But useless for all immediately local journeys like weekly shopping, and providing, of course you have an accessible station, are willing to stand for the whole journey and can get from destination station to destination location, and in this area can find anywhere to park at the station and can afford the car park ticket.
I have a rail card and live 4 miles from a 'Parkway' station, but it costs a minimum of £6.00 to park the car, if I can find a space that doesn't require a 20 minute walk to reach the station. parking can cost more than the rail fare for several local destination and if I am going to most destinations the chances of getting a seat are minimal, unless, of course, I plan and book well in advance, which rules out any occasional chance journeys.
I used to love train travel but I have more or less given up on it, except for holidays because it has become such a complicated and difficult and expensive mode of travel even with a Senior Cotizen Railcard.