The different types of Buffet Car on the GWML - Information Picture Heavy Piece!

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

Following on from some threads about differing types of Buffet Cars, I have decided to upload pictures of the 5 types of Buffet Cars in operation across the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line).

They are all based on Mk3 Carriages (Exception of the Class 180s) and are found in HST^▸ (High Speed Train) sets or the Sleeper Service sets.

I haven't got all the pictures with me, so I will upload the missing ones in due course. Please comment also if I have missed anything or got anything wrong

Lets start:

HST - The Micro Buffet:

Standard Class Seating with a very small Buffet Counter at the First Class end of the carriage, Toilet at the opposite end, The First Class Trolley is usually stowed next to the Buffet in the gangway between Coach F and G. It can also be stowed in the empty cupboard at the Power car end of Coach H in what used to be a toilet. It carries the vehicle code: TSMB

This Buffet CANNOT be used for Pullmans or Travelling Chefs. If the set is diagrammed for one of these catering services, the catering service is cancelled and an Express Cafe service provided instead as usual, A First Class atseat complimentary refreshment service by the usual trolley is normally provided.



HST - The Full Buffet with Small Kitchen:

First Class Seating with a Buffet Counter at the Standard Class end of the carriage, A small kitchen which can be used for Travelling Chefs but cannot serve the full menu. (IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly)). This is a Pullmans 2nd worst nightmare but the full silver service restaurant can be provided using this type of buffet, again with a reduced menu. A normal Express Cafe is provided in addition to any upgraded catering offerings. The small kitchen allows this buffet car to carry up to an extra 5 First Class Seats. There are no toilets found in this vehicle, the are however found at either end in the adjacent carriages. The vehicle code is: TFBK (Open to correction as I can't quite remember)

HST - The Full Buffet with Larger Kitchen:

Identical to the The Full Buffet with Small Kitchen. Except this Buffet has a larger kitchen, the full menu can be offered for both Pullman and Travelling Chef Services. So such Buffet Cars are best suited to diagrams with these catering services. The larger kitchen is implemented with the sacrifice of up to 5 First Class Seats. The vehicle carriage code is: TFRB



HST - The Full Buffet with a Kitchen Extension:

This is exactly the same as The Full Buffet with Larger Kitchen, however this type of buffet car has been converted from a small kitchen to a large kitchen. These sets are easily identifiable as they have a blanked out space where a window used to be. This vehicle carries the same carrriage code as a Full Kitchen Buffet (TFRB)



and inside:



The Sleeper Service Buffet:

Often overlooked is the Mk3 Sleeper Service Buffet. It is a full sized kitchen and looks slightly different inside and out to the HST Buffets. The seating area is 2+1 First Class Seating based on the IC80 BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Seats. This section of seating is used for Sleeper Berth Passengers. First Class Tickets are not valid in this section of seating. The remainder of the seated sections of the train are 2+1 Seating however.

[BerkshireBugsy]

Thanks TT

Due to the fact that most of my HST^▸ (High Speed Train) journeys are between Reading and London are at peak times (and I travel standard) my use of the catering facilities is very limited

But I found this interesting as I didn't realised there were so many variations

Thanks again