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

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002142q will find this on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Sounds

[bobm]

For various reasons I haven't travelled on the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) Pullman for over a year but had the opportunity to put that right yesterday.

While the food is still excellent, some of the "polish" has gone.

There used to be three menus which rotated - now there is just the one which runs for a few months.

The food arrives already plated rather than silver service.

The individual small jars of mustards have been replaced with sachets - and only of english mustard.

Pre-dinner Gin and Tonic now comes ready mixed but is served with ice and lemon.

Complimentary water now in a plastic bottle rather than a fullsize glass one.

After dinner coffee now brought to the table in individual pots rather than poured to the cup.

However the overall bill is likely to be cheaper.   Two courses are £37 and three £44.   There is a £15 supplement for steak.   Looking back in this thread, a menu from 2017 showed an average three course meal (not steak) costing £47.

Obligatory pictures from yesterday



Pressed Ham Hock



6oz Fillet steak

(normallu served with green beans and dauphinoise potatoes)

..and yes there is still port.

[broadgage]

Could in my view be summarised as "not bad, but not as good as it used to be"
But at least it has not been withdrawn.

[Ralph Ayres]

Changing to a plastic bottle seems an odd move in these environmentally-conscious times.  Tap water in a jug is simple enough, tastes just as good and the jug is reusable.

[broadgage]

Changing to a plastic bottle seems an odd move in these environmentally-conscious times.  Tap water in a jug is simple enough, tastes just as good and the jug is reusable.

In most cases I agree, I keep a supply of bottled water for emergencies but almost always drink tap water at home or when out and about.
However trains are different. The "tap water" on a train is from a storage tank that is filled via a hose from the mains water supply at the station. There is a slight risk of contamination from the tank or the hose. I would be reluctant to drink such water, unless in an emergency.

Back in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days, drinking water in catering vehicles was sterilised by means of an ultraviolet lamp. A small spy hole in the sterilising unit allowed visual confirmation that the lamp was lit.

[bobm]

These days the tanks are filled at a depot but the same risks apply.

In my opinion the bigger problem is - would you want an open vessel containing a litre or more of liquid open on a moving train?   

There is also the issue that space is at a premium on the single tables and a jug would probably take up more room than a bottle, glass or plastic. 

[BBM]

Yesterday I posted in the Night Riviera thread a review of the service on frequent flyer site Head For Points (which sometimes covers other modes of transport), today they've posted one of Pullman Dining on a journey from Plymouth to Paddington:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/04/13/review-gwr-pullman-dining/

[TaplowGreen]

Yesterday I posted in the Night Riviera thread a review of the service on frequent flyer site Head For Points (which sometimes covers other modes of transport), today they've posted one of Pullman Dining on a journey from Plymouth to Paddington:

https://www.headforpoints.com/2025/04/13/review-gwr-pullman-dining/

Worth noting;

"GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) had booked me on the Pullman Dining train back to London. Tickets for both trips were provided by GWR for review purposes".

.............and anyone who asks for a fillet steak "well done", should be ejected from the establishment in question immediately, whether restaurant or train! 

[GBM]

.............and anyone who asks for a fillet steak "well done", should be ejected from the establishment in question immediately, whether restaurant or train! 

As said in the comments a great chef will cook a steak well done even if he dies a little inside.
Prefer ours well done (to potentially get banned by TG for saying such things on a public forum) 

[TaplowGreen]

.............and anyone who asks for a fillet steak "well done", should be ejected from the establishment in question immediately, whether restaurant or train! 

As said in the comments a great chef will cook a steak well done even if he dies a little inside.
Prefer ours well done (to potentially get banned by TG for saying such things on a public forum) 

Good answer!  As it's Sunday I will put one on the BBQ for you and leave it there till a GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) train comes along - should be cinders by then!!!)   

[UstiImmigrunt]

Now if you want decent catering...

https://jidelnivozy.cz/menu/index.html

There is a slightly different menu for the conventional loco hauled trains which has an excellent roasted ham with 3 or 4 fried eggs on top and some bread to soak up the yolk with, 119 kč or a tad over £4.

I try not to eat out too often.

Recommended 2 course dinner is the guláš polévka with the veal, gorgeous! To drink there's a craft beer from Chroust brewery, proper Bud or draught Pilsner Urquell. And if in first class, all done from your seat, the first class host regularly walks through the coach.