Great Western Coffee Shop

I took a trip to Waterloo via Salisbury on Friday, stayed a few nights with friends, and came back yesterday. I wanted to get the direct SWT from Bath Spa on the way down, but all the SuperAdvance tickets had run out and I had to settle for a later FGW Portsmouth Hbr train with a change at Salisbury, and a SWT train from there. On the way back the SWT train was direct.

The FGW train was on time, but 2 cars, and very crowded and noisy, with people sitting in my reserved seats. The SWT train down to Waterloo was on time, quiet, plenty of seats and much more comfortable despite being fairly busy.
The return journey was just as good, despite no seat reservations- which the conductor kept apologising profusely for-  but I didn't mind at all. We were in a 8 car SWT that divided at Salisbury with 3 of ours going to Bristol TM. This journey was also great, although I was surprised no passengers got on at Warminster, Trowbridge or Bradford-on-Avon. All the SWT trains were on time.

If anyone's planning on going to London, I highly recommend a SWT trip down to Waterloo for anyone living on the route it takes from Bristol. It's longer than going to Paddington, but cheaper and very comfortable. And also, take a trip on the DLR! It's a real experience - almost fully automated trains!

I have to agree, SWT are excellent! Only problem from my perspective with them is the lack of Advance Purchase tickets which is a real bonus for me.

^12 RTN fGW on AP
^33ish RTN SWT SVR

I'm able to get Apex and Superadvance from Bath Spa on SWT, but each time they messed up the reservations- not a problem for me though as we got a table without paying extra ;)

But if you are not doing AP, then what! Tell us the price difference!

On the occasions when Paddington was not functioning, I have travelled to Andover from Waterloo instead of Paddinton to Bedwyn.  The SWT trains were clean, on time, staffed by pleasant helpful people, in fact a treat to travel on.  A somewhat surreal experience.