-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
FGW First Class today
- Thread starter mullin
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
CC 72100
Established Member
- Joined
- 23 Jan 2012
- Messages
- 3,850
With it being a weekend, you'll have to go to the express café, show your first class ticket before ordering, and then pick up the complimentary items from there.
The items are pretty much as you've described above - first class on FGW is criticised by some for being a bit 'light' on the freebies side but i'm actually in favour of it being how it is, as it means that it's a more consistent product (as opposed to the 'will I get food, will I not get food?' status on East Coast). Enjoy your trip!
ATW Alex 101
Established Member
I went Pembroke Dock-Paddington First Class yesterday. Tea, Coffee and still/sparkling water with some shortbread is what freebies were available and you had to go up to the buffet to get them. They like to reiterate showing your first class ticket before you order.
Although yesterday he was actually doing crisps as well for free but on the way out there were no crisps so I don't know if they're a complimentary or not.
Although yesterday he was actually doing crisps as well for free but on the way out there were no crisps so I don't know if they're a complimentary or not.
Make sure you show your ticket before asking for a coffee or you'll be party to the most wasteful jobsworthy style display I've ever seen on the railway - he will make a cup of coffee, realise you are First Class, then pour the entire thing down the sink only to make you another cup of coffee in a smaller cup.
My father had this with a cup of tea a few years back. Not quite sure what the point of it was; especially when you could just ask for a second cup.
ATW Alex 101
Established Member
Did it to me as well but it was more of a case of picking the wrong cup up as I showed my ticket beforehand. Pointless, complete waste.
Indeed, several people have experienced or witnessed that.
But any FirstGroup shareholders who may be concerned by such wastefulness needn't worry at all: taxpayers heavily subsidise FGW and we're footing the bill!
Flamingo
Established Member
- Joined
- 26 Apr 2010
- Messages
- 6,806
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, still water,sparkling water, shortbread biscuits, tyrell ready-salted crisps. All subject to availability.
Despite numerous announcements and (at least on my trains) every first-class passenger being told to show their ticket/upgrade before ordering, some people still can't manage to do so.
Despite numerous announcements and (at least on my trains) every first-class passenger being told to show their ticket/upgrade before ordering, some people still can't manage to do so.
Last edited:
Flamingo
Established Member
- Joined
- 26 Apr 2010
- Messages
- 6,806
Yep, read the memo Friday.
What irritates me is that they did away with cans of soft drinks a few years ago. The lounge is full of them but on-train there are no complimentry soft drinks. Even Cross Country, who have a dire First Class offering, manage to offer soft drinks.
It'll be my excuse if anyone asks why I take 2 cans with me when I use the Lounge at Paddington.
It'll be my excuse if anyone asks why I take 2 cans with me when I use the Lounge at Paddington.
Flamingo
Established Member
- Joined
- 26 Apr 2010
- Messages
- 6,806
Don't start that one again! (Or go to the FGW coffee shop, they will join your whinge till the cows come home)
bb21
Emeritus Moderator
- Joined
- 4 Feb 2010
- Messages
- 24,450
Ooo, so do I get better treatment on an Advance First than the cheapo Weekend First-upgraders then?
Flamingo
Established Member
- Joined
- 26 Apr 2010
- Messages
- 6,806
I don't think so.
I think (I'm not sure) that discretion is to be shown to "Full" First Class tickets, and the limited selection to Weekend First and Advance (who, as far as I see, have usually paid less in total than any Std + upgrade combination at weekends). I'd hope so, anyway, given the price difference.
I'll try and get my hands on the memo, it was catering that had it, not us.
I think (I'm not sure) that discretion is to be shown to "Full" First Class tickets, and the limited selection to Weekend First and Advance (who, as far as I see, have usually paid less in total than any Std + upgrade combination at weekends). I'd hope so, anyway, given the price difference.
I'll try and get my hands on the memo, it was catering that had it, not us.
Last edited:
Absolutely gutted this morning.
In 1st Class from Swindon to Swansea mid morning and wished to order some scran from the Travelling Chef. 1st Class Customer Host said he'd come back and take my order shortly.
When he came back, I ordered a sausage and mushroom sandwich. He was back again immediately to tell me that the last two sausages had just gone. Who had had the last sausages between my wishing to order and my order being taken? Only the fupping Train Manager. :roll:
Grrr. Grumble. Tut. Really wanted sausages. Had to make do with bacon.
No matter, turning round at Neath and boarding an up Travelling Chef service. Anticipation was short lived though. No Chef due to staff issues. So my planned lunch of Smoked Salmon Salad didn't happen.
Some months ago I made two attempts at trying the TC offerings on services to/from South Wales. On that occasion I was let down as well.
Purely anecdotal, but I've had no staff/stock problems on London<->West Country Travelling Chef services over the last couple of years. Excepting one occasion where the CH completely failed to get my order right. But that was rectified by the chef with a partial refund for the mistake.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I was on an excessed ALR (cheaper than WF for the particular journey). Is that okay?
In 1st Class from Swindon to Swansea mid morning and wished to order some scran from the Travelling Chef. 1st Class Customer Host said he'd come back and take my order shortly.
When he came back, I ordered a sausage and mushroom sandwich. He was back again immediately to tell me that the last two sausages had just gone. Who had had the last sausages between my wishing to order and my order being taken? Only the fupping Train Manager. :roll:
Grrr. Grumble. Tut. Really wanted sausages. Had to make do with bacon.
No matter, turning round at Neath and boarding an up Travelling Chef service. Anticipation was short lived though. No Chef due to staff issues. So my planned lunch of Smoked Salmon Salad didn't happen.
Some months ago I made two attempts at trying the TC offerings on services to/from South Wales. On that occasion I was let down as well.
Purely anecdotal, but I've had no staff/stock problems on London<->West Country Travelling Chef services over the last couple of years. Excepting one occasion where the CH completely failed to get my order right. But that was rectified by the chef with a partial refund for the mistake.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I was on an excessed ALR (cheaper than WF for the particular journey). Is that okay?
I travelled London to Swindon on the Friday before August Bank Holiday and back on the following Tuesday. The trolley was round well before Reading on the way down. On the way back, they must have been keeping a lookout for passengers boarding as the trolley almost magically appeared beside me only a minute or so outside Swindon!
I normally travel Standard but decided that as it was a holiday weekend, First might be a little less crowded.....
I normally travel Standard but decided that as it was a holiday weekend, First might be a little less crowded.....
Credit where credit is due - soft drinks handed out in first on Monday. Excellent.
- Status