Mini Buffets

[whole diary]

[devon_metro]

Just recieved clarification that 15 (17?) sets are to refurbished at Delta Rail in Derby to include a mini buffet in a standard class trailer to be located in coach E (the disabled coach will be moved to the position of C). 2 Ex Virgin TSOs^▸ (The Stationary Office (now OPSI)) will be converted for use with HST^▸ (High Speed Train) trailers.

When "One" did this 24 standard seats were lost. All other sets will have a buffet, and I believe all disabled coaches will be moved to the coach C.

[thetrout]

Do we know which route will be running this service..? Should be something a bit different.

[The SprinterMeister]

I think you might mean 'Brush Barclay' at Kilmarnock as I am fairly sure thats where the 2 x Mk3 LHCS^▸ (Locomotive Hauled Coaching Stock) TSO^▸ (The Stationary Office (now OPSI)) and EC64 have gone for refurbishment for FGW^▸ (First Great Western). I may be wrong though

[The SprinterMeister]

I think you might mean 'Brush Barclay' at Kilmarnock as I am fairly sure thats where the 2 x Mk3 LHCS^▸ (Locomotive Hauled Coaching Stock) TSO^▸ (The Stationary Office (now OPSI)) and EC64 have gone for refurbishment for FGW^▸ (First Great Western). I may be wrong though

[John R]

Do we know which route will be running this service..? Should be something a bit different.

A bit worse you mean. Mainly the Bristol route I suspect.

So having packed in all those extra seats like sardines, a fair proportion will now be taken out again to build the new buffet. Result, broadly unchanged standard class capacity, significantly reduced first class capacity, and an inferior buffet. But one less coach so less leasing costs, fuel costs, and track access charges.

Better enjoy those nice comfy old style seats in the unrefurbed buffet cars whilst they're still running around. 

[devon_metro]

Only 8 First Class seats are lost. Whenever I have seen First Class everybody has a table for themselves. Its XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) who need to sort of First Class accommodation.

Admittadely seats will be lost, i'd rather an extra coach was added, but with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) having to pay for LHCS^▸ (Locomotive Hauled Coaching Stock) around Bristol I this is a worthy measure. Hopefully journey times will come down.

[John R]

Aren't the 24 or so in the buffet lost?

[Btline]

This is bad news. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) should just keep the buffets. More seats, better facilities, no chance of a mini buffet running to Penzance (it WILL happen at some point).

[dog box]

A Mini Buffet is much better than a trolley, the loss of seats will be negligble as believe it or  not every fgw service runs about full and standing,

[devon_metro]

Indeed, service will be no worse than the "Express Cafe". Will have a microwave oven etc. Simply will struggle serving travelling chef menu/pullman.

[Btline]

A Mini Buffet is much better than a trolley, the loss of seats will be negligble as believe it or  not every fgw service runs about full and standing.

Room for passenger increase and more cheap fares should be used to fill up the trains, not abandoning the buffet.

Sorry, FGW^▸ (First Great Western) should have an identical HST^▸ (High Speed Train) fleet.

[thetrout]

Do we know which route will be running this service..? Should be something a bit different.

A bit worse you mean. Mainly the Bristol route I suspect.

So having packed in all those extra seats like sardines, a fair proportion will now be taken out again to build the new buffet. Result, broadly unchanged standard class capacity, significantly reduced first class capacity, and an inferior buffet. But one less coach so less leasing costs, fuel costs, and track access charges.

Better enjoy those nice comfy old style seats in the unrefurbed buffet cars whilst they're still running around. 

Ah, Sorry I misunderstood what the formation would be.

Am I right in thinking it will be a 4.5 standard class carriages and and 2 first class carriages?

If I am then yes that would be alot worse. Whats wrong with the way things are. Surely they would lose money in the long term considering what FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have spend refurbishing most of the Buffet cars. Also why don't they keep the buffets and convert them into standard seating Mwhich will bring more seats for Standard class passangers. I would suspect though they like to keep first class in the buffets because of Pullman Dining. Or maybe a Trailer Composite like XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))'s HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s. I only ever see first class busy on weekends and most of the time (not meaning to sound snobby here) it's travellers with advance first tickets or weekend first upgrades.

[devon_metro]

I believe there is quite a big First Class market on services into and out of Paddington to the west country on Monday mornings and Friday afternoons. Same applies to Cross Country, been on a no-seats free in First Voyager between Bristol and Newton Abbot where it emptied out.

The main problem is money, if the buffets stay I imagine fares would go up which nobody wants!

[John R]

Do we know which route will be running this service..? Should be something a bit different.

A bit worse you mean. Mainly the Bristol route I suspect.

So having packed in all those extra seats like sardines, a fair proportion will now be taken out again to build the new buffet. Result, broadly unchanged standard class capacity, significantly reduced first class capacity, and an inferior buffet. But one less coach so less leasing costs, fuel costs, and track access charges.

Better enjoy those nice comfy old style seats in the unrefurbed buffet cars whilst they're still running around. 

Ah, Sorry I misunderstood what the formation would be.

Am I right in thinking it will be a 4.5 standard class carriages and and 2 first class carriages?

If I am then yes that would be alot worse. Whats wrong with the way things are. Surely they would lose money in the long term considering what FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have spend refurbishing most of the Buffet cars. Also why don't they keep the buffets and convert them into standard seating Mwhich will bring more seats for Standard class passangers. I would suspect though they like to keep first class in the buffets because of Pullman Dining. Or maybe a Trailer Composite like XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))'s HST^▸ (High Speed Train)'s. I only ever see first class busy on weekends and most of the time (not meaning to sound snobby here) it's travellers with advance first tickets or weekend first upgrades.

Yep, 7 coach sets, 2 first and 5 standard with a chunk (not half) taken out of one for the micro-buffet.

All the refurbed buffets will stay, it's the unrefurbed ones which are still around which will go (hence my comment about having a last nostalgic ride on an old style one if you can.)

At weekends yes of course it's leisure travellers on advance tickets or weekend first upgrades, but during the week 1st class is busy in and out of London. Though I would admit that on Friday my morning service from Nailsea to Swindon was a coach short in 1st, yet we all squeezed in somehow, though I nearly had to share my table with someone. So I don't think cutting from 2.5 to 2 coaches will be the end of the world for 1st. 

[dog box]

The Buffet is a completley different beast than a normal trailer car, so conversion would be prohibitive also dont leasing co would allow it anyway.
most of the unrefurb buffets floating about ex project rio/ mml stock and are in a bit of a state now, and as most passengers only want a drink /snack  they will still have a bar to prop up if they so wish so a mini buffet will do fine ,from what i have been told its actually not that mini and a high quality product