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Original poster

Silly question I know but - babies on trains?

16 replies

snowleopard · 06/02/2006 16:12

How do you take a baby on the train? Do you need to take a car seat? Or (for shorter trips, eg 1 hour journey) can you take the buggy on and keep the baby in it if they want to nap? Or do you have to fold it? Sorry to ask an obvious question but I can't find this info anywhere.

OP posts:

CarlyP · 06/02/2006 16:14

DEPENDS ON WHAT LINE AND TIME I GUESS (FOR CONVENIENCE) BUT I ALWAYS TAKE BUGGY. KEEP KIDS IN IT OR LET THEM SIT ON A SEAT (OUT OF RUSH HOUR)

sweetkitty · 06/02/2006 16:15

I either used to keep DD in her buggy or lift her out and sit with her on my lap. Although train journeys will be out now with a double buggy!

expatinscotland · 06/02/2006 16:17

I don't. Been there, done that. Biggest PITA.

I put their double buggy in the boot, strap them in their car seats in the back seat and drive away.

WigWamBam · 06/02/2006 16:22

Which is the easy answer if you have a car, expat, but not much use if you don't!!

If not then it depends on the type of train - some of the sprinter or local trains have sets of two seats behind a set of three seats, and I always just tucked the buggy in behind the third seat. When she got a bit bigger I used to either fold the buggy or leave it in the doorway on the opposite side to the platform so it wasn't it anyone's way, and she would sit on the seat next to me (or on my lap).

I really didn't find it a problem, and would use the trains over the buses any day.

Kelly1978 · 06/02/2006 16:25

depends on the train, but I don't think they are that bad. Lots of them now have disabled spaces you can use if nobody needs them, or u can leave the buggy near a door. I've managed plenty of times witha double too. Never folded it.

Kelly1978 · 06/02/2006 16:25

CarlyP · 06/02/2006 16:31

SWEETKITTY, I HAVE A DBL AND TAKE IT ON THE TRAIN. JUST NOT IN COMMUTER HOURS.

MrsBadger · 06/02/2006 16:40

Depends on length of train journey and age of child - tinies shouldn't be in car seats > 2hrs anyway (iirc).

On Intercity-type trains there's often a wheelchair space you can appropriate for the pushchair (if no wheelchair users need it, obv) with a proper seat opposite so you can see the lo and they can see you.
On local-type trains you may get lucky with a wheelchair space but more likely to have to leave pushchair in lobby bit by doors (or fold and sling in luggage space) and sit lo on your lap or next to you.

If at all possible reserve seats so no risk of having to stand in crowded train with babe in arms!

hewlettsdaughter · 06/02/2006 16:47

We either keep the baby on our laps (folding the buggy and stowing it away), or have done what WigWamBam suggests (ie parked the buggy next to two seats behind three seats) on the trains which are more like buses.

Travel light and avoid busy trains if poss!

flutterbee · 06/02/2006 16:51

I always manage to get in the wheelchair/bike bit and last week when a very rude man started moving my pushcair telling me I wasn't supposed to be there the guard came rushing to help me and was wonderfull. He calmly explained to the man that the seats were for wheelchair users by law and then next priority went to pushchairs so him and his partially sited girlfriend would have to sit elsewhere. I was fuming with him but could have kissed the guard.

flutterbee · 06/02/2006 16:52

sighted not sited

Skribble · 06/02/2006 17:02

As others have said it depends on the train, I used to take the big Silvercross and on the older style train you had to stay at the doors (single doors at the end of the carrige). On the other train with the automatic double doors I would park pram at the doors and either stand or sit at the nearest seats if quiet. The best was to look out for the disabled area and then you could get the pram out of the doorway. The newer trains here have a much bigger disabled area and more room to park pram beside.

Until kids were bigger they always stayed in the pram or buggy especially on the shorter journeys. My tip for getting on and off is go forwards going on and reverse coming off. The station in the town i stayed in had a very high step up on to the train quite scary. Once I knew the pram could reach it was Ok, just had to make sure nothing on the tray as it would slip out.

I would never consider a car seat TBH, and always keep baggage to a minimum, backbacks save bags sliding down your arm at the wrong moment too.

Original poster

snowleopard · 06/02/2006 20:07

Thanks everyone. I don't want to take the car seat because I want to day-trip to another city and then I'd obviously have the bugger to lug around. Will board with buggy and see what happens

OP posts:

MerlinsBeard · 06/02/2006 20:12

get a guard to help u on and off or get off backwards.

I was on a pendolino PITA train last night ands it was a real nightmare coz they have 2 steps to get on.

I use train lots and usually have to stand by the door coz the aisle is too narrow

Skribble · 07/02/2006 00:02

Travel light and give yourself plenty time. If you can have a look a couple of days before and see what kind of train it will be a suss out where the disabled area will be.

mummytosteven · 07/02/2006 00:06

where are you thinking of travelling to/from if you don't mind us asking. Just that someone might be able to tell you what the trains are like for buggy spaces on the particular route. I have always found local trains soooooo much better than Pendolinos with a buggy. If you are getting on a long distance train like a Pendolino at the beginning of it's route, leave plenty of time so you can bag a seat with a buggy space.

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