Kids' play areas on Chiltern loco-hauled

[AY1975]

Has anyone seen this item on the BBC news site about kids' play areas on the Chiltern loco-hauled trains:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-co...train-where-kids-get-a-carriage-to-themselves

A rail operator is trialling family-friendly carriages designed to keep children occupied on journeys.
Chiltern Railways has been laying on board games, toys and craft materials on some services running from Birmingham to London via Warwickshire, Banbury and High Wycombe.

As far as I know this is the first of its kind on any train service on the National Rail network, although Great Western had dedicated Family Carriages in the early days of privatisation (in fact, I think FGW still had them until a few years ago, although the concept doesn't work as well with the present day largely unidirectional seat layout as when they had more seats around tables). There, kids were just given activity packs, though: they didn't have an actual play area.

Similarly, Grand Central HSTs have board games on the tables, and I believe you can hire playing pieces for them from the buffet for a small deposit.

Trains in some countries in mainland Europe, including France, Germany and Switzerland, have had kids' play areas for a number of years.

I wonder if the idea will ever catch on in the UK?

 

[6Gman]

"Could this be the future?"

I hope not.

 

[waterboo]

I really like this idea.
If this was an option on select off-peak services, I really do think that this would push families from crowding peak hour services with buggies ect... to using services where the children can play around without attracting negative attention!

 

[xotGD]

Never mind a play area, they need to have a flail area!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

"Could this be the future?"

I hope not.

Whyever not?

I'm all for it, as long as it's soundproofed!

 

[XCTurbostar]

Its a solution to a problem which I don't think exists..

Thanks,
Ross

 

[GW43125]

Never mind a play area, they need to have a flail area!

Well, after all us "bashers" could be classed as children too...

 

[CommuterPigeon]

Chiltern's loco-hauled services cart a lot of fresh air around during the day so it seems like a pretty nice and harmless initiative to get more people to use their services.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

As soon as I saw this in the news I thought that it's too early for April Fools Day

 

[adamello]

Its a solution to a problem which I don't think exists..

Thanks,
Ross

Why would you be trying to see it as a problem / fix - rather than the TOC adding it to the passenger experience and therefore selling point, something that keeps the young'uns occupied my encourage the use of the trains for families



also for those that would appreciate kids being kept out of their way in their own compartment so little johnny doesn't disturb your journey

 

[hwl]

also for those that would appreciate kids being kept out of their way in their own compartment so little johnny doesn't disturb your journey

Some parents travelling with (a) kid(s) will probably prefer to stay out of the kids coach so it won't be as beneficial as you might think for those looking for peace and quiet unless you make it compulsory...

 

[talltim]

Was glad of a play area on a 7 hour train journey with a 2 year old in Norway. Not sure it's quite as relevant in the length of Chiltern journies

 

[DarloRich]

As always anything to do with children will get a negative response on this board.

Anyone who has actually watched the link video should see that offering a family friendly environment for travel is a good idea. All Chiltern have done is create a family carriage and tart it up with some balloons and games. The haven't installed a slide, swings and a climbing frame for goodness sake :roll:

Surely this is a good idea to try and generate some off peak family group travel to London. Coupled with a decent railcard reduced family ticket this could be a really good idea. A trip to London by train is a big deal when you are a small child.

You also miss a big positive - The majority of you who seem to pathologically hate children will know which coach to avoid and so wont be bothered by them!

 

[urpert]

As someone who a) likes trains b) has two small children, I think it’s an excellent idea.

 

[Deafdoggie]

They haven't installed a slide, swings and a climbing frame for goodness sake :roll:

well I'm not interested anymore then

 

[DarloRich]

well I'm not interested anymore then

a major oversight on their part i feel. I hoped for a ball pit at the very least. No sandpit either.

What kind of cut rate operation are they running?

 

[GW43125]

a major oversight on their part i feel. I hoped for a ball pit at the very least. No sandpit either.

What kind of cut rate operation are they running?

The inner child in me was hoping for that. I don't know why as there's no way I'd be allowed to use it!

 

[mpthomson]

I went on a Danish intercity train in I think 1999 that had a children's play area at the end of a carriage. Fabulous idea.

 

[pdeaves]

View it as the opposite of a 'quiet carriage'. If you want somewhere where a bit more noise is not frowned upon, go here, otherwise 'as you were' in the other carriages.

 

[BestWestern]

It's a touch unfortunate that the thing seems to be held together with the inevitable hazard tape!

 

[boxy321]

I wish they'd have a teenager only coach with all opposing seats and dog ***** all over them where feet up is a requirement for carriage.

Seats could be pre-slashed and windows recovered weekly so they can be tagged using scribes, screwdrivers or whatever is the fashion.

After a klaxxon going off continuously on this morning's train from Moor St. personal music players weren't an issue. I couldn't escape the rear carriage either as the door didn't operate to the next coach.

 

[topydre]

Brilliant idea!
Much easier for the parents than the old version (on the Intercity 225 to NRM York!)

 

[goblinuser]

When will the Chiltern Franchise end?

 

[Be3G]

Great Western had dedicated Family Carriages in the early days of privatisation (in fact, I think FGW still had them until a few years ago, although the concept doesn't work as well with the present day largely unidirectional seat layout as when they had more seats around tables)

I don't know when FGW stopped offering family carriages either, but I definitely remember reading marketing blurb saying that one of the advantages of said carriage was the greater number of tables offered within it compared to the rest of the train.

 

[jopsuk]

When will the Chiltern Franchise end?

The current franchise runs until the end of 2021, just short of 20 years- specifically, 3rd March 2002 to December 21st 2021. It is of course the same company (having changed ownership) that ran the initial franchise 21st July 1996 to 2nd March 2002.

 

[goblinuser]

The current franchise runs until the end of 2021, just short of 20 years- specifically, 3rd March 2002 to December 21st 2021. It is of course the same company (having changed ownership) that ran the initial franchise 21st July 1996 to 2nd March 2002.

Thank you for that detailed information, is there a site where all the franchises are listed with start and end dates?

 

[Via Bank]

Finnish Railways seem to have a similar arrangement on their double-decker intercity trains.

If there's the space for it, why not?

 

[The Planner]

Thank you for that detailed information, is there a site where all the franchises are listed with start and end dates?

Google is your friend, do a search on franchise timetable or similar and your prayers will be answered.

 

[jopsuk]

Thank you for that detailed information, is there a site where all the franchises are listed with start and end dates?

It's a bit where Wikipedia is accurate and well sourced.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I dont as a general rule sign Children however provided this isnt installed directly behing the loco then go for it. Keep the kids entertained and stop them interupting the thrash or indeed coming randemly into the enthusiasts accom and wondering where Mr tibbles is having miss interpreted an overheard platform convo by 2 cranks who were confirming with eachother that there was a cat on this train!