to think everyone knows you don't flush train toilets whilst train is standing in a station?

[ReignBeauDash]

I've had to get multiple long distance trains this last week and on several journeys have had to stand in corridors near the toilets as it's been so busy. For various reasons I've not really used trains in about 20 years!

I honestly thought it was common knowledge that you don't flush train toilets whilst at a station? Or has that changed in the last 20 years?

It's like people are actually waiting for the train to stop moving to get out of their seats and head for the loo - over and over at station after station

51 and never heard of this before. I had no idea you weren't supposed to flush at stations but then I'm not sure I've ever been on a train with a toilet.

The song I think folk are calling to mind is an old rugby one, "Gentlemen Should Please Refrain". It's on Spotify, sung by the Jock Strap Ensemble (!!) but for pity's sake only click on that one ... some others definitely wouldn't be acceptable these days

Lyrics: www.rugbysongs.net/034%20Gentlemen%20Should%20Please%20Refrain.htm

Most trains will have retention tanks now, even some heritage lines are getting them. I still can’t bring myself to flush in a station though!

The mess left on the track is referred to as “bangers and mash” ! And anyone who spends time in a train cab knows you never eat anything you drop on the floor there (the 3 second rule does not apply!)

Same, I'm rising mid 40s (eek!), have been travelling on the trains regularly for 20 years and never heard such a thing.

Am struggling to wrap my head round it. 🤯

It used to be a mine field in during the summer in Weymouth when the trains went through the harbour to meet up with the ferry. 💩🤔

Just a reminder that you shouldn't also stick your head out of a moving train as well.

Did none of you get the Quentin Blake Illustrated Guide to Railway Safety as a child?? Absolutely brilliant stuff. I would never dare flush at a station, nor stick anything out of a train window.

That article linked is from 2017, apparently many companies promised to stop by 2019 but not all of them actually did.

Out of curiosity what is this job? I'm looking for ideas and it sounds right up my street

Think EU directive banned it about 3 years ago; our local line was one of last in country to get upgraded (just > 3 years ago).

I know a Network Rail engineer who claims there is plenty of sewage on the tracks.

I've no idea if some trains are still dumping it or if it's historic.

You know what that means?

It's a pesky regulation that will get undone in the Bonfire of the EU regulations

As of 2020 there were still 8 lines that flushed onto the tracks www.rmt.org.uk/news/rmt-reveals-the-eight-rail-routes-still-dumping-raw-sewage/

Oh lordy I hadn't even thought of that...

"When the train is in the staion
Please refrain from urination
Have some respect for railway property.

If you want to pass some water,
Kindly ask a railaway porter
He will show you to the nearest lavatory"

I always thought it was because someone might sit in your seat

Absolutely revolting that trains are still dumping sewage out like that. What other business can just literally leave shit laying around without any come back

I didn't know it ever was an issue, I'd have happily flushed while I'm a station not knowing any better.

I didn't know it had changed. I remember seeing sogns to say don't flush at a station only a few years back, but now you've mentioned it, not seen one for a while.
I've always thought that surely you'd see loads of waste on the tracks at stations as people were ignoring the rule! I'd rather people flushed wherever they are than leave some of the sights I've seen as a regular train user!

Sewage companies

www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/23/thames-waters-real-time-map-raw-sewage-discharges-rivers

This must be Northern, it was quite the experience the first time I moved up to the NW, I also had the pleasure of being stuck on a broken down one for 2 hours...

I know this is a bit of a tangent but do people really flush while still sitting down?

When I was at school the local line had these carriages where there was a door between each 4 seats, like the hogwarts express! But it meant you could open the doors while the train was moving, utter madness. Many a PE kit was lost.

I thought this too, but then again, I don't go on trains often enough to know that its changed 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes! I do.

OP would you not think if that were the case there would be signs everywhere saying to avoid using at a station where possible?