling in sardine-like conditions.
A huge number of âessentialâ workers rely on public transport - not just at peak times. These are the people who have been keeping you safe, healthy, moving and more all through lockdown, often at great personal strain (eg mental health).
During the peak, of course, weâre seeing huge swathes commuting again to their jobs. Arguably, this is also essential travel - so we need to ensure we have both capacity and a safe environment for staff and passengers a like.
Remember, too - vulnerable people may also need to use transport to access healthcare, social services or other support networks. They can be travelling at any time of day - we need to ensure risks to them are also minimised.
None of this means that you cannot travel, or indulge in your hobby. However, it means that you need to adapt, change, and be mindful that - first and foremost - the railway is providing a vital lifeline and service to millions. Train spotting (of any flavour) is not in scope.
Quite rightly, the Government (and industry) are still publishing âEssential travel onlyâ guidance to support all of these above points. Whilst this is clearly unsustainable in the long term, it is sensible right now - not just on board and in stations, but also for communities.
Weâve all seen the photos of the droves flocking to the beaches and the shops - imagine if that influx was coming to your town or area, potentially bringing the virus with them. Not good.
Itâs true that there are times of day when trains are carrying fresh air. Itâs also true that it is possible to make off-peak journeys putting very few people at any greater risk, as long as this is in a managed and considered way. Iâve made a handful myself since being on leave.
Some of this has been touched on by industry âexpertsâ in the railway press. Some of what they say is spot on the money (this cannot go on for ever), but other elements (letâs go back to normal now) are wide of the mark. The railway has a duty of care to its employees.
I could give countless tales of staff being assaulted or put needlessly at risk throughout the pandemic. This is not just relating to deliberate acts, but also the âherd mentalityâ of going to beaches and such like. Staff have a right to be safe when doing their jobs.
It is in part for this reason why face coverings have become mandatory - yet this is also one of my own biggest concerns, particularly in the context of rail enthusiasts returning to the network. It is clear that many *will not wear them*. That is (let me be clear) NOT OKAY.
If you are using the railway, wear a face covering for your entire journey. From before you enter the station to after you leave it. Do not touch it. Do not remove it. Absolutely do not wear it around your chin. This is Not Helpful.
Even more shocking are the enthusiasts saying theyâll pretend theyâre exempt so that they dont have to wear one. This is *deeply unacceptable*. Quite aside from the contempt being shown for humanity, youâre also putting rail staff, essential workers and vulnerable folk at risk.
Youâre also trivialising very serious physical or mental conditions, and making life harder for those who genuinely need these exemptions for the essential travel I have listed above. Please take a long hard look at yourself.
Iâm obviously not a medical or science expert, but Iâve been wearing masks for long enough to know that:
1. They donât stop you breathing
2. They donât stop you accessing oxygen
3. They do not tightly âmuzzleâ your mouth
4. It is possible to wear them without touching them
1. They donât stop you breathing
2. They donât stop you accessing oxygen
3. They do not tightly âmuzzleâ your mouth
4. It is possible to wear them without touching them
4.1. This means a little more effort when first putting them on but it really isnât hard.
5. It is possible to chat with friends/family/rail staff without taking them off
6. They have no effect if you wear them around your chin
7. They absolutely do fit over your nose
5. It is possible to chat with friends/family/rail staff without taking them off
6. They have no effect if you wear them around your chin
7. They absolutely do fit over your nose
This list is non-exhaustive, but Iâm running out of tweets so Iâll move along. Basically: you really donât have an excuse not to wear a mask unless you genuinely are covered by the legal exemptions. (All of these are counters to genuine protestations Iâve seen.)
Now, obviously, this is not *all* enthusiasts - and I should probably clarify, a little late, that not all of this is directed at the OP. Thatâs just the impetus for me to sit down and actually write this thread, especially given many of the replies. But anyway.
There is an alternative to not using the public transport network - or rather, there will be in a matter of days. Britainâs hundreds of heritage railways and organisations are about to open up again - and they need your support more than ever.
Whilst, again personally, I think *some* of these places are rushing to open rather than being cautious, Iâd highly encourage any enthusiasts after a railway fix to consider a heritage railway over something on the national rail network. Itâs a much more controlled environment.
All the same precautions should still be taken (personal hygiene, face coverings, social distancing) but the nature of these organisations - couple with wider societal views currently - means that youâre not putting at risk the people *who have no choice* but to travel by train.
âWhat if I want to visit a heritage railway but donât have a car?â, you ask. Iâm in this category, so Iâve got you covered. Be sensible, take precautions. A trip on transport at the weekend to a heritage railway is *probably* okay. (Threading about to break, please bare with...)
(Hopefully this will be a seamless transition!) Most heritage organisations are moving to a new model where you must pre-book a specific journey and travel in compartment stock. Some were doing this before lockdown, in fact. Whilst this will be a shock to some, it is right.
Does it reduce flexibility? Yes. Most volunteers (for thatâs who run these places) will also be having to adapt and change to new ways of working. This is going to be different *for everyone*.
But your belligerence (because obviously there is - non-transport pals if youâve made it this far there is Much Belligerence in transport) is only going to spite *you*. Without our support, these railways *may not survive the year*.
A lot of enthusiasts go to railways and spend the bare minimum for maximum playing trains. Thatâs equally not okay and is something else that will need to change in our post-Covid world. This is - hopefully - short term pain for long term gain (the truth is no one really knows).
But heritage organisations also need to change. With less for visitors, staff and volunteers need to be ON IT. No staff huddles in ill-fitting uniforms ignoring customers. No low standards of personal hygiene. No bad language. Donât treat customers like theyâre an inconvenience.
Indeed, a lot of railways are really going to have to up their game here - the number that are refusing to even accept that face covering exemptions exist (this is governed by equality law) is equally as bad as those individuals pretending theyâre exempt. Both are hugely ableist.
(One last point on face coverings, I promise: you cannot ask someone why they are not wearing a mask, and they are not obliged to tell you. This DOES NOT GIVE YOU AN EXCUSE to pretend you are exempt.)
Okay, so thatâs travelling for leisure on the network, visiting heritage railways covered... WHAT COULD SHE POSSIBLY STILL HAVE TO TALK ABOUT?!
Oh, friends, do you not know me well enough by now? There is always more.
Thereâs more to life than trains, trust me. If youâre reading this thinking âbut this is all rubbish, I just want to get my last Pacerâ... maybe now is the time to shake up your hobby to see you through the next few months. Things wonât be changing quickly.
The railways *will still be here*. Theyâre going to be very different (thatâs no bad thing), but they will still be here. There are so many different ways to enjoy your hobby without putting people at risk. Expand it, evolve it - think outside the box.
Weâve seen some excellent initiatives, from virtual model railway exhibitions to âspotting at homeâ using the best in Internet sites and apps. There are *thousands* of enthusiasts embracing these new opportunities and seeing the bigger picture: THANK YOU, truly.
One final comment: weâre all in this together, even if it doesnât seem it. As someone who has been using and working on the railways for the last few months, it has not been a pleasurable experience. It is not the Tube I know at love.
Even my levers havenât been the same as usual. Itâs been much harder and stranger than you might think. At one point I was wishing I had been furloughed and could just lock down. You *havenât* been missing out, trust me.
In fact the best part of the whole thing was probably not having any transphobic abuse or judgemental stares just for existing for three months. That stopped the day we started to see restrictions lifted, by the way. People are trash.
I had so many plans involving railways this year - and I never plan! I am as gutted as everyone else, I get it, truly. But Iâm also aware that we need to come together and do the right thing here, just for now, just for a moment. It will not be forever.
(As a sweetener, if youâre all good, travel sensibly and take precautions Iâll throw a massive railway themed party when such things are allowed again, and youâll all be invited.)
Oh no, Iâm running out of tweets again. So Iâll wrap things up this time, I promise.
Tl;dr: if you really want to get on a train for leisure now, you can. Rightly, this is not going to be a huge priority announcement. If you do, wear a mask and socially distance. Travel off-peak. Stay local, minimise your travel. Considering visiting a heritage railway instead.
If you can do trains without actually going on a train or near a station, please do. I know itâs not the same, but itâs only for a while.
Stay safe, everyone. xxx
Important two-tweet addendum, just in case anyone else wants to come out with the âall hobbies have had announcements madeâ trope. https://twitter.com/beingcharley/status/1278289243832451072?s=21 https://twitter.com/beingcharley/status/1278289243832451072
Why does this always happen when I point out facts to railway enthusiasts? Le sigh.
Thanks for the love, all, and for some of the interesting discussions going on in the comments. Logging off for a few hours because my sciatica is making it impossible for me to concentrate or sit still, but Iâll get back to it all soon. 
