Great Western Coffee Shop

Was on the insomniac special from WOS (currently in virgin lounge at heathrow supping champers but I digress.....)

As we sped through Slough, passengers started to try to make their way from standard through the buffet - using the excuse the train is 10 minutes late (signalling issue at Radley)  so they need to get to the front ASAP.

The host who got on at Didcot to do the TRolley effectively barred their way.  Refused to let them pass insisting (rightly) that they did not have first tickets therefore they were not allowed to stand in first and that genuine first passengers should not have to queue to get off the train behind them or stand the last portion of the journey in order to be at the head of the queue.  Some upper class **** was very insulting and insisted on her name and line manager - all of which she supplied quite happily since she knew she was right.

So after the few scattered passengers in first had made their way to the vestibules she lets them pass........and I take great pleasure being very slow getting my two large suitcases through the door and off onto the platform - just to make them wait longer - the one I wasnt moving got left blocking the door - I was in no hurry since my flight doesnt leave until 1150!  Of course I could have gotten the 630 and made it but I dont trust the trains well enough to cut it that fine! 

It really is irritating though the charge of the light brigade through first on approach to paddington - only thing more annoying is the reverse charge with people who seem to think it is quicker to jump on in first and wander THROUGH the train

I hope the passenger does complain and gets short shrift from customer services!

I know it's been discussed about swapping the 1st Class from the London end to the Bristol end as virtually every service leaving Paddington has late comers getting on at the back and having to walk through 1st Class. Also, there's the Slough lot who (and the reason escapes me) would rather try and stand in 1st Class than walk 100 metres where there's usually plenty of seats in A and B. Another advantage is with bikes as I'm sure any of use who've used the station on a regular basis has seen cyclists legging it down the platform with seconds to spare - sometimes doing that 'one leg on the wrong pedal and scootering along' technique - where you have far less control over your bike!

Downside is that all the 1st Class punters would have further to walk on arrival or departure from Paddington (and a lot of signage would need changing), but I can't help thinking it would be a good idea. Perhaps you could give FGW some feedback and help push them into at least trialling it FallenAngel?

Not only walking through 1st class at Paddington, but nicking the newspapers as well! I'm sure if there was bottled water and biscuits at each table like NXEC, those would be pilfered as well.

I've certainly already given FGW feedback to the effect that I would welcome reverse-forming trains as standard practice out of Paddington, largely for all the good reasons given above.

Kudos to the customer host in question though - wish I'd been there to see that!

This morning the 06:54 HST from Twyford was in reverse formation and the conductor was actually asking standing passengers to move forward to coaches A & B at the front where there were spare seats!

Reversing operations at Paddington would be very umpopular with First Class passengers. One of the prime advantages being the ability to be first out of the main entrance of the station after arrival, whether to street, tube or taxi rank. It's a damn good perk to those travellers. 

Well, as I say, I'm a regular First Class passenger arriving at Padington, and I would definitely prefer to arrive and depart from the Western end of the platforms.

Then again, I usually exit the station on the Hammersmith and City line, so I often end up fighting my way back up the platform against the tide on arrival!

Don't think it'll happen, as it is one "perk" of travelling First Class. To remove it would further erode the value of a First Class ticket.

As for bikes, and people "legging it" - just shut the platforms, a la Charing Cross, 2 minutes before departure.

Phil made a good point - a large number of inbound HST customers use the H&C so would have no issues with being at the western end. I have not heard many grumbles from the 1st class customers when arriving or leaving Paddington on a set in reverse formation

Couldn't agree more. Can't ever really relax until the train finally pulls out of Paddington for all the hoards making their way through to standard brushing past you with bags, luggage etc. Its far easier to walk along the platform rather than in a confined space. I don't have a problem with reversing the formation, EMT do it so why not. It does have its advantages though having 1st at the front if you are in a hurry but with changes to the way the Circle line operates coming in December using the H&C line platforms may be a better bet anyway.

I bet punters at Bristol Temple Meads, Cardiff Central etc will like that then, miles from the stairs. Plus at places such as Exeter St Davids the great unwashed wait in that area, so might cause more problems than its worth tbh!

Swings and roundabouts... punters at Pewsey wouldn't have so far to go - in fact, first class customers would have the luxury of stepping out onto an actual platform!

I have the solution.......luxury golf carts for all 1st class punters ;D ;D

FGW won't do it. They won't want to risk bad publicity and boycotts from their most important passengers!

you maybe wrong Btline, rumour is that FGW are looking into the possibilty of turning all sets.

For what reason?

The H&C line is the least used of all LU lines, so I doubt there are crowds scurrying to the H&C line platforms.

There will be from December. And even now if you arrive at the country end of Paddington, it's a lot quicker to get to the H&C line platforms then trudge all the way to the Circle line (and then wait 10 minutes for a train going beyond Edgware Road).

I'm a bit worried that the staircase on the H&C will get horribly overcrowded. It already does sometimes, and that's without the greater volume of pax that will be using it. 

Not really, as SDO Operation just means the driver would pull down further so that the TGS (Coach A) is platformed!!

On the subject of first class though, why can't FGW just retro fit the old barrier to the buffet cars that read "First class passengers only beyond this point" ( or words to that effect! ), these were suprisingly effective deterents!  You could also apply them at the end of the new micro buffet sets, as the reason for painting the yellow line and "1" symbols on the buffet end of these standard class only vehicles is to discourage standard class passengers from board that end!!

I have an awful habit of jinxing the H&C. Whenever I get on a train at Padd it limps to Edgware Road and breaks. It's a bit like my mysterious Portsmouth-Cardiff curse where you can almost guarantee if I'm there it'll be on of those rare occasions when it's 2-car 150 vice 3-car 158...

In terms of yearly footfall, I think that the least busiest line is the Waterloo and City.

They're not doing it for that reason, it's generally easier at the majority of stations for FC to be at the country end and also allows for the TM to dispatch from the TGS at Pad

At EXD it always seems a little harsh that first class have to get wet when it rains.  Having said that, it always delays crew changes as the TM inevitably puts their bags in the TGS at the front and then strolls to the rear, but would cut it out on the down-London services.

I witnessed at Plymouth the other day the Penzance-Plymouth unit arriving to connect with the 1657 PLY-PAD with about 3 minutes before departure and as the train was in reverse formation floods of people were getting on G/F until the TM started barking instructions not to board unless you were holding FC tickets.

I must be lucky - I got on one at Southampton the other day and it was a 2.150+3.158 combo. Always seems a bit odd to see a catering trolley on a Silverlink liveried 150 for some reason though...  :o

Paul

I wish more on train staff would be a bit stricter about keeping standard class passenger out of first class accomadation !
First class appears to be open to all between Paddington and Reading, with tickets usually only checked West of Reading.

As for running HSTs with FC at the country end, I think that this would be an improvement, despite the longer walk at  Paddington.
Anyway, the new trains will probably be suburban mulitple units with FC at random locations, rather than one end.

So FGW are going to turn the sets around, after putting up HST Stop markers (of both 2+7 and 2+8) everywhere, putting signs and posters up telling where bikers should wait, made special arrangements at WOF lest the signal prevents the guard's van being platformed, AND moving the disabled area to fit onto more platforms.

Once again, great long term planning FGW!

Ditto up services at Swindon.

Has this actually been confirmed then?

And, apart from the odd exception, the stop car markers will still be used and won't need moving - they'll just be used the other way round more often. The situation at Foregate Street won't change at all (though 1st Class carriages will be more often in the platform), and the disabled area will surely still fit on exactly the same number of platforms as it does now?

So, it's just the bike signs (which are easily moved) and some small signs on some platforms telling you where coaches should stop that would need changing. Stop making mountains out of mole hills.

If it is something that is going to benefit first class passengers, then why shouldn't they try it ?

How about the TM just dispatches from a normal door panel at the rear at PAD, and then checks the first class tickets before RDG, slight issue with bikes in the TGS but surely platform staff can help with that! *Puts big wooden spoon away*

I have to say - between PAD and RDG - it is normally ONLY first class that is checked by the TM.  After RDG - its ratre first gets a check at all and it mainly seems to be SC

Well that my experience on the Cotswolds

I don't know whether it's been confirmed. But other people in this thread think so.


But (a) it won't benefit them, as all non H&C passengers (i.e. most) will have a longer walk!

and (b) it's being done for other reasons.

And shutting the platforms 2 mins before departure would prevent bikes delaying despatch.

There will be more people using them from December this year as if you want to go east of Edgware Road on the Circle without changing you will have to use the current H&C platforms.

And the H&C service frequency will be doubled.

But there is also the Backerloo and the Southbound Circle. And Crossrail from 2017, which should take the pressure of the LU.

Well, going on what two regular 1st Class travellers have said on here (Phil and FallenAngel), they would welcome the change. Any other regulars out there got an opinion? Perhaps the changes will mean they have less of a walk at the other end in some cases though? I've no doubt if they did change it then there would be mumblings of discontent amongst some 1st Class passengers, but if FGW take the time to explain the benefits perhaps they'd see it differently?

I only travell about every 2 weeks so am not a frequent customer, but would wecome the change.

I'd have no problem with Paddington whether I'm travelling standard or first (it varies). And it does seem strange that 1st passengers get wet at Swindon. So I'd vote for it.

First Class passengers can afford coats and umbrellas!  ;) ;D :P :-X

And can equally forget them, or not take them when travelling 50 miles to a destination that turns out to be surprisingly more rainy than the place they set out from (especially if that destination is Swindon  >:() 

Does anyone know if first class is to be moved to the country end ? or is it only a proposal ?

Nobody knows for sure but we do seem to be agreed now that it's a proposal at least.