Help me overcome sudden anxiety of trains!

[TrainNervous]

Hi wonderful people,
I am currently working through a few anxieties I am suffering, which are linked mostly with control (lack of) and travel.
I suddenly was hit with a brand new fear last summer and was unable to get on a train despite trying 5 times over an hour and a half, and I haven't gotten on one since.
I'm working through this with support, and the next step for me is to get on a train and ride to the next station, which is overwhelmingly scary.

Here's where I need help, please, wonderful people.

Outside of London, I need to know the shortest journey time between two stations, so I can build up gradually. I have researched tubes and can see there are incredibly short times there, which is great.

What I need to do is go on regular, above ground trains, for a really short time.
I live in Buckinghamshire, with easy access to High Wycombe station. I also will drive an hour to get to a station if it has the shortest duration.

So please, share with me the SHORTEST duration you're aware of for stations in the Uk.

Thanks so much,

Train Nervous, E

 

[30907]

Within reasonable distance of you, looking at Googlemaps Ruislip Manor and Ruislip on the Metropolitan line of LU are only 6-700m apart, so that is a clear winner, with Ruislip Manor and Eastcote about 1km, ditto Hatch End and Headstone Lane, so 1.5min travel.
On Chiltern, Denham and Denham Golf Club look to be about 1.2km apart, 2min journey, but there are much fewer trains.

Hope that points you in the right direction, and best wishes.

 

[Hadders]

Bletchley to Milton Keynes 5 minutes
Wolverton to Milton Keynes 4 minutes
Monks Risborough to Little Kimber 3 minutes

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Hi wonderful people,
I am currently working through a few anxieties I am suffering, which are linked mostly with control (lack of) and travel.
I suddenly was hit with a brand new fear last summer and was unable to get on a train despite trying 5 times over an hour and a half, and I haven't gotten on one since.
I'm working through this with support, and the next step for me is to get on a train and ride to the next station, which is overwhelmingly scary.

Here's where I need help, please, wonderful people.

Outside of London, I need to know the shortest journey time between two stations, so I can build up gradually. I have researched tubes and can see there are incredibly short times there, which is great.

What I need to do is go on regular, above ground trains, for a really short time.
I live in Buckinghamshire, with easy access to High Wycombe station. I also will drive an hour to get to a station if it has the shortest duration.

So please, share with me the SHORTEST duration you're aware of for stations in the Uk.

Thanks so much,

Train Nervous, E

You ought to be so very proud of yourself for attempting to overcome the fear. I know what it’s like to have irrational fears and they are deeply distressing and hard to deal with - I actually have a severe irrational phobia of land trains, which are little tourist (effectively cars) things that are often found trundling on the beach - and it took me many years before I could go up to one and get on it. The original land train that started the fear I still can’t go within miles of, so I hope you know that you’re being exceptionally brave in doing this.

I wonder if you can perhaps travel with a close friend or family member? My best mate is terrified of flying and is comforted a lot by squeezing my hand or arm when we take off/land.

Do let us know how you get on.

 

[Magdalia]

I am currently working through a few anxieties I am suffering, which are linked mostly with control (lack of) and travel.
I suddenly was hit with a brand new fear last summer and was unable to get on a train despite trying 5 times over an hour and a half, and I haven't gotten on one since.
I'm working through this with support, and the next step for me is to get on a train and ride to the next station, which is overwhelmingly scary.

Here's where I need help, please, wonderful people.

Outside of London, I need to know the shortest journey time between two stations, so I can build up gradually. I have researched tubes and can see there are incredibly short times there, which is great.

What I need to do is go on regular, above ground trains, for a really short time.
I live in Buckinghamshire, with easy access to High Wycombe station. I also will drive an hour to get to a station if it has the shortest duration.

From near to High Wycombe you might like to consider the Twyford-Henley on Thames or Maidenhead-Marlow branch line trains.

Both lines have a little train that shuttles up and down for quite short distances, so you can't be carried a long distance away from where you have left your car. Twyford-Henley on Thames is less than 5 miles, only takes 12 minutes end to end, and with 2 intermediate stops. Maidenhead-Marlow is perhaps a bit more adventurous, as it includes a reversal at Bourne End, but the Maidenhead-Bourne End section is also less than 5 miles, only takes 11 minutes end to end, and also with 2 intermediate stops.

Whatever you decide, best wishes, I hope it goes well for you.

 

[Snapper37]

Good luck. Also Oxford to Oxford Parkway 5m. Without knowing the exact issue, would a small railway help? Ruislip Lido for example. Ride round the lake on a narrow gauge diesel train.

 

[TrainNervous]

Thank you all so much, every single response has really helped me shape my plan for confronting this fear. I will return and share how I get on!

With huge gratitude,

Train Nervous, E

 

[Purple Train]

It might be a bit too far, but what about a trip on the Greenford branch line in West London? Castle Bar Park to Drayton Green is under half a mile with a 90-second booked journey at slow speed.
I wish you the very best of luck, take care

 

[DelW]

Thank you all so much, every single response has really helped me shape my plan for confronting this fear. I will return and share how I get on!

With huge gratitude,

Train Nervous, E

Have you thought of trying a preserved railway? You're not far from the Chinnor and Princes Risborough line. That's about three miles long, although because their trains travel much more slowly than on the main line, it takes about 20 minutes from end to end.

Depending what's causing your anxiety, you may find that the much more relaxed "vibe" of a preserved line, with other passengers there to enjoy the trip rather than being stressed-out themselves, and with no "get on now!" time pressures, makes for a better experience. And there's no danger of being carried too far, or left behind a long way from your start.

Their services start again on 19th March.