Main Content

Can I take my dog by train? And other questions

Archive - Originally posted on "The Horse's Mouth" - 2011-02-12 23:12:13 - Graham Ellis

Two young ladies were standing on the platform as the train they were catching pulled in to Swindon, and as it drew to a halt they walked a few paces to one of the doors. Where they stood and waited. Other doors were opened, people getting out and in, but still the two young ladies stood there, waiting.

Catching that same train, I was standing behind the, I was getting concerned, and pushed past. "Excuse me - can I open the door, I want to get on the train", and I duly pulled the handle and the door swung open. Were they thankful? Were they heck!!! But they asked a very good question "How were we supposed to know?"

For newcomers to traveling by train, there's a tremendous amount that's going to be things they've never done before / don't know about, and those of us who have used trains on and off for a number of years often make assumptions of knowledge. It can be baffling, and it can be frightening.

As a part of the help I'm giving to the Community Rail Partnership at the moment, I've written something of an FAQ which helps out in some of the questions that newcomers ask ... still work in progress, but do have a first look.


First page - [here]
Can I take my dog / cycle on the train?
What about luggage?
Will my train have WiFi and Refreshments?

Second page - [here]
How and where do I get my ticket?
Can I buy on the day? On the train?
How do I know what the fare will be and get a good price?

Third page - [here]
Is the train safe?
Is it healthy to go by train?
Is the train environmentally friendly?

We live on the TransWilts line - so the answers are for the TransWilts, and you get to realise just how baffling it is when you answer questions like those above. At two out of eight stations, you can board without a ticket and buy one on the train, at the other six you can't. Five stations have ticket machines, three don't. At one station you'll need staff help onto the platform if you're in a wheelchair - at others you can do it yourself (staff on TransWilts trains will always help you get on / off). You cannot park your car at one of the stations, but you can at the other seven. One is free, at six you pay ...

Simples ;-)