AGXStarseed
Well-Known Member
(Not written by me)
Why do children with autism love trains? It may have something to do with the systemicity, and the routine; try the Bluebell Railway in Sussex for a calm and beautiful journey
I didn’t know it then, but my son’s love for trains was the first obvious clue to his autism. A railway line runs above our local playground, and as a toddler he would visibly shake with excitement at each passing train. Since one passed roughly every three minutes, it did strike me as odd that this never got old – he would shake as enthusiastically for the 27th train as he had for the first – but each to their own, I thought.
Later I found out that trains are an abiding passion for many autistic children, to the point that speech and language therapists (half) jokingly ask, ‘Does he like Thomas?’ when making a diagnosis. “On the one hand, it almost sounds like a cliché, because it’s such a classic interest that you read about autistic kids having all the time. But, my goodness, in the clinic it’s just so common, especially in young children,” says Tony Charman, professor of clinical child psychology at King’s College London, who specialises in autism.
So what is it about trains? Theories abound online, whether it’s to do with the predictability of the service, the uniformity of the tracks, or the spinning of the wheels. “I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone give a good explanation for how excited these children get about trains,” says Professor Charman. “For different children it could be about the systemicity, the regular routine. But why trains, rather than cars? A car interest is much less common.”
Whatever the reason, the reality for us is that travel is as much about the journey as the destination. This has its advantages – it’s cheap, for one. When my mum offered to take my son Xavier (now five) to Legoland, my immediate thought was that she should save her money and just take the train to Windsor instead. Xavier doesn’t pester me to go to Hamleys, or buy him stuff: if I want to reward him, a quick hop on the Overground to Highbury & Islington should do it.
But it does mean I’m looking at more rail-related days out than most this summer, and can’t even contemplate another trip to the Transport Museum. I consulted Transport Sparks, a Facebook group for the parents of autistic transport fans, for more ideas – few, after all, know more than they do about the pleasures of the railways. Here, then, is our collective wisdom on the UK’s best days out for young train enthusiasts.
1. National Railway Museum, York
At Britain’s biggest railway museum, you’ll find enormous halls filled with all things locomotive. Highlights include the Mallard simulator, Queen Victoria’s royal carriage, and the only bullet train outside Japan. Afterwards you can take afternoon tea in a restored railway carriage.
Details: railwaymuseum.org.uk, free.
2. The Loop, London
Possibly not its formal name, but an apt one nonetheless for this circular-ish route that takes in the Tube, Overground, DLR and Emirates Air Line (otherwise known as those cable cars near the O2). Four forms of transport in one journey! We start at Dalston Junction, changing at Shadwell, Royal Victoria and North Greenwich, but obviously you can choose your own entry point.
Details: tfl.gov.uk, adults from £6.80 + £3.50 for Emirates Air Line, child 11-15 from £3.40 + £1.70 Emirates Air Line, under-11s £1.70.
3. Bluebell Railway, Sussex
For maximum period quaintness, it has to be the Bluebell Railway, a steam train that chugs through the picture-perfect countryside between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead. You might recognise Horsted Keynes, a restored 1920s-era station, from Downton Abbey; your children may have spotted it in the Muppets Most Wanted. This stop is also close to The Hundred Acre Wood, for Pooh fans.
Details: bluebell-railway.com, adults £12, children £6
4. Clapham Junction/King’s Cross stations, London
Sometimes a visit to the station is enough. Head to King’s Cross for Harry Potter, infinite Tubes and trains, and the fountains at Granary Wharf. South of the river, head to Clapham Junction, where there’s a bridge spanning all the platforms, plus views of where the South West trains sleep near platforms 7 and 8.
Details: tfl.gov.uk
5. The Night Riviera, London-Cornwall
Sleeper trains involve late nights and early wake-ups, so won’t suit all children. But if yours can cope with the disruption, the newly refurbed night trains between Paddington and Penzance offer an experience they won’t forget quickly. The stylish new cabins are already in service; the redesigned cocktail lounge arrives soon.
Details: gwr.com, double cabin £90-£110 + regular ticket price.
6. The Engine Shed, Reading & Chingford
The Engine Shed is a meet-up for children with a special interest in trains. Most (but not all) are on the autistic spectrum, and the idea is that they can enjoy their hobby with peers in a supportive, welcoming environment. There are all manner of model railways and train sets for children to play with; parents can relax with a cup of tea.
Details: theengineshed.org.uk, free.
7. Fawley Hill, Henley-on-Thames
Once described as “the most bonkers estate in Britain”, Fawley Hill is probably the only aristocratic pile built in 1960. In the grounds you’ll find a restored Victorian railway station, railway museum and working steam train, along with a menagerie of rescued emus, deer, llamas, raccoons and lemurs.
Details: fawleyhill.co.uk, suggested donation adults £10, child £5.
8. The Postal Museum, London
Not strictly about trains this one, but worth a mention for its hugely popular Mail Rail. This 15-minute journey sees you board a miniature train and follow the underground route postal trains took during the rail’s Thirties heyday. Be sure to book in advance and be warned: some children find it a bit scary.
Details: postalmuseum.org, adults £17.05, child £10.45 (includes Mail Rail and exhibitions).
9. Pecorama, Devon
If you’re in Devon this summer, head to Beer for some old-fashioned fun at one of the best model railways around. There’s a light railway with views over Lyme Bay, while the shop’s also a winner, stocking an extensive range of PECO’s highly respected model railway products.
Details: pecorama.co.uk, adults £11, child £9, under-twos £2
10. The Isle of Man
A 2 hour 45-minute ferry ride from Liverpool is the Isle of Man, where steam trains aren’t vintage tourist attractions, but the way people actually travel. One-of-a-kind transport really does abound here, from the Manx Electric Railway, which still uses its original Victorian carriages, to the horse-drawn trams that trundle along the Douglas promenades.
Source: Why children with autism love trains (and the 10 best UK rail adventures for families)
Why do children with autism love trains? It may have something to do with the systemicity, and the routine; try the Bluebell Railway in Sussex for a calm and beautiful journey
I didn’t know it then, but my son’s love for trains was the first obvious clue to his autism. A railway line runs above our local playground, and as a toddler he would visibly shake with excitement at each passing train. Since one passed roughly every three minutes, it did strike me as odd that this never got old – he would shake as enthusiastically for the 27th train as he had for the first – but each to their own, I thought.
Later I found out that trains are an abiding passion for many autistic children, to the point that speech and language therapists (half) jokingly ask, ‘Does he like Thomas?’ when making a diagnosis. “On the one hand, it almost sounds like a cliché, because it’s such a classic interest that you read about autistic kids having all the time. But, my goodness, in the clinic it’s just so common, especially in young children,” says Tony Charman, professor of clinical child psychology at King’s College London, who specialises in autism.
So what is it about trains? Theories abound online, whether it’s to do with the predictability of the service, the uniformity of the tracks, or the spinning of the wheels. “I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone give a good explanation for how excited these children get about trains,” says Professor Charman. “For different children it could be about the systemicity, the regular routine. But why trains, rather than cars? A car interest is much less common.”
Whatever the reason, the reality for us is that travel is as much about the journey as the destination. This has its advantages – it’s cheap, for one. When my mum offered to take my son Xavier (now five) to Legoland, my immediate thought was that she should save her money and just take the train to Windsor instead. Xavier doesn’t pester me to go to Hamleys, or buy him stuff: if I want to reward him, a quick hop on the Overground to Highbury & Islington should do it.
But it does mean I’m looking at more rail-related days out than most this summer, and can’t even contemplate another trip to the Transport Museum. I consulted Transport Sparks, a Facebook group for the parents of autistic transport fans, for more ideas – few, after all, know more than they do about the pleasures of the railways. Here, then, is our collective wisdom on the UK’s best days out for young train enthusiasts.
1. National Railway Museum, York
At Britain’s biggest railway museum, you’ll find enormous halls filled with all things locomotive. Highlights include the Mallard simulator, Queen Victoria’s royal carriage, and the only bullet train outside Japan. Afterwards you can take afternoon tea in a restored railway carriage.
Details: railwaymuseum.org.uk, free.
2. The Loop, London
Possibly not its formal name, but an apt one nonetheless for this circular-ish route that takes in the Tube, Overground, DLR and Emirates Air Line (otherwise known as those cable cars near the O2). Four forms of transport in one journey! We start at Dalston Junction, changing at Shadwell, Royal Victoria and North Greenwich, but obviously you can choose your own entry point.
Details: tfl.gov.uk, adults from £6.80 + £3.50 for Emirates Air Line, child 11-15 from £3.40 + £1.70 Emirates Air Line, under-11s £1.70.
3. Bluebell Railway, Sussex
For maximum period quaintness, it has to be the Bluebell Railway, a steam train that chugs through the picture-perfect countryside between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead. You might recognise Horsted Keynes, a restored 1920s-era station, from Downton Abbey; your children may have spotted it in the Muppets Most Wanted. This stop is also close to The Hundred Acre Wood, for Pooh fans.
Details: bluebell-railway.com, adults £12, children £6
4. Clapham Junction/King’s Cross stations, London
Sometimes a visit to the station is enough. Head to King’s Cross for Harry Potter, infinite Tubes and trains, and the fountains at Granary Wharf. South of the river, head to Clapham Junction, where there’s a bridge spanning all the platforms, plus views of where the South West trains sleep near platforms 7 and 8.
Details: tfl.gov.uk
5. The Night Riviera, London-Cornwall
Sleeper trains involve late nights and early wake-ups, so won’t suit all children. But if yours can cope with the disruption, the newly refurbed night trains between Paddington and Penzance offer an experience they won’t forget quickly. The stylish new cabins are already in service; the redesigned cocktail lounge arrives soon.
Details: gwr.com, double cabin £90-£110 + regular ticket price.
6. The Engine Shed, Reading & Chingford
The Engine Shed is a meet-up for children with a special interest in trains. Most (but not all) are on the autistic spectrum, and the idea is that they can enjoy their hobby with peers in a supportive, welcoming environment. There are all manner of model railways and train sets for children to play with; parents can relax with a cup of tea.
Details: theengineshed.org.uk, free.
7. Fawley Hill, Henley-on-Thames
Once described as “the most bonkers estate in Britain”, Fawley Hill is probably the only aristocratic pile built in 1960. In the grounds you’ll find a restored Victorian railway station, railway museum and working steam train, along with a menagerie of rescued emus, deer, llamas, raccoons and lemurs.
Details: fawleyhill.co.uk, suggested donation adults £10, child £5.
8. The Postal Museum, London
Not strictly about trains this one, but worth a mention for its hugely popular Mail Rail. This 15-minute journey sees you board a miniature train and follow the underground route postal trains took during the rail’s Thirties heyday. Be sure to book in advance and be warned: some children find it a bit scary.
Details: postalmuseum.org, adults £17.05, child £10.45 (includes Mail Rail and exhibitions).
9. Pecorama, Devon
If you’re in Devon this summer, head to Beer for some old-fashioned fun at one of the best model railways around. There’s a light railway with views over Lyme Bay, while the shop’s also a winner, stocking an extensive range of PECO’s highly respected model railway products.
Details: pecorama.co.uk, adults £11, child £9, under-twos £2
10. The Isle of Man
A 2 hour 45-minute ferry ride from Liverpool is the Isle of Man, where steam trains aren’t vintage tourist attractions, but the way people actually travel. One-of-a-kind transport really does abound here, from the Manx Electric Railway, which still uses its original Victorian carriages, to the horse-drawn trams that trundle along the Douglas promenades.
Source: Why children with autism love trains (and the 10 best UK rail adventures for families)
