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Author Topic: Praise for FGW staff... and a little criticism of FGW stations  (Read 22173 times)
James Vertigan
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« on: July 27, 2009, 15:39:10 »

I'm currently travelling on the 15:06 out of Paddington to Tiverton Parkway, and just wanted to come on here to praise the train manager, he was very helpful in telling me I was getting on in the right area of the carriage while he helped another less able bodied customer on, and I've also found him very cheerful - he even said he was working in "the best office in the country" - meaning the train of course!

So nice to have cheerful staff on the train... not that I have ever had any problems with FGW (First Great Western) staff, but this man (I haven't managed to get his name yet) seemed to stand out.

Also, on a previous journey, I noticed a very helpful customer host, again helping a less abled person with her walking frame to ensure it was out of the way (I think the train manager must've been busy) but it was nice to see that the customer host took the time to ensure she got off the train safely.

Now onto the criticisms, both involving aspects of today's journey; the information screens at Acton Main Line seem to have gone haywire yet again (this happens all too often, and needs to be sorted out!) - and I don't know if anyone on this board has noticed, but the PA (Public Address) system at Paddington seemed a LOT LOUDER today than normal - and it wasn't the recently introduced automated voice lady (same one they have at Liverpool Street). I don't know if it was under human operation or was jusut a different automatd voice today but it just seemed excessively loud!
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Mookiemoo
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« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2009, 16:10:13 »

Fill in one of the Search for a Star leaflets. Even if you don't get his name, just put the service on it, it's easy to look up.

Network Rail run Paddington, have a check on their site, see if they can be e-mailed about Pad, or e-mail our customer services, www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk

 Wink

I love those search for a star forms - there are a few I'd love to nominate however I fear the reasons I would nominate would not be approved of by head quarters.
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devon_metro
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« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2009, 16:23:10 »

Fill in one of the Search for a Star leaflets. Even if you don't get his name, just put the service on it, it's easy to look up.



Nominations have closed apparently.
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Btline
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« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2009, 17:33:10 »

...the PA (Public Address) system at Paddington seemed a LOT LOUDER today than normal - and it wasn't the recently introduced automated voice lady (same one they have at Liverpool Street). I don't know if it was under human operation or was jusut a different automatd voice today but it just seemed excessively loud!

Paddington needs Phil to sort the PA out!
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JayMac
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« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2009, 19:01:25 »

...the PA (Public Address) system at Paddington seemed a LOT LOUDER today than normal - and it wasn't the recently introduced automated voice lady (same one they have at Liverpool Street). I don't know if it was under human operation or was jusut a different automatd voice today but it just seemed excessively loud!

Paddington needs Phil to sort the PA out!

Paddington needs to rid itself of all those noisy Diesels so we can hear the PA....
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Btline
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« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2009, 19:05:52 »

Perhaps, but I'm afraid that Digital Doris is just NOT suited to busy concourse stations like Padd, CX, Liverpool S etc.

Phil has the edge here - just go to Birmingham New Street. Imagine DD (or Celia Drummond) trying to cope there!
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devon_metro
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« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2009, 19:22:42 »

Good job "Digital Doris" isn't to be found at Paddington then, isn't it!
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6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01
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« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2009, 19:47:55 »

im not having a major go at fgw as its not a major issue however i find it interesting how more money has been spent on whimple station than exeter central which is frankly becoming a dump
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James Vertigan
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« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2009, 22:01:45 »

Well my day was going well with FGW (First Great Western), until that is, I got to Tiverton Parkway - found the station locked up and empty - notices on the windows saying the station building and facilities had closed early (15:00 apparently!) due to staff shortage!

No wonder I saw them advertising for tickiet office staff at Tivvy on the FGW site recently - perhaps I should have applied... would have got me out of London!

Not that I really needed to use the station as you can exit without going through the station building, but it would have been nice to read a Western Morning News during my 20 minute wait for a bus into Tiverton!

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Btline
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« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2009, 22:50:24 »

Good job "Digital Doris" isn't to be found at Paddington then, isn't it!

Yes she is! Huh Unless FGW (First Great Western) have drafted in Ceila when I wasn't looking...

DD as in Liverpool Street, Charing Cross, Worcester, etc.
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devon_metro
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« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2009, 23:15:08 »

the digital doris I know is the one at ex Wessex stations. She certainly is not at Paddington. Doris doesn't say something along the lines of the train being ready to leave, please board now.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2009, 23:19:09 »

Sorry, but I agree with devon_metro.

We still have the ex-Wessex Digital Doris, wittering away, at Nailsea & Backwell ...  Roll Eyes
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Btline
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« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2009, 23:31:13 »

We're getting our Dorises mixed up. I consider the Pad voice to be DD.

Have you got a link for the "proper" DD? Was she the old voice at Paddington before Ditra (Phil & Celia)?
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Chris from Nailsea
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Justice for Cerys Piper and Theo Griffiths please!


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« Reply #13 on: July 27, 2009, 23:48:44 »

Hmm ... we've had this debate on the forum before, but I'm not sure we ever reached a conclusion: see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4296.msg35773#msg35773 for example?
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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.
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« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2009, 00:08:02 »

Last time I was up in Paddington on a course I heard DD for the first time there... It is the same ex-Wessex DD.  Trust me, I cannot stand her!*

Apologies to all Phil lovers but when I rule FGW (First Great Western) and the World, Celia will be on every platform across the country  Grin

*I'm sure she's a lovely person in real life, but has a voice for solitary confinement.
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