No more Travelling Chef on FGW?

[455driver]

I'd go for the full English. Whether they'd have it on the 10:00 Saturday departure from Penzance is another matter.

I think that one is a dinner (or is it luncheon ) Pullman train from Plymouth.

 

[yorksrob]

I think that one is a dinner (or is it luncheon ) Pullman train from Plymouth.

Ooh, so might still get some grub then ! Wonder if they can cook anything before Exeter

 

[Greenback]

The Travelling Chef is definitely a step above the buffet fare. I'm sure that losing the chance to have egg and chips or cheese on toast on the train will be a disappointment to people.

The menu has improved since the TC service was first introduced too. But it doesn't seem to have improved enough to make it viable. I agree that FGW must have good business reasons to withdraw this service.

 

[infobleep]

I once used the travelling chef service because it was just that a travelling chef. That was the last time I was on such a service. In contrast am fairly often on services with trolleys and I just don't use them. No added value beyond bring my own. Yes it's at seat but my kitchen with food is at home and cheaper. With a chef service I don't mind paying more. Perhaps I'm in the minority.

 

[dk1]

I once used the travelling chef service because it was just that a travelling chef. That was the last time I was on such a service. In contrast am fairly often on services with trolleys and I just don't use them. No added value beyond bring my own. Yes it's at seat but my kitchen with food is at home and cheaper. With a chef service I don't mind paying more. Perhaps I'm in the minority.

I must admit I never bring my own food when on days out or holiday. The thought of tinfoil & flasks make me cringe. I find it all part of the trip to buy onboard and always have done. Shame the chef is going but will probs still get it at the buffet. Prefer Virgin now as nearly always have plenty of stock. East Coast gone right down hill on that front.

 

[Greenback]

We sometimes take our own food, sometimes we don't. It depends on how flush we are, how we feel and why we are travelling. I rarely carry food if I am on my own, as I dislike the hassle of dragging things around with me!

I'd certainly be prepared to pay more for freshly prepared food as opposed to pre packed, though.

 

[HowardGWR]

We sometimes take our own food, sometimes we don't. It depends on how flush we are, how we feel and why we are travelling. I rarely carry food if I am on my own, as I dislike the hassle of dragging things around with me!

I'd certainly be prepared to pay more for freshly prepared food as opposed to pre packed, though.

Very good of her to carry your food! This reminds me of the old chestnut - customs official to male passenger 'did you pack your case yourself sir?'

 

[Greenback]

Very good of her to carry your food! This reminds me of the old chestnut - customs official to male passenger 'did you pack your case yourself sir?'

No, no, no, she carries OUR food! I just eat most of it

 

[Sleepy]

I think that one is a dinner (or is it luncheon ) Pullman train from Plymouth.

No Pullman service runs on Saturday's.

 

[Clip]

The Travelling Chef is definitely a step above the buffet fare. I'm sure that losing the chance to have egg and chips or cheese on toast on the train will be a disappointment to people.

The menu has improved since the TC service was first introduced too. But it doesn't seem to have improved enough to make it viable. I agree that FGW must have good business reasons to withdraw this service.

Id just like to point out that they are consulting on it at the moment, they havent said its going to be pulled for sure yet have they?

 

[Goatboy]

How is the demise of Travelling Chef connected to the realignment of First Class accommodation with demand for First Class seating?

Realignment with demand for First class, lol. It was re-aligned with perceived demand for standard class and then demand for First reduced after the event by the removal of many of the Advance fares on offer. I used to travel First frequently and it was always busy - and there was good availability of good value Advance fares.

The link seems a fairly obvious one in theory- with so little First Class accommodation now there, perhaps it is felt that there is a lack of available spare capacity to operate the travelling chef properly? Passing trade from Standard cannot come and sit down and use the chef if all the seats are occupied by non dining First Class passengers who previously would have been sat elsewhere?

Never mind, more space for the Reading commuters who don't want to walk to the vacant Coach A because it's too far down the platform

 

[387star]

Are there photos anywhere of the refurbished First Class/standard class coaches?

 

[Sleepy]

Goatboy are you saying the half 1st class by the buffet has been used as an unofficial restaurant car type seating area on services with travelling chef then ?

 

[Squaddie]

I must admit I never bring my own food when on days out or holiday. The thought of tinfoil & flasks make me cringe. I find it all part of the trip to buy onboard and always have done.

The food you can buy at M&S or Little Waitrose at railway stations (or, in Switzerland, the Co-op ) is generally better and cheaper than anything that can be purchased on board the train.

 

[Bishopstone]

Never mind, more space for the Reading commuters who don't want to walk to the vacant Coach A because it's too far down the platform

There's little more to say that hasn't already been said, but your basic contention is that the 'problem' doesn't really exist: ie anyone standing on a fGW HST does so by choice, because there are seats available somewhere on the train that they won't use. There seems to be quite a lot of equally anecdotal evidence to the contrary.

I'm not sure why occasional travellers from the West Country and South Wales, with bargain basement First Class Advances, should have seating priority over commuters paying £6k per annum or more. Maybe, if these far-flung folk like London so much, they should buy a house there and stop clogging-up the trains? That is, after all, your proposed solution for the Reading commuters.

 

[extendedpaul]

My occasional "treat" is to book first class on a FGW travelling chef breakfast service to Swansea, and get to Paddington in time for a leisurely visit to the first class lounge on platform 1. The coffee is way better than on the train, quality pastries and fresh fruit, plenty of magazines and comfy chairs... bliss !

The travelling chef then prepares an excellent full breakfast at a very reasonable price. The first advances are good value too. Shame it's likely to change.

 

[455driver]

Id just like to point out that they are consulting on it at the moment, they havent said its going to be pulled for sure yet have they?

Well the chefs have been told their jobs are going and they are going to be made Customer Hosts, make of that what you will!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

No Pullman service runs on Saturday's.

I missed the Saturday bit.
Thanks for the correction Sleepy and i am sorry for the confusion.

 

[yorksrob]

Do we know when this is likely to happen ?

 

[dk1]

The food you can buy at M&S or Little Waitrose at railway stations (or, in Switzerland, the Co-op ) is generally better and cheaper than anything that can be purchased on board the train.

Yeah but I have that for lunch most days anyway. Nice to have a change when travelling around on other Intercity TOCs.

 

[455driver]

Do we know when this is likely to happen ?

it is happening november.

 

[yorksrob]

it is happening november.

Oh right, got timr then !

 

[Flamingo]

There's little more to say that hasn't already been said, but your basic contention is that the 'problem' doesn't really exist: ie anyone standing on a fGW HST does so by choice, because there are seats available somewhere on the train that they won't use. There seems to be quite a lot of equally anecdotal evidence to the contrary.

I work them, he's right.

 

[broadgage]

I have regularly seen HSTs full and standing throughout, but as others post, this is not always the case and some trains are crowded at the London end only.

Would it be possible to fit in coach E a display screen that shows an interior view of coach A ? Thereby illustrating the empty spaces at the front, or not as the case may be.
Passengers standing in E could then make an informed choice as to walking along being worthwhile or not.
On train staff would find the view useful in assessing whether or not passengers should be advised to walk along the train.

 

[David Goddard]

The food you can buy at M&S or Little Waitrose at railway stations (or, in Switzerland, the Co-op ) is generally better and cheaper than anything that can be purchased on board the train.

Which Little Waitrose shops are you referring to? We haven't opened any at railway stations (yet)

Kings Cross coming later this month....

 

[Domh245]

Which Little Waitrose shops are you referring to? We haven't opened any at railway stations (yet)

Kings Cross coming later this month....

There is one just across the road from Wimbledon station (main entrance)

 

[gordonthemoron]

There is one just across the road from Wimbledon station (main entrance)

and there's one just across the road from Nottingham Victoria

 

[David Goddard]

Oh yes I wondered if Wimbledon Hill might be mentioned.
There is a similar branch just outside Birmingham Snow Hill.

Kings Cross will be the first Little Waitrose to be actually at a station.

 

[bnm]

I have a 1st advance for the 06.43 to Paddington on the 23rd

How did you manage to get an Advance Purchase fare for a Cotswold line service to Paddington?

 

[bnm]

So tell me, apart from the full english, what is the difference between a baguette made right there and then or one made back at terminal and then heated up?

'Oh but it tastes so much nicer' or something similar no doubt will be the reply.

I'll pick this one up... without stomping my feet. :roll:

You have a choice of fillings - sausage, bacon, smoked salmon. A choice of breads - bagutte, white/brown bloomer. You can have it buttered. You can add extras such as cheese, mushrooms, egg, tomato. You can have some chips and/or a side salad.

And the choice isn't just full English and baguettes. There's a vegetarian breakfast, beans/cheese/eggs on toast, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, omelettes with a choice of fillings, premium gourmet burgers, ham/sausage egg and chips, smoked salmon salad, ham salad.

And pretty much any combination of available items as a 'have it your way' option. I recently had some cheesy chips with some fried mushrooms and a dressed side salad for a very reasonable £4.70. Would I get that prepared at a 'terminal' then heated up on board? I doubt it. Choice and flexibility goes out the window when catering is centrally prepared, versus a proper on board chef.

 

[bnm]

Id just like to point out that they are consulting on it at the moment, they havent said its going to be pulled for sure yet have they?

Having spoken with numerous FGW catering staff, some whom I know very well, the consultation is about the change or role for the chefs, not about a possible unchanged continuation.