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Author Topic: Buffets...  (Read 15597 times)
Phil
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« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2008, 18:26:10 »

The only accident I ever witnessed was at Salisbury, when a train from Basingstoke that I was on (ex Waterloo I think) pulled into the bay platform, where it terminated. Whilst the trolley-dolly was extricating the trolley from the doors, it toppled over and fell on the platform spilling the contents everywhere. Being a gentleman I stopped and helped, at least until some train staff came over and cleared up. Nobody was hurt, but pride was probably dented.
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Btline
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« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2008, 18:34:25 »

Will the trolley "bays" be converted into toilets again? Sad

Or more seats?  Smiley
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devonian
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« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2008, 21:17:02 »

Glad to hear buffets are scrapped. When Connex had SET (Super Express Train (now IET)), all I remember was being hit in the leg by the sodding trolley as the train bounced it from side to side.

It never looks as good on a trolley either - presentation is often key to a sale - I would have thought a trolley service reduced revenue.

Man - I'm always harping on about SET - just using it as a base for comparison - nothing else, honest!  Smiley
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r james
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« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2008, 21:26:19 »

To an extent yeah, but equally some people won't bother walking to the buffet car, especially if it it 6 cars down the train.  Having a cup of tea brought past you though does tempt some people.
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Conner
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« Reply #19 on: February 26, 2008, 18:10:13 »

Something has gone badly wrong this week with un-buffet diagramms as a set without a buffet formed the 07:43 Penzance-London Paddington today.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #20 on: February 26, 2008, 21:36:26 »


I've heard from a reliable source that they are to use a static trolley for now.


Thanks, d-m!  I'm just a little puzzled, though: isn't a 'static trolley' rather like a 'buffet counter'?

Why not just stick with the existing (and popular!) buffet cars until such time as 'crowding' is sorted and trolleys have some chance of being wheeled anywhere (other than in ever-decreasing circles)?

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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Conner
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« Reply #21 on: February 26, 2008, 21:40:23 »


I've heard from a reliable source that they are to use a static trolley for now.


Thanks, d-m!  I'm just a little puzzled, though: isn't a 'static trolley' rather like a 'buffet counter'?

Why not just stick with the existing (and popular!) buffet cars until such time as 'crowding' is sorted and trolleys have some chance of being wheeled anywhere (other than in ever-decreasing circles)?

 Angry
I certainly didn't see a trolley static or otherwise today. I don't think that they have trolley's down Penzance way.
The only one it would of had was the First Class one. Even if there was one you wouldn't have known about it on the train I was on thanks to nearly silent anouncments.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #22 on: February 26, 2008, 21:52:56 »

... which tends to bear me out, qprrule?  Why don't FGW (First Great Western) leave the existing configuration as it is, with a proper buffet car in its usual place, and stop fooling about with trials of trolleys - that clearly won't work on crowded trains???

 Angry Grrrr!  (Sorry!)
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Conner
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« Reply #23 on: February 26, 2008, 21:55:06 »

... which tends to bear me out, qprrule?  Why don't FGW (First Great Western) leave the existing configuration as it is, with a proper buffet car in its usual place, and stop fooling about with trials of trolleys - that clearly won't work on crowded trains???

 Angry Grrrr!  (Sorry!)

It si especially stupid as it was a Penzance-London service via Bristol, the longest operated by a HST (High Speed Train) and least suitable to not have a trolley and in breach of there franchise agreemnent I beleive, Lee could you help on this one?
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vacman
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« Reply #24 on: February 26, 2008, 22:15:08 »

Catering is not in the franchise spec at all I believe? the standard class trolleys are stored on board the set in the old toilet space either in coach A or H, that little room has a water boiler etc in it.
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Conner
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« Reply #25 on: February 26, 2008, 22:17:28 »

Catering is not in the franchise spec at all I believe? the standard class trolleys are stored on board the set in the old toilet space either in coach A or H, that little room has a water boiler etc in it.
No, it was agreed that Trolley's could only be used on services under 200 miles. Penzance-Paddington via Bristol is not under 200 miles.
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vacman
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« Reply #26 on: February 26, 2008, 22:20:23 »

I think it's more of a local agreement rather than franchise spec, TBH (to be honest) not many people use that particular service from Cornwall to London because if you get the train an hour later (0845 from pnz) then you get into London only 5 minutes later! that train is only really busy between Pnz and Tru.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #27 on: February 26, 2008, 22:31:58 »

... that train is only really busy between Pnz and Tru.

I bet they do a roaring trade in coffee and bacon rolls, at that time of day, then!   Grin
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
Conner
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« Reply #28 on: February 27, 2008, 07:47:33 »

... that train is only really busy between Pnz and Tru.

I bet they do a roaring trade in coffee and bacon rolls, at that time of day, then!   Grin
If the buffet staff are on! They quite often aren't until Plymouth anyway.
TBH (to be honest) not many people use that particular service from Cornwall to London because if you get the train an hour later (0845 from pnz) then you get into London only 5 minutes later! that train is only really busy between Pnz and Tru.
It wasn't even busy between Penzance and Truro, it picked up a couple at St.Germans and Saltash but there was only about 20 of us in our carriage.
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smokey
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« Reply #29 on: February 27, 2008, 08:46:01 »

Something has gone badly wrong this week with un-buffet diagramms as a set without a buffet formed the 07:43 Penzance-London Paddington today.

It's a long Journey to London from West Cornwall on the 07.43 PZ-Padd, and if you have a Cheap Ticket, Only valid on that train in that seat, you can't spend the money you saved (well some of it) in the Buffet

Catering is not in the franchise spec at all I believe? the standard class trolleys are stored on board the set in the old toilet space either in coach A or H, that little room has a water boiler etc in it.
.

I have a mis-giving about the Drinking Water on coaches A and H, I've haven't seen these Water Tanks being filled with water from Bowsers as opposed to hosepipes.
The Water tank in Buffet Car gets special treatment (as do the water bowsers) at least Monthly to Sterilise the Tank and prevent the build up of some nasty water born bugs, and IIRC (if I recall/remember/read correctly) the Buffet Cars pass the water before use through a UV light that kills micro-bugs.

Do coaches A and H get the same treatment?
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