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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be concerned about 70yo mum on the sleeper train

36 replies

Mummyof287 · 21/04/2023 21:55

My mum is 72- she has always been independent in her excursions, hobbies etc and has remained so since my dad passed away a couple of years ago, which in general is a good thing.

She told me recently she is going upto Scotland for a literature event she wants to attend.She is sensible at taking the train rather than driving long distances, but she has said she is likely to be going on the sleeper train as its such a long journey.

I haven't been on one since I was a child (back in the 90s/early 2000s) but am I right in thinking you still share a 'cubicle' for want of a better word, with random other people? I know this was the case then but like I say it was years ago.
I personally don't like the idea of that at all...it strikes me as very dangerous especially for children, women to be sharing such a personal intimate space with a stranger.

It's playing on my mind abit.... I mean no-one knows who could be in there with her whilst she slept! I don't want to be telling her what to do, but also want her to be safe.

OP posts:
HappyHolidai · 21/04/2023 21:56

They don't do that any more.

cestlavielife · 21/04/2023 21:58

She can book private cabin

Hesma · 21/04/2023 21:58

She probably has it booked for solo use - ask her!

MrSheepy · 21/04/2023 21:58

I believe it’s single rooms only now. That was always an option anyway - I used to take the sleeper with work and they always booked me a single room.

aberlot · 21/04/2023 21:59

They don't put anyone in with strangers

InTheFutilityRoomEatingBiscuits · 21/04/2023 22:02

I stay in hostels with random strangers. Have you never done that?

I don’t know about the sleeper train but I’d expect your mum knows how to book what she needs and get around perfectly well.

FMW · 21/04/2023 22:05

Oddly I had a chat with Caledonian about this exact point yesterday. If you book as a solo traveller, you automatically have sole occupation of whatever you book. They don’t put anyone on separate bookings in to share.

nosyupnorth · 21/04/2023 22:05

A quick google will tell you that Caledonian don't do shared cabins with people that aren't part of your booking any more.

That said, I've taken overnight trains all over europe in shared cabins and never felt unsafe. Most people are perfectly pleasant and in the event that there was an issue trains don't exactly have breezeblock walls, a shout would be heard all down the train, so there's not really any more risk of something happening than in a regular seated train compartment.

itsmylife7 · 21/04/2023 22:08

I think it's really sweet you're concerned about your 72 year old mum.
It's like a reverse of how she probably worried about you as a teenager.

I'm sure she's got enough common sense to look after herself. 🙂

rookiemere · 21/04/2023 22:10

itsmylife7 · 21/04/2023 22:08

I think it's really sweet you're concerned about your 72 year old mum.
It's like a reverse of how she probably worried about you as a teenager.

I'm sure she's got enough common sense to look after herself. 🙂

Ironically the language OP uses in her post is very much like she was talking about a teen.

Honestly good on your DM. It's brilliant that she is intrepid enough to do this and she should be out there enjoying independent travel for as many years as she can.

BelleMarionette · 21/04/2023 22:14

The sleeper train is extremely safe. It's very well staffed. I'm sure your mum will have a great time. The shared cabin with strangers isn't a thing anymore (and even when it was, it was with same gender and you could choose to book a solo cabin)

TruthsAndALie · 21/04/2023 22:21

As others have said, the ScotSleeper is very safe and SO AWESOME!! I love sleeper trains and did London to Fort William pre-COVID. Waking up to misty fields whilst you chug along is magical. We saw a stag whilst eating scotch porridge in the buffet carriage.

Seriously the train is amazing, she’s gonna be fine and have such a nice experience. So jealous!

Shoemadlady · 21/04/2023 22:23

Hi, the don't do shared cabins anymore so your Mum can just book as a solo traveller. I've just come back from Scotland on it and felt very safe and very well looked after. The cabins are lovely (tell her to book an en-suite as she'll have her own toilet and shower) otherwise not great to be trotting to the loo in your Jim jams and you have to use shower facilities at the station.
If she can afford a double room they're defo more comfortable. I loved it, sure she'll be very well looked after x

saltinesandcoffeecups · 21/04/2023 22:29

Well half the fun of sleeper trains was sharing with strangers and fighting over the window being open or closed, enjoying the snores of strangers, and waking up to conductors demanding your passport sternly at 2 in the morning wasn’t it?

I’m still smugly claiming I won the battle of the window with the two guys from Japan (I think).

skyfalldown · 21/04/2023 22:38

odd thing to be worried about, haven't you ever stayed in a hostel? 🤨

EmmaEmerald · 21/04/2023 22:39

TruthsAndALie · 21/04/2023 22:21

As others have said, the ScotSleeper is very safe and SO AWESOME!! I love sleeper trains and did London to Fort William pre-COVID. Waking up to misty fields whilst you chug along is magical. We saw a stag whilst eating scotch porridge in the buffet carriage.

Seriously the train is amazing, she’s gonna be fine and have such a nice experience. So jealous!

Wow! I'd like to do this in theory.

OP I don't blame you for being worried but if they don't share any more, that's fine. I have shared hostel rooms with strangers, never again. Had some stuff stolen and I'm a light sleeper. I couldn't keep literally my whole backpack in the bunk with me.

LadyAddle · 21/04/2023 23:43

Definitely go for the ensuite shower and loo - it's tiny, but at least you don't worry about padding down the corridor in your nightwear! And you used to get a nice bar of Mackie's chocolate too ... I love the Caledonian sleeper.

breakingintopieces · 22/04/2023 00:09

They stopped that yonks ago. The only way she'll 'share' is if she gets the cheap seated sleeper option, but the sleeper staff do check on guests in that carriage, so it's still safe even if she doesn't book a room.

Why do I no longer get asked about gender when booking tickets?

Previously in our Standard shared occupancy rooms, unless both beds in the room were booked by you or your party, you may have had to share with another guest. Following consultation with user groups, we have removed the largely unpopular accommodation option to ‘Share with a Stranger’. There is a general consensus that this was outdated and no longer appropriate for overnight travel. Instead, we have introduced a new option known as the Standard Classic Solo for guests wishing to travel alone in our Classic accommodation. Because of the removal of Share with a Stranger, we no longer require information regarding gender for booking.

BonnieGlasses · 22/04/2023 00:15

If she's travelling from London to Edinburgh (or Glasgow), it's much quicker and cheaper to get a regular daytime train. Add a night in the Premier Inn and it still wouldn't cost as much as a sleeper ticket!
If she's going to Fort William or Inverness then fair enough.

MereDintofPandiculation · 22/04/2023 00:48

Even when you shared, it was always with a woman (or a man if you were a man).

It's safer than sitting in a seat for a long journey and nodding off.

MereDintofPandiculation · 22/04/2023 00:49

BonnieGlasses · 22/04/2023 00:15

If she's travelling from London to Edinburgh (or Glasgow), it's much quicker and cheaper to get a regular daytime train. Add a night in the Premier Inn and it still wouldn't cost as much as a sleeper ticket!
If she's going to Fort William or Inverness then fair enough.

But it's much more fun on a sleeper!

AHugeTinyMistake · 22/04/2023 00:56

The Caledonian sleeper is fabulous.

I came back from Inverness on it last year, booked an en suite. There were some delays (not enough to have made a difference to my day in the end) which meant I got half the ticket refunded. So it went from fairly extortionate to quite reasonable.

I would love to do it again, it is expensive though. But a really good experience. Your mum will have a great time, the staff are brilliant and the cabins really well equipped.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 22/04/2023 00:59

skyfalldown · 21/04/2023 22:38

odd thing to be worried about, haven't you ever stayed in a hostel? 🤨

You ask that like everyone's stayed in one,I never have 😂

OP, she'll be fine like others have said. More sensible that driving.

suburbophobe · 22/04/2023 01:10

Honestly good on your DM. It's brilliant that she is intrepid enough to do this and she should be out there enjoying independent travel for as many years as she can.

Exactly!

I'm an intrepid solo traveller, a bit younger than your mum. Life is for living!

I've done two sleeper trains in South Africa. You only ever get a cabin with other females. Wandering up and down the train I've had amazing encounters with lovely people but then I'm a chatty sort 😅

Life is for going beyond your comfort zone, while keeping awareness of your safety.

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