York by train

headwayhudds
Feb 21
3 min read

Exploring York by Train: Our “Try the Train” Trip – 11th February 2026

On Wednesday 11th February 2026, 22 of our members set off on another fantastic Try the Train adventure—this time to the historic city of York. The trip was organised by Sarah Wells, Community Rail Officer at the Penistone Line Partnership, and generously funded by Northern Rail. These supported journeys are designed to help brain injury survivors rebuild confidence using public transport, and this outing proved to be one of our most successful yet.

A Smooth Start from Dewsbury

We gathered at Dewsbury Station at 9:30am, where Sarah guided us onto the train to Leeds. One of our wheelchair users had booked Passenger Assist, and we were warmly greeted on the platform in Leeds by a member of Northern’s assistance team. They ensured a smooth and stress‑free transfer to our connecting train to York.

A Warm Welcome in York

Upon arrival, we were met by a cheerful team from LNER Passenger Assist, who escorted us through the station and into the main foyer. Their support made the transition effortless and helped set a positive tone for the day.

A City Full of Choices

Once in York, our group split into smaller clusters depending on interests:

Some visited the Jorvik Viking Centre
Others explored the National Railway Museum
The rest enjoyed York’s famous coffee shops, restaurants, and a leisurely wander down The Shambles

Despite the February weather, spirits were high and the city offered plenty to enjoy.

Homeward Bound with Confidence

We regrouped at 3pm for the journey home, once again supported by the brilliant LNER and Northern teams. On the return trip, Sarah led a helpful review session covering:

How to book train tickets online
Using ticket machines at stations
How to request Passenger Assist via mobile apps

This practical guidance is a key part of the programme, helping members feel more confident planning their own journeys in the future.

What Our Members Said

The feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive. Here are just a few of the comments:

“What a fantastic day you can have no matter what the weather is like.”
“Thank you Adrian for organising & shepherding the event, together with Sarah who organised the rail matters.”
“Yes, it was a brilliant day out. Thank you to all the group, especially the volunteers.”
“It was a great day out—thank you to everyone for making it happen.”
“All wonderful comments. Can’t really add any more except thank you to all our organisers. A great day out as always.”
“A fabulous day out!”

More Than Just a Day Trip

For many of our members, public transport can feel daunting after a brain injury. Fatigue, anxiety, cognitive changes, and accessibility concerns can all make travel challenging. Supported outings like this help rebuild confidence step by step, showing what’s possible with the right guidance and a friendly group around you.

Our thanks go to Sarah Wells, the Penistone Line Partnership, Northern Rail, and LNER for their continued support. Together, we’re helping survivors regain independence, explore new places, and reconnect with the world around them.