Steam railway branded “woke” after banning smoking and vaping in all areas

The Great Central Railway has been branded “woke” after it announced that it is to ban smoking and vaping for visitors and volunteers – even steam locomotive drivers as they drive through the Leicestershire countryside.

The railway, which runs between Loughborough and Leicester, says that all visitors will be “informed of this policy upon entry, and signage will be displayed throughout the premises”. It is expected that steam engine cabs will also have 'no smoking' notices installed. In a sternly worded warning, the railway states “Management reserves the right to take appropriate action against any individual violating this policy, including asking visitors to leave the premises.”

The restrictions, thought to be the strictest on any UK steam railway have not gone down well with many steam buffs and volunteers, with one branding it “woke nonsense”.

One visiter said “Smoking in the open air makes no difference to the quality of the air. You will next be converting your steam engines to electric to prevent the smoke. TBH can you not see the reasoning, you burn tons of coal and diesel on your engines and complain of a few cigarette smokers. Remember, diesel smoke is a known carcinogenic, I hope you are well insured.” Another stated “Steam engines and Diesel locos bellowing out smoke and fumes but Vaping has been banned?” with another angrily commenting it’s “Utter woke nonsense”.

Volunteers say that railway has received complaints from residents living in houses along the line in the past about it's dirty diesels spewing out black smoke. D1705 near Loughborough: https://flic.kr/p/2qWEoQJ

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