1st journey - edinburgh waverey access?

[beagle21]

hi everyone
i have never travelled long distance by train and was wanting some advice regarding the stations - i will be travelling from preston to edinburgh waverley- but i will have an older family member with me so i was wondering if anyone knows if you can avoid the escalators at waverley and preston? we will be able to walk and take the lift but the escalators are a no-go
Also i was hoping to purchase advance tickets but am concerned incase my train gets cancelled due to bad weather (as we would be leaving mid december)- usually advance tickets mean no refund?
thanks in advance - pretty clueless about these trains and stations - if anyone could advise of how tickets are collected i would be very grateful

 

[MidnightFlyer]

No escalators at Preston, there's only a footbridge with steps, a ramp-access subway and lift access to all platforms, so you should be OK there. At Waverley the only real escalators are for the Waverley Steps entrance, all platforms have access by stairs and lifts (if not accessible directly from the concourse), plus I think there are still steps alongside the escalators at the Steps. There's a taxi rank accessible directly to the west / south of the concourse, if you need to get any distance from the station.

Don't forget, assistance from platform staff is available at either end of your trip.

 

[chris89]

hi everyone
i have never travelled long distance by train and was wanting some advice regarding the stations - i will be travelling from preston to edinburgh waverley- but i will have an older family member with me so i was wondering if anyone knows if you can avoid the escalators at waverley and preston? we will be able to walk and take the lift but the escalators are a no-go
Also i was hoping to purchase advance tickets but am concerned incase my train gets cancelled due to bad weather (as we would be leaving mid december)- usually advance tickets mean no refund?
thanks in advance - pretty clueless about these trains and stations - if anyone could advise of how tickets are collected i would be very grateful

Not sure about Preston myself.

Edinburgh though, Most Virgin/First/Nationalised (West Coast services) What ever they are called then, stop on Platforms 11 which is next to the taxi rank, and no escalators. Platforms 14,15,16 are the bay platforms so again no escalators. Platforms 8 or 9s have steps but a lift is on the platform though, and another on the over bridge to avoid the escalators.

To get out of the station there are two road ramps with pavements on them. Two exit points have stairs and escalators in the case of Princess Street steps. An exit is also available from the platform 8/9 footbridge, which will/ should be completed by that time.

For advance tickets it ranges. When i was in Scotland for New Year, i was delayed a day travelling due to the high winds and was fine to travel the next day as tickets were permitted.

No escalators at Preston, there's only a footbridge with steps, a ramp-access subway and lift access to all platforms, so you should be OK there. At Waverley the only real escalators are for the Waverley Steps entrance, all platforms have access by stairs and lifts (if not accessible directly from the concourse), plus I think there are still steps alongside the escalators at the Steps. There's a taxi rank accessible directly to the west / south of the concourse, if you need to get any distance from the station.

Don't forget, assistance from platform staff is available at either end of your trip.

Correct there are steps as well as escalators on the Princess Street access.

Chris

 

[beagle21]

thanks everyone for such quick and helpful replies
Would london euston from liverpool be best avoided if my grandma cant travel on escalators?
she has a phobia of them as she can not stand up for long due to ill health

 

[MidnightFlyer]

No escalators at all at Euston, unless you need access to the Underground (AKA the Tube).

 

[michael769]

Waverley now also has lifts at both Princes St and Market street exits.

 

[robertclark125]

Why not check out the national rail website, key in the station code for facilites under Stations and on the train, and then click on stations made easy for your chosen station. The larger map has photos as well to give you an idea of facilities!

 

[reb0118]

With regard to Advance tickets. If your train is cancelled due to bad weather (or in fact any reason by a TOC) then you will not be left stranded. Normally, if at all possible you will be put on the next available service (run by that TOC) that day. If there is major disruption to services then it sometimes happens that you can travel on the next day and/or another route/TOC.

Therefore don't worry about the weather. It is only when you are personally at fault(*) for missing your train that advance tickets become worthless.

I advise a good travel insurance policy. Most will cover you in the UK too if you have pre - booked at least one nights accommodation.


* or a third party e.g. late taxi taking you to the station - but trying to keep it simple

 

[6Gman]

thanks everyone for such quick and helpful replies
Would london euston from liverpool be best avoided if my grandma cant travel on escalators?
she has a phobia of them as she can not stand up for long due to ill health

Can be a long walk from train to station exit at Euston. And - at the risk of seeming obsessed - you may have to wait on the concourse at Euston for them to announce the departure platform on your return journey, and this is often only 10-15 minutes before the train leaves! So have reserved seats and prebook assistance with your gran!