Govia Thameslink Railway and Sight Loss Councils host transformational ‘Try a Train’ event at Sutton and Wimbledon stations
South West London Sight Loss Council and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which runs Southern and Thameslink trains, have hosted ‘Try a Train’ events at Sutton and Wimbledon railway stations. These events are designed to help blind and partially sighted (BPS) people feel more confident about travelling independently by train.
The event was a collaboration, delivered in partnership with South Western Railway, and Transport for London’s (TfL) mentoring service team, offering those who came direct access to rail industry professionals.
BPS local residents joined SLC volunteers and the rail transport experts to begin their journey at Sutton. It was here they were introduced to key elements of the station layout and assisted travel procedures. The group then travelled to Wimbledon Station to further explore navigating a busy interchange station.
Attendee Gus being guided by Noor, Sutton station employee, through the railway station
Why are ‘Try a Train’ events important?
This hands-on experience is invaluable to BPS people who may otherwise feel anxious about using public transport due to accessibility concerns. Similarly, a further ‘Try a Train’ session is planned for Thursday, 19 June at Wimbledon Station, starting at the main entrance at 10am.
Govia Thameslink Railway’s Accessibility Lead, Carl Martin, said:
“This marks the first time such a collaborative session has taken place, and the positive overall experience was deeply felt by all involved.
“Events like this are not only informative but often life-changing for those living with disabilities who wish to feel empowered and reassured while navigating public transport. One of the most strongly echoed sentiments from the day was the pivotal role staff play in removing the barriers that Victorian station infrastructure can create. Feedback from participants highlighted how engaging, supportive, and knowledgeable our staff were throughout the experience, a true testament to the dedication and professionalism of our teams across the network.”
South Western Railway Senior Accessibility and Inclusion Manager, Michael
Adlington, said:
“We were delighted to work with colleagues from GTR and Transport for London on the first joint Try a Train event between our three companies. Many customers interchange between our three services and it’s important to show how similar the levels of support from colleagues will be, but also any differences customers can expect when travelling with us. We very much look forward to continuing this partnership at our next event on 19 June.”
James Mead, TfL’s General Manager of On Demand Transport, said:
“It’s so important that people feel confident when using public transport, so that they can independently travel around London. We were really pleased to take part in this collaborative session to help people understand how our own transport network interacts with services from other providers, making them aware of all the travel routes available and opening up opportunities.”
GTR Accessibility Manager Anthony Merlyn talking to attendees at Sutton Station
Book your place for Wimbledon ‘Try a Train’
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Publication date: 06 June 2025