First Great Western Family Carriages/FGW kids fun pack

[Sad Sprinter]

15-20 years ago, as a child, I remember there being "family carriages" on First Great Western. I can't remember being in them, because I was too young (think it is my only memory of being in a Swallow livered trainset), but I remember my dad talking about them, and seeing the headrests for them through carriage windows while on the platform.

Does anyone remember what these designated family carraiges were exactly? And when they were discontinued?

Also, any early 2000s kids on here remember the First Great Western kids packs you got from the buffet cars? It was a big plastic bag filled with various activites to do, but I remember most the ready to assemble cardboard model of a MK3 carriage or IC125 power car (changed to an Adalante in later years).

 

[Fearless]

Lovely memory! They had the same type of thing on Virgin Cross Country (before they split to become West Coast and XC). I well remember getting kids' packs when travelling up to Derby to see my nephews. They even had two types of pack, one for older and one for younger children. The backpacks they came in were quite sturdy and saw a few years' use afterwards.

There was also onboard entertainment via headphones, with a choice of music channels. I still have the headphones, but the entertainment is long gone. (You could say that about the experience of travelling as well, these days!)

 

[pdeaves]

The family carriage was just the one next to the buffet where (potentially boisterous) families were encouraged to sit; just the same as people who want peace and quiet are encouraged to use the quiet carriage. Next to the buffet meant it was easy to get things to eat/drink and get the activity packs.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Lovely memory! They had the same type of thing on Virgin Cross Country (before they split to become West Coast and XC). I well remember getting kids' packs when travelling up to Derby to see my nephews. They even had two types of pack, one for older and one for younger children. The backpacks they came in were quite sturdy and saw a few years' use afterwards.

There was also onboard entertainment via headphones, with a choice of music channels. I still have the headphones, but the entertainment is long gone. (You could say that about the experience of travelling as well, these days!)

Ah yes I remember somone in school having a Virgin Trains backpack for kids. Also new a girl with a full set of West Coast Route Modernisation stationery in Year 10-sadly she didn't convey any strong opinions about it.

I also remember the lovely Virgin Cola they served on Virgin Trains in the late 90s, although I am unsure if they tasted any different to Pepsi.

The family carriage was just the one next to the buffet where (potentially boisterous) families were encouraged to sit; just the same as people who want peace and quiet are encouraged to use the quiet carriage. Nest to the buffet meant it was easy to get things to eat/drink and get the activity packs.

Yes that fits in with my memory. I remember the carriage being bedlam, and possibly why we never travelled in one again!

 

[co-tr-paul]

Still have some packs in the loft ! E coach which still had tables with all seats and baby change loo. Stopped when the HST refurb into dymamic lines/mtu took place starting 2004/5. Friday nights also saw them as the pub coach..... !!