GWR Pullman dining access

[ge-gn]

For a milestone birthday my partner and I hope to be able to enjoy the lunchtime Pullman dining service from Plymouth to Paddington on a Monday in mid November. I’m actually travelling from Penzance, but as I understand it the dining set only starts in Plymouth, with the incoming set from Penzance attaching to it there.

I’m fortunate enough to enjoy free standard class travel, and I understand that Pullman dining priority is given to 1st class ticket holders only, but I’m just wondering how likely it is that space will be available for standard class ticket holders? Or should I bite the bullet and fork out for an advance 1st class fare to guarantee a couple of seats? If I were to do this, what is the minimum journey to enjoy the dining? Ie, Plymouth to Tiverton, Plymouth to Reading, etc?

Any advice gladly accepted!

Thank you.

 

[hexagon789]

For a milestone birthday my partner and I hope to be able to enjoy the lunchtime Pullman dining service from Plymouth to Paddington on a Monday in mid November. I’m actually travelling from Penzance, but as I understand it the dining set only starts in Plymouth, with the incoming set from Penzance attaching to it there.

I’m fortunate enough to enjoy free standard class travel, and I understand that Pullman dining priority is given to 1st class ticket holders only, but I’m just wondering how likely it is that space will be available for standard class ticket holders? Or should I bite the bullet and fork out for an advance 1st class fare to guarantee a couple of seats? If I were to do this, what is the minimum journey to enjoy the dining? Ie, Plymouth to Tiverton, Plymouth to Reading, etc?

Any advice gladly accepted!

Thank you.

A Monday would usually be okay and 50 mins is the minimum journey required.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

For a milestone birthday my partner and I hope to be able to enjoy the lunchtime Pullman dining service from Plymouth to Paddington on a Monday in mid November. I’m actually travelling from Penzance, but as I understand it the dining set only starts in Plymouth, with the incoming set from Penzance attaching to it there.

I’m fortunate enough to enjoy free standard class travel, and I understand that Pullman dining priority is given to 1st class ticket holders only, but I’m just wondering how likely it is that space will be available for standard class ticket holders? Or should I bite the bullet and fork out for an advance 1st class fare to guarantee a couple of seats? If I were to do this, what is the minimum journey to enjoy the dining? Ie, Plymouth to Tiverton, Plymouth to Reading, etc?

Any advice gladly accepted!

Thank you.

In the winter the entire train starts from Plymouth, in summer it comes from Newquay.

The 16.15 from Penzance is a 9 car and has the dining service from Plymouth. The dinner service on this train is often viewed to be better than the lunch service.

It’s worth noting the crew only get on the train at Plymouth so in both cases meal service only usually starts around Totnes so you’ll really need to travel to Reading or Paddington.

 

[sh24]

I've seen crew serve someone travelling Totnes to Taunton but it was quite rushed..and I suspect not all of the crew would do that.

Lunchtime is normally quieter than the dinner services so you should be fine as a walk in. the 18:16 ex Plymouth on Monday had a full coach L and people eating in K too. I've not seen loads that heavy at lunchtime heading up.

The food is the same at lunchtime so no differences there.

 

[ge-gn]

In the winter the entire train starts from Plymouth, in summer it comes from Newquay.

The 16.15 from Penzance is a 9 car and has the dining service from Plymouth. The dinner service on this train is often viewed to be better than the lunch service.

It’s worth noting the crew only get on the train at Plymouth so in both cases meal service only usually starts around Totnes so you’ll really need to travel to Reading or Paddington.

Interesting. Why would the dinner service be better than the lunch service if the menu is the same.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Interesting. Why would the dinner service be better than the lunch service if the menu is the same.

Thanks for the advice.

Generally the crews can be more proactive and welcoming on that evening train.

 

[williamn]

Yes I’ve been turned away as a standard passenger on the lunchtime service - with them not laying up any of the adjacent carriage.

 

[Sleepy]

Yes I’ve been turned away as a standard passenger on the lunchtime service - with them not laying up any of the adjacent carriage.

Interesting, less staff on lunchtime service or more non-dining 1st class travellers expected ?

 

[sh24]

Interesting, less staff on lunchtime service or more non-dining 1st class travellers expected ?

I suspect crew dependent. IME London crews more flexible than Plymouth.

 

[williamn]

I suspect crew dependent. IME London crews more flexible than Plymouth.

Yes - I've taken the evening train from Exeter before and they had laid up half the next carriage and were happy to accommodate. Seemed like the lunchtime crew just wanted an easy life tbh!

(You'd think someone somewhere would notice that some crews got a lot more in takings than others!)

 

[Sleepy]

Might depend on stock too - if high no. of bookings for return from Paddington can they get extra or is it only available at Plymouth depot ?

 

[sh24]

Yes - I've taken the evening train from Exeter before and they had laid up half the next carriage and were happy to accommodate. Seemed like the lunchtime crew just wanted an easy life tbh!

(You'd think someone somewhere would notice that some crews got a lot more in takings than others!)

Yes you would think that. There is one Plymouth based service lead who isn't the most...customer centric. It's quite a contrast to many of the staff who are lovely.

Might depend on stock too - if high no. of bookings for return from Paddington can they get extra or is it only available at Plymouth depot ?

That's happened as well, had the evening return service from Plymouth cancelled as they ran out of food.

 

[ge-gn]

I’m still watching this thread with interest. My intended travel date is next month!

I am still a standard class passenger, and I note that GWR website states that standard passengers should speak to the Pullman manager when boarding to check for availability. I presume this would be the earlier the better (first up, best dressed!), and thus my next question is, when would boarding start for the 1315 ex Plymouth?

 

[sh24]

The crew will be on board about 13:00 and start setting up. Just pop your head into coach L, say you'd like to dine but have a standard ticket. They'll probably suggest you take a seat in coach K and call you when service is ready, which is normally around Totnes.

You can check the number of bookings made on the GWR website. That service is normally pretty lightly loaded (5 of us last week) so you'll most likely be fine

 

[ge-gn]

The crew will be on board about 13:00 and start setting up. Just pop your head into coach L, say you'd like to dine but have a standard ticket. They'll probably suggest you take a seat in coach K and call you when service is ready, which is normally around Totnes.

You can check the number of bookings made on the GWR website. That service is normally pretty lightly loaded (5 of us last week) so you'll most likely be fine

Great advice, thank you!

 

[sh24]

Great advice, thank you!

No worries, and enjoy it. One of life's pleasures (for me, at least )

 

[ge-gn]

So yesterday was the day. The day for my Pullman dining experience for the milestone birthday.

The train was at the platform at Plymouth and around 20 minutes before departure we boarded coach K, and my partner went into coach L to inform the steward that we were standard class passengers, but would like to dine. I had checked the reservation system online beforehand, and had noted that only 2 seats had been booked. Also the train didn’t seem to be particularly busy, so I was reasonably confident of being allowed.

But alas no. She came back glum faced. There was to be no Pullman dining on the service due to a supply issue (although it was later described as a technical issue in the kitchen on an onboard announcement later on).

All very disappointing, we had really been looking forward to it.

Unfortunately there was no indication that service wouldn’t be available either online, by station announcement,or on the display screens, which proudly stated restaurant service available, so we didn’t bring any back up. So it was then that we picked two £6 meal deals from the paltry selection on the on board trolley, washed down with a tepid cup of tea.

Oh, and those seats. The cushions are worn out and you can feel the seat frame through them. I haven’t much cushioning on my behind, so it was really uncomfortable! They can only be about 5 years old.

 

[stephens]

But alas no. She came back glum faced. There was to be no Pullman dining on the service due to a supply issue (although it was later described as a technical issue in the kitchen on an onboard announcement later on).

All very disappointing, we had really been looking forward to it.

Unfortunately there was no indication that service wouldn’t be available either online, by station announcement,or on the display screens, which proudly stated restaurant service available, so we didn’t bring any back up. So it was then that we picked two £6 meal deals from the paltry selection on the on board trolley, washed down with a tepid cup of tea.

Oh, and those seats. The cushions are worn out and you can feel the seat frame through them. I haven’t much cushioning on my behind, so it was really uncomfortable! They can only be about 5 years old.

Sorry to hear about your disappointment. i've been doing Pullman Dining twice a year for many years now on 1st ALRs and only ever suffered similar disappointment since the IETs started.

40-year old HSTs built on a shoe-string, worked perfectly every time.
Brand new IETs costing billions, technical issues at the drop of a hat.

A sign of the times I'm afraid

 

[sh24]

What a shame. I think I've done the Pullman dining 50+ times in the last 2 years and had one issue with food going out of temperature, and one technical issue that was resolved by an Hitachi fitter who boarded at Exeter. 98% availability isn't bad, but deeply frustrating when it happen.s