To be concerned about 70yo mum on the sleeper train

[Mummyof287]

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.

I think you need to stop babying your mum!

She'll be fine, it's not the south of France where Crims gas cabins and steal your jewellery.

Obv I have had a sheltered life as never slept in a room with strangers!sounds like it's not a thing anymore anyway so no worries. Sounds like mum's going to enjoy herself!

I want to be your mum. Good for her.

It would be far quicker and cheaper to just fly from London to either Edinburgh or Glasgow - she’d be there in an hour and a half. It’s v difficult to sleep on the train, due to the rattling on the tracks, and stop starts with noisy stations etc.

It’s v difficult to sleep on the train, due to the rattling on the tracks, and stop starts with noisy stations etc.

I find the rocking of the train helps me sleep. As for stop starts with noisy stations - it's a night train and doesn't stop for 5 hours once past Watford Junction (and not all sleepers from Euston even stop there), and no stations are noisy at 5.30 in the morning.

It's top of my bucket list to go on a sleeper train - the cost is irrelevant, it's about the adventure and romance. Your mum is an adult who can travel any way she likes - why are you treating her like a child?

Yes, I've just posted about having adventures and I feel like this is one I should add to the list! Maybe next year though 😆

I‘m in the stop treating her like a child camp!
I’d be annoyed with my adult child if they took this to the internet instead of saying, “hey mum - I feel a bit worried about safety?” to which I’d say, “you don’t know anything about this sleeper train do you?” It’s patronising as much as it’s caring.

Thanks for all the helpful responses with more info about the train :) reassuring to know that there is no longer any sharing with strangers and the train is nice :)

Those saying 'stop treating her like a child' that certainly isn't the intention here, and it's not like I'm trying to tell her not to go or anything... I've not even expressed any concerns to her about it.I just wanted some reassurance to feel more at ease as she is very special to us, and she only has me to lookout for her now.

My idea of perfect! Id love to go on the sleeper!

good for her, im sure she will be fine. (Happy to tag along to keep her company!)