Great Western Railway: on-board catering, buffets, Travelling Chef, Pullman - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Another thing no longer carried on the pullmans ... French mustard!
 

Maybe that'll return if SNCF^▸ (Societe Nationale des Chemins de fer Francais - French National Railways) bid for and win the Greater Western Franchise. Perhaps with Chateaubriand replacing the Fillet Steak. 

[broadgage]

I have recently enjoyed two meals on pullman services, both of the usuall high standard. (duck pate, fillet steak, cheesboard, gin and tonic, red wine, port)
The crew confirmed that miniature bottles of spirits including Plymouth gin will continue to be served on pullman services.
They confirmed that on non-pullman services that the offering is downgraded to the limited selection of ready mixed drinks refered to above.

[broadgage]

On the train now, just enjoyed an excellent meal on the Pullman, they still have Plymouth Gin, AND Port, as should be.

Enjoy it while you can.

If any FGW^▸ (First Great Western) catering staff are reading this, many thanks for your efforts, if it was not for the meal service I would probably go by road or air.

[matt473]

I've just noticed that there now seems to be more travelling chef services recently with there now being evening South Wales chef services. Looks like people do want proper catering on trains after all and this is turning into a nice little earner no doubt for fgw

[broadgage]

I have recently heard a sugestion that from the May timetable change, that two Pullman services are to be re-instated.
On the 12-05 from Paddington, and an early evening service from Plymouth to London. These to be worked by a London based restaurant crew, the other crews being Plymouth based.

Regret can not give a source.
Is anyone able to confirm or deny this  ?
Good news IF true. Anyone would think that the franchise was up for renewal !

[bobm]

That is very good news if it comes to pass. Let's hope they promote them too.

[bobm]

Travelled up on the 12:55 ex Plymouth today.  Usual very good service and the port and brandy!

Is it me or has the ride on the Berks & Hants line got worse?  Twice the wine bottle almost hit the deck and the coffee - filled to the usual level - slopped into the saucer.

Might have been a rogue suspension I suppose. (and no it wasn't the port or brandy before anyone suggests it!)

[broadgage]

Anyone able to confirm or deny the rumour that two Pullmans are to be-instated from the next timetable change ?

[bobm]

I've been told it by two separate stewards on the existing Pullmans but that isn't really confirmation. I have emailed FGW^▸ (First Great Western) but not heard anything back.

[WSW Frome]

All good news about potential NEW Pullmans, but would anyone like to comment which might be the best day on which to get a seat in the restaurant (18.03 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)) using only a standard class ticket. Readers will realise this is because no reasonably priced First Class tickets are (ever) available. It does seem a lot to pay + the meal, if this was purely a leisure trip!

[JayMac]

Both the 1803 and 1903 Pullmans are always healthily loaded. It really is pot luck if you can bag a seat in the restaurant on a Standard Class ticket. I've done it once, but been turned away three times. Mon-Weds would probably be your (slim odds) best best. Little chance on Thurs and Fri night. There's a reason why there's never any cheap Advances on the 1803 and 1903. Seats can be filled by full fare passengers.

The best chance to experience Pullman dining is on the up services, 1200 and 1255 from Plymouth. I've never been turned away when travelling on a Standard Class ticket. Two most recent trips have been on the 1255 Plymouth to Westbury. Just time enough for full meal service. Dirt cheap Advance fares can be bagged, although I usually split at Taunton into 2x CDRs^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day')).

[bobm]

First the demise of Plymouth Gin.  Now the end of all miniatures it seems.  Travelled on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) three trains yesterday and on all three the range of spirits has been replaced with three ready mixed canned drinks.  Gin and Slimline tonic, Whisky & Cola and Vodka and Cola.  I'm not a fan of slimline tonic and I prefer dry ginger with my whisky so not great news as far as I am concerned.  Although the cans are chilled it seem there was no ice either.  A big step back in my opinion.

Just an update.  In the last week or so they seem to have added pre-mixed Whisky & Dry Ginger and Gin & ordinary (not slimline) tonic.  Ice still seems to be a problem with very patchy availability.

[broadgage]

All good news about potential NEW Pullmans, but would anyone like to comment which might be the best day on which to get a seat in the restaurant (18.03 PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)) using only a standard class ticket. Readers will realise this is because no reasonably priced First Class tickets are (ever) available. It does seem a lot to pay + the meal, if this was purely a leisure trip!

Discounted first class tickets are available, though it must be said that the discount is modest on these busy services.
I recently paid ^122.50 for a first single between London and Taunton on the 18-03, not a vast discount but still a useful saving over the full fare of ^160+

I once got a first class ticket valid on the 18-03 for about ^55 ! I suspect that it might have been a mistake, though I carefully checked it, and the ticket examiner accepted it without query.

[broadgage]

New timetables are now on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website, but no mention of any pullmans being re-instated 

[bobm]

Full marks to the crew on the 12:55 ex Plymouth today. They managed to serve me a pre dinner drink, three course meal and coffee in time for me to alight at Westbury!