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bobm
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« Reply #1230 on: August 13, 2017, 11:46:14 » |
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A new spirit added to the Pullman range in recent weeks. Tarquin's Gin from the Southwestern Distillery in Wadebridge in Cornwall. 43% and £5.50 a bottle. I found it rather pleasant, but not sure about the faux wax on the bottle.  Latest news is new menus from mid-September, the first since the ending of the agreement with Mitch Tonks. |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #1231 on: August 17, 2017, 00:49:39 » |
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He's only posting that picture to provoke me ...  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ 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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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #1232 on: August 24, 2017, 08:18:08 » |
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He's only posting that picture to provoke me ... Worked on me, too! |
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Now, please!
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broadgage
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« Reply #1233 on: September 20, 2017, 16:08:49 » |
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I hope to take lunch on the 12-01 service from Plymouth to London on Monday October 2.
I shall board at Taunton at 13-34.
Will I have the honour of meeting any forum members in the Restaurant ?
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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 #1234 on: September 20, 2017, 16:31:00 » |
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Not sure of my plans at the start of that week yet - but what I can tell you is that new menus have been launched this week. This is Menu 1  From which I had the salmon starter and the duck   Both were very tasty although I confess the duck could have been a little hotter, temperature-wise, for my preference. Highlights of Menu 2 - which should be the one available when you travel - are Starters Scallops Chicken, Red Onion and Duck Terrine Walnut Crusted soft goats cheese MainsFillet Steak Roast Lamb Rump Lemon Sole Spinach & Herb Gnocchi DessertsPistachio Frangipane Cheeseboard Don't forget you can now reserve a seat on line - https://www.gwr.com/plan-journey/journey-information/on-board/pullman-dining/pullman-booking#/intro |
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broadgage
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« Reply #1235 on: September 20, 2017, 20:17:01 » |
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Looks good  The duck looks excellent, and MIGHT just possibly tempt me away from fillet steak. The fact that smoked salmon is not included in each menu is a slight backward step, for my tastes. The prices have increased a bit, fillet steak was £29 IIRC▸ , but one must accept that quality costs money, and that fillet steak in particular has increased in price everywhere recently. Hopefully I will get a seat OK, I have purchased a first class ticket and booked by phone. |
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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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JayMac
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« Reply #1236 on: September 20, 2017, 20:38:31 » |
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and that fillet steak in particular has increased in price everywhere recently.
I've just had a very nice 6oz 30 day matured British fillet steak. £4.99 from Aldi. Very flavoursome it was too. |
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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 #1237 on: September 20, 2017, 20:49:42 » |
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Duck looks a tad overcooked to me  |
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #1238 on: September 20, 2017, 20:50:16 » |
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I've just had a very nice 6oz 30 day matured British fillet steak. £4.99 from Aldi.
Very flavoursome it was too.
Other discount supermarkets are available! Lidl do a nice fillet too. |
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Now, please!
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1239 on: September 22, 2017, 11:40:53 » |
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I'm all for a slight surcharge on typical nice restaurant prices for a special meal, and I would class dining on the Pullman as a special meal, but £12 for a starter and over £30 for a main course for nice but fairly simple dishes is too high for my liking.
A cynic, like Broadgage, would usually suggest that they are deliberately overcharging to put people off so they can scrap the service when the new trains come along (despite them all having kitchens).
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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BBM
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« Reply #1240 on: September 22, 2017, 11:53:24 » |
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A couple of weeks ago I travelled on the 1256 PLY» - PAD» which has a Pullman service. I took a peek at the dining area just after Exeter and there was only 3 customers. (Incidentally my own lunch consisted of a very fresh and tasty cheese salad roll from the buffet for just £4.50. ) |
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broadgage
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« Reply #1241 on: September 22, 2017, 17:44:01 » |
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I'm all for a slight surcharge on typical nice restaurant prices for a special meal, and I would class dining on the Pullman as a special meal, but £12 for a starter and over £30 for a main course for nice but fairly simple dishes is too high for my liking.
A cynic, like Broadgage, would usually suggest that they are deliberately overcharging to put people off so they can scrap the service when the new trains come along (despite them all having kitchens).
I fear that you may be correct. Complete abolition would probably be contrary to a franchise requirement to retain "Pullman style dining" but I fear another rebranding or some other downgrade. OTOH▸ GWR▸ do seem serious about promoting the Pullman and bookings are allowed, reviews on tripadvisor are generally very positive and few criticise the price. I have misgivings as to how well the restaurant service will work on the new DMUs▸ . I cant see it working on a pair of 5 car units. Laying say 20 seats for dining in one unit wont leave enough first class seats in that unit for non dining customers. And potential dining customers in the wrong unit will be deterred. Presumably the hope/intention/aspiration is to diagram a full length unit for Pullman services. That however still leaves another problem, presumably the intention is for restaurant service to be at the extreme end of the train, nearest the kitchen. How then are standard class customers to dine, or to ascertain if space remains ? Any such customers will have to pass through first class to get to the restaurant area. Whilst perhaps a dozen diners walking through first is no big deal, what about all those who look and decide it is not for them, or find no space. I do not think that all that through traffic will go down very well ! |
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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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Rhydgaled
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« Reply #1242 on: September 23, 2017, 09:21:19 » |
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I think the biggest threat in the shortish term to the Pullman service as it stands is, as Broadgage suggests, the design of the new stock namely the unfriendly splitting of the train into two short units and the location of the kitchen burried deep in first class instead of between first and standard. First GWR▸ do seem to promote the Pullman service in a way that suggests they will keep it as long as the current direct award franchise lasts at least but the new trains will make it more difficult.
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Don't DOO▸ it, keep the guard (but it probably wouldn't be a bad idea if the driver unlocked the doors on arrival at calling points).
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Umberleigh
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« Reply #1243 on: September 23, 2017, 10:05:18 » |
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A couple of weeks ago I travelled on the 1256 PLY» - PAD» which has a Pullman service. I took a peek at the dining area just after Exeter and there was only 3 customers. (Incidentally my own lunch consisted of a very fresh and tasty cheese salad roll from the buffet for just £4.50. ) At those prices, three diners will more than pay for the shareholders’ champagne come the next AGM▸  I agree that it is eyewateringly expensive for what it is, but if people are using it then I have no issue and hope it survives the introduction of the new rolling stock |
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broadgage
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« Reply #1244 on: September 24, 2017, 14:05:28 » |
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On Monday October 2 I hope to be taking lunch on the 13-34 from Taunton as already noted.
Later the same day I expect to dine with my sister on the Golden Hind, the 18-03 from Paddington.
On Thursday October 12, sister and myself hope to lunch on the up Pullman leaving Taunton at 13-34.
Later the same day, I hope to take dinner on the 19-03 from Paddington, alighting at Taunton.
Will I have the honour of meeting any forum members on these now four trips ?
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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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