Local schoolchildren enjoy first ‘Try the Train’ trips since pandemic

The first of South Western Railway’s 2021 ‘Try the Train’ sessions took place this week, with three groups of school children enjoying train travel – some for the first time.

Two groups of 30 children from a primary school in Tower Hamlets travelled from Waterloo to Bournemouth on Tuesday 6^th and Thursday 8^th July to enjoy a day at the seaside, while six pupils with special educational needs from Marchwood School in Hampshire took the train from Eastleigh to Totton – again on Tuesday.

SWR’s ‘Try the Train’ initiative was introduced to instil confidence in people who have little experience of, or are nervous about, train travel. These trips are particularly well-suited to children leaving primary school, the elderly, those with disabilities or accessibility needs and people seeking work or education.

The groups taking part in the programme meet a small team of SWR’s Community Ambassadors at the station, who lead a tour of the facilities. Participants learn how to buy tickets, where to find information and how to stay safe before being accompanied on their journey by the team of Community Ambassadors.

You can find out more about this programme here: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/other/about-us/community-and-rail-station-adoption/try-the-train