2330 Paddington - Bristol TM/Cardiff. 09/03/2011. Party train!!!

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

I had the pleasure of catching the last train to Bristol off Paddington on Weds 9th March 2011.

A very busy service, with lots of very happy Spurs fans returning (mostly) to Reading. A few were onward further to points west. I was sitting in coach E amongst these well oiled chaps and chapesses and I have to say that they were a delightful bunch. I guess they were a little bit gobsmacked to have defeated the mighty AC^▸ (Alternating Current, or can mean Air Conditioning, depending on context. The second meaning is often used in a railway context and more generally) Milan and made it to the quarter-finals of the Champions League!

One of the group was a little boisterous, but a quiet word from his fellow Yiddos (what they were calling themselves - so not derogatory) soon shut him up. Coach E was almost like a private party. Even those amongst us who were not Spurs fans joined in the celebrations. It helped that I, and a couple other people in the carriage were offered a free beer! I gladly accepted. One of the Spurs fans, I think, took pity on me when I said that I was a Bristol Rovers fan!

The TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) was a model of professionalism (Spanish guy by the name of Paco, I believe) doing a full ticket check before Reading. It probably helped that he had two BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) officers back in 1st to keep an eye on things. Not that they were needed.

The Customer Host on the buffet was very busy to Reading, but she never gave the impression that she was put upon. She'd not had a spare moment to do a PA^▸ (Public Address (broadcast loudspeaker announcements) or Passenger Assist (railway staff providing physical assistance to passengers with mobility issues), depending on context) announcement, but still offered all perishables at half price on departure from Paddington. I bagged a tuna sandwich for my supper, which went down very well accompanied by the free beer a random Spurs fan bought me!

I did ponder whether things would've been different had Spurs lost, but I have to say that, despite my misgivings about having to travel with a group of footy fans, this bunch were a pleasure to travel with.

Now, away from the main gist of this OP^▸ (Original Poster / topic starter, or Off Peak, depending on context), but by cripes this service has a lot of padding. 3 minutes early into Didcot, 4 minutes early into Swindon, 4 early into Bath, and 3 early into Bristol TM.

For the record, a letter of praise is winging its way to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Towers commending the attitude and professionalism of the TM and CH.

[Mookiemoo]

Sounds good


I left on the 1530 to avoid the footie issue - half makes me wonder if I'd wanted to be on your train - but then - hic - I'd need to get my mom to pick me up at nailsea which would not be good

[inspector_blakey]

The TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) was a model of professionalism (Spanish guy by the name of Paco, I believe) doing a full ticket check before Reading.

Think I know the guy you mean, and yes he's been a class act in my experience as well.

[anthony215]

I  am sure it was him i had on the 03:58 Swansea - London paddington service on saturday when i went to london to go on the C2C bluetrain farewell tour.

[devon_metro]

The TM^▸ (Train Manager, or Ticket Machine, or Temple Meads (Bristol), depending on context) was a model of professionalism (Spanish guy by the name of Paco, I believe) doing a full ticket check before Reading.

Think I know the guy you mean, and yes he's been a class act in my experience as well.

Agreed, top bloke.