Eastern Railroad Discussion > Don't let the deathening noise drive your disabled kid mad!

https://www.trains.com/trn/railroads/heritage-rail/railroad-museums/colebrookdale-railroad-introduces-sensory-car/?oly_enc_id=2626E3649490E5W

this is a link to the colebrookdale railroads new sensory friendly train car letting your disabled son's sensory issues put at ease. It's nice to have when your trying to enjoy railroading, but your son just cant stand the noise

nick

Thanks Nick, nice report; and WELL DONE to the Colebrookdale! Way to go finding ways for engaging challenged folks. I will make it a point to visit, ride and leave some extra money behind in the gift shop there in the future.

Tom / Seattle

Our local Walmart also has a time set aside (7 am - 8 am) with dimmed lights, no "Walmart radio" on speaker, and generally reduced noise.  Although it was originally intended for sensory challenged shoppers, it has proven popular with a lot of folks.

Kids tend to react immediately to loud train noises, and it's either 'wow!' or wincing in pain or fear.   No matter how we feel about it, you have to be aware that it's very real.

I had my 3-year old grandson down to EBT for his first train ride, and he was right up on the platform when 16 blew for the crossing, I'm watching closely to see the reaction, he thinks it's way cool and smiles.
But other kids around me are also crying.   And that has to be recognized.   At young age, it's not socially conditioned reaction, it's natural.  Not just a disability.

Several parents show up with noise cancelling headphones, too, which really kept the smiles going.

Hey, first monster truck rally I went to with my sons I brought industrial earplugs and enjoyed every minute of it.

Lots of us, or our kids, are on the spectrum, so this is a kind, good way to deal with us that shouldn't bother others. Good thinking, Colebrookdale!

Rebecca Morgan
Jacobsburg, OH

My twin boys, both on the autism spectrum, loved trains but hated horns and whistles. They would instinctively cover their ears, and one would scream sometimes. 

But they enthusiastically hopped back into the car every time, and wanted nothing more than to get to the next spot. 

They're 29 now, and both of them still love trains.