Travelling by train to/from City Thameslink station with a P&T pushchair - has anyone done it and lived to tell the tale?

[ohreindeerwhatamessysleigh]

I have to come into London (from north of London) next week for a childrens' party and am petrified! I've never travelled on public transport with a pushchair, let alone in London.

Getting in should be OK (coming in at lunchtime, so I guess trains will be relatively quiet). But we'll be coming back somewhere between 5 and 7 (depending on how tired and grumpy the dcs are). Is it really going to be feasible to get on and off a train with a double pushchair at that time of day?

i only have experience of a single push chair but wanted to say tht getting off BACKWARDS is easier in my experience ( i use public transport a lot - although nt in london)

Probably didn't phrase the OP well. What I meant about getting on and off was will there actually be room for a pushchair on the train at that time of day?

I'd have to leave it up because there's no way I'll be able to put it up and down whilst holding onto the dcs.

Thameslink trains at that time of the evening are heaving, you may not even be able to get on the train with an unfolded double pushchair, sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Also check your ticket, first capital connect when they took over this franchise introduced the highly unpopular system off making off peak tickets NOT valid for the return journey in the evening peak as well as the outward journey in the morning peak so you will have to buy a full fare ticket or not travel between 4:30 and 7pm.

Good point about the ticket - will ask dh to check that. He uses the trains every day, but travels after the commuter rush.

As I thought about the heaving trains. I used to use Thameslink years ago and recall being packed in like sardines, but thought (hoped) that might have changed.

I'd be quite happy not to have to make the trip tbh.

I guess I could get the train in and a taxi back (will be eye-wateringly expensive though).

You can do it - there are escalators at either end. There is an area for bicycles (usually near front of train) where you can put buggies.

I would strongly advise you try and leave no later than 5. Very few people round there finish at 5 on the dot and that is your best chance for a bit of space. I have left it until 6pm and made myself extremely unpopular - trains are standing room only at that time.

lifts at city thameslink. at least you'll be before Farringdon where trains get even more crowded. just a case of gritting teeth and telling self you'll never see these people again (as you wheel the buggy over their feet, squash their bags and your dc make comments about all sorts).
But do-able, don't miss party!

Have deliberately chosen City Thameslink because of the escalators and lifts and to beat the Farringdon rush (Farringdon is nearer to where we're going).

Top tip about the bicycle area of the train.

Thank you all.

.

There are lifts at City Thameslink??? Really?? I have always used the escalators but a bit of a pain with buggy.

I think if you go at 5 or 7 you'll be fine. Anything inbetween might be a nightmare, but ask the staff which end of the platform you need to stand at to get to the carriage with more space on it.

Maybe I could get dh to make a little mark on the platform showing me exactly where to stand.

ha ha. Yes, tell him to take a black inky and mark it up! Also, unless I am confused, the carriage on thameslink with the bigger bit for bikes is not that massive, i.e. it's not like it is on southeastern trains where it is practially half the carrige, so you may have to rely on people being nice. Perhaps dress your DCs as cute elves

def 100% lifts at city thameslink - i use them a lot

5-7 def off-peak too so you will need peak ticket

and rammed im afraid - you'll get a seat or two but i dont think you will be able to keep the buggy up - may have to fold it and slide under a seat if poss?

taxi - fine of course but traffic will be busy until you get to the motorway - if you can leave early