Great Western Coffee Shop

I mentioned I was travelling with both W&S and ATW North - South Wales Premier Service. Some users asked me to post my experience of them both ;D

Unfortunately, because my plans changed at the last minute, I did not use the ATW Premier Service. I did however have the delights of the fantastic service that is Wrexham & Shropshire Trains.

The train was scheduled to leave Wolverhampton at 12:58. The service was showing up along with a few other north bound services as "Expected 13:08". I assumed there was a problem between Wolverhampton and Birmingham as several other services from BHM were also delayed/late/cancelled. 13:08 quickly turned into 13:24. Which didn't bother me in the slightest as I was in no rush to get to Wrexham. After the initial confusing of a Pendolino arriving on the same problem, the W&S Service arrived at 13:27

The formation was Class 82 + SO + FO + RBF + Class 67 This initially confused me because the Yellow Stripe which indicates First Class was on the middle carriage, which had a Standard Class sign on it. After opening a door and being greeted with a rather large bike at my feet, I was politely directed to First Class.

I was instantly made to feel welcome unlike at the First Class Lounge at BHM N S. I found a vacant seat which wasn't to difficult as there was only 3 other passengers in the carriage. Infront of me on the table was a placemat, cutlery for dining and a large coffee cup with saucer. There was a menu telling you the offerings of the First Class Catering.

I was served a cup of tea in a proper Tea Pot using Fresh Milk, which makes all the difference compared to the paper cups and UHT milk with FGW. Although the carriages ages were showing, it did not in any way alter the comfort of the ride. I was offered some food and was suprised to hear I could be offered a Complimentary Vegetarian Cheese & Brocoli Pasta Bake. This was served at seat, piping hot and was absolutely delicious. It was a meal I was ready for ;D

The staff were really friendly and chatty and made sure that I was comfortable for the journey. The only thing I did find rather annoying was having to walk through the Buffet car and into the middle carriage to use the toilet. But considering the quality of the service, This was hardly much of an issue.

So my experience, I am very happy with the service I was offered, and although the train was late, I wasn't Wrexham & Shropshire's fault. Nor did it inconvience my plans for the remainder of the day ;D

If anyone has any questions then please ask ;D

TT

Thanks for this. I might add my thought about XC's First Class service when I travel next month.

Did the staff greet you, and assume you were First Class, or did they say "This is First Class sir, standard this way....."? I expect the latter will happen to me, as I won't look like a "typical" First passenger.

You won't get greeted on XC, don't be silly. No doubt the FC host will be hidden away in the First Class kitchen (if you can call it that!) chatting to the TM

In all honesty, I don't look like the typical First Class passenger either :P

I believe that W&S greeted me appropriately. I asked where I could find FC, and they told me where to find it ;D

D_M is correct in that the staff tend to hide in the kitchens and chat away to the TM.

You tend not to get greeted as such with XC.

I once travelled with XC and I was dressed like a builder because I had been laying Network Cables at a client. The TM asked me for my ticket, didn't look at it properly and said:

"Thats a errrr absolutely fine sir"

When I new what she was about to say was, "This is a Standard Class Ticket sir"

you get greeted in FC on FGW east of plymouth normally, the customer hosts are meant to do it

I remember when I was a nipper (I can still remember that far back) on InterCity West Coast, constantly being reminded that I was entering first class by some smug troly dolly, to which I replied that I knew!
The first class child fare between BHI and BHM was less than the price of a cup of tea from the buffet so I was happy to pay it!

Ah, those were the days, eh?  ;) :D ;D

Welcome to the Coffee Shop forum, readytostart!  :)

I would like to express my welcome to the coffeeshop as well. ;D

I used to travel Liskeard - Plymouth First Class when I was 14/15. I was forever being told I was in the wrong place, not only by staff but by passengers as well ;D

I'm now 19 and I still get it at least once a week...! But I appear to have been accepted by some members of staff who don't even ask me for a ticket anymore ;D

I saw three WS&M sets during my travels yesterday. Two in service and one stabled in Chiltern's Wembley Depot. The two up services 11:23 ex Wrexham and 16:07 ex Shrewsbury looked about half to two-thirds full - not bad considering the time of day. The 16:33 ex Marylebone looked full to capacity, even in 1st Class - though that may have been bolstered by major problems on the WCML which meant all of Chiltern's long distance trains were seriously wedged!

One noticable thing though - STILL none of their refurbished carriages. Just how long is this going to take...

Why haven't they introduced that 1833 service. It would be popular with commuters, and relive the 1633.

Does anybody know if you can take Bikes on W&S services? DO you need to reserve a spot?

I'm guessing the DVTs are kitted out as per the old Virgin configuration, as for reservations, better to be safe than sorry but given that W&S are miles ahead of most other operators in customer service I can't see it being too much of an issue!