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

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

It’s quite possible GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) will want a similar and consistent level of catering on all long distance routes throughout Britain when they let the contracts in a couple of years.

Perhaps that will mean the end of the Pullman, but a bacon roll delivered to your seat on all trains if you want one?

[grahame]

"improved trolleys that keep hot things hot and cold things cold"

Off topic alert.

You remind me of the footballer (the story I was told has a name) who was given his first Thermos flask with that message about hot things hot, and cold things cold.   And at the training ground the next day, he proudly produced it - "I've got a lovely hot Pea and Ham soup for my starter in here, and Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream as my desert" ...

[broadgage]

It’s quite possible GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) will want a similar and consistent level of catering on all long distance routes throughout Britain when they let the contracts in a couple of years.

Perhaps that will mean the end of the Pullman, but a bacon roll delivered to your seat on all trains if you want one?

I doubt that complete uniformity would be achievable or desirable, but I do expect that GBR will want a minimum level of facilities on long distance services.
We might even see buffets on IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).
The RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) may not much care about passengers, but are in favour of buffets.

ISTR^▸ (I seem to recall/remember) that padded seats have been proposed by GBR.

[eXPassenger]

"improved trolleys that keep hot things hot and cold things cold"

Off topic alert.

You remind me of the footballer (the story I was told has a name) who was given his first Thermos flask with that message about hot things hot, and cold things cold.   And at the training ground the next day, he proudly produced it - "I've got a lovely hot Pea and Ham soup for my starter in here, and Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream as my desert" ...

I thought of this story as well.

[IndustryInsider]

I doubt that complete uniformity would be achievable or desirable, but I do expect that GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) will want a minimum level of facilities on long distance services.
We might even see buffets on IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train).
The RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) may not much care about passengers, but are in favour of buffets.

ISTR^▸ (I seem to recall/remember) that padded seats have been proposed by GBR.

Well, anything is possible.

However, it's my turn to be cynical for once and suggest that the no/low cost options will be explored by GBR first, rather than paying many millions installing 93 buffets?

There's more of a chance that new seats will be installed, even more so if the existing seat frame can somehow be retained and just re-upholstered.

But, we should also be wary of taking as gospel a couple of ambitions for an organisation that has yet to be set up, and which still has no idea how much money will be coming into it from revenue following the fallout of the pandemic.

On another point though, it's positive that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) are now operating more 9-car services on the Cornish services, instead of 5+5, and from chatter over on RailForums it appears this is a permanent move, rather than temporary, as the requirements of the fleet have now changed... i.e. it's not so much about delivering many thousands to and from London each weekday.

[bobm]

On line booking now available.

https://www.gwr.com/travelling-with-us/pullman-dining/pullman-booking#/intro

[jamestheredengine]

Does anyone know if Wine Wednesday's going to return now that things are almost normal? One of those things that used to make First Class nice.

[MVR S&T]

Does anyone know if Wine Wednesday's going to return now that things are almost normal? One of those things that used to make First Class nice.

Possibly not: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58428800

[broadgage]

A few months ago, we were bombarded with stories about "a Summer of food shortages" Summer is now over without significant shortages of food, drink or other basic goods.

So now now the narrative has shifted to "Christmas food and drink shortages"

I have observed some shortages of specific brands or products, but no generalised shortages. A dozen types of dried pasta for example instead of several dozen types.
A shortage of certain brands of beer, but no general beer shortage.

A shortage of one or two BRANDS of wine is possible, but a general shortage of wine in general seems most unlikely. I have experienced no problems in purchasing wine or beer.

The only significant shortage that I have observed is propane which has been in short supply to a varying degree for a couple of years. Both portable cylinders and bulk supplies. At broadgage towers, supplies are reduced to a couple of 19 kilo cylinders and one part full.

[TaplowGreen]

A few months ago, we were bombarded with stories about "a Summer of food shortages" Summer is now over without significant shortages of food, drink or other basic goods.

So now now the narrative has shifted to "Christmas food and drink shortages"

I have observed some shortages of specific brands or products, but no generalised shortages. A dozen types of dried pasta for example instead of several dozen types.
A shortage of certain brands of beer, but no general beer shortage.

A shortage of one or two BRANDS of wine is possible, but a general shortage of wine in general seems most unlikely. I have experienced no problems in purchasing wine or beer.

The only significant shortage that I have observed is propane which has been in short supply to a varying degree for a couple of years. Both portable cylinders and bulk supplies. At broadgage towers, supplies are reduced to a couple of 19 kilo cylinders and one part full.

How are the stocks of Port holding up?

[broadgage]

14 bottles of port at broadgage towers.
I could add to supplies, but wont until tesco have a good special offer on.

[IndustryInsider]

According to a post on Railforums the steak dish is now starting to reappear on the Pullman menu.

In terms of normal catering, I've just witnessed the ‘order on the app for delivery to your seat’ service offered on Pendolinos on the WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line) work very well.  GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) were supposed to be introducing something similar this year, but I don’t think it’s started yet.  Does anyone have any more details?

[ChrisB]

GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) tweeted about the return if the steak yesterday.

LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) also offer food & drink delivery to Standard class. Nothing from GWR yet that I’ve seen. Possibky difficult with 5car sets when run as 10cars as would need 2 additional staff

[bobm]

According to a post on Railforums the steak dish is now starting to reappear on the Pullman menu.

As chance would have it, I was on last night's evening Pullman service from Plymouth and can confirm the steak has returned on a limited basis.



Now I am no expert but I am not sure this steak was only 6 ounces.  Although sirloin rather than the fillet which used to be available, it was tender and tasty.



The two courses for £25 or three for £30 remains but the steak attracts a premium of £10 with the optional red wine sauce a further £2.50

It was my first trip since the day the Pullmans were relaunched.  Slowly signs of normality are beginning to return.  The drinks are now poured for you.  However there is still no warm bread roll and the food is served ready plated rather than silver service.   Port is also now available and poured from a full sized bottle rather than being served in miniatures.

There were 11 dining.  Apparently the maximum capacity on a nine car is 18 - which then utilises some the seats in the adjoining first class carriage as well as those next to the kitchen.

[IndustryInsider]

Good to see the 9-cars being used on some of the Pullmans now - better for passengers than a 2x5-car and a slightly bigger kitchen for the staff as well.