Children travelling by train alone

elvis86

Tish_P wrote: »

Everyone on about the risk - the risk of what?

Abduction? That's extremely rare, and no more likely to occur on a train than elsewhere. Probably less, as there are bound to be witnesses.

Getting on the wrong train or off at the wrong station or the train is cancelled - very unlikely if one parent puts them on the train and they get off at the terminus, but even if it happened, so what? A minimally competent 13 year old could go to a ticket office or help point and ask when the next train to Waterloo is and from what platform, and get on that one instead, and phone Dad to say they'll be half an hour late.

The kids getting separated in a busy crowd - more likely, but you couldn't guarantee it wouldn't happen even with a parent there. They can phone each other if that happens, or in an emergency contact station staff.

Completely agree. There are some really hysterical people about, seemingly raising kids to be scared of public transport/other people/their own shadow.

We're talking about a train journey across the South of England, with a parent depositing the kids on a train at one end, and another waiting at the station at the other, not a solo trek to the North Pole!

Tish_P wrote: »

Unless the kids are the kind who would push each other onto the tracks, the worst thing that's at all likely to happen to them is a few minutes of confusion and anxiety, which might not be pleasant but won't hurt them and in the long term will teach them to deal with the unexpected.

/scar them for life, if some people here are to be believed..:cool:

LittleMissAspie

Armchair23 wrote: »

I can't imagine how this minimum unaccompanied age can work. All over the country kids of 11 travel to secondary school by train I can't imagine parents go with them every journey.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Age 11 at secondary school is when you start taking public transport by yourself, I'd have been mortified if my mum had escorted me to secondary school.

These two sound used to travelling and well-behaved so a straight journey with no stops should be no problem. Mum sees them on to the platform and Dad meets them at the other end. Dad should get to Waterloo before their train is due to pull in so they aren't hanging around looking lost.

Absinthe_2

If you are going ahead, print out a detailed itinerary. I always do one for myself (just in case) via National Rails journey planner, and see if you can sit them in a busy, but quiet carriage, and next to someone responsible.

puppypants

duchy wrote: »

This thread is getting more bizarre post by post.

Some of the objections are just plain odd.

No-one is going to try to bully a couple of kids on a long distance train into giving up their seats (on a short commuter line maybe)and if they did most reasonable adults would intervene .

As for PuppyPant's "terrible experience" I'm sorry but a ten minute walk through a well lit area following everyone else on the train is NOT a terrible experience.

Seventeen year olds who don't know if they are on a station concourse or not

I don't know whether to laugh or cry !!!!

OP if your kids are normal, sensible kids who you trust (and I don't think you'd even be considering this if they weren't) who would be thrilled to be doing something of an adventure and be thrilled to be thought sensible enough by you and their Dad to do it -then really you have little to be worried about. We raise our kids to be open to everything life has to offer -not to be scared to try new things.

Were you there Duchy? No, didnt think so!

hawk30

I'm generally in favour of children being taught to be independent and being allowed to travel on their own, however, Waterloo is an extremely big and busy station. What happens if they can't find their dad when they get off the train? Would they panic or would they do something sensible like phone him, ask a guard for help, stay where they are, etc?

AllyS

hawk30 wrote: »

I'm generally in favour of children being taught to be independent and being allowed to travel on their own, however, Waterloo is an extremely big and busy station. What happens if they can't find their dad when they get off the train? Would they panic or would they do something sensible like phone him, ask a guard for help, stay where they are, etc?

They don't really do panic. DD would call her dad

Armchair23

hawk30 wrote: »

I'm generally in favour of children being taught to be independent and being allowed to travel on their own, however, Waterloo is an extremely big and busy station. What happens if they can't find their dad when they get off the train? Would they panic or would they do something sensible like phone him, ask a guard for help, stay where they are, etc?

Actually that ones dead easy, at the barrier where your train comes in (electronic arrivals boards so Dad knows which platform). Under the clock, at the staffed meeting point . Wherever you've arranged. It's only a train journey not a moon landing !
Waterloo is busy but it's full of staff and lots of kids.

duchy

puppypants wrote: »

Were you there Duchy? No, didnt think so!

You mean have I ever transferred terminals at Birmingham ......with [STRIKE]a mob of potential axe murderers[/STRIKE] other train passengers ? Yes I have along with thousands of other rail commuters who do it every day :rotfl:

picnmix

When I was 13 we used to follow the Radio 1 roadshow showing my age) around the south of England, we travelled (normally 3 or 4 of us, but sometimes 2) on trains, coaches, local buses etc, to our destination. We didn't have mobile phones, internet,journey planners etc we had a road map! Also travelled from the southwest back to Manchester in the summer hols to stay with family, had to change at Birmingham, always arrived at destination in tact.

If your kids are sensible together, and happy to travel then they should also survive intact.

duchy

Armchair23 wrote: »

Actually that ones dead easy, at the barrier where your train comes in (electronic arrivals boards so Dad knows which platform). Under the clock, at the staffed meeting point . Wherever you've arranged. It's only a train journey not a moon landing !
Waterloo is busy but it's full of staff and lots of kids.

Biggest issue would be if Dad was late (My ex used to meet DS at Waterloo and he is a time optimist -leaves everything to the last moment and is then surprised when he gets delayed and is late) DS used to go browse the magazines in the WH Smith on the concourse and text him to tell him where he was waiting........Never got accosted or bothered .

I was commuting to Victoria on British Rail at sixteen for my first job and my brother was travelling into Clapham Junction by train from age 11 for school. I think trains are a really safe way for kids to travel-certainly safer than buses.