Great Western Coffee Shop

I have been a member of this forum for over a year, and realise that I have not properly introduced myself, except to a few members in person over drinks once. Very nice bunch they are, too!

My name is Tony, and I am slightly above average height. I am a civil servant, and have lived in Bristol since 1977. I was born in Oldham, moved to Blackpool aged 14, and have also lived in Redruth and Camborne, working most memorably in a tin mine (South Crofty) for a while.

These days, I am an occasional rail traveller, usually fairly local - to Shirehampton, Weston, or Gloucester as a rule, although if I have to visit London, then train is my first choice. My morning commute (I work in historic Portland Square in St Pauls and live in Brislington) is by car or on foot, depending on whether I have to go elsewhere during the day, and the weather. I would use public transport, but for the cost and unreliability in Bristol. I believe strongly that we need good public transport, within the city, the Greater Bristol area and nationally, and that rail has a strong role to play in this. I believe equally strongly that BRT, or Bust Rabid Transit, is an expensive folly that will do little or nothing to help, and is the wrong solution to the wrong problem. I joined this forum because of the obvious depth of knowledge and experience I could see, and so that I could air my own views, and open them to constructive criticism.

My handle on this site, Four Track Now!, amended to Four Track, Now! after I thought I had heard Theresa Villiers announce the requadrification of the railway to Filton Bank, was really the result of a mental block when registering for the FGW Coffee Shop. I am sure I am not the first, and won't be the last, person to find the blank space for a forum nickname is matched by the blank space in the head. Having chosen Four Track Now on impulse, I began to regret it within moments, but couldn't think of anything better. (My son plays bass in a band called "High Speed Hangover" for similar reasons). However, I have found it has grown on me, and is a source of frequent puns, so I think I'll stick with it for a while.

I have other interests. I am married, with a son, two daughters, and two grandsons, soon to be joined by a third grandchild. Mrs FTN does not share my passion for rail and FGW, but paradoxically takes many more rail journeys than I do. She does, however, appreciate my being able to tell her whether her train will be on time. We intend to move to the country when I finish work (she has been made repugnant recently, something that delighted her greatly) and already have a cottage in Devon that we enjoy all we can in the meantime. It is thatched, and available for rent, with special discounts for Coffee Shop members via a PM. We enjoy travelling, something that gets easier as you age. I speak reasonable French, plus some Spanish and German, and can order a beer in most European languages. Though I blow my own trumpet, I am a good cook, and a fairly good baker, both skills acquired as economy measures. I learned to fly at Filton airfield in my late 40s, as a reward for recovering from cancer, the most fun I ever had in trousers (flying, that is, not cancer). Sadly, a combination of Filton's closure, changes in regulations, and the need to buy a house at short notice mean that I am again earthbound, but I rule nothing out. Football-wise, I follow Manchester United, and unusually for Man U fans globally, I attended most home games for a while, during the latter days of Charlton, Best, Law, and others. I am neutral in City v Rovers, although I have attended more City games than Rovers.

So there we are, Four Track, Now! laid bare. Not a pretty sight.

A well rounded individual it seems. Except for one blind spot.

Manchester United.  ::) :P :D

Ha Ha Ha! After the burglary at trophy room at the Rovers ground, police asked the public to let them know if they were offered a display cabinet and a blue and white carpet with a pirate motif. I also follow sympathetically the fortunes (or misfortunes in some cases) of Oldham Athletic, Fleetwood Town, Blackpool, and Exeter City. And also, because my wife's late father played for them as goalkeeper, Yeovil Town. Because my sister lives there and follows them, I also watch out for Norwich City, and subscribe to the Delius Myth.

Purely for the record, that particular occasion was the Portishead Line excursion on 29 September 2012, and those who had the quite genuine pleasure of meeting Tony Four Track, Now! over a beer or two in the Wetherspoons near Bristol Temple Meads were myself, bignosemac, Ollie, Brucey and 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 (or relex109, as he was known to us at that time.)  ;)

My only, very slight, reservation is over Four Track, Now!'s rather gratifying description of those particular forum members as a 'very nice bunch they are, too ...'  :o ::) ;D

I remained indebted to you for the ticket, Chris, without which I don't think I would have ever got to Portbury Dock. It was certainly a very great pleasure to meet up, and down a couple of Wetherspoons' finest. Hopefully, another excuse will come along by and by.

I'm sure it will FT,N.

I may just float the idea of a forum gathering in the coming days or weeks.... It's been a while.


But only once you'd gone off to find him!

Indeed: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=11167.msg118368#msg118368  ::)

FtN - I thank you for a lovely introduction and I am about to reveal my stupidity !

I thought your handle was due to an interest in reel to reel recording equipment (or some one sold you a duff 8 track, for those old enough to remember those)

Thank you for correcting me!

Berkshire Buggy,

Thank you for that, although some of the younger members on this forum will have no idea what you are talking about!

When we were clearing out some household junk recently my son (8.5 years old) came across a VHS tape and asked what it was. When I tried to explain what it was he quickly asked if it was April first !

You should see the look on a 7-year-old's face when you try to explain what a telephone box is..!

I once shared a drink (or two) with Michael Foot in the buffet at Temple Meads, after a day in Plymouth. I was sat at the bar, he sat next to me. I said hello, and missed my train to Redland whilst we chatted. We avoided politics, and he was good company. This was the day after, in February 1995, the Sunday Times had alleged, through Olev Gordievsky's serialised memoir, that he had been a Soviet agent. There was a picture in my Times of him waving his cane at the cameraman, which he hadn't seen. He autographed it for me - sadly, it has been lost since. He was amused by it - he was out walking his dog Dizzy (after Disraeli), hadn't noticed the cameraman, and was waving to a friend. He had gone to his sister's home in Weston super Mare when he heard the allegation was about to be aired, to lie low for the weekend, and was on his way back to London. 
After he left, the young lad behind the bar asked the question:
"Was that someone famous, sir?"
I told him that Mr Foot began his second spell in Parliament at about the same time that the Beatles formed, and went on to become leader after James Callaghan, resigning after losing the 1983 election. He was a man of letters, a journalist, a scion of a political family, and a skilled orator.

Answering his next question, I then explained that the Beatles were a once-popular four-piece musical combo from Liverpool. Do they teach them nothing at school?

Ok not knowing Michael Foot I can possibly understand but the Beatles?

Probably one of the most famous original boy bands

I have been a member of this forum for over a year, and realise that I have not properly introduced myself, except to a few members in person over drinks once. Very nice bunch they are, too!  All rite fer sum, innit.

My name is Tony, and I am slightly above average height. I am a civil servant, and have lived in Bristol since 1977. I was born in Oldham, moved to Blackpool aged 14, and have also lived in Redruth and Camborne, working most memorably in a tin mine (South Crofty) for a while. Good redeeming features then.

I'm pleased I understand references to Beatles; VHS, Michael Foot.  Fortunately my children grew up shortly towards the end of those era's, so tolerate my harking back to the "old" days.
Thanks for the memories.

Not in all parts of Temple Meads buffet, apparently.

I, too, blame that Gove cove (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=3266.msg131405#msg131405) ...  ;) :D ;D

Treacherous Gove, Michael Cove!

I gather his latest scheme is to insist that history is taught in chronological order. Quite apart from the vexed issue of 'when do you start?', this means the next generation of kids are unlikely ever to learn about the Industrial Revolution and after, because they'll run out of time. You couldn't make it up.

Luckily for Michael Gove, I have been working on the definitive text book. Entitled "The History of the World from the Big Bang to Last Tuesday" (when I started writing it), it's 82 pages long including the index, so it's quite comprehensive. It should be finished for the new school year, although I'm struggling with a couple of details, including whether Ian Fleming wrote the Bond novels before or after inventing penicillin. And  why it's still the Marathon in the Olympics, when it's been Snickers everywhere else for years - a Greek thing, I suppose.


I thought that one had passed everyone by unnoticed.

Very little on this forum gets past me unnoticed, Four Track, Now!  ;) :D ;D

Well with your undoubted influence it is sure to become a set book by the beginning of the new acedemic year. Do you have a foot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Foot) in both camps?

Unfortunately, in terms of popular credibility, Michael Foot chose a donkey jacket when everyone else was wearing Gannex raincoats ...  ::)

I lost count of how many times I did the Tudors & Stuarts at school.  Meanwhile my son once asked me if I had ever met Queen Victoria!  (Makes a change from "what did you do in the war" I suppose!)

The "Donkey Jacket" was not a donkey jacket, something acknowledged by even the Telegraph,  (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/7361078/Michael-Foot-and-the-donkey-jacket-that-wasnt.html)hardly the newspaper most likely to stand up for a labour leader.


I am happy to put the record straight on behalf of my late one-time boozing buddy Mickey (or Footy, as I sometimes refer to him).

The whole Gannex / Kagan / Forkbender business occupied many column inches in newspapers for a while. It certainly wasn't the first time in history that a political donor (Joe Kagan funded Harold Wilson's private office) had been knighted, then ennobled, then imprisoned. It was a scandal at the time, meaning that we lost sight of the great success of Gannex as a raincoat. Wilson wore one one a trade mission before becoming Prime Minister. As a result, Lyndon Johnson, Nikita Kruschev, and even Mao Zedong bought them, with obvious benefits to the company, as did the Queen, for herself, Prince Philip, and even the corgis. They were popular with the military and police, too.

To bring this once autobiographical item back on thread, I have never owned a Gannex raincoat or a donkey jacket, nor been knighted. I have, however, partly funded a former leader of a political party, although in fairness, he bought the next round.

Well I'm very happy to share a messageboard with someone who has had a pint with someone who knew Eric Arthur Blair.

Except the location and the looks of that place... erm... what is it called? ;D :P :o

Oh yes... How could I forget... Tiverton :P :o ;D

We all have one blind spot, young trout ... (http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/fighting/dope-slap.gif) (http://www.sherv.net/whack-emoticon-557.html)

Tony's dad?

Although I thought A. C. L. Blair's dad was the Randy Scouse Git.  :-\ :P ;D

Shurely shome mishtake. My dad was Joe. Randy Scouse Git is TB's father in law.


Would have enjoyed a pint with him myself, even Georges Brewery's. I've read many of his books. Or, well, several anyway. (See what I did there?)

In the graveyard of All Saint's Church, Sutton Courtenay, a deep rumbling can be heard: the sound of a body turning rapidly in its grave.

edit: typo

I've read every single word he wrote, even the Collected Shopping Lists 1936-39.

He had nice things to say about Michael Foot.

I do like Orwells that end well.

My capabilities in terms of linguistics and literacy are not always matched by my prowess in history and geography. So it was that I toured Paris fruitlessly in search of the Bastille, which had I listened to my history teacher more carefully, I would have known was demolished shortly after quatorze juillet 1789, before heading to Avignon, determined to cross the eponymous Pont d'Avignon. There, I learned that I had arrived almost 400 years too late, as the Pont Saint-B^nezet had washed away in almost Cowley-esque manner, but without Network Rail at the time, had not been repaired. As the weather was beautiful, I tarried awhile, before returning to Lancashire, determined to visit at least one famous historic structure.

In Wigan, I was again disappointed...

It would appear that you were disappointed on the way there: was your visit made during 1984, by any chance?  ;D

Not sure. I would ask my Big Brother if I had one. Or perhaps a Clergyman's Daughter?

Perhaps the Old Major can jog your memory. Don't disturb Benjamin though. He's a cantankerous old git.

We seem to be drowning in Orwell references: I need to be coming up for air.  Keep the aspidistra flying, lads.  (My bookshelf has more, but I'll stop now  ;)).

You're lucky that where you are, trainer, you can come up for air. They're down and out in Paris and London.

I'm currently in the Knights  Templar. It occurred  to me that I might  not be the only Coffee Shop member here

Now, with advanced warning I might have been.

Sorry bobm. It was a thought that entered what passes for my mind only after I sat down with pint. I will give such warning as I can next time, although I don'talways get much notice.

Me too.

Maybe a check in thread is needed? Anyway, Four Track, Now! has left the building.

Had it been a little earlier today our paths may have crossed. At 1530 I was boarding a XC service heading for Derby.

Damn! (Sorry for the expletive). Could have been our third meeting on licensed premises. Oh, me and my work ethic.

I've been known to down a coffee or 3 in this establishment... ::) ;D

Moi non plus.

Shall we invite Jane and Serge? That would be an interesting evening... have to sit outside though.

Moi non plus. (How did my answer get to be before your post???)

I have had my PA check my dairy, and it seems my next window of opportunity at the Knights Templar  is likely to be Monday 12 May, somewhere around the 5pm mark, possibly as early as 3.40, as I get thirsty easily these days. Why I need a Public Address to check my dairy, I don't know.

Why I need a Public Address to check my dairy   A dairy can be a very large building, so a public address system would be useful to ensure you could be heard in all parts of that outbuilding.
Sensible option really.

Yes, makes perfect sense.

While you're using the Public address at the dairy, hope you make a really MOOOOOO -ving oratory!



Edited to fix quote. bignosemac

We could make this an impromptu forum gathering if you like FT,N. No reason I can't get to the Kniggits Templur for that date and time. A more visible and official 'Forum Gathering' post perhaps?

Incidentally, myself, bobm and Ollie, of this parish, were gathered in said watering hole this evening.

... and I note that none of them bothered to invite me.  Friends, eh??  :o ::) ;D

bobm and I actually were discussing you as we passed through Nailwell and Backsea prior to hooking up with Ollie. We figured you'd be out and about in your Sprinter van finding obscure disused railway locations to photograph.  :P

Sorry if you were actually free and could've come along. It was only at 1530 this afternoon that our stars aligned and I learned that Ollie was at Temple Meads.

As it happens, I was - but didn't, today.  ::)

To make it worse bignosemac and I even mentioned you while sitting in the Railway Arms at Yatton Station but that was quickly forgotten when my companion registered 174 with three darts.

In a way, that makes it even worse, bearing in mind that it was I who introduced you to the excellent Railway Arms at Yatton Station, some time ago ...  ::) :o

Oh dear - and bignosemac and I sat at the same table as you and I did.  Seems I owe you several pints now to make up for it.  ;D

I have pencilled that date in my own diary, in ink - so it's fairly likely that I will be able to join you. :P

I have chiselled it in, and intend a 4.45-ish kick-off. I shall give the car the day off, and have no reason to leave early. Could be Four Pints, Now! Shall we post this formally?

BTW, for those whom I have yet to meet, I shall be carrying a rolled-up carnation, and wearing a copy of The Times.

I've checked my wallet, and asked Wetherspoons to arrange a special delivery. Se you all later!

Will see you later FT,N!

That's two of us at least! I'll be there about 4,40.

I'll be on the 16.35 from Avonmouth...

And a jolly fine meeting it was! More quality than quantity, both with a capital "K", but Four Track, Now!, bobm, red squirrel and, of course, bignosmac, put the world to rights over a couple of sherbets or six.

And to prove it wasn't all a dream (with the permission of all featured), here's the photographic evidence:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/photo2_zpsb17770db.jpg)
(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/photo1_zps1b602314.jpg)

Or of course "nightmare"!

I am the one with the glasses in the first picture. bobm is the other one with glasses. In the second picture, bignosemac is obvious, and red squirrel was on his FGW Coffee Shop first outing from the drey but was very welcome.

In due course, with trains /and or buses to catch, we dispersed. Next time?

Very convivial evening.

..even after ordering my third choice for dinner after the first two were out of stock.

I don't know where Red Squirrel was this morning.... but I know where he was this evening...  ;D

It was all good. Nice to meet you, gents!

... and I can only apologise, slightly belatedly, for my inability to join you - due to my shifts being re-arranged for me at the last moment.  ::) :o

I'm glad you all had the opportunity to have a beer over a chat or two, though.  I'll make even more strenuous efforts to attend the next get-together!  ;)