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Title: Bring a packed lunch Post by: PhilWakely on July 29, 2018, 06:12:01 Quote 08:05 Penzance to London Paddington due 14:09 Facilities on the 08:05 Penzance to London Paddington due 14:09. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Catering is not available throughout. 08:22 London Paddington to Penzance due 14:33 Facilities on the 08:22 London Paddington to Penzance due 14:33. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Catering is not available throughout. 15:12 Plymouth to London Paddington due 19:25 Facilities on the 15:12 Plymouth to London Paddington due 19:25. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Catering is not available throughout. 16:13 Penzance to London Paddington due 22:10 Facilities on the 16:13 Penzance to London Paddington due 22:10. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Catering is not available. 18:57 London Paddington to Plymouth due 22:55 Facilities on the 18:57 London Paddington to Plymouth due 22:55. This is due to a shortage of train crew. Catering is not available. A taste (pun intended) of things to come? Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: broadgage on July 29, 2018, 09:08:26 Yes, a sign of things to come.
Many services are now downgraded to the new DMUs, without buffets. Whilst a trolley service was promised, provision has been very patchy. If the train consists of two 5 car units, then there is a 50% chance that the trolley will be in the other portion (no through gangways on the downgraded units) If only a single unit is provided, then if a trolley is provided at all it will be static and probably hiding in first class. The great downgrade is now spreading to the long distance services, with even Penzance services offering no buffet, but having a trolley (maybe) No point in recruiting buffet staff if buffets are about to be abolished. Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: TaplowGreen on July 29, 2018, 09:20:14 Are catering staff allowed to opt out of Sunday working too?
Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: plymothian on July 29, 2018, 09:59:53 Are catering staff allowed to opt out of Sunday working too? Yes Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: TaplowGreen on July 29, 2018, 10:12:40 Are catering staff allowed to opt out of Sunday working too? Yes Ah of course...………..I guess they need someone to man the BBQ! ;) Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: broadgage on July 29, 2018, 11:50:13 Why would they want a barbecue ? a trolley service of crisps and warm beer would be preferred by most, surveys prove it.
Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: Bmblbzzz on July 29, 2018, 12:27:44 Ah, the great advantage of a loco-hauled service is you can use the engine room for the BBQ. Of course, back in the days of steam it was even better...
Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: eightf48544 on July 29, 2018, 13:54:02 I've just come across an article about the Dining car train which left Paddington for the West Country at 12-05 pm on Fridays prior to peak Saturdays. it consisted of a number of fully provisioned and staffed dining cars for use on Summer Extras. It stopped at Exeter for gassing and watering, It then split at Newton Abbot some cars being dropped off for Paignton and Kings wear. It then proceeded into Cornwall. The restaurant car crews stayed overnight in hostels. During the night they would be marshalled into their respective trains.
Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: broadgage on July 29, 2018, 14:59:18 The good old days indeed !
These days, extra trains at busy holiday times are rare. And as for restaurants on a Saturday, on a scheduled service, no chance, let alone on an extra. Buffets are soon to be extinct on GWR, trolley only, maybe. Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: Sleepy on August 11, 2018, 00:00:49 This and 1st Class seats poor in new stock - dfT doing their best to ruin long distance travel on GWR !! :'( At least we have the Sleeper for Cornwall .......
Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: Clan Line on August 11, 2018, 09:23:26 ( At least we have the Sleeper for Cornwall ....... I hear that DfT are procuring new matresses for that !! ;D Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: martyjon on August 11, 2018, 09:38:50 ( At least we have the Sleeper for Cornwall ....... I hear that DfT are procuring new matresses for that !! ;DWell they couldn't be any worse than the NHS mattress that I endured 25 years ago. Title: Re: Bring a packed lunch Post by: Umberleigh on August 11, 2018, 18:01:16 I've just come across an article about the Dining car train which left Paddington for the West Country at 12-05 pm on Fridays prior to peak Saturdays. it consisted of a number of fully provisioned and staffed dining cars for use on Summer Extras. It stopped at Exeter for gassing and watering, It then split at Newton Abbot some cars being dropped off for Paignton and Kings wear. It then proceeded into Cornwall. The restaurant car crews stayed overnight in hostels. During the night they would be marshalled into their respective trains. And the Southern would sometimes run an ACE restaurant car to Bude. Oh to have done that journey in such style. Sadly, I will not now trust GWR to provide refreshments and pack my own pasty, wine and water. Shame though. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |