Great Western Coffee Shop

Just wondering if this is a common one because apart from the member of staff that used to work the cotswolds line who is universally hated by all staff who work for him (I don't think I've overstepped the bounds if I have delete the above mods)

My normal behaviour is this - get on in F, dump bags and claim table. Retreat to lavs to change from work gear to slob gear.  Go to express cafe bar (nee buffet) to get what is desired.

did exactly the same tonight

TM came through and asked for tickets - I said, I need to get one off you, my bags are over there come get me I'm going to nailsea.  He insisted on waiting until I finished my purchase, escorted me back to my seat and then sold me a single from reading to nailsea with my railcard - so hardly a jobs worth.

I felt about six inches high

The reason I did not have a ticket is I had to go to the vodafone shop to get a dongle since Three doesnt work well in portishead and after filing in the forms I ran through the barrier with my bracknell return and jumped on in F as the doors were being locked.


YEs I know I should have allowed time etc etc etc

However

Is buffet hanging a real fare dodge as this is the first time other than the afore mentioned eejit I've ever come across someone questioning it

In his defence as I was getting off he recognised me from another line and apologised!

Thing is, if you'd bought your ticket first you could've had all those wonderful freebies they offer 1st class passengers.  ;)

Suspect however, you wanted a Diet Coke, yeah?

Still getting the railcard discount I see. Good on ya!   ;D

Yup.  The old 'join the queue at the buffet as the ticket collector comes through and study what's in the shelves' is up there with the old 'pretend to be asleep, even when hit with a Bardic lamp' and the good old 'sudden urge to spend 20 minutes in the toilet' wheezes.

It is quite amazing how popular the toilet can be with schoolkids on some SVB line services - especially those travelling just one stop.

The trick is to take 50 other people with you, a few bicycles, pushchair, large dog and crying baby (Maritime line the other day) and the guard just gives up, or the doors don't get opened ::)

... and they bluddy hurt, too!

I know, because I hit someone with one once - purely by accident, honestly!! - and it cut his eyebrow open: there was blood all over the place.  :o ::) :-[

I have a more recent version which has a halogen white beam and high-output LEDs for the coloured signals, all of which could probably be seen from space if you put your mind to it. And it doesn't take the weird AD28 Bardic battery.

But it's nowhere near as good for hand-to-hand combat.

Had BTP on the 08.03 Bri - Avn this morning.  Still didn't get a ticket though!  A free ride to Redland as usual!

I trust you boarded at Lawrence Hill, Stapleton Road or Montpelier and not Temple Meads.

put a voyager on the route that will fix things

Sorry, badly worded!

I had a ticket, I travelled from Yate.

I was referring to the school children who didn't have and didn't purchase a ticket!

SPORTIS Machines were better...a guard once broke someones jaw with one in the days of BR

What railcard discount are you entitled to in 1st class?

Senior Railcard and Disabled Railcard only

Thought so. What about Forces?

I know you can use YP and Family on Advance Fares but not walk up

16-25 railcard entitles you to discounts on ADVANCE tickets on first class. I emphasise the advance as officially this is the only discount available witht he railcard despite what you hear may happen with others as this seemsto be at conductors discretion

Welcome to the Coffee Shop forum, railwayfan.  :)

Full details for each different type of railcard are here (http://www.railcard.co.uk).

 Slighty off subject, but on the Southern in the slam-door days, seem to remember they had a choice of arsenal.
 From the conveniently shaped wooden 'paddles', short circuit bars and hook switches.

Family on Standard only whether advance or not.

IIRC you can get YP discount on First Off Peak Day Returns...

I recall an incident where I asked for a First Off Peak Day Return from a ticket office with DSB railcard... However the clerk issued me a ticket with YP discount by accident...! However, I don't know if they were allowed to do this, so I won't post the station name ;)

Did not think the ticket office systems actually had that loaded in them!