Busaholic
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 7 Jun 2014
- Messages
- 14,190
Writing this on behalf of an autistic friend aged 19, almost 'family', who is undertaking this trip in July, by train. I'm only seeking advice on her behalf on certain aspects of this journey, which is a daunting one for her, but she is determined to make it.
First of all, what is non-negotiable is that the journey will be made via London, Paddington, and that the Circle Line between there and Victoria will form part of the routeing.
She has only ever been on the 'tube' once, when she was aged about six.
I can instruct her on everything required up to arriving at Victoria Station, but seek advice after she's entered the mainline station on the 'Sussex' side. I am assuming that she will hold 'through' tickets, including for the Underground journey.
So far as I can see, she will have to take a Brighton train and change there. Can anyone tell me which platform a faster Brighton train might leave from, and how frequent they are in the middle of the day? Once she arrives at Brighton station, what is the position? It's getting on for fifty years since I was last there! Will she have to go through a ticket barrier on getting off the train from London? How will a train for Seaford be described, and which platform will it be likely to operate from?
One last thing, as it's four years since I was at Paddington. Is the Circle/District Line station still prominent when you get off the GWR? Have to ask, with Crossrail works and the likelihood ( ) that it will be open by then. I shall instruct her well as to which lines and entrances to avoid!
Thanks in advance, but I'll just reiterate: Reading/Gatwick or London Bridge, for heaven's sake. are not in the equation!
First of all, what is non-negotiable is that the journey will be made via London, Paddington, and that the Circle Line between there and Victoria will form part of the routeing.
She has only ever been on the 'tube' once, when she was aged about six.
I can instruct her on everything required up to arriving at Victoria Station, but seek advice after she's entered the mainline station on the 'Sussex' side. I am assuming that she will hold 'through' tickets, including for the Underground journey.
So far as I can see, she will have to take a Brighton train and change there. Can anyone tell me which platform a faster Brighton train might leave from, and how frequent they are in the middle of the day? Once she arrives at Brighton station, what is the position? It's getting on for fifty years since I was last there! Will she have to go through a ticket barrier on getting off the train from London? How will a train for Seaford be described, and which platform will it be likely to operate from?
One last thing, as it's four years since I was at Paddington. Is the Circle/District Line station still prominent when you get off the GWR? Have to ask, with Crossrail works and the likelihood ( ) that it will be open by then. I shall instruct her well as to which lines and entrances to avoid!
Thanks in advance, but I'll just reiterate: Reading/Gatwick or London Bridge, for heaven's sake. are not in the equation!