Great experience at Basingstoke (22/03)

[mistuk]

Took my disabled daughter who is a wheelchair user and has learning disabilities to Basingstoke today. She loves trains (travelling on them and watching them). First time we’d been and was hopeful we would be allowed on to the platform.

I asked at the ticket office and they were very helpful - allowed us through the barriers and we went up to platforms 2/3.

She loves to wave at the drivers / guards and I have to say I think every single one of the 21 trains we saw we got a wave out of. A couple sounded their horns and some drivers lowered their windows for a chat.

It made my daughter (and me) very happy and we had a great time.

Just thought I’d post a positive story - it was so nice to feel so welcome.

 

[tram21]

Make sure you share this with SWR! That's so lovely to hear

 

[Steddenm]

That's brilliant to hear. We get children with varying needs on our platforms across Dublin every day and we welcome them with open arms. As @tram21 said, mention this to SWR and CrossCountry as they'd love the feedback.

 

[mistuk]

Thanks for the suggestions - just sent an email to SWR

 

[railpigeon]

What a lovely piece to read. And memories that will stay with you both for a lifetime.

 

[75A]

Reading this has put a smile on my face, it's good to read a nice story and well done to all the railway staff.

 

[TFT YouTube]

Took my disabled daughter who is a wheelchair user and has learning disabilities to Basingstoke today. She loves trains (travelling on them and watching them). First time we’d been and was hopeful we would be allowed on to the platform.

I asked at the ticket office and they were very helpful - allowed us through the barriers and we went up to platforms 2/3.

She loves to wave at the drivers / guards and I have to say I think every single one of the 21 trains we saw we got a wave out of. A couple sounded their horns and some drivers lowered their windows for a chat.

It made my daughter (and me) very happy and we had a great time.

Just thought I’d post a positive story - it was so nice to feel so welcome.

Absolutely amazing of SWR to be so kind. I'm glad you and your daughter had a great time

 

[Leogilbert007]

As someone who also is a disabled train lover this made me smile, good on the SWR staff

 

[Camberman]

I'm really glad you and your daughter had such a great time

Little things like the drivers waving back at you are so simple to do, yet have brought such joy.

 

[Brush 4]

Indeed. It shows that individuals make the difference. Some are kind and helpful, some not so much. It can be seen in shops, cafes, airports, buses and the railways.

 

[trainophile]

Aww how lovely. I get a thrill when a driver in his cab waves at me or even says hello, and I'm a senior railcard holder, so it's great to hear how kind everyone was to you and your daughter. Well done to the platform staff and crews at Basingstoke, makes a lovely change from what we usually hear about rail staff!

 

[70014IronDuke]

Aww how lovely. I get a thrill when a driver in his cab waves at me or even says hello, and I'm a senior railcard holder, so it's great to hear how kind everyone was to you and your daughter. Well done to the platform staff and crews at Basingstoke, makes a lovely change from what we usually hear about rail staff!

Going historic at Basingstoke, but nice anecdote, one foggy morning around 10.30 or so in, probably, 1965, I was on the down main platform (sorry, can't remember the number) and a Bulleid pulled in, rebuilt IICR.

I think it was 34010 Sidmouth. Anyway, I thought I'd 'copped' this before, but as the train pulled away, I saw that it was not underlined in my combined volume, moreover, it was a loco I needed for a 'run'. Thrilled with the 'cop', I jumped in the air, clicking my heels as I did so.
This was precisely as the driver, looking out of his cab, passed me. He laughed and shouted: "Do that again!" - so I did.

Funny things we remember, eh? I wonder if he told his wife that evening?

 

[Unobrow]

Took my disabled daughter who is a wheelchair user and has learning disabilities to Basingstoke today. She loves trains (travelling on them and watching them). First time we’d been and was hopeful we would be allowed on to the platform.

I asked at the ticket office and they were very helpful - allowed us through the barriers and we went up to platforms 2/3.

She loves to wave at the drivers / guards and I have to say I think every single one of the 21 trains we saw we got a wave out of. A couple sounded their horns and some drivers lowered their windows for a chat.

It made my daughter (and me) very happy and we had a great time.

Just thought I’d post a positive story - it was so nice to feel so welcome.

Love this. I always try and blow up for youngsters if it’s not going to give some poor unsuspecting person a cardiac lol. Great to hear the staff helped you out as much as they could, and both you and your daughter had a great day.

i came through Stafford one evening last year and saw the platform was really busy. As I got closer, there was a troop of cubs, either waiting for a train or just out watching them. I was a bit late so had it wide open, and some already had their hands over their ears. Those that could wave did, and they got the same from me as well as numerous tunes as I roared past. I can still see some of their faces as I passed through and hear their screams of excitement. Made my day seeing them out enjoying it all.

 

[Deepgreen]

I must admit that when I saw the thread title I assumed sarcasm, and it was a delight to be wrong! Lovely to hear such a nice story.

 

[mistuk]

Thanks for all the lovely comments. Here’s evidence of a happy young lady.

 

[trainophile]

Aww bless her. Hope it's the first of many fun days exploring the railways.

 

[mistuk]

We’re quite fond of the Wessex Ranger ticket for a day out - although we get some confused looks from the excellent passenger assistance teams when we go through Bristol Temple Meads about 3 times in one hour!