Great Western Coffee Shop

The content seems to have become a bit stale on the Volo TV screens leading me to wonder if it is to be phased out.

Looking at this tweet today on @FGW it would seem to be the case.

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/tweet1204.jpg)

I have grown tired of most of the programmes on Volo - but I will miss the moving map.

No surprise there....it was out of date before being installed.

It hasn't worked on the last 2 or 3 services I've tried using it on.

I wonder if the service will continue on the Night Riviera?

Even there, the programme selection has not changed in well over a year.

The map doesn't stay on! It goes back to the home page after a few mins.

If you press the zoom button every now and then it will stay on the map, it's still a bit inconvenient though.

Never watched it so wouldn't miss it - WiFi a much better idea.

Hey!

I have just asked them on twitter and got this responce

I would imagine most passengers would prefer investment to be made in fitting plug sockets*.  Then at least you can provide your own entertainment (downloaded programmes, DVDs, music etc) on your own device.

* = is this technically possible on the sleeper stock?

There is a 240v mains supply to each compartment for the shaver socket but probably not designed to take much current. 

Replacing the shaver socket with a mains socket in its current location would not be either very convenient for users or indeed safe given it is just above the wash basin.

There is also a greater chance of misuse given the nature of the compartment compared to the sockets in HST stock - after all you wouldn't want people plugging in hair dryers or straighteners!

Some sockets in the lounge car would be a start however.

The Draft ITT (http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/images/Rail/Sleeper_Draft%20_ITT_Rev2.1.pdf#page=37) for the next Caledonian Sleeper franchise issued by Transport Scotland specifies power sockets throughout the train (provided at minimum of per berth, per couchette/seat, and with a reasonable number in the social/catered area), be that in the existing stock or new build.

I've accidentally boarded one of these carriages then swiftly moved to the next one. I didn't like the idea of a screen right in front of me distracting me with flickering images that I haven't asked to see. I've no problem watching a film or TV on my mobile (or tablet if I ever get one) though because I am in control of that.

A moving map? Just use the wifi and watch Google maps on your phone to see where you are.

Incidentally I didn't see any mention about whether the wifi will be free or chargeable.

 

It has an 'off' button.  ;)


WiFi will be free aboard all 53 FGW High Speed Trains and the Night Riviera fleet.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/Media-Centre/2013/December-2013/First-Great-Western-announces-major-WiFi-expansion-plans

The maps are the only thing I've used on the Volo screens. Not everyone has a smartphone (I don't, my mobile is just for calls/texts) or wants to pay for downloading all the Google Maps data (although the latter will be resolved if FirstGW install free WiFi). Also, I don't know if the Volo maps use GPS or are actually linked to the train's speedometer. If the latter then a phone is never going to provide the same information.

Loading Google Maps over Train WiFi is also a very bad idea... Uses a huge amount of Bandwidth and it would never work reliably. You'd be best using 3G, H+ or 4G if available. But even then that will be slow and use a chunk of your Data Allowance.

A few apps will do a speedometer on Android and iPhone devices which uses GPS. Pretty accurate from what I've seen too.

Then of course there is Google Location History which plots where you go (or where your phone does)...

(https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10173757_10202052651933780_8399413410027662882_n.jpg)

Better still to use an OpenStreetMap-based offline maps app - I use MapsWithMe, but many others are available. (The existing Volo maps are OSM-based, too.)

OK, I didn't know that. When I got on at Paddington last year all the screens seemed to be already on in the empty seats.
Offline maps are good because you only have to worry about a GPS connection. In the past I have used offline Google maps overseas to avoid roaming fees but you can only download tiles or multiples of tiles several miles across (I can't remember the size). When visiting Berlin and Hamburg in the last few years I needed to download two overlapping tiles for the west and east of the cities. I could then see where I was on the train journey to / from the airport. For a journey like London to Bristol this would probably be impractical. I also use Navmii but this is more for driving and walking along roads.

My tomtom seems to do the trick nicely. Not wanting to leave it in the car, I've often had it on the train and been able to locate where I am and how fast travelling at. I once was using it and the railway was adjacent to a road, and it was giving me speed camera alerts, and it was giving warnings to my speed as the train was considerably in excess of the limit on the adjacent road.

Oh wow I didn't realise it did that. Creepy

GCHQ is watching you, devon_metro ...  ;) :D ;D

And then passing the data on to the CIA "in accordance with a strict legal and policy framework". Lol

No need now - it's posted on here  ;D.

You won't be complaining when the data is used to catch a criminal. or provide you with an alibi.

This "police state UK" hysteria we have is nonsense. If you've nothing to hide...

You did notice the various smileys and the 'Lol' used in preceding posts I presume? If not, may I suggest you set your irony filter to manual.  :P ;) ;D

Careful, you'll get sacked by the Daily Mail for posting things like that...  ;D

The fact that you think you are innocent doesn't mean that you are not guilty...

I've already been sacked. Apparently, I'm too extreme and controversial...

Oh dear, Thought Crime. Double Plus bad.