Great Western Coffee Shop

If I had a discounted advance first class ticket, and the advertised Pullman service was not available on the booked train, would I be entitled to use the following service ?

Thinking of travel from Taunton to London. If I had a ticket for the 13-34, and the advertised Pullman was not available, would I be able to use the ticket on the 14-23 instead.

I would hazard a guess that you wouldn't be 'entitled' to use it, though I would hope that you would be allowed on to a discretionary basis if you spoke to a member of staff and explained the circumstances.

Guess the problem might be if the Pullman/restaurant on the next service was fully booked?

zero entitlement, but you can certainly ask....

Isn't the problem that the only person you can show discretion is the TM of the later train. If they say no then you are snookered as the earlier train is long gone.

I saw a case recently whereby somebody claimed the platform staff said it was ok to board an earlier train and the TM was having none of it.

I suspect you could get it endorsed as "valid on next train" by the conductor on the one with the missing Pulman

Slight problem though, if I intend to board at Taunton and observe the absence of the advertised Pullman as the train pulls in, I rather doubt that I could locate the conductor and ask them to endorse my ticket before the train leaves. With me either on the service without the Pullman, or left on the platform without having had the ticket endorsed.

What about setting out a little earlier with an Off Peak Day Return Taunton to Exeter St Davids?

Take either the 1159 XC Paignton service or 1215 XC Plymouth service.

Then you can board the first Pullman at Exeter St Davids, see the lie of the land, speak with TM if need be, then step back to the second Pullman at Taunton if required and allowed.

There speaks the voice of experience.

Once I have stepped back at Totnes from the 12:01 ex Plymouth to the 12:56 due to kitchen problems.

As the train manager came through the dining section I explained my predicament and he was happy to allow me travel admitting he wasn't going to ask for tickets until people had finished their meals anyway. 

If worst comes to worst, there's always Burger King when you get to Paddington? 😉