Great Western Coffee Shop

Hi all

I was wondering if GWR have re-introduced the refreshment trolley on the IETS yet? I always enjoy the trolley when I'm making a long journey.

Thanks,GWR 158

Trolley service is slowly being reintroduced on IET services. It is, however, patchy. Whether you get a trolley service is a lottery. Don't rely on it. Even GWR's own website is currently suggesting you bring your own food just in case.

https://www.gwr.com/travelling-with-us/on-our-trains/food-and-drink

Provision has been pretty good on the trains I have been on recently.  Also, the RG staff whom had been furloughed since the furlough scheme started, returned last week.  So with a short while to get their systems up and running again and supplies for their trolley, services they previously provided the staff for (such as the Oxford <> Paddington services) should be back again.

I've made half a dozen journeys between Exeter and Reading or Paddington where a trolley was provided and had a different experience each time.........
- 'in the other unit';
- card machine not working;
- no hot water;
- static trolley due to severe overcrowding;
- available to First Class customers only;

and (wait for it).......

- working and served twice between Exeter and Reading!

So, as BNM says above, don't bank on it.

The trolley service is getting worse and worse. On my last journey from Paddington, no trolley appeared for an hour and a half, and that was the only showing on a four hour journey.On my last three journeys from Liskeard to Exeter, I have not seen a trolley once, and thats on an hour and a half journey. Basically there is no way of banking on getting any refreshment on an IET in my experience. The "Service" is an utter disgrace.

All as forecast by my famous crystal ball.

I am not convinced that ANY TOC is serious, or has been serious, about trolley provision. It seems to be regarded as an interim step between a proper buffet and the long term aim of nothing.

I expect that GWR will soon withdraw most trolley services so as to provide a "better service" on "selected" trains.

.......that took longer than I expected!  ;)

There's been a trolley on most of the handful of GWR trains I've been on lately; only exception was quite late evening. Is longlife milk in those little sticks that are impossible to open without squirting half of it up your sleeve a pandemic thing, or have they always done it? Some TOCs seem to manage to provide fresh milk that they pour in for you.

Some TOCs even manage to have sandwiches, bacon rolls and an app to order a delivery to be made to your seat.

As far as I know the app is still happening soon.  Perhaps a question for Mark Hopwood in the upcoming meeting?

I have been careful to avoid unduly frequent comment on such matters as I am well aware that some members hold differing views including that;

The trolley is so much better than a buffet, and will soon get even better.

Or that catering in general is unimportant.

Or perhaps that the trolley service can be a bit variable at present, but will improve.

Or that it is the best that you can expect these days, and is more than some other operators provide, so stop moaning and accept the new normal.

I enjoyed complimentary coffee in First Class today on both the out and return trips Reading / Bath

Yep, me too on both parts of the 1633 to TAU/BRI

Mind you, two quid for a 40g packet (usually 50g) of dry roasted nuts won’t win many purchases! Usually less that a quid for 50g!

All I know is that I've made a total of 12 journeys since the beginning of July, mostly on Saturdays, but also a couple of times on Fridays and Sundays and a trolley has appeared at least once every time.

That's been between Cardiff and Paddington - sometimes the whole journey, sometimes shorter on that line.

Pleased to report that I've been fed and watered in 1st Class soon after departure from Paddington, on the 1236 to Westbury, today.

Regular trolley aboard too from which host is fetching me a beer. Almost back to the good old days.

I refer merely to the pre-covid good old days. Not said days when there was still a buffet. :P

EDIT. That said. There's only one can of Tribute aboard. Good job I'm only going to Westbury!

Should have started drinking earlier..... oh you did!