In the UK, do trains really flush there toilets onto the train tracks? If so is it safe?

Question

At Kings Cross station there is a sign saying please do not flush the on train toilet while stopped at a station as it goes onto the track. Does it really go on to the track? If so is it safe?

Answer 1

They sure do, so watch what you flush down the pan

Answer 2

Yes, toilet waste is dumped on the tracks.  Some companies, however, treat the effluent with disinfectant before it is dumped.  In New Zealand, where I'm from, trains have holding tanks which are pumped out.  This is done for hygiene reasons, and also because effluent gets into drinking water.  Further to the other respondent, Airlines have holding tanks, too, although these can be emptied voluntarily over large bodies of water (i.e. oceans).

Answer 3

I lived in swizerland for 4 years and there the trains do the same thing. if you flush you can see the tracks under you. It's biodgradable  so I guess its ok even though it seems weird

Answer 4

Yes, they are more worried about leaves than logs ...  lol

Answer 5

If it happens on most trains then I suppose its safe.?

Answer 6

2 points for me

Answer 7

I've often wondered this while waiting at Liverpool Street Station, they have the signs there too.

I can't believe they would actually flush the waste directly onto the track! Must be unhygienic for the guys working on the tracks!!

Yuck!

Answer 8

They also have chemical spraying methods in place to make sure the vandals aren't at risk when the little chavs are ripping up the tracks and endangering life ... otherwise the little k***s would sue the ars'e of the rail companies... Great here init??

Answer 9

ekk.. now i knoe .. haha

Answer 10

It does, and it must be safe or they wouldnt do it.

Answer 11

Don't know but surely its safe unless you are lying on the tracks in which case you won't be bothered if flying wee and poo comes your way!

Answer 12

They do, and it is safe, everything that comes out is biodegradable.

Answer 13

Yes, unfortunately brittish trains is a dirty bussiness, not only does it cost more than taking a flight around the world and back to get from London to Newcastle, but they also dump the **** on the track, and than we drink it, as it seaps through to the ground water.. lovely

Answer 14

Ok then so for arguements sake if it were flushed while in motion, would it still go on the track??

Don't think that is so.

Answer 15

Yes trains do really flush on to the track, is it safe, probably not, I would suggest not living too close to trains tracks just in case.

Answer 16

Yes, this is true. And do you know what happens when you flush the toilet on planes? That's right, it goes off into the air and end up back on the ground (in small particles of course).

Answer 17

If you are a gardener then you put sh*t on your roses etc, it's all fertilizer in the end. Maybe that's why the rail sides are so green and full of plant life!

Answer 18

The UK rail network is now split up and owned by several large, private companies such as Virgin Trains, etc. Each company has its own policy, and the waste-spraying scandal belongs to Virgin Trains; their toilets were spraying waste at very high speeds right onto the tracks, and this was particularly rough on the technicians and engineers who worked on the tracks. It's incredibly unhygienic, but not exactly 'dangerous'. In any case; the company put out a statement recently saying that they acknowledge that the problem exists, and will be doing all they can to fix it.

Answer 19

Dog, cattle, cats, birds all S**t outdoors, why should a bit of ours make any difference?

Answer 20

Yep we cr*p on the track in the UK.

Most of the world does too.

We tend not to when the train is at the station as the stench would upset the passengers.

Where are you from and what do you do with your?

Answer 21

Always said the trains were full of s**t, or not as the case may be :-) :-) :-)

Answer 22

Yes. ..  and no.