I need some help with trains?

Question

Hey

My auntie wants to come over to the poole in dorset. but were not sure how to get her there. she is wheel chairbound so the only way is train, but when i rang natonal rail enquires i couldnt understand a word they said, they did not speak english very well.

do you know how i could my auntie from newark nottinghamshire to pool dorset by train?

Thank you so much for your help x*x

Answer 1

Try this link, it may be of use to you. I hope your Auntie gets the train OK.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Answer 2

As you will have read above you and your aunt have a number of options open to you and on the face of it they are a bit confusing especially if you are not a regular traveller. I would suggest that the easiest thing to do would be for you to go in person to your local train station and speak to the clerk on,duty. you will need to take the following simple information with you.

What date and what time of day your aunt wants to start her journey and when she wants to return.

To explain your aunts special requirements such as she is a wheelchair traveller, and she may not wish to go through London for example.

This will allow the clerk to book a route and ensure that Staff are available to assist your aunt on and off her train as needed.

The clerk will then plan your aunt a journey and then explain it all to you before giving you a printed summary of the trip.

Hopefully this plan will make sure your aunt has a safe and pleasant journey

Answer 3

Newark to London Kings Cross and then tube over to Waterloo for the train to Poole.

Answer 4

The 1st problem will be at Newark Northgate station, since your aunt will have to cross tracks to get to the London bound platform. If she cannot manage steps she will have to get staff to possibly take her across the tracks. Check with Great North Eastern Railway (01904 524 532) if this is possible. Assuming she can get to the train it will be wheelchair friendly. At Kings Cross in London a taxi is perhaps the best way to get to Waterloo. All buses in London are wheelchair accessible - but there is no direct service between the 2 stations.  At Waterloo she can be wheeled straight on the train - which will be wheelchair friendly. At Poole it will again be necessary to cross the tracks to get out. Phone South West Trains on 08700 005151 or ask at station.  

Another option might be train from Newark Castle station to Derby    (changing at Nottingham) The advantage here would be that so far no steps are involved. From Derby Virgin trains do run direct trains to Bournemouth - where you connect on to a train to Poole (no steps). The connection at Derby MIGHT involve stairs but check this out. Virgin Trains 0870 789 1234. You still have the problem of getting out of Poole station though.

Answer 5

I've tried looking on both gner and virgin trains website but are both down. The easiest way is from newark to leeds and maybe pick up a direct train from there. Or newark to leeds then leeds to birmingham new st then a direct service to poole from there. The other way is via london which being in wheelchair isnt going to be easy.

Answer 6

I'd go to the local station at a quiet time and speak to the clerk at the window.  If you explain the situation, I've always found them to be very helpful, given the time.

Answer 7

She must travel through London but the journey is possible.

Use this hyperlink to plan the journey

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

Answer 8

As your auntie is wheelchair-bound, she really doesn't want to be

crossing London by tube, taxi or any other means.

Her best bet would be from Newark Castle station to Derby, from Derby to Bournemouth and then onto Poole.

Sadly the staff at National Rail Enquiries are not that good. Can a friend of your auntie's get to one of the stations in Newark? The staff there will arrange everything as long as they are given 24 hours notice, so that her journey can be entered on the journeycare database. Having done that, staff will be aware that she will be travelling and will be on hand to assist her at each point. All the stations I've mentioned have wheelchair access to all the platforms, but I stress that you must book the assistance

at least 24 hours in advance.

I hope this helps and that your auntie enjoys her visit.

Answer 9

Try the National Rail enquiries rail website - that will give you helpful information - otherwise, if you struggle with the people on the phone - you could go to your local train station and ask there - they will have the information and will be able to help you.

Answer 10

The best thing to do is look at www.trainline.co.uk for ticket prices and changes.  Call ahead to the necessary stations to arrange for them to have ramps available.