Help! I am traveling soon! How to avoid a sensory showdown?

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I am getting worried as I am traveling soon 28 hours by train and I am worried about some major sensory event.
I emailed a friend about this, but also decided to post this and see if any of you all had any suggestions.
My sister is getting married to a really great guy, their first marriage hopefuly their only marriage, and it really is an aspie love story how they got together.
Anyway, I HAVE to go, there is no getting out of this, nor would I want to miss it either.
The problem is my sensory problems are the worst in crowded places...I just shut down or meltdown which ever happens first.
The last time I traveled mass transport, by the end of the trip, I was crying and shaking in the airport due to all the noise, the auditory whiplash of everyone talking at once, the crazy noises of people and their suitcases and footsteps, the lights, and neon crap everywhere, people rushing by me...the human and electronic energy that is totally overwhelming...it all just blurs together into one sensory explosion in my brain and I melt into a puddle while everyone is rushing through me.

Last time, by the time I was crying and shaking, I soon discovered that I had to stay there for 4 more hours in that man made hell called the atlanta airport which is the busiest and largest airport on the eastern part of the country because I zigged when I should have zagged in making arrangments for a car rental. Well I just nutted up and started screaming. My sister, same one that is getting married, had to drop all of her studying for law school finals which is the ONLY grade she will get for the entire semester, and come drive 4 hours round trip to pick me up. She was really not happy about that and was kinda mad the rest of the time we were there. I dont think she understood how much I needed her to do that, but really regreted that she had to.

I really do not want a repeat performance of this event, but unless I come up with a way to control the senory issues, then history will probably repeat itself.
I really dont want to nut up in some train station....any ideas what I can do??

Jojo

If it's auditory problems, have you tried either ear plugs or big headphones and music?

Plan in advance to have someone to meet you when you get there- rather than it being last minute, why don't you arrange it now for someone to meet you straight off the train if you know it's a problem.

On the train: don't know how your train work, but in UK, you can pay more (if you can afford to) and go 1st class- there's far fewer people, and often they're much quieter. So it should make that easier.
28 hours? Sleep if you can. Take something you enjoy to keep you busy- I take my laptop, connect to internet and use the time to indulge in my interest. Distracts me from everything else!
Book a seat in the most suitable place for you- I choose window seat at one end.

Train Station: if you can plan a route from the train to where you need to go next, and have it ready in your head, it should be easier. If the train station is near your sister's, then can she describe to you/draw/photograph where you need to go?

Have a plan for what you are going to do if something happens.

I use earplugs all the time in crowded, frantic places. I also seek out quiet corners (even airports and train stations have them, SOMEWHERE) for sensory breaks. I keep my eyes lowered so I'm looking more at the floor instead of peoples' faces, and as long as I'm staying on course I can avoid a lot of the human energy bombardment. I also use visualization techniques and breathing techniques to keep myself calm.

I don't know if you use any medication, but Valium gets me through the airports or other transit stations and onto the plane/train, and then when I'm seated, melatonin or Benadryl knocks me out so I can sleep! Finally, I always wear or carry some kind of shawl that I can cover my head and face with when I'm settled in. It is a kind of portable cocoon that I can use when I need it and remove it instantly when necessary. I, too, remember having a couple of meltdowns in airports...if you feel them coming on, get to a private place like a bathroom stall QUICK, and don't leave until you can calm yourself down.

Finally, although this probably isn't present in most train stations, airport terminals often have Meditation Rooms (actually small interfaith chapels) that you can use to calm yourself. These are invaluable! Good luck on your journey!