Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Other subjects
Original poster

help me! i've never caught the train before and am getting really anxious about it

58 replies

queenrollo · 03/02/2008 19:57

i'm going to London for a weekend in March.....and i have to catch the train for the first time in my life.
I feel so incredibly stupid about this, but i have avoided doing things like this for years because it terrifies me.
I'm scared i'll get on the wrong train, i'm scared i'll miss my stop. I'm scared that when i get to London i won't know where to go....

the rational part of me tells me this is a stupid thing to be afraid of, but i need some reassurance that catching a train is easy. This weekend away is very important to me........

OP posts:
yorkshirepudding · 03/02/2008 19:59

Message withdrawn

fishie · 03/02/2008 19:59

visit the station before so you are really confident about which platform your train will leave from and get your bearings in advance. is your london stop the end of the line? do you have to get a tube or is someone meeting you?

Tutter · 03/02/2008 20:01

which london station?

one of us will eb able to give you tips for when you get there

what are your "onward travel plans" as they always say ?

sherby · 03/02/2008 20:01

You won't miss the train they announce where the train is going when you get on it.

You won't miss your stop as they announce the stops at least 5 mins before they stop and just before they stop and as they stop.

As long as you can read you will not get lost there are signs everywhere and lots of train company employees to help you.

You will be fine and you will feel a great sense of achievement afterwards

princessmel · 03/02/2008 20:01

Yes and if you're worried find someone who works there and get them to help you to the correct platform etc.
I feel bit like this. I used to take 3 kids to London all the time on the train(when nannying). I don't know how I did it. I wouldn't like to now unless someone was with me.

sherby · 03/02/2008 20:02

You won't get the wrong train even

pinkteddy · 03/02/2008 20:02

Can you do a trial run with somebody? Or alternatively at least go to the station a couple of times with someone to see what platform the London train goes from and familiarise yourself with the layout? Once you are familiar with the environment etc it won't feel quite so daunting. Or you could perhaps just go on the train for one stop and back or something to practice with a friend? I know what it is like to feel crippled by fear so I do sympathise. HTH good luck with it all and enjoy the weekend!

princessmel · 03/02/2008 20:02

x posts with sherby re getting help from an emplyee.

princessmel · 03/02/2008 20:02

employee

lapinindetention · 03/02/2008 20:03

It IS easy. But the main thing is to be prepared, so you will be less nervous.

So - get to the station in plenty of time. Look for the departures boards, also you can ask the ticket person what platform (obviously this depends on how big your station is! )

Look on the timetable, and you'll see what time the train is due into London, so you can be ready for that. I'd imagine it will stop there anyway - are you coming into Paddington / Kings Cross / Waterloo / Euston? All terminii.

If you miss your stop - you simply get another train back.

When you get to London, make sure you know where you are going. What station are you coming into? we can tell you where the taxis go from. Or where the bus stops are. Have a look on www.multimap.com so you can figure out the easiest way to get to your destination.

IT WILL BE FINE. Have a lovely weekend.

lapinindetention · 03/02/2008 20:03

Wow, that took ages to type

Habbibu · 03/02/2008 20:04

Agree with the others. Give yourself plenty of time, plan your journey carefully, take a fully charged mobile phone and ask staff whenever and wherever you need to - it's their job. When you get to the station, ask someone for the right platform; check with the guard when you get on the train. There's usually plenty of time at stops, and it can help if you remember what the stop before the one you need is, so that you can gather your things together in plenty of time. In London the stations are awash with staff and maps, but get yourself an A-Z anyway. And ask ask ask! It'll be fine. Have fun.

fairylights · 03/02/2008 20:07

don't panic, you will be fine, just don't be afraid to ask someone who looks responsible (ie in a uniform of some sort) - i am always amazed that the train people on the platform seem to remember all the timetables and platforms in their heads..
i get panicky about trains/public transport when abroad and unable to read signs etc.. but believe me i have always managed to get where i wanted to in the end and have been in a fair few countries where i couldn't even understand the lettering..
all the best

funnypeculiar · 03/02/2008 20:07

I would have thought that being super-organised is probably the key. I travel a lot, and still have the irrational fear I'm on the wrong train nearly every time!
Check what platform you'll be going from in advance
do the journey to the station (at the right time of day) to check out parking/find your way round;
set an alarm (phone) for 15 mins before you are due to get to London, so you'll be confident you won't miss the stop (although many trains stop in London stations, so you may find that bits no issue;
write out a list of all the stations you'll be going through & cross them off as you go....
And double check things with people (eg ask a guard as you get on the train to check you're getting on the right one - although most long distance trains will have a sticker on the door/window)
Oh, and you could book a seat so you are totoally confident you're on the right train, as when you get to your seat, it'll be booked from/to the right station
Hope those don't add to the stress

lazarou · 03/02/2008 20:07

And no hiding in the toilets or pretending to be asleep to avoid paying

funnypeculiar · 03/02/2008 20:08

x-post with loads of people
Also to add - I have never, ever yet got on the wrong train - I suspect it's actually very hard to do

funnypeculiar · 03/02/2008 20:09

(LL is the plural of terminal really terminii?? )

Kbear · 03/02/2008 20:11

Can we organise a mumsnetter at each station to wave as you go past?!! Remember that happened before - was it Bensmum travelling to Scotland.

I go to London by train pretty much every day - there are announcements on the train and at London Bridge they tell you what platform you need for Charing Cross (6) or Cannon Street (2 or 3).

Which station are you going into?

yorkshirepudding · 03/02/2008 20:12

Message withdrawn

fishie · 03/02/2008 20:14

i travel by train a lot and always have done (gosh have just realised have been commuting for more than 25years and i'm not even 40 yet!)

I have got the wrong train about three times during all that time and i change at a very confusing station. but as earlier poster said, you just get the next one back!

Original poster
queenrollo · 03/02/2008 20:18

my ticket is booked......it's a return one which means i can use any train on the journey there and then back again.

my station is a pretty small one i think, and as far as i'm aware i'm going into Kings Cross where my man will be meeting me. Will he be able to meet me on the platform or not? i really have no idea about this stuff.

i will be using the tube, but i will be with my fella by then. I know i will feel a huge sense of achievement when i've done this.

i'd only done the same car journey (a 10 mintue drive lol) for months after i passed my driving test, and was so keen to meet this guy properly that i did my first ever 1 hour journey. I feel like i'm taking control of my life at last, but my self confidence still needs building up.

Thankyou very much for all your advice......it means a lot to me

OP posts:
yorkshirepudding · 03/02/2008 20:22

Message withdrawn

mollymawk · 03/02/2008 20:23

King's Cross is one of the stations where non-travellers can get right next to arriving trains so he will be able to be there to meet you.

I would echo the earlier advice to go to your station and look around in advance so you are ready for it.

Have a nice time!

pinkteddy · 03/02/2008 20:24

Yes he will be able to find out what platform your train is coming into at Kings X and wait for you to get off the train. So you don't need to worry about that part which makes it all easier!

Original poster
queenrollo · 03/02/2008 20:27

Knowing he can meet me off the train is a huge weight off my mind.
I know i can do this. I'm so excited, it'll be the first time i've ever stayed in a hotel too! it feels a bit like waiting for Christmas!

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread