Scared of getting on trains and stepping over the gap

[FairViewRosie25]

Scared of getting on trains. Frightened of stepping over the gap.

Are any of you who.have trouble going down steps too wearing varifocals? That can definitely affect it

Trains are longer with more carriages so when they pull in at the stations they don't 'fit' as well.

I know you're not doing it on purpose but if you just freeze you are vastly increasing the likelihood someone is going to crash in to you and you could fall

I don't mean to be patronising - I'm prone to a bit of a fear of falling myself - but are you careful to Not Look Down. Never Look Down! Haha. It does really help.

Yes, I have problems on escalators going down, because looking at all those parallel lines moving away from me, makes me dizzy. I feel like I’m going to fall. Varifocals make me feel worse, because I know looking down, makes things look bigger than they are - so I could misjudge a step and fall!

Yep, knocks me sick as well. No idea why.
It is mad that we get on metal tubes which fly through the sky and then feel frightened over a few inches of space….

Some of the trains you definitely have to look down or you'd end up on trouble. I'm on a train now ,just got on and had to help a lady with her case and once she was on she helped me with mine.

Can you go by tube ,less likely hood of a gap,then bus or taxi? Your husband is a bit of sick saying he's embarrassed when there's a perfect solution.

If possible get your husband to support you at the waist rather than just a hand hold. Arm around you as you step off if space. This gives a psychological feeling of safety because someone has quite literally got you.

Avoid Clapham junction at all costs, we're just pulling in and the guard has just announced ' please mind the huge gap!'

That's really good advice,or if he gets off first and then offers his hand to you,I prefer this method personally.

This is what my husband does for me as I have this fear also. I know where to stand at our local station so it is easier for me to get on. I don’t know how this happened as for years I travelled to London no problem.

My friend fell through it as a child.Terrifies her to step over it even now.

Just don't look at it. Look straight ahead and don't hesitate. If you go at busy times you'll get swept along by the crowd a bit, that might help.

OP, I once fell down the gap between the train and the platform at Waterloo. It was utterly embarrassing. I was at the time waiting for a knee replacement, so I knew I couldn’t get off the train with my case as I would need to hold into the handle to step down. So I got out of the (busy) train, turned to get my bag, and slipped straight down the gap. It was awful - a lot of people walked straight past, and I actually had to shout help, help, I’m stuck. A couple of men dragged me out and left me in a heap on the platform, and I then had to say I’m awfully sorry, but I can’t actually get up by myself because of my knee, so they hauled me to my feet. I was just dying inside - it was quite painful, but the embarrassment was so much worse! It has not stopped me from travelling by train, but I really am careful these days. Where I live (Anglia Railways) the trains don’t have a gap - you just step straight on, and the edge of the carriage doors butts up against the platform. You just have to choose your rail provider!

I'm another one who doesn't like descending on escalators. I used to avoid them at all costs but have managed to largely overcome it, although I'm still not exactly happy. I usually wait until someone goes just in front of me which seems to help.

Do you wear varifocals? I don’t like escalators now

I was about to say the same. Some gaps are quite large.

Try some of the platforms at Clapham Junction. I swear that you need a step ladder and parachute to get on and off some of them.

Shocking

I too have fallen through the gap. It was at Bristol parkway. I managed to pull myself up and just laid on the platform. Some chap shouted (he was stood on the train I was going to get on) and asked if I was ok. I shook my head. Next thing I know, another passenger and a member of staff came over to me

I now have some real anxiety getting on the train at Bristol parkway and I don't think anyone gets it. I broke my ribs and was in so much pain for 4 weeks

Yep, I’m the same. No rymne or reason

Last train i got the gap was considerably bigger than 4 inches. It was huge! Even young spry people were refusing to go. They had to delay the train as at least 3 doors were unusable because of it. The door we did go out of was still to me unsafe. A woman with a baby in.a sling was almost crying. Other passengers were great, helping each other. Platform staff not so much.

I understand you,I am scared of going up escalators,and I won’t use a lift either,I had to go up one earlier and I really panicked.

I might manage an up escalator but there is no way on this earth I’m coming down one

I do wear varifocals. ALways take them for steps or stairs