No Standard Class standees in First Class vestibules.

[whole diary]

[Worcester_Passenger]

Incidentally, East Midlands First Class scores some points over FGW^▸ (First Great Western); china crockery laid out on table, prompt at-seat service, glossy 'welcome' brochure incorporating menus and a little more generous with the freebies (!). However, the seating layout of the Meridians (?) is poor, with several seats having no window and the general feel and decor inferior to FGW HST^▸ (High Speed Train). Long live the Mk 3!

I travel occasionally on East Midlands Trains, but I'm in steerage. And on the Meridians, the experience is so so much better than the cattle truck that is an FGW HST. Light and open coaches, and tables as well.

[JayMac]

While the seating density of a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) Standard Class carriage is greater than a Meridian, surely more bums on seats is a good thing? With room for upwards of 20 extra seated passengers in a FGW HST Standard Class carriage over the old layout. That's 20 less standees. Cows don't get to sit down in their transport so I would hardly call it a cattle truck.

Unless I was Bob Crow. 

[Timmer]

This was tweeted by Nigel Harris editor of RAIL magazine this morning:

East Coast not just asking, now ORDERING standard px not to walk thru 1st class to leave train at KX!

It did seem a bit heavy handed. Very stern - you WILL be asked to return to your booked accommodation

Either this problem has got so bad on East Coast services that it was hard to ignore or East Coast are responding to complaints made by first class passengers or staff. Can't see how they can really enforce this without having a team of RPIs^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) on board.

[ChrisB]

The latter - and they're putting crew between Standard & 1st class & refusing entry.

The problem was getting so bad that the queue to alight was passing through more than the front coach - and people were racing each other to get to the front, so they were arriving earlier & earlier.

If I was paying those prices, I'd want the queue prevented too.

[broadgage]

On a recent* journey I was most impressed by the determination of the train manager in moving/attempting to move standard class passengers from first class.

On the 18-03 from Paddington, many customers with standard class tickets wanted to stand in F, obstructing the work of the catering crew.
When asked to move, many became abusive and claimed that they had no option but to stand in F owing to lack of space elswhere.

The train manager stated that seats woulld be available in A , and whilst I could not verify this for myself, I have no reason to doubt it.

Those standing then changed their complaint, and stated that they did NOT want to sit, but wanted to stand "with more room" i.e. in First.

The train manager suggested that in that case they should purchase first class tickets. "oh no, that is much too expensive"

Some of these passengers stated that they would write and complain about the actions of the train manager.

Whilst I could not hear everything, my impresion was that he acted correctly at all times, despite the poor behaviour of the passengers concerned, some of whom appeared drunk.

*Is it in order for me to state the date on which this occured ? That would indentify the train manager in question. Not certain if this is allowed ?

[ChrisB]

Does it really matter? This is a regular occurance on the 1803...

[smokey]

Does it really matter? This is a regular occurance on the 1803...

The 18.03 is advertised PICK UP only at Reading, yet when ever I catch it from Reading , you can't get ON for all those getting off.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) should do 3 things.

1 STOP TM^‡(resolve)'s from announcing Reading as a Calling point at Paddington and again when approaching Reading.

2 Put the RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) teams on board from Paddington, "Sorry that's a Ticket to Reading IT'S NOT Valid"
   Twice the Open Single PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) to Taunton is HOW MUCH

3 Get the TM to open only doors on Carriages F to A at Reading, there doesn't have to be any annoucement about G & H staying Locked Ther's NO ONE on board to get OFF

I tend only to use the "Golden Hind" from Reading (is the 18.03 from Pad still called the Golden Hind) but at Paddington is Reading shown as a calling point?

[broadgage]

Yes the 1803 is still called the Golden Hind.
I agree that as the Reading stop is meant to be pick up only, that it should not be announced at Paddington, nor on the train.

Although the timetable gives the Reading stop as pick up only, the train is still anounced as calling at Reading.

[smokey]

Yes but just keeping Coach G & H Locked will soon stop all the Standing in First Class.

[BandHcommuter]

Yes the 1803 is still called the Golden Hind.
I agree that as the Reading stop is meant to be pick up only, that it should not be announced at Paddington, nor on the train.

Although the timetable gives the Reading stop as pick up only, the train is still anounced as calling at Reading.

According to this timetable http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/TTs%20Apr%20'11/GW11M_TT07_WEB_V1.pdf I can use the 1803 to Reading except on Fridays. Good thing too because it relieves some of the overcrowding on the much busier 1800 and 1806.

[broadgage]

Interesting, as posted above, the timetable linked to in the previous post suggests that the Golden Hind may be used to travel from Paddington to Reading, except on Fridays.

This timetable thoughhttp://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Documents/Custom/TTs%20Apr%20'11/GW11M_TT04_WEB_V3.pdf
States that Reading is pick up only every weekday, not just Fridays.

One might hope that the information would at least be the same, no matter which current timetable was consulted.

[devon_metro]

Live Departure systems have a Reading call as arriving at 1830 and leaving at 1833. Presumably it's simply advertised incorrectly in the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) timetable.

[smokey]

Well having a Train Pick Up (or Set down) only being different is Just Dumb Stupid but then we are talking First Group here.

Anyway Last Time I boarded the Down Hind it was at Reading and on FRIDAY 2nd September and I had to wait for Dozens to Get OFF!

[dog box]

  As this is now one of the last Restaurant Trains running surely obstructing the work of the Catering Staff in providing a service in F is rather inconsiderate in the least.

[Ollie]

  As this is now one of the last Restaurant Trains running surely obstructing the work of the Catering Staff in providing a service in F is rather inconsiderate in the least.

Pretty sure there is a bylaw offence "interfering with railway business" or something along those lines.