If a train stopped because it broke down or because of an emergency

[TheTwoLeggedGrooveMachine]

What would you do if you needed the loo?

This happened to me recently. The train stopped between stations because of an incident further down the line. Fortunately we weren't stopped for too long before the train terminated at the next station, but we were initially told that we would be held for a couple of hours. My first thought was - what if I need the loo? I do have anxiety around this irl which was why it crossed my mind and fortunately had been just before I left. But I wouldn't have been ok for a couple of hours! I'm just wondering if you have been in this situation or what you think you would do if you were?

I'm not peeing myself or worse for anyone I'd use the toilet if able to get in.

You can still use the loo, why not ?

don't trains have washrooms on them?

Honestly I would have had to see if I could afford a taxi back home. Obvs depending how much it would be or walk to the nearest cafe etc. I’m lucky I don’t commute far daily but once the bus I was coming back from so a few hours to get home, toilet broke and no other bothered to tell us when it had been fixed. I was panicking I would wet myself. Last resort would be hiding behind somewhere for a wee. I pack long hoodies to tie around my waist incase I do have an accident. Wouldnt be able to cope if I had something like colitis.

Not all trains have toilets in. Especially the inner city services.

But you cannot flush it can you when it is stationary
Or has this changed
Is the waste now contained in a tank rather than going straight from the loo onto the track.
Even so if you have to go . . .

Sorry - I should have said - there was no loo on the train, it was a local service. And we were held between stations so couldn't get off.

Badhunny
Wouldn't it be easier to wear puffy pants
Continence products are quite discreet and reliable nowadays.
Many people have to rely on them.

If you've still got electricity, you can probably still use the loo on the train. It's possible they might not open if the electricity goes (though they must have a manual override in case someone gets stuck inside.) I would hope staff would give updates on how long you're likely to be delayed.

I try not to use the on-board loos at the best of times, but if you must, you must. If they're not available, i'm usually carrying a bottle of water or coke, so i would probably try to use that discreetly in a non-carpeted corner, under my coat or something, but if it's a really crowded train...

Are you in the UK OP? Are you talking about the tube which has no toilets or other types of trains- many of which do?
Are you worried about using the loo whilst stationary? Many UK trains do have tanks, so the shite isn't spewing onto the track now. Some don't have tanks, but very few according to google.

If you have a health anxiety about it, I'd be seeking mental health treatment to get support and as a back up, carrying an incontinence pad if needed. x

This happened once where after about two hours the passengers just got off the train onto the live tracks.The fact the loos were out of order was blamed.

I've heard of men weeing into water bottles when the train broke and there were no toilets.

I honestly don't know what I'd do. It sounds terrible but some people would probably end up wetting themselves. As most women wouldn't drop their drawers and pee on the floor even if they were absolutely desperate.

I guess if I had someone to shield me I'd maybe try and do it onto a pile of newspaper, in a plastic bag? Reliant on having those items to hand obviously.

The thing is as soon as I think there's no toilet nearby I need to go. If I was sitting next to a pristinely clean accessible loo then I'd be able to hold it in for hours?!

The vast majority of trains it's held in a tank. Exactly the same as aeroplanes. The days of dumping raw sewage on to tracks is pretty much over.
Not nice for the track maintenance people

Absolutely I do remember as a child being fascinated as you pulled the flush and you could see the ground whooshing past. It literally was just a flap that opened. I thought you weren’t allowed to use the loo at a station for this reason, rather than stationary.

Stations would have stunk to high heaven if raw sewage was being dumped on the tracks
Particularly the big covered stations, where there isn't even any rain to dilute it, could you imagine?

People also seem to think aeroplane toilets can't be used on the ground for the same reason. Nonsense they also use a tank.

@Needspaceforlego it used to be the case that the toilets dumped straight onto the track but you were told not to use them in the station.

If a train has broken down, they probably won't let people off because of the risk of other trains, and nowhere for them to go due to fencing and embankments etc.

It is a worry, but perhaps you can now use the toilet unless there's a power failure that means you can't get into the toilet. But perhaps also, in most cases, they'll send another train to push/pull the broken train to a station or somewhere else where passengers can get off, so the delay won't be massive. But I suppose one thing would be to make sure you always go before getting on the train if you can, so it's less likely to be an issue.

There weren't any toilets on the train!

I have ibs issues so this is a bit of a nightmare scenario

Yeah this is the sort of thing that'd worry me.

I’d just crap myself.

Love the way people keep telling the OP to use the train toilet when she has repeatedly said her train didn't have one.
There are quite a few inner suburban trains in the UK that don't have any toilet facilities. I was on a train from London Waterloo to Reading that had none two days ago. (Class 455 if anyone is feeling nerdy 🤣)

Love the way people keep telling the OP to use the train toilet when she has repeatedly said her train didn't have one.

They'll be asking if she cancelled the cheque next.

The majority of trains in my small northern towns area do not have loos. If I get a train in Manchester or Leeds there will probably be one - but for the most part - no toilets on board. It’s not as uncommon as you realise.

I have met my people! I was also on a Class 455 @Grumpyoldpersonwithcats 😁

@SerendipityJane that had crossed my mind too!

On a train without a loo your best option would be to discreetly ask the guard, who would likely take you to a private area and hopefully have a bin or bucket you could use. Pretty mortifying for all though, but better than shitting your pants in a hot crowded carriage!

Trains with working loos would continue to work even if the engine failed, as they have some serious battery banks to power domestics.