With so many Costas and other outlets on and around stations do we really need catering on trains these days?
With so many Costas and other outlets on and around stations do we really need catering on trains these days?
On quiet services that could work, it would need to have a lockable cupboard as it will often be unattended. Busy services would still need a dedicated member of catering staff which would be justified by the increased sales.the most cost efficient way of running a catering service would probably be for the guard to note down orders when checking tickets, with the food being stored in an onboard cupboard.
Well that was Southern's argument when they removed all trolley services overnight.
I'd reckon if your maximum journey time is about 1.5hrs there's no need.
I'm surprised Portsmouth to London on SWR still has a trolley to be honest.
I'd guess when journey times go over 2 to 3 hrs, there is a need for some sort of catering offering.
Did those trains carry 1 trolley or two? I’m trying to remember if the 6 car 170s had 1 or 2 trolleys as well, can’t really recall. I do remember that morning trains on the E&G were like breakfast in a hotel with the number of people munching bowls of cereal they’d brought from homeGlasgow to Edinburgh Scotrails via Falkirk High have a trolley. Only 50 mins journey.
I think at the moment, Scotrail catering staff are helping cleaning stations.
Hell yes. Especially on longer distance services.With so many Costas and other outlets on and around stations do we really need catering on trains these days?
Did those trains carry 1 trolley or two? I’m trying to remember if the 6 car 170s had 1 or 2 trolleys as well, can’t really recall. I do remember that morning trains on the E&G were like breakfast in a hotel with the number of people munching bowls of cereal they’d brought from home
Glasgow to Edinburgh Scotrails via Falkirk High have a trolley. Only 50 mins journey.
I think at the moment, Scotrail catering staff are helping cleaning stations.
Glasgow to Edinburgh Scotrails via Falkirk High have a trolley. Only 50 mins journey.
I think at the moment, Scotrail catering staff are helping cleaning stations.
That's definitely one I've always scratched my head at.
I'm not a regular user, but when I have seen it pass through its been rare to see it get used.
Having said that, I have used it before when I've been running late for the train and haven't had time to get one. Maybe late runners are the target audience lol
Yeah, don't think ive ever used the trolley on the E and G. Someone on here told me it makes more money than other routes.
Can any members tell me if I have got this correctly. I am thinking of going on the CS in the next week or two from Euston to Inverness in a Classic cabin. Other than when I go to the toilet am I confined to the cabin for the whole journey? Also am I correct in saying that there are no hot drinks available either in the evening or in the morning? I will be coming from a Tier 1 area.
You are correct, much like a "prison on wheels " at the moment .Can any members tell me if I have got this correctly. I am thinking of going on the CS in the next week or two from Euston to Inverness in a Classic cabin. Other than when I go to the toilet am I confined to the cabin for the whole journey? Also am I correct in saying that there are no hot drinks available either in the evening or in the morning? I will be coming from a Tier 1 area.
Alex Hynes was feeling pleased with himself this morning on Twitter after ScotRail recorded their best September punctuality figures. The first response pointed out to him that it might be because passenger numbers are through the floor & he’s still not running a full service. Seems the railway really does run better without the inconvenience of paying passengers...Gets you there, in a self isolated fashion, and good punctuality currently
The fact that they're not running a full service is probably a bigger factor - they're not trying to fit 5 litres in a 4 litre bottle.Seems the railway really does run better without the inconvenience of paying passengers.
You are correct, much like a "prison on wheels " at the moment .
Pretty far removed from all the "hotel on wheels "marketing of last year.
Gets you there, in a self isolated fashion, and good punctuality currently.
Punctuality at the moment is arguably the best it has been in a long time. ’Prison on wheels’ is a bit strong- just wear your mask/face covering if you go out of your berth for any reason unless you’re exempt (not that there is much reason to, except to use a toilet if you’re in a classic room). I’m afraid catering (other than a prepacked breakfast) can’t be provided within the restrictions- this must be because of the need for physical distancing in kitchens, and also because it is against health and safety regulations to leave hot plates and hot drinks on the corridor floor (as has to happen to ensure a socially distanced room delivery). This is why hot drinks are out of the question.
I think that CS are doing the very best they can in this situation- at least they’re providing a sleeper train on which you can get a good sleep in a comfortable room and get from A to B on time (and in as socially distanced and safe a manner as can be achieved on a National Rail service)- which is probably all the current passengers want or need. Most passengers probably want to stay out of each others’ way, and the staff would probably rather do too for their own and their families’ health. We have to be thankful that the service has kept running all through the pandemic supporting our key workers and also responsible leisure travel once this was allowed.
The fares might be (some would say) a bit steep, especially given that there’s very little (other than an ensuite) to justify the first class premium at the moment, but so the staff I know tell me, they’re still managing to fill the train some nights- especially at weekends. In October!
I hate to say it but CS are for once doing exactly the right thing at the moment, and so one staff member was telling me, complaints are at their lowest since Serco took over in 2015 (probably helped immensely by the good punctuality record). It almost looks as if, out of necessity rather than choice, CS have reached a workable business model. Having used the service recently, the staff have seemed more relaxed, friendly and happy than they have been in a long time too. And that’s despite all the worries in the current situation.
Perhaps it’s time to ditch ‘hotel on wheels’ and celebrate CS for what it is- a sleeper train.
GWR seems to far a bit better on the catering (maybe the design of the buffet car) but they allow a takeaway service from the buffet back to your cabin including hot drinks
GWR seems to far a bit better on the catering (maybe the design of the buffet car) but they allow a takeaway service from the buffet back to your cabin including hot drinks
Amazing how they manage to serve Hot Drinks and Snacks on Aircraft that have much smaller Galleys than any Train, and as for Social Distancing don't go there !!
Is it possible to sit comfortably and look out of the window in a mark 5 berth?There’s also no need to be up especially early now that you can enjoy the views from the room.
I agree, I’m not sure that will ever happen now, especially in the current economic climate. My bet is that if anything, catering operations on the sleeper will be contracting, not expanding.
Yes and no. There have been a number of studies that show the risk of transmission to be comparatively low due where passengers are all wearing masks. (e.g. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2771435).The situation with regard to air travel is gross hypocrisy, to be honest.
Was on the Night Riviera on Thursday 8th Dec from Paddington to Penzance and the lounge car was open, sat in it to Reading. It was the first night of a trial so felt quite fortunate to be able to sit and relax before bed.GWR seems to far a bit better on the catering (maybe the design of the buffet car) but they allow a takeaway service from the buffet back to your cabin including hot drinks
Is it possible to sit comfortably and look out of the window in a mark 5 berth?
I haven't travelled on the new stock, but my memory of the mark 3s, admittedly a few years ago, was that I couldn't, so I spent the daylight hours in the lounge car. Not being able to do so would have marred the experience considerably.
I hope not, that would be totally short sighted and miss the point of why a good number of visitors actually choose to use the sleeper. It has to be about the experience - the allure of the dining car experience included. As soon as the mentality shifts back to it just being a functional overnight train service then it is a slippery slope to failure. Scottish Government need to keep a focus on why they were so keen to invest in it and make something of it.
I hope not, that would be totally short sighted and miss the point of why a good number of visitors actually choose to use the sleeper. It has to be about the experience - the allure of the dining car experience included. As soon as the mentality shifts back to it just being a functional overnight train service then it is a slippery slope to failure. Scottish Government need to keep a focus on why they were so keen to invest in it and make something of it.