so i normally drive everywhere, but could do with some tips for the train etc!

i'm pretty much a train virgin - normally do london shopping once a year - but haven't done that since i was pregnant! and i've never commuted via train, even though we have a station in my lil village!

any tips of babies, trains and prams would be fab! xxx

dont know if they are the same down by you, but up here i can get a double buggy on a train and still keep it up. there are special baby bits, but if they are full, you can just sit in the door bits with the wee one in the buggy iykwim. its pretty easy hun, but not sure if ur talking like tube or whatever xx

Not too much to it really hun, you can usually get on ok but you'll always get someone asking if they can help you on, if you need it ask the guard. Usually there is a carriage with spaces for wheelchairs or prams depends how old/new the train is. I find it harder to get off so usually someone will help me

thanks guys! sounds like its pretty straight forward - any tips for using the tubes as well? xxx

I have used the train a few times with Olivia and find it so easy. Ive never had to put her pram down unless I was on a long journey. Like last July I went to London & travelled by train. Olivia was still in her first car seat and I had the silvercross back then so I used it as a travel system for the first time. So I was able to book my seat but they were really helpful at the station and reserved 2 seats together for me & Olivia and added that I required assistance so I had a specialist helper from the station helping me on & off the train, It was a totally good experiance and their customer service towards women travelling alone with babies was great.

Ive never had the same experiance on a bus. I also drive everywhere. I think ive used the bus maybe 3 times max with Olivia and had problems every time.

I know obviosuly shes older than Olivia was when I did this journey but I go to York & Newcastle quite often on the train and I am able to sit in the disabled spaces on the train.

Im sure it will be fine

xx

thanks stef - thats really put my mind at rest! i feel quite relaxed about it now xx

we've done exeter-london and back and manchester to exeter. On one of the journeys I was able to use the wheelchair space on both of the others I took the stroller and collapsed it. Noone's tried to sit next to me either time but I chose quiet days to travel for that reason! It's alright, easier once you've done it once!

Over here on the bus (I've gone on the GO train once and found it similar to my 3 bussing experiences with the stroller) it is generally common courtesy to let a mum with a stroller have one of the seats that has enough space in the aisle to accomodate the strollers (near the wheelchair accessible seats).. I try to take routes/times I know won't be as busy to avoid difficulties getting on and off anyway and to make sure I'm not going to be in everyone's way with my big ol pram lol.

SOME bus drivers can be total jerks about getting the stroller on/off bus; here buses lower for women with strollers, old ladies, people using canes & walkers, etc. SOME bus drivers will lower the bus automatically, others will watch you struggle & then criticize you for how you got on the bus -- had this happen to me 2x.. in the 3 bus trips I've made with Elyse and the stroller!

I bring toys with us to make the trip easier for us too. And I'm really paranoid but I carry Clorox wipes in a Ziploc baggy to wipe them off in case they fall.. even though she's not throwing/dropping toys yet

Oh and if you do have to stand for any reason.. lock the wheels I let some old ladies take my seat (I was taking up 2 with me and the stroller blocking the other).. and I didn't lock my stroller for 2 stops.. I nearly fell over

lol i go by train alot, vitually every day now that ive sold my car, i just go forwards on, backwards off (with pram lol). we have escelators in our central train stations and they can take a little bit getting used to, i nearly killed us first time i went on lol. so id say use the lifts where available x

Hey hun! We use the train to go into the cities as it is so much easier! Up here there is always 1 or 2 carriages that are for prams and bikes, and if they are full you just sit at the end of one (where you get on)

During Summer it can be quite busy though so we bought the quinny zapp cos it folds up and fits in the overhead storage bit.

Daisy loves the train, I am sure Maddi will too!