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

[whole diary]

[Tim]

I know NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) food was criticised by Barry but on Sunday I found their full English breakfast to be great (bacon, toast, beans, really nice little toms, potato scone, saugage, black pudding, 3 cups of tea and orange juice on propper plate and cutlery for ^12 was not bad, although the ^25 w/end first upgrade was needed to get access to any food above megre buffet fayre).

was planning to try Grand Central's offering on the trip North, but the train as so crowded at KX I would not have got a seat and instead got on the NX train north 12 minutes later (GC^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line) need to put their fares up to close to NXEC or add a couple of coaches).  2hr 20 to Darlington with first stop at York was a very impressive timing.

[caliwag]

Full English breakfast on a Sunday? Good heavens

[Timmer]

Full English breakfast on a Sunday? Good heavens

That's what I was thinking especially when NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) have drastically cut back restaurant services during weekdays.

[Tim]

I was surprised to see it listed in the timetable and doubtful as to whether it would actually exist, but it was there (on the first train of the day South from Darlington) and well used. 

[JayMac]

I was surprised to see it listed in the timetable and doubtful as to whether it would actually exist, but it was there (on the first train of the day South from Darlington) and well used. 

Let's hope that ECMLCo (t/a East Coast) reverse some of the catering changes that the dire NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) instigated.

[willc]

If anyone is taking a journey by NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast), the pdfs of the timetable on their website have the catering provision on each train highlighted by colour coding, be that a restaurant open to all comers, or first class only at-seat service, see http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/Travel-Information/full-timetables/Timetable-information/
but as Tim found, on Saturday and Sunday it's only in first class, on a few services, where there is a dining service.

[broadgage]

Restaurant provision still appears very hit and miss, with equipment failures and staff shortage a regular feature.
On the 18-03 last Thursday (29/10/2009) only a very limited number of meals were served due to catering equipment failure.
Many prospective customers were turned away including some who had booked.
I was lucky to get a meal, which was of the usual high standard and most enjoyable.

On my return journey on the 12-55 from Plymouth (06/11/2009), no restaurant service was offered, due I understand, to catering equipment failure.
On several previous trips restaurants have been canceled due to staff shortages and breakdowns.

There seems to be a general view among FGW^▸ (First Great Western) catering staff that the service is being run down prior to closure.

[Chris from Nailsea]

More problems today on the catering front, it seems.  From FGW^▸ (First Great Western) live updates:

Service incidents
13:06 London Paddington to Plymouth due 16:29
This train has been revised. This is due to a member of train crew being unavailable.
No Travelling Chef service. Buffet service only.
Last Updated: 09/11/2009 12:21

14:15 Paignton to London Paddington due 17:24
This train has been revised.This is due to train crew having been unavailable earlier.
No catering service available between Paignton and Exeter St Davids.
Last Updated: 09/11/2009 12:37

14:31 Cheltenham Spa to London Paddington due 16:39
This train has been revised. This is due to an earlier train fault.
No buffet service. A trolley service is available in Standard Class.
Last Updated: 09/11/2009 12:34

15:22 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 18:45
This train will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3. This is due to an earlier train fault.
Last Updated: 09/11/2009 12:38

16:00 Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington due 17:39
This train has been revised. This is due to an earlier train fault.
No buffet service. A trolley service is available in Standard Class.
Last Updated: 09/11/2009 13:17

16:12 Paignton to Exmouth due 17:53
This train has been revised. This train will be formed of 2 coaches instead of 3. This is due to an earlier train fault.
Last Updated: 09/11/2009 15:10

16:22 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central due 19:45
This train has been revised. This is due to train crew having been unavailable earlier.
No catering service available between Portsmouth Harbour and Newport -South Wales-.
Last Updated: 09/11/2009 15:13

17:06 London Paddington to Westbury due 18:54
This train has been revised. This is due to an earlier train fault.
No buffet service. A trolley service is available in Standard Class.
Last Updated: 09/11/2009 15:16

[broadgage]

The new timetable, now available on the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) website, suggests that two up trains will retain pullmans, despite earlier suggestions that one was to be withdrawn.

If true, then this is somwhat better news than expected.

Two restaurants a day is rather meager provision, not that long ago there were seven in each direction on the West of England line, and several to/from Wales.
Still better than nothing though, I certainly enjoy it.

[Btline]

Hopefully the East Coast restaurant service will be re-intoduced, now it is run by a competent company.

[Timmer]

Hopefully the East Coast restaurant service will be re-intoduced, now it is run by a competent company.

A review of on board catering is planned but what that will mean for the return of a decent restaurant service remains to be seen.

[inspector_blakey]

Hang on...they're completely untested, and Elaine Holt's at the helm! Let's not jump to any conclusions that they're competent just yet  

After all, according to Railway Eye, ppm for last day of NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) was 100%. Anyone like to guess the ppm for the first day of EC? 76%  

(Before anyone flames me, I'm well aware that I'm quoting that out of context and there probably are all sorts of legitimate reasons - it's just a statistic that amused me!)

[JayMac]

I am open to the possibilty of great things ahead for the 'East Coast' franchise. Elaine Holt has got two years to turn the franchise around, and I wish her every success.

I have travelled to the North East on numerous occasions in the past 5 years and have always been happy to pay a premium to go via London from Bristol rather than endure 5 hours on a Vomiter. NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) were starting to make me reconsider though, so I look forward to the promise of an improved on board service. There was a noticeable lack of morale amongst the on board staff on my last two first class trips, so here's hoping things can only get better.

[JayMac]

Promo video for ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former Train Operating Company))'s Premier Class Restaurant. Slightly cheesy accompanying music!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHNLayx-CQU&feature=player_embedded#

[inspector_blakey]

How long do you reckon before the FGWComms channel posts a video response demonstrating how to massacre a cheeseburger in a plastic bag? 

PS only joking, I think the travelling chef's great!