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

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

If it was the latter of the two evening services to Penzance it could well have been due to a very short turn around because of a late incoming service.

The 1903 service to Penzance was formed of the 1830 arrival from Swansea. That didn't pull into Paddington until 1852.

The earlier Penzance service at 1803 also had a tight turn round with its incoming service from Swansea, due in at 1730, pulling in at 1745.

[jdw.wor]

Presuming the food and drink is waiting for the train arrival, how long does it take to load?

[broadgage]

Presuming the food and drink is waiting for the train arrival, how long does it take to load?

Only a few minutes, less than is required for filling toilet tanks, removing litter, and applying reservation slips.
Had the supplies been waiting on the platform I feel that they would have been loaded.

The absence of buffet supplies on the train suggests that they were NOT on the platform ready for loading.

[TaplowGreen]

If it was the latter of the two evening services to Penzance it could well have been due to a very short turn around because of a late incoming service.

The 1903 service to Penzance was formed of the 1830 arrival from Swansea. That didn't pull into Paddington until 1852.

The earlier Penzance service at 1803 also had a tight turn round with its incoming service from Swansea, due in at 1730, pulling in at 1745.

I believe it was the 1903.

[TonyK]

Only a few minutes, less than is required for filling toilet tanks

Or emptying them.

[Chris from Nailsea]

I think he means the filling of the 'fresh' water to be used for flushing them: the effluent tends to be dumped (if you'll pardon the expression) on the tracks. 

[broadgage]

Indeed, I was referring to the filling of the toilet flushing tanks, that also supply the water for handwashing in the toilets.
There are no effluent tanks to be emptied on High Speed Trains (HST^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)))s.

The filling of these tanks takes only a few minutes and may be observed at Paddington. Most of the platform edge is solid stone or concrete, but short sections are of hinged steel and may be lifted up to reveal the water supply and attached hose for tank filling.
This is one reason why trains should not be boarded until advertised lest passengers trip over the raised cover or hose, or slip on any spilled water.
People like me who board before the train be advertised on the departure board do so at their own risk and should also take extra care.

Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym

[Rhydgaled]

How about catering provision for the masses rather than just the very small % who can afford the Pullman? Is that written in? Any idea what is to be provided as a minimum?

Sorry, couldn't tell you. I was only chatting about Pullmans. We'll just have to wait until the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) get round to publishing (or responding to FOI^▸ (Freedom of Information) requests for) the recently signed franchise agreement.

They replied to my FOI request and initially rejected it on the grounds that it was planned for future publication and FirstGroup hadn't finished redacting the commercially sensitive parts yet. They have now released the franchise agreement (FA) (available here) but I also asked for the Service Level Commitment (SLC^▸ (Service Level Commitment, or possibly SLC Rail (a consultancy firm), depending on context)) which doesn't appear to be available yet.

[ChrisB]

We need to reference this file in a Franchise thread too, I think

[JayMac]

How about catering provision for the masses rather than just the very small % who can afford the Pullman? Is that written in? Any idea what is to be provided as a minimum?

Sorry, couldn't tell you. I was only chatting about Pullmans. We'll just have to wait until the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) get round to publishing (or responding to FOI^▸ (Freedom of Information) requests for) the recently signed franchise agreement.

They replied to my FOI request and initially rejected it on the grounds that it was planned for future publication and FirstGroup hadn't finished redacting the commercially sensitive parts yet. They have now released the franchise agreement (FA) (available here) but I also asked for the Service Level Commitment (SLC^▸ (Service Level Commitment, or possibly SLC Rail (a consultancy firm), depending on context)) which doesn't appear to be available yet.

Funnily enough, just checked my inbox and there was an email from the DfT saying much the same. I'd FOI'd them a while back too.

[JayMac]

Pullman specification is for just a minimum four services per weekday across the entire network.

[ChrisB]

So that'd be 2 up & 2 back?

[bobm]

Wording is

an at seat first class "Pullman" dining service to be provided on at least two Passenger Services in each direction each Weekday on either or both of the routes between London Paddington and Plymouth and between London Paddington and Cardiff;

[broadgage]

Pullman specification is for just a minimum four services per weekday across the entire network.

I would have preferred to see more than just 4 services a day protected under the franchise agreement, but 4 is a lot better than none and hopefully they will do more than the minimum requirement.

[thetrout]

Wording is

an at seat first class "Pullman" dining service to be provided on at least two Passenger Services in each direction each Weekday on either or both of the routes between London Paddington and Plymouth and between London Paddington and Cardiff;

That doesn't define if it will be for First Class ticket holders only, First Class will be complimentary and open to paying Standard Class passengers or everyone pays?

So I wonder what context the wording first class "Pullman" actually applies to...