Great Western Coffee Shop

For Christmas I would like a train which runs on time, where I can get a seat, the heating works and tickets get checked. You do do miracles, don't you?!

Dear Santa, I don't want as much.

Not too bothered about seating, heating or punctanctality - 5 or 10 minute delays not a problem.  I would just like a train when I need it.  And - yes - I would like tickets checked so that the bean counters know how well used it is.

When I need it?  Ten trains each way a day, serving our local station (town catchement aroung 24,000 within a couple of miles) would be adequate.   I know that's a lot less that many other towns of similar size get, but we're not wanting to be greedy.

To misquote meatloaf (or probably more correctly Jim steinman) 1 out of 4 ain't bad (on this mornings journey)

Sadly, for both of us , I think hell will freeze over first !

I wouldn't be so pessimistic. I look at so many examples of smaller towns with more services calling or even running to the town and terminating ... Clitheroe, Alloa, Ely, Barton-on-Humber, Sheringham, Llandudno, Matlock, Bradford-on-Avon, Pewsey, so it really shouldn't be such a big issue, and we've produced the research, reports and trial loading evidence that's been asked for  ;)

Back to my original post I have decided to be more realstic and ask for something alot simpler - a FGW jacket...I have two reasons for this..

1) I think they look smart and
2) It appears to allow the wearer to enjoy first class travel at a reduced cost.

Dear santa,

Please create a system where you can purchase plusbus to get to a station without needing to go to the station in the first place to buy the bus ticket required to get to the station.

Oh and a new 42" tv would be nice too   :D

↑ +1.  ;D (Although buying online in conjunction with your train ticket and ahead of time can get your PlusBus ticket delivered to your door, but I understand where you're coming from)

Not too fussed about the 42" TV though.  ;)

I'm sure you are jesting, but passing yourself off as a FGW employee could land you in a whole heap of trouble.....  :P

As we are in the 'Lighter Side' my list to Santa this year comprises thus:

1) A First Class 'go anywhere' annual Season Ticket.
2) A Triumph Stag in British Racing Green (or a Jensen Interceptor.... not fussed)
3) A harbourside apartment in Bristol.
4) Vicki Butler Henderson (or Julia Bradbury.... again not fussed)

 ;D

All I'd like (on the ex Thames train so local services) is.. some space to breath.. Not terribly worried about a seat but I think breathing is quite important :-)

Santa may just grant you that wish, Jo.

Although maybe not until Spring 2012....

Not just in time for the...erm.. Olympics then huh? ooh I am still too cynical... More seriously though I still don't quite know how FGW get away with it all.. Having travelled with other train companies..

A few years back I was given a dark green jacket/overcoat type thing by a member of the family.  I was always being stopped on platforms and being asked when the next train to so and so was.  I therefore gave up wearing it and eventually it went to Oxfam.   I am fairly confident no one will get me a purple coloured one..... :D

Wearing a hi-vis bib/jerkin whilst on a train station is almost guaranteed to see you being asked for train information by random members of the public. Whether you work for the railways or not.

Even just standing next to someone wearing hi-vis (*ahem* Chris from Nailsea) at Temple Meads can see you being approached and asked which platform the next train to Bath is departing from.

I was able to provide the info but had to make it clear that I was only a 'normal' and told the lass that she should double-check with real railway staff. I was only there to count passengers on Severn Beach line services!

I had specifically obtained a similar hi-viz vest for bignosemac to wear on that day, but he politely declined it ...  :o

Dear Santa,

I wish people would stop mistaking me for South Eastern HS train managers. (I don't own a single pinstripe suit and I also don't own a thin blue/white strip shirt).
I also wish for the DLR to work every weekend I'm in London.
I too wish more ticket checks are done.

Dear Santa,

Catering on the Weymouth Trains Please ;D

And return of the Loco Hauled Sets, this time with an RFB ;D

Ta

Dear Santa
Could also arrange for trains to be running between Thatcham and reading and reading and reigate between Christmas and the new year so I can go to work on the Wednesday and Friday?


I will try and be reasonably awake so I don't get confused by the platform number changes!

Last week, I was wearing a light green T-shirt underneath a black coat at Milton Keynes Central.  Same colour as London Midland staff, albeit without the tie.  I can understand why some platform staff get frustrated.  I was asked incredibly stupid things like "is this platform 2?" and "where is this train going?" (when the bloke was starting at a sign that said London Euston).

I can see how it might seem "incredibly stupid" but my son inadvertenly taught me a valuable lesson a few years back on a busy station platform.

A middle aged, fairly well dressed chap comes up to us, standing as we were in clear sight of a huge electronic timetable, and very politely asks for details of trains to xxxxx and which platform they leave from. As I explained the options, my young son blurted out (as children are wont to do!) "Why doesn't he read the timetable, Daddy?" - whereupon the guy smiled sadly and said "I don't read and write too well, son. Let that be a lesson to you to work hard in school"

Several years ago I ended up having to go straight from work at one of my holiday jobs to Heathrow to wave off an elderly relative who was emigrating, with no time to change out of uniform (although ties/badges etc removed, obviously). I ended up hanging round terminal 4 departures wearing a short-sleeved white shirt and black trousers, with predictable results ::)