Travelling by train with a wheelchair

[Friolero]

DS has recently got a wheelchair and I was just wondering if it's necessary to book assistance when travelling on the train or if the gap it usually small enough to just be able to tip his wheelchair up and get on like you would with a buggy?

Could anyone more experienced in travelling by train please advise? I'd prefer not to book assistance if it's not necessary as would find it easier to have more flexibility in terms of which trains we get rather than having to decide in advance. Thank you!

Unless your ds is very small with a very light wheelchair or you are very strong, I doubt that you would be able to manage without a ramp. Some stations are worse than others but I can't think of any with a really small gap.
I know it is a pain having to book assistance in advance but it is really essential, bearing in mind that you need to ensure there is a wheelchair space available on the train too.
It can be possible to do with less than 24 hrs notice though, depending on the train company running the station. One line we used recently only asked for 6.

Check with your railway. It depends on the network and destination.
We use south eastern - going into London no need to book - when they let you through the barrier they ask if you will require a ramp and if so they contact destination station so that it can be arranged.
My dd is 5 and so far we have declined the ramp as we get her on and off ourselves - her chair is quite light, she's quite small we Tilt her like a buggy.

Thank you both.
He is also 5 and quite light so I'm hoping we'll be able to tip the wheelchair if you do this gimmewine as they sound a similar size! I think first time we go on a train I'll go with DH so he can help and if it's difficult I'll book assistance in future, especially if I'm on my own with the children.

Good idea about taking DH first. That's what I did. I could manage on my own if I had too but I also found fellow travellers were also very kind in their offers of help. Hope it goes well.

Hi. I manage ds who is now 7 in his wheelchair with no assistance, usually on a commuter train. Key things, always always always reverse. It is dangerous going forward as small wheels catch/jam. Allow time. Find out where the wheelchair doors are, in typical 4 carriage trains, it is carriage 3. Waiting for assistance is not going to happen, it would mean we couldn't travel.

Note you can get a discount on train fares if you're travelling with someone who stays in their wheelchair for the journey. This website mentions adult fares, I don't know if they do discounts on child fares but you should get 50% off your own ticket as the companion. You don't need a railcard.

www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/44965.aspx

That discount only applies to standard fares. If you have a railcard it will apply to any fares.
I worked out though I can't now remember all the details that it is cheaper to buy a Family and Friends railcard than a Disabled one when your child is under 16, unless they regularly travel with an adult not named on the Family and Friends card.

It seems that just bumping the wheelchair on works well for commuter trains. I don't have much experience of them. For long distance travel though I would say don't risk it. (e.g. Bristol Parkway you need to be a mountaineer to get onto the train. ) Book assistance and a wheelchair space. You can also book a standard seat if the wheelchair user wants to come out of their chair.

What do you mean by standard fares? It says on the link that it applies to standard and first class fares on anytime tickets. The railcard discount is only 1/3 off though and you'd have to pay for the railcard in the first place. The family railcard I agree is usually better value in cases where there's a disabled child.

Yes they are standard fares which you buy at the station. You can often get cheaper fares by buying in advance online or by phone. Again I mainly know about long distance travel. There may not be much difference on commuter routes.

Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure I reverse, and will look into the tickets - think it might be cheaper to get an off-peak ticket with a railcard but will investigate. Train fares are so confusing!