Help me! Avanti West Coast/Northern trains with a pushchair and a toddler

[TerribleTortoise]

So I'm travelling from the South East up north for a family event next week with a 15 month old and have to take the train for various reasons.
Will mean 4 changes and a trip across London and I'll have the toddler, the pushchair, a rucksack (I need to work while I'm there) and a big bag of clothes and stuff to last us 2-3 days. I have no choice in this journey. Not going is not an option.

I'm pretty handy travelling by train with the little one and have done it a lot but mostly London/West Country/midlands. I can also manage the tube - it's grim but a question of finding the accessible stations and being prepared for detours. But I've not yet braved the train Manchester way (and beyond), departing from Euston. On most of the journeys we've been on, I've been able to stow our stuff under the pushchair and leave the toddler sitting in it for the journey, either because the wheelchair spaces have been empty or because we've managed to find a spot in the luggage rack in the corridor. However I understand with Avanti in particular leaving the pushchair up may not be an option.

Can anyone tell me how this works on Avanti West Coast and Northern trains? Do pushchairs always have to be folded even if the wheelchair space is empty? Can I wheel the pushchair with the luggage onto the train and then take toddler/luggage out and fold on the train, or do I need to fold on the platform while holding onto crazy toddler? Just trying to work out the logistics in advance so I don't end up with my little one diving off the platform under the train while I sort everything out on the platform.

Small mercy, we will be travelling off-peak.

P.S. I know it's going to be bloody grim.

We’ve been making the journey from Euston to Manc regularly since little one was 3 months old. Avanti have nearly always asked us to fold pushchair and put in luggage rack as they like to keep wheelchair spaces empty. It can be done once you’re on the train though, so no dealing with crazy toddler on the loose on the platform!

Northern trains tend to have many more spaces that a pushchair can fit. Never had to fold ours down and been a relatively easy journey.

Happy travels!

Thank you! I will go prepared to fold down (everything in one bag, nothing loose under the pushchair) but useful to know that I should at least be able to get on the train and hopefully deposit toddler on a seat before doing so!

I might be able to travel via Leeds instead of Manchester. Any info on pushchairs on London North Eastern Railway? Is London North Eastern Railway preferable to Avanti?

@TerribleTortoise have you checked if Avanti the assistance service will help you? The train carriages are so narrow and the luggage racks small, so you would struggle to wheel a buggy down the aisle. The doors are only at either end of each carriage with a tiny vestibule area before you enter th carriage.
Northern should be ok in the day. The carriages also have doors in the middle so a much wider area to get on the train and then get the buggy folded down if needed.

I've rarely had to fold the buggy and done this for years, including with 3 under 6, try to travel as light as possible obviously and time with potential naps. My top tip is to get a railcard and buy a ticket for the toddler as well, no more expensive than one adult and you each have a booked seat then. Can also upgrade to first if at the weekend which makes it a lot more pleasant.

I might try LNER - one less change to our final destination. I'm thinking the way to go is toddler on sling on my front, hiking backpack with everything including laptop on my back and wheel empty buggy onto the train and then fold in vestibule and pop in the luggage rack. We can't pack super light as I have to bring full formal wear for the family event. We'll be at the station super early so hopefully just about first on the train unless they announce the platform at the last minute. I have reins for DC so can secure them to a seat to stop them wandering about. Normally we travel Southern/SWR who seem just a little bit more chilled about buggies/seem to have a bit more space.

Thank you - good idea but I've checked and apparently rail companies stopped offering assistance to passengers with young children/buggies a few years ago which is annoying. I completely understand why - it means they can focus on disabled passengers who probably need the help more - but it does push families away from public transport and towards driving if they can. We'd definitely be taking the car if we could!

No idea about trains but sending you luck for the trip OP, sounds like it'll be a gruelling one but you will smash it!❤️

We regularly go on horrible Avanti trains with pushchairs. Usually have managed to sit in the accessible bit and had space to leave buggy unfolded. Another route (might take much longer, dunno), is if you change at Warrington because it's the first stop from Euston so you can park buggy next to the door if necessary without it being a problem. Good luck.