Travelling on Virgin Train... with 2 and 4 yrold...

[bea]

am i mad???

we're going from birmingham to Tiverton (Devon), journey should be 2 hours and 17 mins....

anything i should know.. like can i let them know i will be travelling and will need a hand getting on and off (although hubby will be assisting the getting rid of us..) will they give you a hand with the luggage (which i'm sure they will) are under 5 children expected to sit in your lap or will there be a seat for them??? etc etc

am booking first class!!! so quite excited about that prospect!!!

come on all you well helled travellers ... tell me what a delight it will be?!!!

I have always booked and paid for seats for the kids, even when they are tiny; then you know you have guaranteed space. But it's unlikely to be packed in first class - I don't know I've never travelled first class!

I don't know, actually: I'm not at all sure about the first class bit. You could get some really annoyed business travellers if your children are a bit chatty: which could make the journey hellish! I would seriously consider just buying normal tickets, but pay for seats for the children too.

I've travelled a lot on trains ever since the boys were tiny; I'm sure you'll have no problems.

If anyone offers to help, then take them up on it. Ask someone to help you off the train with your luggage, and get someone to hold the baby while you take the 4 yo for a little walk, get someone to fetch you a coffee from the Buffet car, etc!

Have fun!

Oh and pack travel bags with lots of "bits" ... little snacks, little toys, sticker books etc.; but only get them out one at a time.

ooo! Roisin...don't say that about first class....i've just gone ahead and booked it...

OK - I didn't say that!
I guess if it looks full of grumpy folk who want some peace & quiet and R&R you could always move on the day. Or stay put and encourage the kids to be very noisy if you're militant and like that sort of thing!

You could breastfeed the 4 yo (or pretend to), and change the 2 yo's nappy on the table ... that would probably empty the carriage immediately

knowing me i would just look mortified and apologise profusely!

dh has said that he'll get on the train with us and then sort out any grumpy arsey looking business people around us before he leaves... what a man!!!

i'm holding onto the hope that this will be a train not travelling to london... not a typical business train adn we're going about 10am so all the business types would have left by then....

eeek! failing that i did say to dh that if anyone does complain i'll let 2 yr old ds run riot and set him on them!!!!

i always always travel first class with dd (4) to visit grandparents 2 and half hours away. Booked in advance it's not much more than standard and SO worth it. Never busy so we always have table and 4 seats to ourselves. The table service of food is great in terms of the distraction and they always give extra for the children even though they're not paid for. Food is usually not great though so I always take lots of fruit (it's usually hot and dry on trains) and humus and carrot type stuff. Staff are lovely with kids and will help with luggage etc - I've never even had to ask. As long as dd is not screeching or shouting I feel perfectly justified travelling in a first class compartment with her and any business type who disagrees can stuff right off. But do avoid the quiet carriage ! Otherwise, it's not their office and it's not a cathedral so make as much noise as you need to keep yours entertained - noisy laughter and chatter is better than frustrated crying ! I find paper and pens, playdough, scissors and sellotape easily last the journey. Plus a couple of favourite books and a new book and maybe a new small toy and dd is happy all journey. You will probably find you need to make more effort keeping your 2 year old from walking up and down the carriage for 2 hours ! The trains we go on have at least one huge space for a wheelchair in first class, so if that's not in use it's a great space for contrary toddlers who will only sit on the floor ! Take a variety of small favourite toys - cars / figures / dinosaurs / lego-y stuff (nothing that makes it's own noise or you'll be driven as mad as the people sitting next to you). Hope you enjoy your journey. I used to dread travelling with dd, not knowing how she might behave, but now I really look forward to it - it's the only time I give her 2+ hours of my undivided attention without having to make food / do washing etc at the same time. Enjoy !

oooh! how encouraging tomps!... yes! i would travel no problem with 4yr old... she would be asy as pie to take on a train... glue stick and scissors and she would be happy as larry.... i am nervous about ds though he is typical two year old bpy... very wiggley and attention span of a gnat.... he will be the one who wants to walk up and down !!!!

i think i had better start thinking about the travel bag now!... what goodies can we get to fill it!!!???

Bea - first class!!!!! What are you like - remind me to wind your dh up next time I see him...!

When are you going? Just pack tons and tons of chocolate buttons and raisins and pop them into ds's mouth every few minutes! And be resigned to spending 2 hours 17 minutes wandering up and down the train...

PS I tried to send you an e-mail today with wedding invite ideas on and it bounced back - will try again but not sure why it's not getting through??!

just to let you all know that the journey was a doddle!!!

it did freak me out a bit though as so many people had said that first class would be empty and when we got on it was jam packed... alll men.... 80% with a lap top!!!!

anyway... kiddies were very good (i had so many tricks up my sleeve i didn't even get to use about 3 of them!!!!) and the cadbury buttons weren't even opened!!! so that's how good a journey ot was... the other ravellers were fine with the kids as they dodn;t have muc to complain aout as the kids just chatted and giggled and eat lots of jaffa cakes... one man even commented on how well they were doing... i got the impression that a lot of the men on the train were very busy hard working businessmen who had young kiddies at home and were wishing that they saw much more of them... or were quite glad that they didn;t see so much of them!!!

so thanks for all advice mumsnetters and would recommend travelling on a train with kiddies (as long as you have lots of goodies planned!!!)

I'm really pleased it went well for you