Train GraphicClick on the map to explore geographics
 
I need help
FAQ
Emergency
About .
Travel & transport from BBC stories as at 22:15 28 Mar 2024
- Bus plunges off South Africa bridge, killing 45
* Easter getaways hit by travel disruption
- Where Baltimore bridge investigation goes now
- How do I renew my UK passport and what is the 10-year rule?
- Family anger at sentence on fatal crash driver, 19
- Easter travel warning as millions set to hit roads
Read about the forum [here].
Register [here] - it's free.
What do I gain from registering? [here]
 02/06/24 - Summer Timetable starts
17/08/24 - Bus to Imber
27/09/25 - 200 years of passenger trains

On this day
28th Mar (1917)
Bideford, Westward Ho! and Appledore closed (link)

Train RunningCancelled
19:35 Exeter St Davids to London Paddington
20:54 Reading to Gatwick Airport
20:56 Worcester Foregate Street to London Paddington
21:30 Shalford to Reading
22:25 Bedwyn to Newbury
22:30 Gatwick Airport to Reading
22:47 Newbury to Bedwyn
Short Run
17:03 London Paddington to Penzance
18:03 London Paddington to Penzance
19:04 Paignton to London Paddington
20:03 London Paddington to Plymouth
21:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
22:10 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads
23:04 Reading to Bedwyn
23:17 Bedwyn to Reading
Delayed
19:04 London Paddington to Plymouth
21:30 Gatwick Airport to Reading
21:45 Penzance to London Paddington
23:45 London Paddington to Penzance
PollsOpen and recent polls
Closed 2024-03-25 Easter Escape - to where?
Abbreviation pageAcronymns and abbreviations
Stn ComparatorStation Comparator
Rail newsNews Now - live rail news feed
Site Style 1 2 3 4
Next departures • Bristol Temple MeadsBath SpaChippenhamSwindonDidcot ParkwayReadingLondon PaddingtonMelksham
Exeter St DavidsTauntonWestburyTrowbridgeBristol ParkwayCardiff CentralOxfordCheltenham SpaBirmingham New Street
March 28, 2024, 22:33:50 *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Forgotten your username or password? - get a reminder
Most recently liked subjects
[104] West Wiltshire Bus Changes April 2024
[103] would you like your own LIVE train station departure board?
[78] Infrastructure problems in Thames Valley causing disruption el...
[56] If not HS2 to Manchester, how will traffic be carried?
[41] Return of the BRUTE?
[25] Reversing Beeching - bring heritage and freight lines into the...
 
News: A forum for passengers ... with input from rail professionals welcomed too
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: 1 ... 36 37 [38] 39 40 ... 116
  Print  
Author Topic: Great Western Railway: on-board catering, buffets, Travelling Chef, Pullman - ongoing discussion  (Read 629256 times)
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #555 on: March 06, 2014, 21:00:22 »

I have just enjoyed an excellent meal NOT on a train, the food and service however being of a broadly similar standard. The price was broadly similar to that paid on the train.

Garlic fried mushrooms, fillet steak (includes potatoes) 2 vegetables, sticky pudding, bottle of house red wine, several large ports= ^80.

On the train I might take, 2 miniatures of gin with 1 tonic, smoked salmon, bottle of red wine, fillet steak, cheese, and a few ports=^100.

I cant remember the exact price of each item, but the wine on the train is more expensive but better, the steak on the train is cheaper and better, the port on the train is as good but about twice the price I pay in the restaurant in London, Gin on the train is cheaper than in the restaurant, the cheese selection on the train is far better and a bit cheaper.

Without pedantic examination of each item which is not easy on account of varying qaulity and portion sizes, I consider that the prices in the Pullman are similar to those charged elsewhere, for a meal of similar qaulity.

BTW (by the way) if anyone wants to know to which restaurant I compare the Pullman to, I would be pleased to reply by PM, but do not intend to name the establishment in public. I do not want to be accused of advertising, nor of taking this thread of the topic of FGW (First Great Western) catering.




Logged

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.
TaplowGreen
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 7746



View Profile
« Reply #556 on: March 07, 2014, 08:47:28 »

I have just enjoyed an excellent meal NOT on a train, the food and service however being of a broadly similar standard. The price was broadly similar to that paid on the train.

Garlic fried mushrooms, fillet steak (includes potatoes) 2 vegetables, sticky pudding, bottle of house red wine, several large ports= ^80.

On the train I might take, 2 miniatures of gin with 1 tonic, smoked salmon, bottle of red wine, fillet steak, cheese, and a few ports=^100.

I cant remember the exact price of each item, but the wine on the train is more expensive but better, the steak on the train is cheaper and better, the port on the train is as good but about twice the price I pay in the restaurant in London, Gin on the train is cheaper than in the restaurant, the cheese selection on the train is far better and a bit cheaper.

Without pedantic examination of each item which is not easy on account of varying qaulity and portion sizes, I consider that the prices in the Pullman are similar to those charged elsewhere, for a meal of similar qaulity.

BTW (by the way) if anyone wants to know to which restaurant I compare the Pullman to, I would be pleased to reply by PM, but do not intend to name the establishment in public. I do not want to be accused of advertising, nor of taking this thread of the topic of FGW (First Great Western) catering.






.......Sounds like an Aberdeen/Angus steak house menu! Is it the one just outside Paddington?  Cheesy
« Last Edit: March 07, 2014, 09:53:14 by TaplowGreen » Logged
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 9810



View Profile
« Reply #557 on: March 11, 2014, 09:15:35 »

Travelled yesterday and to my surprise the new menu has been launched.

The up trip is still only serving mains and desserts but with longer to prepare for the return working they are trying to do all three courses on the 18:03.

The menu is largely as previewed earlier in the thread although some items have been swapped about from one menu to another.

This week the starters are
Salmon
River Exe Mussels
Wild Mushrooms

Mains
Steak (with the option of a very tasty horseradish sauce)
Fish of the day (it was pollock yesterday)
Veal
Pasta with slow cook tomatoes

Desserts
Devon Blue cheese and fig tart
Espresso Pannacotta
Cheese

I tried the new Ros^ wine which comes in 50cl bottles and the tawny port which is measured out from a large bottle at the table and both were very pleasant.

Another nice touch - depending on your main course you now get steak or fish knives.
Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #558 on: March 11, 2014, 11:00:36 »

Sounds excellent, looking forward to my next trip which I expect to be in 2 weeks.

Edit to add, I hope that the new menus include Dauphinoise potatoes with the main courses ? definatly one of my favourites  Smiley and appeared at frequent intervals in the old menus.
« Last Edit: March 11, 2014, 14:11:26 by broadgage » Logged

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.
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18894



View Profile
« Reply #559 on: March 13, 2014, 00:32:36 »

Took lunch along with bobm on the 1301 off Exeter today (12/03/2014).

New menu in full swing. And despite the limited time available to the crew, they managed to get in the full three courses (and bobm and I managed to consume them!). Speedy service, but not rushed. Kudos to team leader Jon, chef Paul, Ian, Karen and the rest of the team. Including the new girl whose name escapes me, but who referred to me as 'Sir' throughout. A few more trips and we'll be on first name terms.

I sampled the new Wild Mushrooms starter, followed by the ever present Filet Steak (which appears to have a new recipe Cafe de Paris butter), and an Espresso Pannacotta to finish. Accompanied by a very nice Garnacha red wine. All top notch as usual, although a word of warning about the Pannacotta. By crikey it's rich and caffeine heavy. Still buzzing as I write this 10 hours later!  Grin

Obeying Doctor's orders, so no other alcohol apart from the two glasses of red wine. I'll have to wait a bit to try the new Tawny Port.

Oh, and note for broadgage. We had Dauphinoise potatoes today.  Cool
« Last Edit: March 13, 2014, 00:53:17 by bignosemac » Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
bobm
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 9810



View Profile
« Reply #560 on: March 13, 2014, 00:50:48 »

Including the new girl whose name escapes me, but who referred to me as 'Sir' throughout. A few more trips and we'll be on first name terms.

In that case you had better learn her name - it is Tina.  Grin
Logged
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18894



View Profile
« Reply #561 on: March 13, 2014, 00:59:06 »

The good old days? ...



The tagline, whilst not a question, states, "Look what you gain..."

I'd suggest an ever expanding waist line.  Grin

Image taken from, and credited to, a National Railway Museum blog post:
http://nationalrailwaymuseum.wordpress.com/2012/11/23/how-british-rail-limited-the-butter-on-its-sandwiches-and-other-station-stories/
« Last Edit: March 13, 2014, 02:14:05 by bignosemac » Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
Lee
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 7519


GBR - The Emperor's New Rail Network


View Profile WWW
« Reply #562 on: March 13, 2014, 01:07:29 »

Bet the Ryvita was popular...
Logged

Vous devez ĂȘtre impitoyable, parce que ces gens sont des salauds - https://looka.com/s/78722877
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18894



View Profile
« Reply #563 on: March 13, 2014, 02:06:17 »

I think the poster is from the mid/late 1970s. Ryvita was the height of sophistication back then. I can certainly remember Mumsy eating it, spread with Flora, as part of her 'calorie controlled diet'.

Thinking about it, I'm surprised there's no Prawn Cocktail, Black Forest Gateau or Blue Nun on that advert.  Tongue Wink Grin
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
thetrout
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 2612



View Profile
« Reply #564 on: March 13, 2014, 02:38:02 »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLufBXGFNOk
Logged

Grin Grin Grin Grin
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #565 on: March 13, 2014, 10:20:27 »

One thing I remember about BR (British Rail(ways)) catering was that some meals were the same served on the train or at a station, same food, served the same, and IIRC (if I recall/remember/read correctly) the same price.
The grill meals featured both on trains and at stations.

In general I think that on train catering was better back in the day than now.
The FGW (First Great Western) Pulmans are an exception and are excellent, but in general restaurants have been replaced by buffets, and buffets replaced by trollies.

Not that many years ago most long distance routes had full restaurants, now FGW are the only one, and no matter how good they are, 6 restaurants a day for the whole of the UK (United Kingdom) is a pretty poor show.
Logged

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.
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #566 on: March 14, 2014, 11:22:30 »

I think the poster is from the mid/late 1970s. Ryvita was the height of sophistication back then. I can certainly remember Mumsy eating it, spread with Flora, as part of her 'calorie controlled diet'.

Thinking about it, I'm surprised there's no Prawn Cocktail, Black Forest Gateau or Blue Nun on that advert.  Tongue Wink Grin

I think that the poster might be from the early 70s, note that the train illustrated is loco hauled (class 50 ?) and not an High Speed Train (HST (High Speed Train)).
Once High Speed Train (HST) s were in general use they tended to be featured in preference to older types in adverts etc.


Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym

EDITT TO ADD (Automatic Dropping Device), It was later than I thought, see following posts.
« Last Edit: May 01, 2021, 21:57:37 by VickiS » Logged

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
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 9810



View Profile
« Reply #567 on: March 14, 2014, 11:48:30 »

The caption in the article linked to shows the caption

Quote
BR (British Rail(ways)) poster showing the refreshments offered by Travellers fare on Inter-City trains, 1977.
Logged
broadgage
Transport Scholar
Hero Member
******
Posts: 5398



View Profile
« Reply #568 on: March 14, 2014, 12:35:41 »

The caption in the article linked to shows the caption

Quote
BR (British Rail(ways)) poster showing the refreshments offered by Travellers fare on Inter-City trains, 1977.

I stand corrected then.
I wonder why they did not picture a then new High Speed Train (HST (High Speed Train)) in the advert ?

Edit: VickiS - Clarifying Acronym
« Last Edit: May 01, 2021, 21:58:15 by VickiS » Logged

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.
JayMac
Data Manager
Hero Member
******
Posts: 18894



View Profile
« Reply #569 on: March 14, 2014, 12:51:54 »

I think, in the main they are advertising the fare across the entire InterCity network. Very few HSTs (High Speed Train) would've been in service in 1977 compared to all the loco hauled sets running on the East and West Coasts, the Midland Main, Cross Country and still predominant on the Western.

The most ubiquitous loco in the BR (British Rail(ways)) fleet at that time was the Class 47. Which is what is pictured.
Logged

"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."

- Sir Terry Pratchett.
Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

 
Pages: 1 ... 36 37 [38] 39 40 ... 116
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.2 | SMF © 2006-2007, Simple Machines LLC Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!
This forum is provided by customers of Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western), and the 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 the content provided by one of our posters contravenes our posting rules (email link to report). Forum hosted by Well House Consultants

Jump to top of pageJump to Forum Home Page