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GWR Night Riviera and Pullman

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Vespa

Vespa

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I quite fancied travelling from London to Penzance on the Pullman dining car and back to London on the sleeper for the experience.

Looking at the GWR site the ticketing system not too clear, do you have to book the travel ticket and the sleeper/Pullman separately ? Or is it there a single Riviera and Pullman package ?
 
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Vespa

Vespa

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Done it....took a bit of planning, booked the Pullman dining service 12.04 paddington to Penzance and the sleeper back to London.
First class ticket to Penzance and Sleeper solo berth to London.

With railcard £147.10p.

I've always wanted to do this experience, I've been allocated seat D 01, no seat picking options.

Hope that's on the good side of train to see the sea along the Dawlish Teighmouth line.
 
superalbs

superalbs

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Vespa said:
Done it....took a bit of planning, booked the Pullman dining service 12.04 paddington to Penzance and the sleeper back to London.
First class ticket to Penzance and Sleeper solo berth to London.

With railcard £147.10p.

I've always wanted to do this experience, I've been allocated seat D 01, no seat picking options.

Hope that's on the good side of train to see the sea along the Dawlish Teighmouth line.
Click to expand...
Due to poor train design, it's a seat without any window at all, but you do get a view of a wall instead.

Have a lovely journey, thank you for travelling with GWR. :lol:
 
iantherev

iantherev

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Your reservation may not be in the Pullman dining coach. If the train splits at Plymouth it may be necessary to start at Paddington in the dining coach and move before or at Plymouth to the front portion which will continue to Penzance.
 
Vespa

Vespa

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iantherev said:
Your reservation may not be in the Pullman dining coach. If the train splits at Plymouth it may be necessary to start at Paddington in the dining coach and move before or at Plymouth to the front portion which will continue to Penzance.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that heads up, I didnt think the train is splitable, I will ask on the train locally... I assumed it would be the new Class 800 Azuma train.

P.s. just banged in a email request to customer service to see if they can change the seats further up to a window sea side seat.

I can only assume because I clicked disabled railcard they put me in the "Spac" seat automatically, assuming I don't need a view to look at ! <(
 
cactustwirly

cactustwirly

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Vespa said:
Thanks for that heads up, I didnt think the train is splitable, I will ask on the train locally... I assumed it would be the new Class 800 Azuma train.

P.s. just banged in a email request to customer service to see if they can change the seats further up to a window sea side seat.

I can only assume because I clicked disabled railcard they put me in the "Spac" seat automatically, assuming I don't need a view to look at ! <(
Click to expand...

It's formed of of 2 x 5 car 802s as far as Plymouth, where the rear set detaches.
 
B

basfordlad

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When you board at paddington the dining car should be the first carriage you go past ( it will be laid up )
We just gave our names, showed to our seats and tucked into a bottle of wine
 
Vespa

Vespa

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Thanks mate, I plan to order food as soon as the train sets off :D

How long you're allowed to stay at the table ?
I would presume my first class seat reservation still holds while I'm at the Pullman dining carriage.
 
B

basfordlad

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We stayed all the way plymouth when I finished of my gin and tonic with about 10 minutes to spare
Pricey but worth it
 
D

devonexpress

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Pullman dining is a real treat, i've done it before, the 12:04 Pad to Pnz will be the same crew that work the up Golden Hind in the morning. It is a bit pricey, when I did it on my own including a tip it came to £72 for 3 courses, plus a drink and a £10 tip but it was absolutely worth it.

I did it this time last year for the first time, going for breakfast on the GH which was actually my final ever HST journey, making it incredibly special for me, either way your going to have a fantastic time, just remember to give a little tip as the staff really do go the extra mile.
 
Vespa

Vespa

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I certainly would give them a good tip.if they can get me a seat on seaward side.
 
D

devonexpress

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Vespa said:
I certainly would give them a good tip.if they can get me a seat on seaward side.
Click to expand...

Yeah if you turn up a bit early to board with a first class ticket and ask them nicely for a seaside seat view they will try their best to accomodate you, it depends on which side the singles seats are on, the 12:04 is extremely busy, especially on Fridays. If you buy a FC ticket you could always call up and reserve a seat and for it then to make sure.
 
VT 390

VT 390

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basfordlad said:
Explains why 1st class advance tickets are more expensive then on the 13.04!!
Click to expand...
As the 13:04 is usually quieter and also offers the Pullman service it may sometimes be better to get this service if anyone is doing the trip for the Pullman service, especially as you may have to move trains at Plymouth anyway.
 
M

Mitchell Hurd

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Might be worth noting that at the minute, the IET's do have a habit of being reverse formed (watch out for the 5x2-car IET's) - also the formation information at Paddington isn't always correct.
 
Vespa

Vespa

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My 12:04 Pullman from Paddington got cancelled, I got on th 13:04 instead and had a nice meal on the train, will need to change train at Plymouth to carry on to Penzance.

The original reason for the 12:04 is tocarry on without any change.
I don't think there is any 1st class seats on the connecting train.

I wonder if I can make a claim on that ?

Nice food by the way.
 

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Vespa

Vespa

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Ok it might be GWR operated.. Will see when I arrive.
16.47 is the connecting one, I need to arrive in Penzance in good time so I catch the Night Riviera back to London.
 
Vespa

Vespa

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Eventually.... I arrived at Penzance for 20:28.

Should have been 17.09 as originally planned so no chance to see the town.


Quite a rigmarole they said 4 coaches is being laid on to take us to Plymouth never turned up, in the meantime quite a few people booked their own taxis to go there instead, then the train I was on left the scene back where it came from, after 50 + minutes of waiting, a cross country train came along, we all went on that and gone through the broken rail and point works at 5 mph just outside Plymouth, cue more waiting at the platform my 18:31 to Penzance became 18:35 rode First Class on that based on my ticket....

FINALLY arrived in Penzance to a virtually empty station apart from thr Night Riviera, after spending time in the lounge, boarded my train, very good experience, glad I made it as I was worried about missing it.

It would be a disaster missing it.

My concierge on the sleeper is very friendly and helpful, the lounge experience on the train is top notch and enjoyed a Cornish ale on the way back.

Arrived in Paddington this morning and had my breakfast, clean up etc

All in all quite an experience, some cutting it fine !
 
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