claustrophobia - liverpool street station

[ivypress]

This is an incredibly random question but I am claustrophobic so don't the use the tube and really hate being underground or in tunnels. I have to catch a train from liverpool street station tomorrow (out to Diss in Norfolk) and wondered whether anyone knew whether the first part of the journey - the bit where the trains actually leaves the station - was in a tunnel and if so is it a single or a double train tunnel? And also, how long a tunnel? Sorry, incredibly random i know but makes me feel sick just thinking about being underground..

[Octavius]

The mainline platform forecourt at Liverpool Street Station is very open and airy.  The trains as far as I am aware do not go through tunnels to go out of the station, although there may be a few short bursts of tunnels for a few seconds here and there in the first few miles (under bridges etc).  Here is an architectural mini-guide showing some pictures for you to see the forecourt.  If you are really concerned call the station helpline and ask their advice.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Stations/Stations/LiverpoolStreet/Documents/LiverpoolStreetArchitecture.pdf

[Kay]

ivypress, I feel for you! Im claustrophobic and slightly agoraphobic. Is there someone you trust who could do a dummy run with you. I had my friend with me when I had to go on a bus as I cant stand closed doors. I dont live in Liverpool sorry.

[Octavius]

When I say forecourt, I mean concourse

[Fitzer]

Not wishing to throw a dampener on things Ivypress but the first 500 meters or so out of Liverpool St. are covered. Not strictly tunnels but cuttings that have been built over. The side that you should be travelling from (platforms 8-18) have less of a covered distance than the others though. The sections are at least two tracks wide and other sections can be glimpsed through archways to either side. Essentially your journey will go from large airy engine shed, built over section at end of platforms (50 mts), open to the air (100 mts), covered cutting (100 mts), open cutting (200 mts), covered cutting (100 mts) and out into the open. I'd say it isn't far or too enclosed but then I don't suffer from your problem, so all I can say is that now you know and I wish you all the best

[CiderMonkey]

the trains aren't actually in a tunnel but they are undercover for about twice the length of the train or at least as long as the platform. It's not a tunnel as such, and you get out into the open very quickly. there may be small sections that go through darker areas as the train goes under bridges and stuff, as Octavius says. Good Luck with the journey!

[ivypress]

Thank you so much for all your help, I honestly wasn't sure I'd get any replies. If it's only a short tunnel I should hopefully be fine, might buy some rescue remedy to help things as well..

[Octavius]

You can't beat a drop of Doctor Bach's on the tongue!

[londondave]

i hate the tube too! take a valium before you go, take a bottle of water, and a paper bag incase you hyper ventilate, also a book or a personal stereo helps. god luck