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Original poster

Considering a day trip by train this weekend

19 replies

Belleende · 07/07/2020 07:08

We have no car, 2 dds (2&5), and have not been further away from home than we can go on our bike trailer since lock down began. I am bored out of my tiny little mind. There is a local attraction about 20 mins by train. I am thinking of heading there at the weekend.

Can put the girls in the bike trailer and close the cover so they won't be touching anything and we would wear masks.

This is clearly not an essential journey, but if we can't do this now, when can we? Has anyone else been on the trains for leisure travel?

OP posts:
Original poster
Belleende · 07/07/2020 13:28

I am taking that as unanimous approval

OP posts:
ThePlantsitter · 07/07/2020 13:29

I would.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 07/07/2020 13:32

I'd do it. I have no car either and I'm getting fed up. I'm taking DS on the bus this weekend somewhere different.

Ginfordinner · 07/07/2020 13:33

Can you take the bike trailer on the train?

Ted27 · 07/07/2020 13:34

I would, I have !

istandwithJKR · 07/07/2020 13:37

I did this recently in same circs as you and I'm really glad I did.

IwishIhadaMargarita · 07/07/2020 13:40

ScotRail are advising against all but essential journeys but it’s up to you to decide.

Abracadabra12345 · 07/07/2020 13:43

The only way I can get around is via public transport. Therefore to travel,, it is essential that I use public transport. Being able to get out and about is essential to our mental health and being able to travel is also allowed by the government.

We have had a couple of day trips by train which were near empty and we wore masks and we sanitise our hands.

We have also had a wonderful weekend, where we travelled by train to a hotel, and took two local train trips to nature places. Again, we wore masks and sanitised our hands, and again the trains were near- empty. We did not feel as though we were in the wrong in any kind of way.

I think we are past the stage of only using public transport to get to work / as NHS/key workers.
We have no choice but to use public transport. Our children’s horizons need to be expanded along with everyone else who happens to have a car. Environmentally, trains are far better.

So enjoy, just as we have done. I cannot tell you how wonderful it has been to you to leave our neighbourhood! Also, if things get difficult again in the autumn, as is being predicted, we surely have to seize these opportunities now!

Ginfordinner · 07/07/2020 13:52

I thought hotels weren't open except for use by key workers.

cologne4711 · 07/07/2020 14:00

If you can't drive, any journey on public transport is an essential journey (assuming it can't be practically made on foot or by bike).

In any event, since the "non-essential" shops opened the "essential journey" thing has fallen by the wayside.

Just wear masks and stay off commuter services (not that I think that even they are that busy).

I am visiting my mother this weekend and I am taking the train even though I do drive, because the train is safer than driving.

Hotels are now reopening, by the way - they've been allowed to open again since last Saturday but that doesn't mean that they are (much like the "non-essential" shops which are still closed).

cologne4711 · 07/07/2020 14:01

DS has been on the train twice to meet friends, too.

Breadandroses1 · 07/07/2020 14:07

Yep, we've done it. Same age kids, cycle everywhere, no car.

I don't think there will ever be a directive that says it's ok- because we're all using common sense now, aren't we?- and even our commuter trains are mostly empty.

I take massive exception to the idea that people with a car are allowed to go wherever they want and hang the environmental consequences, while (mostly poorer people) the car-free have to stay within 5 miles of home for what, ever?

Original poster
Belleende · 07/07/2020 16:57

Right I now have official mums net blessing. Stately homes here we come

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Pipandmum · 07/07/2020 17:00

My friends took the ferry to visit me last week (day trip). The website said 'essential travel only' but they called and were told it wasn't a problem. And it certainly isn't now as holiday homes and hotels have reopened - we need the business!

Abracadabra12345 · 08/07/2020 15:39

Breadandroses1:
“I take massive exception to the idea that people with a car are allowed to go wherever they want and hang the environmental consequences, while (mostly poorer people) the car-free have to stay within 5 miles of home for what, ever?“
I so agree with this!

Vintagevixen · 08/07/2020 15:47

Hotels have been open from 6th July for everyone, in England. Air BB is also up and running.

As I've just said on another thread, I have done it and its fine. Go for it. I've been on trains/tubes all though April/May/June for work/taking DD to her dads /shopping when they reopened etc as I don't drive and I'm still alive.

bigbluebus · 08/07/2020 16:43

Most of the trains I've seen go past on my local line have had no more than 2 passengers on. I would say it depends how busy you think the train is likely to be as to whether or not you judge it to be safe.

Nixen · 08/07/2020 16:52

I would. Enjoy your day out ☺️

Original poster
Belleende · 11/07/2020 11:17

On train, it is empty. Be warned lifts are out of action, so the fab idea of bringing the bike trailer was less than ideal... Masks are nasty.

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