(uk.rec.cycling removed)

Mrs Redboots wrote:
Steven wrote to uk.transport.london on Sun, 19 Jun 2005:


Interestingly, although I'm a regular rail user, I've *never* seen anyone
with a
wheel chair use a train.

And yet millions have been spent just in case one should ever want to.


I've seen one try - he was winched up the steps at Clapham Junction on a
most interesting machine designed for the purpose.

But alas, the train he was after was cancelled (my mother was hoping to
catch the same train), and the following one was only 4 coaches, not 8.
My mother got on, and was given a seat, but the poor wheelchair user was
left fuming on the platform (and he WAS furious, too!).

Aha I have seen that very same machine in use at Clapham Junction
myself, now you mention it! I stood on the footbridge at the top of the
stairs to 11/12 watching a wheelchair user being moved up, and was
absolutely petrified he was about to roll off backwards down the stairs,
considering the angle it was operating at. It worked though.

Related note: I often see a young female wheelchair user on my 455 to
work in the morning. She's very adept at "jumping" into the train while
in her lightweight chair, refusing all offers of help! I just wish I was
that fit myself... /lardarse

Cheers,

Steve M