Changes to FGW complimentary service?

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

Just as we were adapting to the down graded complimentaries.........Gone are the only decent munchies left - the sea salt and black pepper crisps.

Away went the wasabi peas

Now away have gone the crisps to be replaced by ........... plain. 

What is the point of PLAIN crisps - surely you want them to taste of SOMETHING.

Oh - and we have the revolting rice crackers as well.  Ugh

They are definitely trying to force FC^▸ (First Class, or Fat Controller, or Football Club, depending on context) passengers to pay for drinks and munchies.  Although given the number of no buffet at all sets running around THAT is increasingly difficult. (1708 NWP to PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) is a lack of any sort of buffet)

[IndustryInsider]

What is the point of PLAIN crisps - surely you want them to taste of SOMETHING.

They do. Potatoes fried in fat - low in nutrition and high in fat (I love 'em!). I'd have thought with your dietary dismissal of the free orange juice instead of Diet Coke that some nice healthy rice crackers would be right up your street. Even if they do taste of cardboard! 

[John R]

They are definitely trying to force FC^▸ (First Class, or Fat Controller, or Football Club, depending on context) passengers to pay for drinks and munchies.  Although given the number of no buffet at all sets running around THAT is increasingly difficult. (1708 NWP to PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) is a lack of any sort of buffet)

Apparently only 6 sets are sans buffets, though I agree it feels a higher proportion than that. Should all be done by April. Maybe it was too much to ask that they didn't return the ones not being refurbished to the leasing company before finishing the refurbishment. 

Re the crisps, the peppery ones were a bit of an acquired taste, which I eventually acquired. So I'm not that disappointed going back to plain, though I'll need at least three packets given the size of them.

[JayMac]

I did like the sea salt and black pepper crisps, however the bits of pepper did have a habit of finding every nook and cranny in my teeth and gums, giving me peppery breath through the day!

[Mookiemoo]

They are definitely trying to force FC^▸ (First Class, or Fat Controller, or Football Club, depending on context) passengers to pay for drinks and munchies.  Although given the number of no buffet at all sets running around THAT is increasingly difficult. (1708 NWP to PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) is a lack of any sort of buffet)

Apparently only 6 sets are sans buffets, though I agree it feels a higher proportion than that. Should all be done by April. Maybe it was too much to ask that they didn't return the ones not being refurbished to the leasing company before finishing the refurbishment. 

I seem to get em 'all - or they are all on the WOS^» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains) / NWP off peak routes

However the depressing feature seems to be the HFD^» (Hereford - next trains) services seem to be moving to mini buffets...... Gone are the days of hobnobbing with the staff in F after Evesham

[Mookiemoo]

What is the point of PLAIN crisps - surely you want them to taste of SOMETHING.

They do. Potatoes fried in fat - low in nutrition and high in fat (I love 'em!). I'd have thought with your dietary dismissal of the free orange juice instead of Diet Coke that some nice healthy rice crackers would be right up your street. Even if they do taste of cardboard! 

mmmm - in a two hour journey I get through about 1 litre of diet coke (I dont do tea/coffee) = 30 calories

The same amount of fluid in orange juice is about 450 calories at best

1 small pack of crisps to kill the taste buds and get the chewing sensation = 60 calories

GGGGRRRRRRRR

[thetrout]

What I have noticed between FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) is that if you travel north of Bristol or Reading with XC you get REAL Milk with your hot drink... Whereas FGW or any south bound XC service it's all that p*xy UHT stuff! (And yes I'm sad and can taste the difference )

I will comment though, that when FGW have them in the buffet, the retail Cinnamon Twists are most acceptable

However bringing back the Lemonade would be even more acceptable as you can only buy those tiny mixer cans which if your ravagingly thirsty have absolutely no effect whatsoever

Do they still do the hot chocolate in 1st... They were an awesome accomplimant to the 22:35 BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) > PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)

[devon_metro]

Do they still do the hot chocolate in 1st... They were an awesome accomplimant to the 22:35 BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) > PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)

Yes, but its hot water and a packet.

[JayMac]

Can anyone tell me what the staffing arrangements are for on-board catering? Are Customer Hosts and Buffet/Trolley staff employed by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) or Rail Gourmet?

[devon_metro]

All High Speed catering is in house afaik.

[Super Guard]

Trolleys on 'West' Services are Rail Gourmet, HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) trolley/buffet are all FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff.

[thetrout]

Rail gourmet still wear an FGW^▸ (First Great Western) uniform though at least they do on the Portsmouth - Cardiff diagrams

[super tm]

Trolleys on 'West' Services are Rail Gourmet, HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) trolley/buffet are all FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff.

The occasional one you see on HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) to oxford are rail gourmet.  Not that there are many HST to oxford these days (off peak)

[willc]

Super TM^▸ (Train Manager, or possibly Ticket Machine, depending on context) is quite right. The Oxford-based trolleys, which cover the Cotswold Line Turbos and assorted HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) and Turbo workings between Oxford and London, are Rail Gourmet staff.

[IndustryInsider]

Oh - and we have the revolting rice crackers as well.  Ugh

Managed to get my hands on a packet of the rice crackers today, and I promise I'm not just saying this FA, but I thought they were very nice! Something a bit different and lots of subtle flavours. I should point out that they also contain nuts and a few other bits and bobs to add to the taste, though that also ramps up the fat/saturated fat/calorie content to around the level of a normal packet of 'healthier' crisps.

Anyone else tried them?