“Train Sociology”– An Introduction to Researching the Interactions between Passengers

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to sketch an introduction to train sociology by presenting historical changes which – along with the development of railway infrastructure – occurred regarding trains in the matter of interpersonal interactions and the perception of time and space. The secondary goal is to introduce possible research directions within train sociology. Method. The analysis of available sociological and anthropological literature on train journey, the history of the railway and its implications for the social world. Findings. The analysis of available literature allowed to reconstruct the influence of railway development on the perception of time and space from the perspective of a moving means of transport. The area that occurred to be particularly affected with the changes was human imagination, which was expressed in the belles-lettres. Contemporary social researchers may find the interpersonal relations that occur within train compartments interesting. In the article, I recommend investigating passengers’ behaviour and the ways of implementing interactions by inducing the dramaturgical perspective of Erving Goffman. Research and conclusions limitations. The scope of proposed research is limited to Polish trains that have wagons with compartments, which are less and less popular nowadays. Practical implications. The results of the proposed research may be used in the process of designing the train space so that it would fully meet the travellers’ requirements and provide them comfort. Originality. Multidimensional description of influence of the railway development on the human “condition”. Suggestion for new research directions in sociology and anthropology. Type of paper: An overview article.