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JayMac
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« Reply #1035 on: July 24, 2015, 21:34:58 » |
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One week after my failed attempt at a Friday Pullman lunch I thought I'd try again. Checked all the sources I could, mostly through my forum colleague bobm, but also FGW▸ 's social media team, to see that the catering vehicle on today's 1256 from Plymouth was suitable for providing a full Pullman Dining service. Sources were all in the affirmative so it looked good for a slap up lunch. Saw the crew before boarding and had a quick chat with the chef. Same one as last Friday. He told me that the oven wasn't working on the train! You can imagine how downhearted I was to hear that. Plus, while this vehicle (40205) had an ( OOU▸ ) oven, it was still not a full size kitchen. Starters and desserts only. But then, praise be, the chef tells me he's got some lobsters today. Pre-cooked to be served cold with salad. Joy of joy, I'm getting three courses with the chance to sample a main course I've not had before. So, Smoked Salmon, followed by the Lobster, with Spiced Apple Crumble and Custard to finish. All washed down with my favourite choice from the wine menu, the Chablis. Five other diners also had the Hobson's choice main course. Lobster, simply steamed with dressed salad leaves and mayonnaise:  |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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bobm
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« Reply #1036 on: July 24, 2015, 21:40:15 » |
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You can imagine how downhearted I was to hear that. I know how downhearted he was - I got the text! I've never had lobster - but I am really tempted to try it now. Glad you had better luck than last week. |
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JayMac
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« Reply #1037 on: July 24, 2015, 21:45:12 » |
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I know how downhearted he was - I got the text!
Something along the lines of, "**** my life" I believe it was.  |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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bobm
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« Reply #1038 on: July 24, 2015, 21:46:21 » |
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Not an expression I've heard before to be honest!
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alan_s
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« Reply #1039 on: July 24, 2015, 22:01:34 » |
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The FGW▸ Spokesman says that buffets take up the space of 50 seats, which I don't dispute. However, surely will the number of seats gained be substantially lower once you account for the new kitchens?
I dispute the 50 seats. Yes the original mk3 buffet, half first class half counter, would equate to 32 seats as originally designed so could possibly stretch to 50 with current high density (though I think a full std coach seat nos go up to 84 not 100, so 42 is more accurate) but the refurbished micro buffet counters can only take up about 20 seats and I'm sure the kitchen would be a similar size to this. Alan |
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JayMac
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« Reply #1040 on: July 29, 2015, 22:56:47 » |
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Boarded the Golden Hind this evening at Reading (1803 ex PAD» ) for a bit of scran. Bleddy 40205 catering vehicle again.    The aforementioned one with the faulty oven and pokey prep area. Lobster, starters and desserts only was all that was on offer. I'm jinxed. That's now three attempts at getting the full Pullman experience in the past fortnight, only to be let down by FGW▸ 's inability to either diagram a decent sized kitchen or fix the oven on 40205. Poor show FGW. Not the Pullman staff though. They continue to do a sterling job in the face of adversity. I made do this evening with a couple of starters (Dressed Crab and Smoked Salmon) and some wine. Oh, and just to rub it in, the chap sat opposite me got the last half bottle of Chablis so I had to make do with the Sancerre. There is a fillet steak with my name on it. God knows when the two of us will meat though. |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #1041 on: July 30, 2015, 08:30:04 » |
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......on the upside though BNM all this seafood/Omega 3 will be doing wonders for your cholestorol level after all those fillet steaks! Maybe you could combine it with jogging from one end of the train to the other between courses..........could become "The Pullman Diet"!!!  |
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broadgage
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« Reply #1042 on: July 30, 2015, 09:54:44 » |
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Boarded the Golden Hind this evening at Reading (1803 ex PAD» ) for a bit of scran. Bleddy 40205 catering vehicle again. The aforementioned one with the faulty oven and pokey prep area. Lobster, starters and desserts only was all that was on offer. I'm jinxed. That's now three attempts at getting the full Pullman experience in the past fortnight, only to be let down by FGW▸ 's inability to either diagram a decent sized kitchen or fix the oven on 40205. Poor show FGW. Not the Pullman staff though. They continue to do a sterling job in the face of adversity. I made do this evening with a couple of starters (Dressed Crab and Smoked Salmon) and some wine. Oh, and just to rub it in, the chap sat opposite me got the last half bottle of Chablis so I had to make do with the Sancerre. There is a fillet steak with my name on it. God knows when the two of us will meat though. "Dear sir I was very sorry to hear of your recent disappointment with our on board catering offer. Unfortunately only a minority of our present trains are equipped with full kitchens, and this does sometimes limit what we can offer. I am however pleased to advise that our new Super Express Trains will soon be entering service. Following stakeholder discussions and passengers surveys, these new state of the art trains will offer a greatly improved passenger experience including an at seat service of food and drink throughout the train, on selected services. Meanwhile we will continue to offer the best possible service, within the constraints of a train fleet now about 40 years old." |
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU▸ is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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bobm
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« Reply #1043 on: July 30, 2015, 09:57:25 » |
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......on the upside though BNM all this seafood/Omega 3 will be doing wonders for your cholestorol level after all those fillet steaks! Maybe you could combine it with jogging from one end of the train to the other between courses..........could become "The Pullman Diet"!!! Take it from me, bignosemac is as likely to take up jogging as I am to fit through the eye of a needle. |
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thetrout
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« Reply #1044 on: July 30, 2015, 17:13:53 » |
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The Cheese and Onion Pasties have made a sudden disappearance  |
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grahame
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« Reply #1045 on: July 30, 2015, 17:25:14 » |
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The Cheese and Onion Pasties have made a sudden disappearance You probably ate 'em all. Or. They keep telling people there's no demand. Reminds me of a certain organisation that withdrew a bus service because it was carrying fresh air around - but told us they weren't going to arrange a demand responsive taxi as they didn't think it would be able to cope with all the people who wanted to use it. |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, TravelWatch SouthWest Board Member
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #1046 on: July 31, 2015, 09:05:32 » |
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The Cheese and Onion Pasties have made a sudden disappearance ...........do you mean the Cheese and Onion savoury pastry based snack? (Pedant alert!) |
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bobm
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« Reply #1047 on: July 31, 2015, 09:11:11 » |
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Janners forever! |
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thetrout
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« Reply #1048 on: August 14, 2015, 18:36:07 » |
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The Cheese and Onion Pasties have made a sudden disappearance You probably ate 'em all. Or. They keep telling people there's no demand. Now I've eaten all the Cheese and Onion or Cheese and Tomato Toasties Infact the last 6 HST▸ Journeys I've made there has been no vegetarian hot food... No shortage of Egg and Cress Sandwiches however... If they make a sudden disappearance I'm not sorry   |
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #1049 on: August 15, 2015, 20:32:17 » |
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......on the upside though BNM all this seafood/Omega 3 will be doing wonders for your cholestorol level after all those fillet steaks!
It's what they put in oysters that floats my boat, so to speak. I recommend them to the house, but warn the missus first... |
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Now, please!
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