Long train journey, two lively children - help!!

[Danascully2]

I need to take my two small children on a 10 hour journey on a couple of trains. They are 5 and almost 2 and very energetic!! Last time we were on a train the younger one wasn't able to walk up the aisle because he was too wobbly but I'm really hoping his balance has improved and he can walk up and down a bit. He's huge so I really struggled to carry him with one arm and hold on to something myself to get up the aisle. I will have one other adult with me. Any top tips very much appreciated!!

First class?! For the love of god no. The people forking out for first class don't want to be in the same carriage as a toddler! As a parent I'd feel even more stressed in first class than in standard class, because of being extra worried about disturbing other passengers.

Yes, even if the price wasn't exorbitant I think I might have found first class more stressful for this reason.

Ps it's a shame the booking systems never have an option for NOT being in the quiet coach!

It should do shouldn't it. It's also a pity that the system doesn't allow you to pre-book exact seats like you can on flights. All you can do is specify a preference.

Contact the passenger services people. They assist disabled people on and off trains but you can request assistance with children too.

They will know where the space is on the trains and get you on and settled.

They are called things like, 'journey care'.

I did ages ago try phoning one of the main train companies and they basically said I shouldn't be taking a pram on their trains (I had a 12 week old baby at the time) and there wouldn't be any staff who could help. So I think they only provide assistance for disabled people which is fair enough really.

If you're getting on at a terminus, get to the platform early and staff are usually very helpful, eg when loads of families and others had cheap first class deals they stopped everyone and asked if we wanted the first class carriage with or without young children - two hours when lots of kids under 5 could all make faces etc together was much less stressful and I'm sure the other carriage occupants were grateful!

That does sound good but unfortunately we are not near a terminus. The train stops for about 30 seconds!!

If we manage to get to our seats before it starts moving I'll be very happy.

Just remember the younger one won't have a seat unless you pay most likely as long distance trains are often fully reserved. Things to keep them still are key because they can't keep running up and down (that's every other passengers worst nightmare and dangerous)

I have travelled a lot with young children and it's doable but very hard. Being split up on the one hour train will be a nightmare How many intermediate stops between when you get on and off? If not many it will be fine as people will move to put you together (noone wants to sit next to an unaccompanied five year old or two year old after all)

Pay careful attention to the toys you bring. Nothing round that can roll off the table. Nothing with crucial little bits you can lose. For sitting round a table, craft activities are good - some kiddy scissors and a pritt stick, pens and paper (keep pens strictly in pencil case to reduce rolling problems). Improvise with new things you gain on your journey to reduce the amount you need to carry - eg pick up papers and leaflets then cut them up, cut out the pictures on food wrappers, count things in and out of paper cups, draw on paper towels. Rhymes and stories they have to suggest extra verses to take up lots of time. Really amazing amounts. I used to sing a song (very quietly into their ear) about a tractor carrying different vegetables. It could go on for hours while they suggested new things for the tractor to carry. You can do wordless wind the bobbin up. Oh and draw pictures on their back with your finger and they have to guess what you've drawn. That can last a while too and requires no resources

Good luck!

Oh and try and map out before you go which stations you go through when. Running up and down the aisle is not on, but if you know there are 22 minutes between leaving station X and arriving Y you can instigate a long walk to the other end of the train and back with the five year old.

If you don't want your 2 year old on your knee you will have to pay for a seat. Seat reservations are usually included, and if the train is busy there won't be a seat for him

There won’t be a seat for the 2yo, you don’t pay for a ticket for them and the expectation is they’ll be on your knee.

I always buy seats for my 2 & 4 year olds - with a family and friends card, buying for all of us plus discount is often cheaper than just for me and DH.
Make a schedule broken up by screen time - eg 30 mins screen time, 30 mins activity. Puzzles, play dough, the orchard toys games, sticker books, magazines.
Masses of slow to consume savoury and sweet snacks. Make a big deal about proper meal times. Maybe as a “treat” all go to the buffet van and get drinks for everyone. Will burn some time!
Non messy arts and crafts. Pipe cleaners can be made into silly animals and people. Make sure you have wipes to hand and a spare set of clothes for everyone is accessible (ie not in luggage in the guards van)

Thank you - some good ideas. I do have a seat booked for 2 year old even though he doesn't technically need a ticket.