to take a pram on the train early in the morning?

[starkadder]

Not really an AIBU, although maybe I am. Have to go on a train journey next week with 4 month old DD, hour and a half journey each way. Leaving at 830am, returning 1630, so not peak peak time but probably busy. Want to take a pram type buggy rather than folding pushchair, although I have both, because DM will be looking after DD for the day for me and she'll be much happier with a pram so she can look at DD's smiley little face. But - am I asking for trouble? Any tips for negotiating busy trains with big bulky prams? Should I just take the Maclaren? AIBU to bother the poor commuters with my big baby-mobile?

Depends if you are in London or in a more rural area really.

You can do what you like and sod the commuters, they don't own the train, but personally, I think taking the McLaren will be much easier for you.

As a commuter I'd seriously recommend the smaller pushchair. Your DD is surely adorable, but commuters are a grumpy bunch (I include myself) and trains are often crowded and unreliable. Good luck!

If it's going to be that busy I'd take the smaller pushchair tbh. It'll be lighter for you to get on and off the train and take up and down stairs if needs be.

Having taken my DD on trains at that age I'd say take a sling and the smaller buggy. Or could your mum not borrow a pram for the day, or get your pram there a day earlier as you have 2?

You have as much right as anyone else to use public transport when you please, but to make life easier for you, take the smallest baby vehicle you have.

I wouldn't take a buggy on the train, but if you have to, do either of them fold so you can stash it and sit down? That will help, likely past the first 30 minutes or so of your journey a lot of people will have gotten off, at least outbound.

where do you think the bigger pushchair would go? I presume you mean it to be left somewhere while you and DD sit on one of the seats? I doubt you will be able to have it by the seat as the passage way is way to narrow. The only possability is by the doors. This will possibly lead to it being jostled and barged by people with bags and cases. A folding buggy could be put on the rack above or under the seat that you sit on.

Just some thoughts

Take a sling and the smaller buggy. But that's because it'll be easier for you. Your dd is a person too, but not everyone will see it like that, sadly, so best to be as unencumbered as you can.

I would take the buggy.

Are you presuming that you can use the wheelchair space? Because you quite possibly won't be able to, and then you will be standing in the vestibule bit, all rattly and cold all the way :(

"A folding buggy could be put on the rack above or under the seat that you sit on."

Have you taken a folding buggy on a train recently? If so which company, as I will try to use them from now on as no train I've been on in the last 2 years has had overhead luggage racks or underseat space (or end-of-aisle space) big enough to store even an old-style umbrella-fold buggy...

Hmm...thanks for the replies...

Train is to London. Don't have to go on the tube though. I do have a seat booked, both ways, but was thinking I could ditch it and go in the bit where wheelchairs etc go?

YANBU but I'd be wary. my sister commuted a lot and after wrestling a small buggy for three days she opted for a carrier on her chest instead. Commuters push and shove when getting on because they are so desperate not to be late for work, so even if she got on and into a corner with my niece the buggy got jostled and she got snide comments. A carrier was much easier and my niece was happier too.

But it depends if you are going into london or not. My sister sat on the met and then got on the circle line without issues with the carrier, people tended to give her more space in fact.

I would wait until after 9am. The trains are like sardine tins before then.

You absolutely have as much right as the next person to use the trains as and when you need to but if you were on my line at 8.30 am with a big pram, there its every possibility you wouldnt be physically able to get on the train.

I often have to push on and stand sideways in the area by the door. With my face in sometimes armpit.

And it's even more crowded if there's the slightest delay.

You may just find the journey much easier with the smaller buggy folded and a sling.

Oh yes -Nagoo - that was what I was thinking. Am I dreaming?? Thing is, I know the pram style buggy will be a huge pain, but the Maclaren will also be a pain anyway. Mine is v old and difficult to fold up (for someone as cack handed as me) anyway. So since I am going to have a nightmare anyway, I might as well go the whole hog (was my thinking). DM needs some knd of buggy as she can't bring one, and she'll be traipsing around all day in London with DD (neither of us live there any more, although we used to).

Train arrives in London after 10am so isn't the super busy one. Although is a bit busy.

I was on a train out from London today and there was an announcement to say that if you had a reserved seat you had to sit in it or you would be charged for a separate ticket. No idea how common this is but just a thought. Am also wondering where the big buggy would go on a busy train - what if there are wheelchair users in the wheelchair bit?

But what will you if there is a wheelchair in the wheelchair space?

I wouldn't do an hour and a half standing up in the vestibule with a pram.

Take the folding buggy.

Maybe you could borrow a smaller or easier to fold buggy? You could swap for one of your others for the day.

wibbly I took my BJCM on the train and it fitted in the luggage rack a treat (love that buggy)

In that case would fold the buggy at the station before going near the train. Then you don't need to worry so much there'll be less pressure even if it's tricky - no rush or lurching train or baby juggling. I've never taken a buggy on a train but I've taken suitcases and luggage on lots of times (+DD) and there's always been space for it in end of carriage racks, I get on lots of different brands of trains. (Brand doesn't sound right, what is the right word?)

Honestly, at that time of day, you cannot assume you'll get the wheel chair space (& what happens if a chair is already using it?). I travel into London & the trains are RAMMED! A non folded buggy wouldnt be able to get on the train. Not due to bloody minded commuters 'tutting', but sure to there actually being barely enough space for the people, let alone prams etc.

If you can, get a later train. Even 15mins would make a huge difference to your journey.

YANBU at all but be prepared for huffing and puffing from self-important people who think only salaried employees may use the rush hour trains. I would take the maclaren tbh because there probably won't be any room to leave the pram in the wheelchair bit and you might get someone take pity on you and try to help if you at least attempt to fold it away. They may not be able to help but at least there'll be someone on your side. Agree there probably won't be a rack but depending on the train, sometimes you can slide it in the middle between the back-to-back seats (where there are sometimes bins, if you know what I mean).