Great Western Coffee Shop

I have noticed that the wheelchair accessible  toilet on a few of the HST's that I use on my regular commute are often locked out of order. Have fgw started locking them for wheelchair users only or are they genuinely broken?

Edit: sorry no offense intended, have changed the title

I've also noticed recently a few HSTs with Coach C missing, the one with the disabled toilet (I usually travel in C on the way home as it's nearest the exit at Twyford). Is there any connection with the issue of broken toilets? I wouldn't have thought that any fix would be so major as to need the coach removed from the train.

As far as I know, it's a bog standard procedure...

Well, who disabled the toilet, anyway....? ;D

there are door issues with the disabled toilets.  That may have something to do with it

Quite. I think the generally-accepted term is now 'accessible'...

Does that mean the other toilets, which are non- Equality Act compliant, need to be officially termed, 'inaccessible'?  :D

The door issues being that someone keeps locking them?

I was on the 1703 to EXD tonight which had an extra stop at TWY and one coach was missing, no prizes for guessing which one! It all seems too much of a coincidence - or is it?

This thread keeps bringing to mind Armstrong and Miller's very wonderful 'Train Song' - I won't post a link, but it's easy enough to find on YouTube.

This mornings train had coach c substituted by a first class carriage.

Has anyone else had to play "Toilet Guard" outside the disabled toilet in Coach C?

What I mean by this is that you end up sitting on one of the 3 fold-down chairs which are opposite the automatic toilet door.  A person then comes along to use the toilet but then fails to lock it either because the lock is broken or they forget/can't work out how to!  You then have to warn away any person coming along that there's "someone in there" in your new role of Toilet Guard so as to prevent an unfortunate viewing!  :o

Boppy.

Whilst 'Guard' is the official legal term for many on train staff, they of course go by different names in their public facing role. So I'd suggest Lavatory Conductor, or Train Conveniences Manager.

Yes indeed, plus I find that role often involves helping people to open the sometimes rather sticky and under-sensitive power sliding door between the toilet/folding seat area and the main seated accommodation.  :(