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Author Topic: Great Western Railway: on-board catering, buffets, Travelling Chef, Pullman - ongoing discussion  (Read 629168 times)
bobm
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« Reply #90 on: November 02, 2011, 15:10:17 »

.. sounds like you have pudding and the cheeseboard - glad I am not the only one!!  Grin
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JayMac
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« Reply #91 on: November 03, 2011, 16:30:54 »

Keep up the good work, broadgage. With a few more punters like you, long may the FGW (First Great Western) Pullmans continue.  Wink Grin
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broadgage
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« Reply #92 on: November 08, 2011, 20:54:13 »

Keep up the good work, broadgage. With a few more punters like you, long may the FGW (First Great Western) Pullmans continue.  Wink Grin

If the train is on time, I would take only a starter, main course, and cheese selection, with a little Plymouth gin and tonic with the starter, a bottle of red wine with the main course, and a little port with the cheese.
In the event of delay though, I might also take a small piece of cake and a glass of pudding wine.

Small delays are frequent.

In the event of prolonged delay, then a little more drink may be taken.

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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
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« Reply #93 on: November 08, 2011, 20:55:24 »

Sounds almost like you're hoping for a delay.   Wink
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inspector_blakey
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« Reply #94 on: November 08, 2011, 21:06:29 »

Anyone have a feel for how reliable the Travelling Chef service is these days, as regards how frequently it is provided on services that are advertised to have one? I know there have been periods in the past when it's been a little flaky (not appearing on advertised trains, or sometimes even appearing on unadvertised services) but I'm way out of date.

Put another way, this is a slightly longwinded way of asking what my chances are of scoring a Travelling Chef on the 0911 RDG(resolve)-SWA» (Swansea - next trains) service in the week leading up to Christmas... Wink It's advertised for one but I know around Christmas catering arrangements often get out of whack due to annual leave/cold and flu season etc.
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matt473
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« Reply #95 on: November 08, 2011, 23:40:15 »

Everytime I have travelled on a Swansea service timetabled to have a travelling chef it has been available so the chances are high. I used to travel every week to Swansea in first class on a train timetabled to serve the travelling chef menu so 100% availabilty record was pretty impressive.
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BBM
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« Reply #96 on: November 09, 2011, 09:26:38 »

I travelled on the 12.28 Swansea - Paddington on Monday which did have a Travelling Chef service as advertised but only a partial menu was on offer, i.e. just toasted sandwiches and hot baguettes. I was hoping to have a burger so I had a hot sausage baguette instead but it was OK, it was still very nice!
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bobm
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« Reply #97 on: November 16, 2011, 15:01:05 »

First the demise of Plymouth Gin.  Now the end of all miniatures it seems.  Travelled on FGW (First Great Western) three trains yesterday and on all three the range of spirits has been replaced with three ready mixed canned drinks.  Gin and Slimline tonic, Whisky & Cola and Vodka and Cola.  I'm not a fan of slimline tonic and I prefer dry ginger with my whisky so not great news as far as I am concerned.  Although the cans are chilled it seem there was no ice either.  A big step back in my opinion.
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broadgage
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« Reply #98 on: November 17, 2011, 09:20:15 »

Sounds like a backward step, not serving miniatures of spirits.
A choice of only 3 ready mixed drinks is very poor.
What if someone wants brandy, or straight whiskey, or gin with fruit juice.

Does anyone know if this is a new policy, or perhaps just a "one off" due to shortage of other supplies.
(some station buffets including Taunton sell these ready mixed drinks, and supplies might perhaps be used on trains if the regular stock was not available)
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
bobm
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« Reply #99 on: November 17, 2011, 09:22:23 »

Looks permanent.  I saw it on three trains on Wednesday and the signage has all been changed to show the new products.
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broadgage
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« Reply #100 on: November 22, 2011, 14:43:20 »

Looks permanent.  I saw it on three trains on Wednesday and the signage has all been changed to show the new products.

I fear that you are right.
A telephone call to FGW (First Great Western) confirms that the downgrade is for all services, even Pullmans.

Consider the number of popular drinks that will no longer be available.
Gin and orange juice
Straight whiskey
Brandy, straight or mixed.
Vodka and tonic
Whisky and ginger ale.
And many others.

What a downgrade, especialy after they at last appeared to be taking catering seriously.

Is anyone able to confirm ? Customer services have been known to be wrong, but seemed certain of the facts when I telephoned earlier today.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
bobm
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« Reply #101 on: November 22, 2011, 15:04:11 »

Interestingly, or perhaps not surprisingly, the website has not been updated.

On a Pullman next Tuesday so will no doubt find out more.
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bobm
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« Reply #102 on: November 26, 2011, 00:03:45 »

Just had a reply from FGW (First Great Western) Customer Relations. They claim the change to premixed drinks does NOT apply to the Pullmans.
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broadgage
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« Reply #103 on: November 26, 2011, 12:38:31 »

Just had a reply from FGW (First Great Western) Customer Relations. They claim the change to premixed drinks does NOT apply to the Pullmans.

Thanks, I have just received a similar reply by email.
This is different to the information given by telephone a few days ago.
I normally only use the services with a Pullman, so this downgrade wont much affect me, but it still seems a backward step for other services.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
bobm
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« Reply #104 on: December 01, 2011, 12:25:32 »

Another thing no longer carried on the pullmans ... French mustard!
 Grin
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