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Author Topic: Great Western Railway: on-board catering, buffets, Travelling Chef, Pullman - ongoing discussion  (Read 748418 times)
Umberleigh
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« Reply #1485 on: August 04, 2019, 19:12:22 »

An interesting thread.

I was just browsing some old BR (British Rail(ways)) Traveler’s Fare posters and menus online, didn’t realise that High Speed Train (HST (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units))) buffets used to sell a burger and chips platter, I guess that was discontinued at the same time as the drought ale...

The Travelling Chef was sadly too inconsistent, and I witnessed some pretty p**sed off punters when they realised that breakfast/lunch/supper was off (especially on Penzance services).

Standardisation is perhaps the underlying issue here, as in my opinion there is certainly call for a buffet on the 5-hour trips to Cornwall, but I’m not so sure about the shorter journeys, consumer habits have changed a great deal and everyone is clutching a Costa take-out as they board.

So ideally, 9 car IETs (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) would serve the far South-West and would have a buffet, lower density seating and more luggage space, whereas the 5 cars would remain as they are.

Edit: VickiS - Clarifying acronym
« Last Edit: April 27, 2021, 15:13:54 by VickiS » Logged
JayMac
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« Reply #1486 on: August 04, 2019, 20:48:43 »

An interesting thread.
I guess that was discontinued at the same time as the drought ale...

Summer 1976?
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bobm
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« Reply #1487 on: August 04, 2019, 21:51:17 »

An interesting thread.
I guess that was discontinued at the same time as the drought ale...

Summer 1976?

Do you remember it?  I know where I was when it ended!   A field which quickly turned into mud by the Thames in Reading. 
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #1488 on: August 05, 2019, 06:23:30 »

An interesting thread.
I guess that was discontinued at the same time as the drought ale...

Summer 1976?

Do you remember it?  I know where I was when it ended!   A field which quickly turned into mud by the Thames in Reading. 

<Thread drift>
I remember it well - I was stood in a queue at a standpipe, with wellington boots on my feet and carrying a brolly! The picture appeared in the Express and Echo, but sadly I no longer have a copy.
</Thread drift>
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TonyK
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« Reply #1489 on: August 05, 2019, 22:06:46 »

I spent nearly three weeks sleeping out on the beach in Newquay and Carbis Bay, in fields or parks elsewhere. Whale of a time. Made it home to Blackpool for the deluge.
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #1490 on: August 08, 2019, 18:05:02 »

Time for a vegan Pullman, for the sake of future generations...….I know GWR (Great Western Railway) can count on 100% support from Coffee shop members on this issue!  Wink

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49238749
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patch38
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« Reply #1491 on: August 08, 2019, 18:11:40 »

An interesting thread.
I guess that was discontinued at the same time as the drought ale...

Summer 1976?

Do you remember it?  I know where I was when it ended!   A field which quickly turned into mud by the Thames in Reading. 

<Thread drift>
I remember it well - I was stood in a queue at a standpipe, with wellington boots on my feet and carrying a brolly! The picture appeared in the Express and Echo, but sadly I no longer have a copy.
</Thread drift>

I was in that same field as you two but - cunningly - I was backstage enjoying a higher class of mud...  Grin
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broadgage
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« Reply #1492 on: August 08, 2019, 19:10:56 »

Time for a vegan Pullman, for the sake of future generations...….I know GWR (Great Western Railway) can count on 100% support from Coffee shop members on this issue!  Wink

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49238749

Not for me I am afraid. For environmental reasons I HAVE cut back on meat consumption, but am not willing to eliminate it.
I do what I can to protect the environment by not flying, not driving, and heating my home largely with local fire wood.
I have also made a decision not to have children, in order to slightly slow down population growth.
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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 (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
JayMac
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« Reply #1493 on: August 08, 2019, 22:33:22 »

I've recently abstained from red meat.

Well... it's a start.  Wink
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TonyK
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« Reply #1494 on: August 13, 2019, 10:50:34 »

An interesting thread.
I guess that was discontinued at the same time as the drought ale...

Summer 1976?

Do you remember it?  I know where I was when it ended!   A field which quickly turned into mud by the Thames in Reading. 

<Thread drift>
I remember it well - I was stood in a queue at a standpipe, with wellington boots on my feet and carrying a brolly! The picture appeared in the Express and Echo, but sadly I no longer have a copy.
</Thread drift>

I was in that same field as you two but - cunningly - I was backstage enjoying a higher class of mud...  Grin

I can't remember if I was at the Reading festival that year, so I probably was.
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Sixty3Closure
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« Reply #1495 on: August 14, 2019, 08:54:35 »

Quick food related question...I've got my first ever First Class journey on GWR (Great Western Railway) coming up.

Is it free food or just an at seat service (assuming there's anything at all)?
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alan_s
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« Reply #1496 on: August 14, 2019, 09:16:43 »

Quick food related question...I've got my first ever First Class journey on GWR (Great Western Railway) coming up.

Is it free food or just an at seat service (assuming there's anything at all)?
Depends what train you're on, if it's the turbo Reading to Gatwick, there's nothing at all, if it's an IET (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) you might be lucky to get one visit from the trolley if there is one in your section (you might get a 10 car IET made up of 2 fives - with no walkway between the two).  I have not experienced the weekday offering. On the weekend you get one drink (tea/ (instant)coffee/ water/ pepsi) and a snack box.
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Sixty3Closure
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« Reply #1497 on: August 14, 2019, 09:20:18 »

In theory its a full size IET (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) although it has had a tendency to shrink to 5 on some occasions hence splashing out on First class.

Sounds like I should get some sandwiches before I travel then and a cup of tea will be a bonus.
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BBM
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« Reply #1498 on: August 14, 2019, 11:38:36 »

This is the First Class offering I received on a RDG (Rail Delivery Group, or Reading station, depending on context)-CDF» (Cardiff - next trains) journey one Saturday morning a few weeks ago:
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johnneyw
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« Reply #1499 on: August 14, 2019, 12:10:08 »

The trolley service on GWR (Great Western Railway) is bit of a lottery to me these days although in my experience the majority of services have one. I tend to take a drink and snack with me for longer journeys now but that is also to save myself a bit of money.
Has anyone else noticed the total failure to provide a trolley service on the Severn Beach run?  Grin
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