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CMRail
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« Reply #1500 on: August 14, 2019, 12:36:26 » |
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The weekend offering has significantly improved recently. I was on a service from Paddington up to Gloucester and we only had a single Customer Host who prioritised the first class trolley. Same drinks were offered as per weekday but you also have an offer of a snack box which are available in vegan and gluten free format.
I don’t see how “preparing for a short form/lack of catering” is needed, short forms are a lot less likely now and despite the word of some members catering isn’t often unavailable..
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1501 on: August 14, 2019, 12:39:37 » |
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The trolley service has certainly climbed several steps upwards recently. There's a few more steps still to climb mind you.
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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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alan_s
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« Reply #1502 on: August 14, 2019, 13:05:43 » |
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...
I don’t see how “preparing for a short form/lack of catering” is needed, short forms are a lot less likely now and despite the word of some members catering isn’t often unavailable..
Short form is less likely, but there's still good chance you get a 5+5 rather than a 9 turn up, and the trolley only in one of the two units... |
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Timmer
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« Reply #1503 on: August 14, 2019, 19:02:42 » |
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I thought thar the snack box offered in First over the weekend when I travelled to London a few weeks back was good. Also tried the gluten free version and was pretty impressed. No sweet stuff in the GF▸ box though. I suppose that’s the point of making it the healthy option.
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broadgage
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« Reply #1504 on: August 14, 2019, 19:56:14 » |
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What is the paid for drinks service like these days, weekdays in first class ? My two most recent experiences were rather unfavourable, but I travel less these days so my experiences might not be representative. Hoping for some paid for gin, with some free orange juice and hopefully some ice cubes. And with winter assuredly approaching, perhaps coffee with brandy  Or even hot chocolate with brandy, not for myself but I know someone who greatly enjoys this. |
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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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nickswift99
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« Reply #1505 on: August 19, 2019, 13:21:28 » |
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Loving the new catering. On a Paignton-Paddington service with no proper food available. No staff at all until Exeter then no sandwiches (which we only discover as the trolley appears at Castle Cary).
If GWRs▸ strategy is to run down the service then I’d suggest it’s doing a good job.
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broadgage
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« Reply #1506 on: August 19, 2019, 15:41:10 » |
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It will all get much better.
About 2 years ago, Ben Rule re-assured us that the trolley service would be splendid and a great improvement on buffets.
More recently Mark Hopwood re-re-assured us that it will all get much better.
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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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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1507 on: August 19, 2019, 15:51:54 » |
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It has got a lot better in the last few months. Still a long, long, long way to go though!
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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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CMRail
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« Reply #1508 on: August 19, 2019, 16:05:07 » |
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I absolutely love Nature Valley Oat biscuits, so when I saw them on the trolley the other day it was almost as exciting as the Pullman service!
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REVUpminster
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« Reply #1509 on: August 19, 2019, 18:49:33 » |
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Last Saturday on a 9 car Plymouth- London (08.30 Newton Abbot). Two trollies in operation. 1 in 1st class and 1 in standard. There was a luggage steward in a green hivi and a ticket inspector/train manager?
The trolly in standard was static (wheel fault) plugged into a cabinet between coaches with facilities to heat urn. Only hot drinks available was tea, chocolate, and filter coffee with plenty of milk. No sandwiches and could not leave position to get any. Trolly dolly in first class was too busy doing a first class run.
Return was 1803 London-Penzance. 2 x 5cars. Trolly in each unit but only the rear unit was giving out 1st class freebies.
Our trolly came through only offering wine and spirits. Later he set up a static trolly between coach B &C and announced on the tannoy when we could come for hot drinks and when he would be closing and reopening, probably for his meal relief.
Another thing with these static trollies a queue builds up blocking back into the carriage.
Another oddity on this train was no ticket checking at Paddington because it was platform 9, on the train, or at Newton Abbot where the ticket barriers were closed off.
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CMRail
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« Reply #1510 on: August 19, 2019, 19:56:31 » |
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Another oddity on this train was no ticket checking at Paddington because it was platform 9, on the train, or at Newton Abbot where the ticket barriers were closed off.
TMs▸ are pushed to make more of a presence and monitor the service and revenue has never really been a priority for them. |
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JayMac
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« Reply #1511 on: August 20, 2019, 12:38:34 » |
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"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6642
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #1512 on: August 20, 2019, 17:54:29 » |
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I hope nobody else has entered. |
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Now, please!
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broadgage
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« Reply #1513 on: August 20, 2019, 18:55:32 » |
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Well I have entered as well. Despite the deluge of spam that will no doubt follow giving my email address to GWR▸ .
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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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TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6642
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
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« Reply #1514 on: August 21, 2019, 15:03:19 » |
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It will all get much better.
About 2 years ago, Ben Rule re-assured us that the trolley service would be splendid and a great improvement on buffets.
More recently Mark Hopwood re-re-assured us that it will all get much better.
I thought the sandwiches I ate on my last trip were pretty awful. That's the last time I take my own. |
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Now, please!
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