Pitiful 1st class menu from GWR

[Caleb2010]

Aboard the 0904 Paddington to Newquay (as far as Plymouth) and expected a decent first class menu - but that’s not what you get!

The offering is pitiful!

I’ve been on the train for 1 3/4 hours and so far the first class offering has been half a cup of coffee and a twin pack of biscuits!

Having dispensed the offering to first class passengers the standard trolley went through laden with pots of porridge, sandwiches and other savoury items!

I’m of the opinion that GWR are literally taking the pee out of first class passengers but giving them - nothing!

 

[Bletchleyite]

GWR's First Class is more traditional than Avanti or LNER, i.e. you get the better seat and basic freebies but there is (sometimes) a restaurant car where full meals can be purchased, or you can purchase from the trolley.

Personally I prefer this "Euro 1st" approach than paying* for "freebies"* I don't want.

* There's no such thing as free, it comes from the ticket cost. And usually it's such a basic taster sized menu I want to buy something proper anyway.

 

[LowLevel]

GWR don't do an Avanti/LNER style meal offer, it's been tea, coffee, soft drinks and some biscuits/cake/crisps or whatever for years. The exception is on Pullman Dining services but you pay for that on top.

It's fairly clear on their website what to expect and I think if they're short handed one host covers both first and standard so you end up with a bit of service and then nothing whilst they do the standard trolley.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Aboard the 0904 Paddington to Newquay (as far as Plymouth) and expected a decent first class menu - but that’s not what you get!

Tea/coffee and biscuits is what they advertise. Buyer beware.

They do, however, have one of the nicest lounges at Paddington.

 

[Caleb2010]

Thanks for that, I suppose it took me a bit by surprise- having been used to Avanti, LNER & TPE 1st class offerings!

 

[sh24]

There are also crisps, nuts, cake, soft drinks and sometimes a selection of sandwiches as well.

 

[Royston Vasey]

I’m of the opinion that GWR are literally taking the pee out of first class passengers but giving them - nothing!

So at least the toilets are working! Small mercies!

 

[ollyexe2808]

In my experience, first class on GWR is highly varied. I have had free sandwiches, biscuits, crackers, water and tea/coffee (and once was given a snack box when their other options weren't available). Often I think you have to ask for more rather than it being given. Have had some decent cakes too (this was last year so a while ago but post-pandemic).

BUT it is hit and miss, and it depends on the customer host and the offerings for that day. Certainly less varied and more sparse than the HST days with the buffet car. Though, as others have said, the Pullman is the exception

 

[D1537]

Being also used to LNER FC and reading the criticism of GWR, I was relatively impressed with them last week. We only travelled from Swindon to Cardiff but got two cups of coffee, a soft drink and a "snack box" (crisps, savoury biscuits with chutney, sweet biscuits, etc).

Given that our tickets with railcard worked out to around £20pp each way I didn't think that was bad...

 

[sh24]

The snack box is the weekend offering IME, not available on week days.