GWR Catering

[Masbroughlad]

Travelling from Paddington to Torquay in early October - 1033 departure.

What catering service will this have please? I'd like to buy my lunch on-board, either from the buffet or trolley, rather than before boarding. However, I can't find a Standard Class menu on their App.

Can anyone give me some info on what I may get please? Or have they totally dumbed down/removed catering for plebs?

 

[Mag_seven]

If its an IET, then it will be a trolley - no idea of the difference in the food provided vs an HST buffet, let alone if they can offer anything hot!

 

[Masbroughlad]

If its an IET, then it will be a trolley - no idea of the difference in the food provided vs an HST buffet, let alone ff they can offer anything hot!

Don't any IETs have a buffet car? If not, no chance of a kitchen car then!

 

[ainsworth74]

Don't any IETs have a buffet car? If not, no chance of a kitchen car then!

Er, they have no buffet but they have a full kitchen. They've been doing Pullman Dining turns to/from South Wales for months!

As far as I'm aware the menus should be the same but rather than going to the buffet you ask (or find) the trolley attendant who will bring it to your seat. I believe the current issue is around staff not being used to doing a trolley service so they're not always very good at advertising the available service (having been used to just operating out of the buffet for years).

 

[ooo]

Don't any IETs have a buffet car? If not, no chance of a kitchen car then!

On GWR IETs there's no buffet but they all have a kitchen

 

[aar0]

I've had hot food ordered from the trolley on an IET. Easy process, but they tend not to advertise it. Usual fare of bacon rolls etc

 

[Mag_seven]

The no buffet vs trolley on the class 800 is a bit contentious.

 

[Masbroughlad]

Is there a menu anywhere on-line?

 

[Starmill]

Is there a menu anywhere on-line?

I can't find one. My train last week had no catering available whatsoever for my journey from Bristol Parkway to Swansea. I get the impression that GWR don't really want your custom very much, although that could be just me.

There are a lot of services where catering is either unavailable or not provided in all portions of the train at present. I don't know why, probably related to training and constant stock changes. Presumably there is also increased need for catering staff where a train is formed of two five car units than when it was formed of an HST.

 

[Masbroughlad]

Had a response from GWR. What a sorry state of affairs. Basically you may or not have food on board. We'll make excuses now.

Where is the on-line tariff? The pride of service? Wanting people to have a pleasurable journey.

Made a mess of this GWR. A big mess.

 

[Starmill]

They were honest. There might be catering available on your train / in your portion of the train.

It seems to be a very unreliable service to me.