Great Western Coffee Shop

This forum exists to provide a friendly place in which we (as customers of the train services west from Paddington, east from Penzance, south from Worcester and north from Dorset can talk about both the good and the bad of the travel services we have.   And we value hugely the interaction of operational and planning and other raisl staff too - the forum wouldn't be half of what it is without them.

The perspective of a commuter from Reading - his / her issues - differ hugely from the issues of an occasional traveller from Melksham, and what's sometimes a legitimate and reasonable question about a 15 minute gap in service at one location can be read at being provocative by someone who's just seen (according to the National Rail web site) a reduction from 2 trains to just one per day - and that at a quarter past six in the morning - on his line.

And a train user who's a great expert in - let us say - Mozart won't have the same knowledge as some of our more inquisitive members who have time in their regular study schedules to study rail services in great depth.  So questions may be asked that are obvious to one person, but new to another.

We're here as a resource and I want to encourage ALL these points of views / postings and become even for of an a resource for the future.  But if posts are made that upset the friendly nature we could become a clique, and an irrellevance.   But, my goodness, it's an easy boundary to step over.  So can I say the following to folks:

If you're a new member then you are very welcome indeed.
* Posting - even if it's a repeated issue or you'r not sure where
* Ask questions of your fellow board members
* The moderators are here to help you.

For established members
* Remember that newcomers may not be as used to an abrasive tone if that's your style, even if the rest of us are.
* Always look for and push the positive and don't make assumptions.

It is easy - too easy - to be misunderstood in the printed word; think a little about what you write (but don't let the warning stop you writing).  And if you see something that offends, give the writer the benefit of the doubt - yet don't be reluctant to ask the moderators or indivisual for clarifiaction - you'll usually find it's just his way, or totally innocent.

Grahame, I hope this Coffee Shop is open to ANYONE who uses First Great Western, as Input from occasional FGW users, especially those that Use other TOCs like ATW, ONE, SOUTHERN etc can give good insight into the OTHERSIDE and make comments how FGW (DON'T) rate alongside the other TOCs.

The Coffee Shop is indeed open to anyone who travels, works or takes an interest in FGW which basically means everyone is welcome to join in who want to discuss issues affecting the FGW rail network but we also have a section for other ways to travel and a section for things that are happening in the 'Western Region'.