What brought you to the Coffee Shop?

[whole diary]

[Btline]

A couple of nightmare journeys on the Cotswold line got me enraged. I think I found this website through various "I hate FGW^▸ (First Great Western)" blogs or the Charlbury Commuter website. I can't remember.

I think, like many people hear, I have learnt a lot and changed my attitudes, I slagged FGW off a lot in the early days - but they did deserve it. I was unfair at times I think. Now the Cotswold Line is being partially redoubled and I understand a lot more about the railway, so I am try to make my posts more positive.

I've also used this website for info, as there is such a good range of people here.

Thanks to all the Admins/Moderators and Graham for keeping this site going! You all do a terrific job - our commutes would not be the same without it!

[bigdaz]

I am a train enthusiast  - but with a difference:  not so much worried about writing down individual train numbers but (and we all have our own idiosyncracies) I love talking about timetables, train deployment, fares.....more of a logician I suppose.  In real life I am a Primary School Deputy Headteacher so it takes me away from the world of education!!

Looking forward to meeting some of you face to face on Wednesday at Reading.

[Mookiemoo]

After all the fun I've had, as a member of this forum, over the past two and a half years, I'd almost forgotten why I joined in the first place.

However, a look at my own first couple of posts, at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=1249.0 reminded me.

Somehow, I remain as positive and hopeful now as I was then - and, to be fair, so much has already been achieved, in terms of improving reliability. On the other hand, my son no longer goes to swimming lessons. 

Having progressed from 'newbie' to administrator on this forum in that time, I'd just like to add my personal thanks to all those members who have contributed so much to my enjoyment of this forum.

Chris. 

Just looked at this - I thought it was well after that I joined!

But it was the december 2006 time table change that caused me grief and a lost contract - I lost it end of Jan so I guess it was causing me issues then.

That was when I spent a couple of hours a night sitting in the sloe bat if I missed the 1822 waiting for the 2022 because the 1922 was a two car 165

[Andy]

If I remember correctly, I stumbled across the site three years ago while searching for information regarding the Penryn loop.  I've been visiting ever since, not because I have an awful lot to say but to read the informed and informative posts by many of the regular posters.

I'm a great believer in the largely (imo) untapped potential of the railways in the C21st and have a deep attachment to the railways of the south west in particular. While the last three years have seen significant improvements in many areas, including branch line services in Cwll and punctuality across the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) region, it's frustrating that improvements to the Trans-Wilts service and reopenings to Portishead and Tavistock have not moved forward greatly due to changes in economic and/or political conditions. 
   
edit:
I'd also like to add that I have enormous respect for the front-line employees of the railway, which is the result of countless acts of kindness and consideration shown to me as a passenger over the years from BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days to the present, and enormous sympathy for them as they are so often caught in the firing line when problems arise that are most often the responsibility of those safely sitting behind a desk miles away.
 

[coolsecretspy]

i was introduced to the First Great Western Coffee shop by a regular poster here who most have you may know by the handle "thetrout". he is my best friend who is also a train enthusiast who has been teaching me stuff about trains on long train journeys which i find fascinating. i am learning new stuff about trains all the time thanks to thetrout

[Chris from Nailsea]

Hmm.  I, too, have enormous respect for thetrout's quite amazingly detailed knowledge, about trains and buses! 

[coolsecretspy]

What amazes me about thetrout is I can randomly point at a train from a far distance and say what train is that, and he'll actually be able to answer. I haven't yet been able to trip him up

[grahame]

What amazes me about thetrout is I can randomly point at a train from a far distance and say what train is that, and he'll actually be able to answer. I haven't yet been able to trip him up

Ah ... now that's inspired me to post up a few pictures for the most expert of our members here to try and recognise.   Note on the simple stuff like pictures of Melksham or Taunton 

http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=9669.0

[Henry]

 I seem to remember that a 3 hour journey from Totnes to Paignton, a few years ago caused me
 to stumble across the coffee shop.
 I needed someone who would listen as I ''threw my toys out of the pram''.

  Sometimes it's interesting to read what fellow Mb's find 'narks' them, 'No banana's in 1st class'
  or 'a 4 minute delay awaiting signals at Paddington'.
  Whilst I sit at Totnes for an hour because the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) is cancelled because of high tide at Dawlish.

  Fortunately the 'Signal Box Cafe' comes to my rescue, a fine dining establishment where I can escape
  my fellow 'bleating commuters'.
  Alas retirement looms so you will no longer need to suffer my sarcastic rants.
  (Will miss the bacon baps, though)