Late night rail travel - teen group

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Can anyone reassure a worry wart mum?

My DD and her friends (all 17/18 yrs old) have planned a night at a gig which will involve them travelling for 2-3 hours by train afterwards to the city where they have a hotel booked.

The journey includes a change at Clapham Junction at midnight with a 40 minute wait.

My mind is in overdrive, worried that a group of 10 or 12 teens of this age will be prime targets for local youths who might want to throw their weight around after a few drinks on a Friday night.

Can anyone reassure me that they'll be ok? I know that I can't DO anything - DD is 18 and this is what she's decided to do, but it doesn't stop me worrying about her!

Why on earth are they staying 2-3 hours away from the gig, seems a massive downer after the excitement of the gig to have to spend 2-3 hours on a train including a 40 min wait (I know teens always know best but seems a silly decision to me!). If it's because of cost then can you offer to contribute to a closer hotel? Or do they just want to go into the city to party? Anyway I'm sure they'll be fine if a bit cold and bored on the train.

Providing they keep themselves to themselves and aren't too noisy (easier said than done for a group of overexcited teens!) I doubt they'll be a target and Clapham Junction will still be quite busy at midnight on a Friday night with plenty of others around on the way to/from nights out so they won't stand out too much. It's good that there's a large group, I'd be more worried about one alone or 2 or 3 of them as more of an easy target if there is anyone dodgy around.

My bigger concerns will be that it will be freezing cold on the platform and I don't think the waiting room at Clapham Junction will be open at that time- are they sensible enough to take proper coats or will they insist it's uncool? I'd give your DD the money for the cloakroom at the gig in exchange for her promising to take a coat (I remember many times at that age going out with only a light cardy or scarf in the middle of winter to avoid paying £1 for the cloakroom!).

Also just in case there are train cancellations or major delays, make sure they have access to money and have a mini cab number to get a cab to their hotel if needed (quite pricey I would have thought if it's 2-3 hours away by train!) as I wouldn't count on there being staff there at the station to help. Although if they're going into London providing they make it as far as Clapham there will be plenty of Ubers/Black Cabs/night buses available.

Hope it all goes OK and try not to worry too much!

Clapham is still very busy at that time of night, they'll be absolutely fine.

DD and her friends travelled to and from rural France (via Paris) when they were all 15 - 16. Most of them barely spoke a word of French.

Like you, I was in a terrible state about it.

They were fine (despite one rural bus being 1 1/2 hours late and needing to get a connection).

I'd check the travel options- you may have less of a wait at Waterloo or Victoria depending on where the gig is (if it is Brixton Academy, you can get to either reasonably easily). Also that South Western Railway or Southern staff are not taking strike action that day. A cab from the venue to Clapham Junction (or another station) may reduce the wait.

Although it is south of the river and therefore beyond civilisation (!) the station will still be busy at that time.

As you can imagine, I've had all sorts of conversations with her regarding 'why' this particular arrangement - apparently its all very complicated and relates to work commitments of some of the group the next day.

They're actually returning by train to the nearest city to our home by train after the gig and staying there overnight - they can't come all the way back home as there's no public transport after midnight and I don't have a boat, otherwise I'd go and collect them!

Are they getting the last train home? I'd be more worried about what happens if it is cancelled

Where is the gig?