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16  Journey by Journey / Heart of Wessex / Re: Alcohol on trains from Weymouth on: August 14, 2015, 18:22:20
I have seen the sign bobm posted in this thread at Westbury too. But I believe this is the only one that exists on the Network - Certainly on the Heart of Wessex route. A friend of mine found this out the hard way when the police confiscated alcohol intended to be drunk at a party back in Frome...

She had an absolutely valid point that this dry train is very poorly advertised. It's not listed anywhere on the FGW (First Great Western) Website. The Guard was actually happy to carry the alcohol and was satisfied it wasn't intent on being drunk onboard; Even offered to carry it in the rear cab. The Police had other ideas and confiscated the alcohol, then speculated that the guard would be reported to management.

Having spoken to the guard involved since we both share the same theory as to what the Police did with the Alcohol...... The fact the guard never heard about it from management only increases suspicions... My friend also came up with the same theory independently... But saying the Police had a spontaneous Saturday Night off duty nothing more than frivolous speculation and cynicism...



I've also had my fair share of drama with dry trains... Carrying 2x Bottles of Champagne over Christmas intent on being drunk at Christmas Day Dinner and New Years Eve celebrations in Essex. The bottles were stowed in my suitcase unopened and one of them wrapped up - both clearly gifts. Despite this I was told I would not be allowed to travel that day with the alcohol so either go away or surrender it... Considering that conversation happened at around 11PM and trains to Southend run until around 1AM I'll let you be the judge of what happened... Lips sealed
17  Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Odd One Out on: August 14, 2015, 17:41:18
Are you able to join us this Saturday on the Weymouth Wizard, Mr Trout?   They have First Class carriages on it, you know!

Sure! I'll take up residence in Coach K I suspect Wink

* the second last 234 from Trowbridge, 1st August, with six passengers (including me).  Came to realise how useful that was last Saturday when I wanted to get home from Trowbridge at around that time.

Also came to realise how handy the 18:13 Frome - Chippenham 234 Departure was when it was gone... Great for a 19:00 Film in Trowbridge and perfect for last entry for evening swimming pool / spa session in Chippenham...
18  Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Odd One Out on: August 11, 2015, 12:02:30
Second Series I think number 4 is the odd one out for being the only picture not taken in Weymouth.

I am going to hazard a guess that was taken at the Great Dorset Steam Fair in Blandford Forum. I think the Cash Machine is a red herring on that one. It's on the back of a Cash Machine in Weymouth Station, the front of which is on the Platforms Wink

*edit* I also know the Bonus Point Question... This is a town that very recently lost a Bus Service run by FirstGroup, But I'll leave the question open to the audience Smiley
19  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: FGW 1st Class - ongoing discussion of the benefits and their apparent reduction on: August 10, 2015, 22:43:59
Just a word of warning regarding First Class availability on services in and around the Bristol / Bath Spa / Westbury area. With regards to the improvement works at Bath Spa and the mass changes to the timetable; It appears there has become an assumption that Class 15x Trains have miraculously grown First Class seating...

For some reason several trains are showing as having First Class Accommodation and also appear in the Online Journey Planners as having such accommodation too. Yet when the train turns up you actually get a unit of Class 15x type. Which of course does not have First Class seating.

The way would check is to put the time of the train into realtimetrains.co.uk and then select more detail as shown here:



This will bring up the below information. You are looking for the "Pathed as:" information. As shown below, this train is advertised as having First and Standard Class seating. But the "Pathed as:" information shows as running as a Class 150/153/155/156 Unit - which of course will not have the First Class seating.



If you find yourself on one of these phantom First Class seating trains; I would advise contacting FGW (First Great Western) and raising a compensation request under condition 38 of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage:

Quote
38. Travelling in standard class accommodation with a first class ticket
If you have a first class ticket (or the equivalent) and the first class accommodation (or the equivalent) shown in the National Rail Timetable is not available in any train you travel in, you may claim a refund of the difference in price between the first class and the standard class ticket for the relevant part of your journey.

As said earlier in the post, these trains ARE in the National Rail Timetable as having First Class seating.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/46427.aspx
20  Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Prize Picture Quiz Summer 2015 *QUIZ CLOSED* on: August 03, 2015, 18:04:21
Here are my thoughts:

2 - Reading
3 - Manchester Piccadilly
4 - Manchester Oxford Road
5 - Sheffield
7 - Bristol Temple Meads
8 - London Blackfriars
13 - Pewsey
15 - Bridgwater
18 - Warminster
21 - Bromley South
22 - Taunton

I have reserve guesses for 3 answers also
21  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: Great Western Railway: on-board catering, buffets, Travelling Chef, Pullman - ongoing discussion on: July 30, 2015, 17:13:53
The Cheese and Onion Pasties have made a sudden disappearance Sad
22  All across the Great Western territory / Meet the Manager / Re: Question 2 for Ben Rule - 19.12 - Buffet cars v Trolley service on: July 13, 2015, 20:57:22
Perhaps much more revealing were the in-service trials we carried out across the network, which effectively sold twice as much as we would normally expect to sell at the buffet car. This is not simply asking someone's opinion, rather measuring their actual behaviour, which is much more useful in my view.

I appreciate I've missed the boat here. But something doesn't sit well with me on this. When was this trial carried out?

Was this the trial of removing Buffet Cars and having a Trolley in Coach A at the front of the train? I thought this was done as an attempt to decrease journey times by removing the 2nd heaviest vehicle in the consist? But when it made very little difference and/or proved impractical we saw the Buffets come back?

If it really was the case that customers preferred a trolley then why did FGW (First Great Western) decide to go with Micro Buffets instead of trolleys?

I don't doubt that this survey was done; however I never got the opportunity to participate. But between January and March 2014 we saw some of the biggest disruption on the network in it's 175 year history if you recall... So was that really a true and fair analysis of the market based on a typical operating period? Many people might have just been glad there was a train running at all...

There are plenty of more sophisticated trolleys on the market that keep things hot, and keep things cool, and even serve a proper cup of coffee. A quick google will give you some idea.

But if you board the train and sit on it for an hour or 2 and it never passes you then it doesn't matter how fancy it is. Strongly playing devils advocate here. But XC (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) sometimes announce a static trolley in Coach F. So if you make your way to the trolley and ask for a complimentary drink if travelling First Class you won't get one. Because the host will say all the complimentary coffee cups are in Coach A. So the trolley in Coach F is of practically no good to me. Even if it can make a 5* Cafe Latte...

Sorry folks, but some of these responses just dont cut the mustard for me Lips sealed Undecided Embarrassed

*corrected a typo - increase journey times was meant to say decrease journey times. Thank you broadgage for pointing that out Smiley
23  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: First Great Western - industrial action in 2015 - merged topic on: July 13, 2015, 18:15:19
I think those that have a tipple in the Buffet with their friends/colleagues on the way home will be upset that they lose the place they can all congregate and have a chat.

Having a chat with a TM(resolve) last weekend he seems to think retaining the buffets is a necessity. Otherwise the loud sweary types will cause complaints by passengers. But management tell staff not to get into conflict. So the TM gets complaints for not doing anything.  Thus putting him in a situation they cannot do anything to resolve.

As for toilets, luggage racks and wheelchair places on Long Distance InterCity services. I don't think anyone in their right mind would expect ANYONE to travel Plymouth - London Paddington or Bristol Temple Meads - Newcastle without using a toilet at least once. That doesn't take into account delays.

Wheelchair Spaces are required by Equality Law s so that doesn't bear relevance in the debate here I think.

Luggage racks are just common sense for long distance trains. Sorry. But if you're going away for the week(end) and take a small suitcase then you'd expect to be able to carry it on the train. Indeed the NRCOC (National Rail Conditions of Carriage) permits luggage on trains.

Sorry for briefness and if I appear rude. On a smart phone and train due imminently Wink

Sorry for

24  Journey by Journey / Heart of Wessex / Re: Bristol to Frome for 9 a.m.? on: July 10, 2015, 20:23:23
You could always change at Bath Spa and take the 267 Bus to Frome Smiley

Faresaver 267

FirstGroup 267

Do note that tickets are not interchangeable between operators with the exception of a small handful of evening FirstGroup 267 services that accept Faresaver Tickets.

If your wife has a Concessionary Pass or is a Student of any short (Age irrelevant). She can travel on Faresaver services for Child Fares Smiley
25  Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Warning - Pedant alert on: July 09, 2015, 20:56:59
Turns out being a grammar pedant can get you out of a parking citation (read that as ticket in English) in Ohio: http://mashable.com/2015/07/02/missing-comma-parking-ticket/

Ehm, all joking aside, this may be my overly literal thinking talking here. But that is a perfectly adequate defence... She didn't park a Motor Vehicle Camper in the bay and it's simple as that. Where is the issue?! Huh Huh

Think one of the bizarre typos I've seen recently was Lowell Debt Collection Agency trying to claim money from an unpaid mobile phone bill. They advised they bought the debt in 2037... So trying to gain money for a debt they couldn't possibly own and by 2037 would be well and truly statue barred anyway Roll Eyes Lips sealed Shocked

Oh and they sent the letter dated on the 29th February 2015 too... Someone there rather urgently needs to go back to school Cheesy

I've also got into the most pointless argument today with someone about the use of a restaurants WiFi to access Facebook. Facebook is supposively banned as the restaurants local policy. Not using their WiFi and using the 3G Cell Connection in my laptop I was compliant with the notice that stated:

"Customers may not use our WiFi to access Facebook"

I was using my 3G so can someone please tell me what I did wrong?
26  Sideshoots - associated subjects / The Lighter Side / Re: Shocking puns on: July 09, 2015, 20:34:34
Better than spontaneously discharging protons Roll Eyes
27  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: First Great Western - industrial action in 2015 - merged topic on: July 09, 2015, 19:50:25
I agree with everything you said there TLM Smiley

As I said, I have mixed views.

I did post this on FGWs (First Great Western) Facebook page so I'll copy paste their response Smiley

I was unaware of the U Turn regarding Ticket Validity, very sensible. Personally I would have seriously objected to paying any excess if there was only 1 train that could get me home in the peak when ordinarily there would be many options.

especially in such a rural area where trying to find alternatives at short notice may be quite difficult.

For some of those stations it would still be awkward even with reasonable notice. I found the message on FGWs website rather insidious actually. "Customers should make alternative arrangements" Could be because from say the likes of Bruton, FGW are one of the only realistic public transport providers.

Without the train, try getting to Bristol by Bus... It would take most of the day to do less than 50 miles... My friend could drive it in probably 45 minutes
28  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: First Great Western - industrial action in 2015 - merged topic on: July 09, 2015, 19:21:39
I'm a little confused... On the FGW (First Great Western) Website there is the following:

Quote
Customers for stations in between Maiden Newton and Westbury are advised to make alternative arrangements.

But according to RTT» (Real Time Trains - website) the 08:02 service this morning did infact run as scheduled. With the times listed under Real Time I am reasonably comfortable in saying this train did infact run as planned.



It seems the 17:03 London Paddington - Plymouth also stopped at Frome this evening...



As well as an 09:49 Bristol Temple Meads - Weymouth service...



So if the FGW website is to be believed, trains ran on routes they claimed there would be no service...

I've mixed opinions on this personally. Was it sensible to say, no trains just in case we really can't run any trains. Or did they know these trains would run, just didn't want people to find out?

I am rather disappointed however that FGW are upholding peak time validity on tickets however. The only way back to Frome from London today was on a peak time train, when ordinarily there would be many options available with a change of trains.

So not only do you get one train, you pay full price for the privilege and that's just tough... Just wow... Roll Eyes Shocked Lips sealed
29  Journey by Journey / Heart of Wessex / Re: Saturday HST to Weymouth on: July 08, 2015, 18:24:35




30  All across the Great Western territory / Across the West / Re: First Great Western - industrial action in 2015 - merged topic on: July 08, 2015, 18:12:08
Quote
Between Weymouth and Westbury

Customers for stations in between Maiden Newton and Westbury are advised to make alternative arrangements.

and

Quote
Between Swindon and Westbury via Melksham

Customers are advised to make alternative arrangements.

Ouch...
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