Steam Railways and Physical Disabities

Hi guys and girls, new member here from Shropshire.

Working on a new website for people for disabilities who like steam trains, but what info would you need to see(aside from the usual loo etc)?

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Permalink Reply by Donna Louise Watch on June 13, 2013 at 15:09

Hi, I've written an article on travelling by steam for Disability Horizons Full Steam Ahead

I have been on many steam trains all over the uk as a wheelchair user. I tend to seek them out on holiday :-)

The key features I prefer are:

Full access details for platforms, cafes, toilets, museums, work sheds and gift shops (not just 'wheelchair access', but ideally pictures to demonstrate the level of access e.g. exactly how much room and heights in the toilet, distance /width of isles in gift shops, height of tables in cafes attached to stations.

In terms of travel - do we really need to book in advance and why e.g. we need to run an accessible carriage or attach more accessible carriages etc.

How many carriages have access / spaces and if your walking companions can have a seat (some have space for say 6 wheelchairs but only seating for 3 people in the carriage).

Indication if you will be in a normal carriage with authentic seating/space or in the guards van (which don't ofter have good views).

Staff are usually keen and dedicated and very helpful - keep this up with equality training and tell people if staff have had this?

Clearer indication of parking - sometimes this is 'in a field' or unkept car park.

Journey time and which platforms have access to get on and off is usually quite clear if the company have a good website.