Kids on train on their own question!

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Contemplating whether I should let my kids do a train journey without an adult with them.

Facts-

• 15 & 11 years old
• both sensible
• direct train- 2 hours
• 1 parent would see them on the train at one end and the other would meet them at the other end

I am in two minds, would you do it?

We put our two (14 and 11) on the train to London sometimes to meet their brother. 40 minute journey and one of us at either end so we're happy. Lots of their school friends have fairly long train journeys to school, with connections too.

Would do it, have done it. My boys were fine. The younger one has been on a lot of train journeys with friends since (16 now).

Of course.
Mine were on local trains from age 11. A15yr old is nearly an adult.

Sounds fine to me!

Yes I think this would be fine. One of your 'scenario plans' should be - what if the train is stopped half way through the journey and there are no more trains running from the station.
Unlikely to be needed, but this happened to my 24 year old DN relatively recently. We had a blow by blow commentary on how dreadful it was for her from her DM. Who was trying to remotely arrange taxis and hotels for her 24 year old daughter.
I was clearly heartless for being about it.

(I'd expect the scenario plan to be they use signed rail replacement services, or failing that sit tight if safe to do so, or go to a nearby safe place having made themselves known to rail staff and wait for you or their other parent or some other known adult to reach them by car).

As it's a long distance journey, find out from the train operating company which part of the train the guard or train manager sits on - on ours it's usually by the middle carriage. They can be useful in an emergency or if the kids are made to feel uncomfortable by a stranger. (Not to worry you, but I've been flashed and had problems with drunks especially on a Friday night on the West Coast mainline, so always useful to know where a trustworthy adult can be found). Alternatively you could tell them to head to the buffet car if they have one and they're worried, they're staffed for most of the journey.

Of course they can do it!

It's REALLY important to let children gradually become more independent, learn how to use social transport, how to behave when out and about without supervision, take on more responsibility, interact with strangers (train staff etc)

If you don't give them these opportunities now, they will be totally lost and at sea when they go to college, start work etc.

I did similar at a much younger age I was about 12 and my sister 10 and we caught a train into London every other week to visit my dad. My mum put us on one end and he collected us the other end. They'll be fine.

Yes - no problem whatsoever!

My DD has been getting train to school (by herself) since start of Year 10.
The first week she got the train (with a classmate) and rang me - they had gone in the opposite direction by mistake (thought it hilarious!)
Any time she has a problem like this the rail /platform staff are really nice and helpful.

Yes

Age 13 I would take my 9 year old sister on 4hr trips to London. Mum put us on train. Aunt met us at ticket barrier on the other end. First time we discussed options if train broke down etc. this was before mobiles so I learnt the numbers off by heart and had plenty of 2Ops. If there sensible kids they will be fine. If something truly terrible happens like a crash then an adult relative being there isn’t going to help really - you can’t stop the train derailing or similar