Great Western Coffee Shop

This is my first post having been a reader for some time, so I hope what follows is in the right place.  I am an occasional rail traveller, but always use the train in preference to the car where possible.  I want to use this first post to congratulate a member of the FGW staff for the fully professional way he did his job last Sunday 23rd Sept.

I was returning on the 17:03 service Paddington - BTM after a fortnight swanning around on SNCF and so was pretty tired and stressed.  I chose to go Weekend 1st, but a large number of Standard Class passengers seemed to want to ride in that section without offering the supplement.  The conductor came through before Reading and politely, but firmly moved out those who chose not to pay up.  That was only the start.  He then tackled a young woman from eastern Europe who offered a credit card fraudulently at the buffet.  I felt he dealt with it to everyone's advantage.  An offence was being committed and if not dealt with could have been repeated.  The young woman was spoken to appropriately, even though she became quite hysterical at times.   Sadly for her she had chosen a train with a multilingual conductor who is also a Special Constable. This man showed calmness, and self-assurance without officiousness and I was very impressed.  FGW should be proud of him.  I will write to them formally as well.

So with that positive comment I begin my contributions to the forum and look forward to a ride to Portishead on Saturday where I may meet some of you.

Welcome on board and it was great to read a positive post!

Dave

Very nice to see positive feedback regarding FGW staff as a first post on the forum.

trianer, on behalf of the moderator and admin team may I extend a very warm welcome to the Coffee Shop.  :)

If you are at Temple Meads on Saturday 29th September, then look out for us moderators/admins. Four of us should be round and about on the day. There are photos to aid recognition on an existing thread about the Community Rail Festival (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11167.15). Scroll through that thread for other moderators/admins pictures. Do introduce yourself. I will most likely be in and out of Bonaparte's Bar on platform 3 from 11am onward. Easily recognised by my bignose and grey flat cap!  ;)

...oh no not the flat cap.... ;D  Missed that at STEAM.

 I am sure trainer will be a great asset to this forum...and know for sure he will offer considered,insightful comment, far superior to my usual weak blend of corny comment and jokes  ;D

I agree with the last speaker!  Thanks for the welcome.