|
IndustryInsider
|
 |
« Reply #1710 on: May 10, 2022, 18:33:02 » |
|
The app was talked about in post #1576 and prior to that as well. Originally hoped to be up and running last Spring. Don’t think it’s been live trialled yet but looks like it’s still going to happen from what Bob has heard.
Live testing now taking place. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
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/ |
|
|
|
1st fan
|
|
« Reply #1711 on: May 15, 2022, 20:08:02 » |
|
No catering at all according to the “Guard” on my train down from Hereford to Paddington. Odd given I saw people with what looked like GWR▸ supplied hot drinks in 1st and annoying because I might not have paid for Weekend 1st had I known. It’s not mentioned on GWR Journey Check either.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
TonyK
Global Moderator
Hero Member
Posts: 6594
The artist formerly known as Four Track, Now!
|
|
« Reply #1712 on: May 24, 2022, 06:38:26 » |
|
It isn't just GWR▸ - I recently survived a 4-hour flight to Cyprus without catering of any kind. It was worse on the way home - they had some, but far from good. In fact, not even edible. Refund, apology, free drink followed.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Now, please!
|
|
|
|
|
|
broadgage
|
|
« Reply #1714 on: May 31, 2022, 15:43:45 » |
|
A whole bottle sounds a bit excessive for one person but could be more reasonable for a party.
Pity that I travel less these days, largely due to the new trains.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
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.
|
|
|
|
JayMac
|
|
« Reply #1715 on: July 08, 2022, 17:07:22 » |
|
Today, bobm and I partook of a GWR▸ Pullman meal between Paddington and Devon. By my reckoning it was the first time in nearly three years I've had the pleasure of fine dining with GWR. There have been some changes. The menu is these days what one would call, "Table d'Hote". Fixed price for 2 (£30) or 3 (£35) courses. 3 or 4 choices per course, with a £15 supplement for fillet steak, although that option wasn't available to us today. Bob and I both chose Terrine of Confit Duck & Chicken with Apple & Celeriac Remoulade for starter. To follow, Bob had the Thai Green Curry and I went for Herb Crusted Haddock with Leek, Potato and Tenderstem Broccoli. Cheese and Biscuits for Bob and a devine Chocolate & Whisky Tiramisu for me. All washed down with an agreeable couple of bottles of Chenin Blanc, G&Ts and Port. I happened to mention to the crew that the reason for the Pullman meal was a belated birthday treat for Bob from me. Cue the embarrassing (for Bob) "Happy Birthday" salutation from the Pullman crew, including chef, along with a complimentary Tiramisu and free Port top up for him. Excellent food, faultless service. Still truly one of the best ways to enjoy travelling by train. If you can find the time, excuse, and money, to dine on a GWR Pullman service then do it.       And finally. The birthday boy with his 'cake'. No lockdown rules broken. No resignation needed. (Belated) Happy Birthday Bob. Goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway - A true friend. One in a million.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"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."
|
|
|
|
bobm
|
|
« Reply #1716 on: July 08, 2022, 17:19:06 » |
|
And a very nice treat it was. Thank you.
Probably best I don’t mention we had half a bottle of wine left over which is currently being swigged on an SWR» service towards Yeovil.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
JayMac
|
|
« Reply #1717 on: July 08, 2022, 17:31:19 » |
|
Probably best I don’t mention we had half a bottle of wine left over which is currently being swigged on an SWR» service towards Yeovil.
I have absolutely no idea what bobm is on about.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"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."
|
|
|
|
bobm
|
|
« Reply #1718 on: July 08, 2022, 17:42:28 » |
|
That’ll be the wine talking then.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
jamestheredengine
|
|
« Reply #1719 on: July 28, 2022, 22:42:34 » |
|
Bit disappointing that they've decided to cancel the Pullman dining car tomorrow (Friday 29 July), even though no union is actually on strike that day. Doesn't bode well for Friday 19th August, when I was contemplating making a booking for, with the RMT▸ getting their braziers out on the days either side.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Surrey 455
|
|
« Reply #1720 on: July 29, 2022, 20:19:04 » |
|
It isn't just GWR▸ - I recently survived a 4-hour flight to Cyprus without catering of any kind. It was worse on the way home - they had some, but far from good. In fact, not even edible. Refund, apology, free drink followed.
I recently used easyJet Holidays for a weeks break in Crete and they were advising in advance that they may not be able to provide hot food in flight. So our solution was sandwiches at Boots Gatwick (There was a massive queue to get into Wetherspoons) & a steak and chips meal at our resort before the flight home. Crisps, snacks & coffee were available plus obviously the Duty Free trolley which I have absolutely no interest in. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Kernowman
|
|
« Reply #1721 on: April 28, 2023, 00:19:16 » |
|
I did the 16.15 PZ - PAD» throughout the other day and did the Pullman Dining between Plymouth and Paddington and great it was to. Unfortunately only seven people were dining which isn't much for a crew of 3/4? I'm also fairly surprised they don't have dedicated sets for the Pullman services as for only six services - two from and to the West Country and one to and from South Wales, there must be an awful lot of unused kitchens on IETs▸ ? Some of those kitchens could possibly be used for other things (luggage, buffet car (if you move things around))? I do take the point that if you start taking out kitchens completely on IETs then that means that hot food for trolleys (as originally proposed) will then probably never be a reality on those particular sets.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
broadgage
|
|
« Reply #1722 on: April 29, 2023, 07:29:06 » |
|
One of the alleged merits of the IETs▸ was that every train has a full kitchen, and that there was therefore no question of Pullman cancellations due too "wrong sort of train"
And of course hot food in cattle class from the wonderfully improved trolley service.
The hot food has sunk without trace, and plenty of other reasons found to cancel Pullmans.
Time to build some proper intercity trains for long distance services and then use the wretched IETs on secondary services and outer suburban routes for which they are more suited.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
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.
|
|
|
|
ChrisB
|
|
« Reply #1723 on: April 29, 2023, 09:00:36 » |
|
Hitachi own the trains. They may not want the kitchens changed/removed
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
bobm
|
|
« Reply #1724 on: April 30, 2023, 09:40:48 » |
|
Unfortunately only seven people were dining which isn't much for a crew of 3/4?
I travelled to the South West on Friday and there were 11 of us dining on the lunchtime service. It has been a while since I had a meal on board and the menu is slightly different to the sample one shown on the website. Starter was a very nice crab & haddock salad with a lemon mayonnaise  Other choices were a lentil and paprika soup, a Singapore chicken satay salad or chargrilled artichoke and sweet potato. As I have got older I have found my appetite getting smaller so a five ounce fillet steak suits me well but may not be sufficient for all.  Other choices were quinoa stuffed pepper, saffron haddock or roasted chicken supreme I will always go for cheese and biscuits when it is available in a restaurant but there was also a rich chocolate torte or bread and butter pudding available.  As mentioned higher up this thread the meals are now priced per the number of courses (£32.50 for two or £37.50 for three) although there is a premium for the steak. As this thread (and my waist) will attest my bills in the Pullman since the change came in have been reduced despite rampant inflation. Agreed the service has changed in that there is no silver service with the main course; it arrives already plated but the food is till excellent. ,,and of course there are the everchanging views  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
