The Travelling Chef on First Great Western
Some First Great Western services out of and into Paddington now have a travelling chef, who prepares meals to order.
I didn’t try it on my journey to Exeter, but next time I come across one, I’ll find out if they can do anything gluten-free. From the menu it appears they might.
Is First Class Worth It?
Charlotte Gainsburg was quoted in The Times on Saturday as saying “I always travel first class. I feel I’m being cheap if I don’t!”
I travelled back from Bristol in First Class, but I think it’s the last time, I will on First Great Western. This is not a criticism of the company or even the well-refurbished IC125 trains, but more a criticism of my neck, which finds the soft seats uncomfortable. It’s also a compliment to the Standard Class seats, I found so good on the way down to Plymouth.
So when I go to Cardiff on the 15th of October, it’ll be Standard Class both ways.
By God’s Wonderful Railway to Bristol
To many, the Great Western Railway from Paddington to Bristol, Wales and the West is a cut above all of the other lines radiating from London.
As I was brought up close by the main line out of Kings Cross to the North and could hear tha A4 Pacifics and later the Deltic as they picked up speed through New Barnet, my affections are generally towards that route. One of my most memorable railway journeys happened on that line.
The Great Western Main Line differs from the other major lines in the UK as it was built on a grander scale and virtually straight for most of the way to Bristol. In other words, Brunel got his engineering right. In many ways it was the first high-speed line to be built anywhere in the world. (In fact as much of the line speed between London and Bristol is 125 mph., it meets the European definition of a high speed line.) Today the workhorses of the line are High Speed Diesel Trains, like the one where I rode in the cab from Edinburgh to Inverness.
But in some ways the line is showing its age.
Renovating the Roof at Paddington
Finally, as the picture shows they are doing something with renovating Paddington. It is long overdue and it’s not much better now, than when I used the station to go to visit Plessey in the 1970s. It has also been announced that the line will be electrified as far as Cardiff. Why this wasn’t done years ago, I have never understood. Perhaps the reason it hasn’t been electrified is that the High Speed Diesel Trains have outperformed even the most optimistic expectations. But even then it took them so many years to name a power car after the man behind the project, Terry Miller, as good engineers are so undervalued by politicians.
Yesterday, I went with a friend to Bristol to see Ipswich play at Ashton Gate. We left on time at 10:00 from Paddington and just 99 minutes later we arrived in Bristol Temple Meads. The distance is 118.5 miles, so the average speed was a shade under 72 mph, including stops at Reading, Swindon, Chippenham and Bath. Not bad for a nearly forty year old train, but it did have the advantage of two men of vision; Brunel and Miller. I have a feeling that the last High Speed Train in regular service might be well in the second half of this century.
How To Annoy Customers
I’m going with a friend to see Ipswich at Bristol on Saturday.
The aim is to go down on the 10:00 from London in Standard and return on the 18:00 in First.
I have a Senior Railcard and my friend has an Annual Gold Card Railcard.
When trying to book on-line, I couldn’t seem to get a discount for the Gold Card. Shown is a chat I had on-line with one of First Great Western’s customer service agents (FGW).
FGW: Hi, my name is FGW. How may I help you?
Anonymous Widower: I am travelling to Bristol from London on Saturday and have been trying to purchase tickets. I have a Senior Railcard and my travelling companion has an Annual Gold Card. Is it right that they get charged more than me, and the discount doesn’t apply. We aim to travel down standard on the 10:00 and return on the 18:00 in First.
FGW: Please give me your journey details including the journey dates and the train times selected.
Anonymous Widower: I already have.
FGW: Are the times mentioned the exact train times ?
Anonymous Widower: Yes
Anonymous Widower: I haven’t booked yet, but I know seats are available.
FGW: Is it Bristol Parkway ?
Anonymous Widower: No Temple Meads
FGW: I have checked for the journey and would like to confirm that the discount for the annual gold card discount will be available only if you book the tickets at the station.
FGW: Online the discount will only be available for the Senior Railcard.
Anonymous Widower: Why can’t I get it on-line? My companion does not live near me and won’t be in London until Friday. I know that if you buy on the web you get a better fare. I have also had a stroke and feel that buying tickets on-line is easier for me.
FGW: There are some policies that are set by the company. I am advising you as per them.
FGW: You need to book tickets on the station for the Annual Gold Card discount.
Anonymous Widower: Thanks for your help.
It should be simple and easy to buy tickets without too many petty rules.
In the end I bought the other ticket without the discount.
The Anonymous Widower 