Baby steps to mortgage freedom for beanielou.

beanielou

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Lou have you read this?

ScotRail Passenger Assistance - Disability Equality Scotland Access Panel Network

Not yet. Thank you 🤩 

teapot2

I've travelled loads on Scottish trains with different companies and all have toilets.  Depends on the train type and company but some loos are accessed by pressing a button and the door then slides open.  You go in and VERY IMPORTANT, press the button that locks the door before you do the necessary otherwise the next person that comes along and presses the button will have a lovely view of you seated on the throne as will the rest of the carriage. As the door is automatic, it takes for what seems forever to close again.  And yes I've twice been that person who presses the button when the occupant hasn't locked the door!!  On other train companies the loos are not automatic and you lock the door manually when you go in.

I'd suggest booking assistance and if its possible to book a seat, ask for one that is for passengers with limited mobility.  These seats are the first you come to inside the carriage door and near the loo.  Definitely take wipes as loo roll doesn't always last on a long journey.  The assistance will mean a staff member will make sure you get safely on the train and get seated.  They can help with any luggage and if its a high step or big gap as it is at some stations, they can get a ramp.  They will also meet you at the station where you get off or change trains.  My OH was a wheelchair user and used assistance a lot so I know a bit about it     For info and journey planning I find National Rail Enquiries website the most helpful and it also has info on access and facilities at individual stations.

If any part of your journey is on a Scotrail service don't forget they are running a reduced timetable for the foreseeable

Passenger Assist | National Rail for info on booking assistance

beanielou

teapot2 said:

I've travelled loads on Scottish trains with different companies and all have toilets.  Depends on the train type and company but some loos are accessed by pressing a button and the door then slides open.  You go in and VERY IMPORTANT, press the button that locks the door before you do the necessary otherwise the next person that comes along and presses the button will have a lovely view of you seated on the throne as will the rest of the carriage. As the door is automatic, it takes for what seems forever to close again.  And yes I've twice been that person who presses the button when the occupant hasn't locked the door!!  On other train companies the loos are not automatic and you lock the door manually when you go in.

I'd suggest booking assistance and if its possible to book a seat, ask for one that is for passengers with limited mobility.  These seats are the first you come to inside the carriage door and near the loo.  Definitely take wipes as loo roll doesn't always last on a long journey.  The assistance will mean a staff member will make sure you get safely on the train and get seated.  They can help with any luggage and if its a high step or big gap as it is at some stations, they can get a ramp.  They will also meet you at the station where you get off or change trains.  My OH was a wheelchair user and used assistance a lot so I know a bit about it     For info and journey planning I find National Rail Enquiries website the most helpful and it also has info on access and facilities at individual stations.

If any part of your journey is on a Scotrail service don't forget they are running a reduced timetable for the foreseeable

Passenger Assist | National Rail for info on booking assistance

You are a wee star ⭐️. Thank you. 

How do I find out which trains run where do you know by any chance? 

Grumpelstiltskin

Lou look for trains here.

Train Times | Plan your journey | ScotRail

teapot2

beanielou said:

teapot2 said:

I've travelled loads on Scottish trains with different companies and all have toilets.  Depends on the train type and company but some loos are accessed by pressing a button and the door then slides open.  You go in and VERY IMPORTANT, press the button that locks the door before you do the necessary otherwise the next person that comes along and presses the button will have a lovely view of you seated on the throne as will the rest of the carriage. As the door is automatic, it takes for what seems forever to close again.  And yes I've twice been that person who presses the button when the occupant hasn't locked the door!!  On other train companies the loos are not automatic and you lock the door manually when you go in.

I'd suggest booking assistance and if its possible to book a seat, ask for one that is for passengers with limited mobility.  These seats are the first you come to inside the carriage door and near the loo.  Definitely take wipes as loo roll doesn't always last on a long journey.  The assistance will mean a staff member will make sure you get safely on the train and get seated.  They can help with any luggage and if its a high step or big gap as it is at some stations, they can get a ramp.  They will also meet you at the station where you get off or change trains.  My OH was a wheelchair user and used assistance a lot so I know a bit about it     For info and journey planning I find National Rail Enquiries website the most helpful and it also has info on access and facilities at individual stations.

If any part of your journey is on a Scotrail service don't forget they are running a reduced timetable for the foreseeable

Passenger Assist | National Rail for info on booking assistance

You are a wee star ⭐️. Thank you. 

How do I find out which trains run where do you know by any chance? 

As not all trains in Scotland are Scotrail, I use Plan a Rail Journey | National Rail Beanie, just put in your starting station and destination, the date and a rough time you want to travel and it will give you options including where you change trains and platforms etc.  Alternatively, if you have a local staffed railway station they will help you with times, routes and bookings and print out tickets.  My local station is really helpful and will always find the cheapest option for journeys and also book assistance on your behalf and give you a print out.  That might be your best bet for the first journey you want to book?  xx

beanielou

teapot2 said:

beanielou said:

teapot2 said:

I've travelled loads on Scottish trains with different companies and all have toilets.  Depends on the train type and company but some loos are accessed by pressing a button and the door then slides open.  You go in and VERY IMPORTANT, press the button that locks the door before you do the necessary otherwise the next person that comes along and presses the button will have a lovely view of you seated on the throne as will the rest of the carriage. As the door is automatic, it takes for what seems forever to close again.  And yes I've twice been that person who presses the button when the occupant hasn't locked the door!!  On other train companies the loos are not automatic and you lock the door manually when you go in.

I'd suggest booking assistance and if its possible to book a seat, ask for one that is for passengers with limited mobility.  These seats are the first you come to inside the carriage door and near the loo.  Definitely take wipes as loo roll doesn't always last on a long journey.  The assistance will mean a staff member will make sure you get safely on the train and get seated.  They can help with any luggage and if its a high step or big gap as it is at some stations, they can get a ramp.  They will also meet you at the station where you get off or change trains.  My OH was a wheelchair user and used assistance a lot so I know a bit about it     For info and journey planning I find National Rail Enquiries website the most helpful and it also has info on access and facilities at individual stations.

If any part of your journey is on a Scotrail service don't forget they are running a reduced timetable for the foreseeable

Passenger Assist | National Rail for info on booking assistance

You are a wee star ⭐️. Thank you. 

How do I find out which trains run where do you know by any chance? 

As not all trains in Scotland are Scotrail, I use Plan a Rail Journey | National Rail Beanie, just put in your starting station and destination, the date and a rough time you want to travel and it will give you options including where you change trains and platforms etc.  Alternatively, if you have a local staffed railway station they will help you with times, routes and bookings and print out tickets.  My local station is really helpful and will always find the cheapest option for journeys and also book assistance on your behalf and give you a print out.  That might be your best bet for the first journey you want to book?  xx

Thank you SO much. Xx

skint_spice

If it is ScotRail use the ScotRail app as I was on a train recently and folk queried the price with the ticket lady on the train as they said the app was dearer but she asked which app and it was train line or something and she said they took a cut so to use ScotRail. Not sure if the other one is cheaper if going between different companies. 

beanielou

Thanks skinty. 

No wonder I am going grey. This is quite complicated! 

Grumpelstiltskin

Lou it isn't complicated once you have sorted it out.

Firstly get your Disabled railcard.

Secondly remember the earlier you get your tickets the cheaper they are, you can normally book from about 13 weeks in advance.

Thirdly pick a date you think you may be travelling on and then look online for fares, remember to add railcard.

I usually use the website of the company I will be travelling with, they do sometimes come out cheaper than the national website.

Get a piece of paper and write down what you have found ( as I say you can get different prices for the same journey )

Then when you are happy with everything book it.

Once you have details of your journey ask for what assistance you need.

beanielou

Grumpelstiltskin said:

Lou it isn't complicated once you have sorted it out.

Firstly get your Disabled railcard.

Secondly remember the earlier you get your tickets the cheaper they are, you can normally book from about 13 weeks in advance.

Thirdly pick a date you think you may be travelling on and then look online for fares, remember to add railcard.

I usually use the website of the company I will be travelling with, they do sometimes come out cheaper than the national website.

Get a piece of paper and write down what you have found ( as I say you can get different prices for the same journey )

Then when you are happy with everything book it.

Once you have details of your journey ask for what assistance you need.

Thanks. You are right that it isent complicated. 

To think I used to organise people’s work travel!