When will you be happy to go on a long train journey?

[EachandEveryone]

I know its too soon but the trains are running up and down the country on a limited service. Has anyone travelled on one yet? Iike everyone I am craving some company as I have none at home. There is a big birthday coming up in about three weeks. I know its selfish and irresponsible to sit on a train for three hours then Socialise distantly in the garden if the weathers good. I would have to wear a proper PPE mask for three hours its too much.

When do you think it will be allowed?

When allowed officially? Gawd knows.
I have zero fear of virus so would go anyway, possibly.

I figure a long train journey would likely be as safe or safer than a short one - fewer crowds moving, fewer stops. Presumably if no-one is nearby to see, you could take the mask off during the journey?

Planning on visiting FIL and keeping distanced in a few weeks, but driving down to avoid public transport.

I did a train journey a week ago. Family emergency type thing. Barely anyone on the trains (journey involved 3) and the stations were quiet and calm.
We did have a medical exemption letter but no one asked to see it. We didn't wear masks for the whole journey but this was before the 'compulsary' rule came in.

I went on one. Totally empty. No one asked me why. It was a real pleasure. I would say do it now! Emergency obviously

DW and I would, but we've already been infected and recovered. However, the reason for train travel is to visit Edinburgh, York or London. Since the venues in those cities are closed, there's no point.

I'd travel no problem. Not at all worried

I've had a week in London planned for July since before lockdown. If I go it will be on the train and I haven't given up hope yet. Obviously it depends on what happens after July 4.

Today if I had to. Wash hands, wear a mask, don't lick anything, take my own food. Should be fine.

I would travel, but would hate wearing a mask - so not at the moment.

That is my work commute (yep, it's 3 hours) and I don't anticipate doing it before September. I even got offered the opportunity to come in for COVID antibody testing (NHS trust), but I've declined that as I'm working from home and can't see spending that long on a train for a non-necessary trip. I would stay home (or I'd consider driving if that was an opinion).

I've done it. Really quiet and punctual. It is legal to travel by train for exercise or outdoor socialising, if you don't stay overnight (and that limitation may change from early July).

On a 4 or 5 hour journey can you take off the mask to eat and/or drink?

No one wore a mask on the train I was on. Me included. But as I said, 2 people per carriage max. So no need

Will they know if you stay over night?

It is allowed now. My exh is a train driver, no one is being asked where they are going. I'm planning to go hopefully in August for a night away.

No, I don't think there's any enforcement of the law against overnight stays (well, not in England, I don't know about Scotland or Wales).

Using public transport doesn't bother me, in fact I have done at least three long train journeys since lockdown dropping DD off at her dads for visits, two at the peak of infections. No problem, no one checks tickets or even asks where you are going. It was actually very pleasant - totally quiet. Didn't bother with masks/gloves etc as I really have very little fear of this virus anyway, going again on Saturday so will wear a mask then obviously as now compulsory.

@flatpack1

On a 4 or 5 hour journey can you take off the mask to eat and/or drink?

Why would (general) you assume that you couldn’t?

I'm going to have to in a few days time; it's a bit different though as I'm travelling home.

@JingsMahBucket I guess because masks are now compulsory on public transport.

@mocktail @flatpack1 common sense says you’ll still need to be able to eat or drink during a four or five hour journey.

Need to drink? Pull your mask down, drink water for 5 to 10 seconds, pull your mask back up and reposition it properly.

Need to eat? Pull your mask down, take some bites of your food and eat for a few minutes. Don’t talk with your mouth full and send particles flying everywhere. Pull your mask back up and reposition it properly. (Or if you have a sandwich, take a bite and pull your mask up while you chew. Please don’t talk with your mouth full.)

Done.

I have a business meeting in France in September.

That'll probably be the next time I do a long train journey (as long as I'm allowed to travel and the meeting isn't cancelled.)

My DS is coming home from uni tomorrow by train (1hr 45mins) and then we're driving back in a few weeks time to bring all his stuff home.

He's got his mask and hand sanitiser, so hopefully all will be ok.

I'd happily do it today. The face mask thing would annoy me but I'd just get on with it.

I'm going on what was my commute for the first time in a few days but not to go to work but to keep my mum company while my dad has surgery. She's really grateful I'm coming but keeps checking I really don't mind being on the train and not believing that I'm really not bothered at all.

Im still debating whether to go on Friday. Three hours. It might be quite nice if its quiet.