GWR Pullman dining reinstated

[irish_rail]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered previously in the thread but is there now a lodge turn for the Pullman catering crews? I was just looking and it seems like that would be the way you'd resource the 1304 Paddington to Plymouth, using a crew that travelled up the night before on the 1816 from Plymouth? Or do they have both crews travel passenger to get them to/from home? One in the morning from Plymouth to Paddington and one in the evening from Paddington to Plymouth?

1304 padd to Plymouth is a Paddington crew they work back on something that day not entirely sure what probably 1816 off Plymouth. There are also pullman crew based at Plymouth , not entirely sure what services they work these days, but quite possibly the 1315 to padd and 1804 back to Plymouth. One thing I'm sure of is there is NO lodging for pullman crews.

 

[ainsworth74]

1304 padd to Plymouth is a Paddington crew they work back on something that day not entirely sure what probably 1816 off Plymouth. There are also pullman crew based at Plymouth , not entirely sure what services they work these days, but quite possibly the 1315 to padd and 1804 back to Plymouth. One thing I'm sure of is there is NO lodging for pullman crews.

Ah interesting thank you! I hadn't clocked that there were Paddington crews. Last time I spent anytime thinking about this (before Covid!) I think there were just Swansea and Plymouth crews.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Ah interesting thank you! I hadn't clocked that there were Paddington crews. Last time I spent anytime thinking about this (before Covid!) I think there were just Swansea and Plymouth crews.

There’s been Paddington crews on that train for many years now even back in HST days.

 

[ainsworth74]

There’s been Paddington crews on that train for many years now even back in HST days.

Fair enough! Every day is a school day and the GWML certainly isn't home territory for me

 

[alastair]

1304 padd to Plymouth is a Paddington crew they work back on something that day not entirely sure what probably 1816 off Plymouth. There are also pullman crew based at Plymouth , not entirely sure what services they work these days, but quite possibly the 1315 to padd and 1804 back to Plymouth. One thing I'm sure of is there is NO lodging for pullman crews.

Apologies for the pedantry, but it's the 1904 (not 1804) ex Paddington which has the diner.

 

[irish_rail]

Apologies for the pedantry, but it's the 1904 (not 1804) ex Paddington which has the diner.

Thanks i wasn't sure on that one.

 

[heathrowrail]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered previously in the thread but is there now a lodge turn for the Pullman catering crews? I was just looking and it seems like that would be the way you'd resource the 1304 Paddington to Plymouth, using a crew that travelled up the night before on the 1816 from Plymouth? Or do they have both crews travel passenger to get them to/from home? One in the morning from Plymouth to Paddington and one in the evening from Paddington to Plymouth?

I think the crew works the usual trolley service on one trip and the full pullman on the way back.

 

[andylikestrain]

It's a shame to hear that the Pullam service has been downgraded somewhat post Pandemic. Can but hope the service will return in due course. The Anglian Service was staggeringly good for a journey of ~2 hours, always loved travelling with them. At the same time I'm not surprised that it was reduced.

I've always tried to patronise the restaurant cars on long distance trains for as long as I can remember. 2 experiences stick out - heading up to Durham for a University Open day with my Mum and having a great lunch in a HST GNER restaurant car sometime in 2004. The staff were delightful, clearly enjoyed what they were doing and provided a superb service. The food wasn't out of this world but it was better than your average pub grub.

Fast forward to 2016 and my wife and I have dinner in the Pullman Restaurant car on GWR - 19:03 from Paddington to Plymouth (The Armada??). The food was exceptional, the staff brilliant (they even found me a port somewhere) and they were more than happy for us to sit in the restaurant car until Plymouth. The IET ambience isn't the same as the Mk3 but hopefully the staff will be allowed to at least recreate the food and lovely service provided before.

Plan to try The Gerald at some point in the near future. Looking forward to it.

I know the post is from ages ago, but what is The Gerald? Don’t see it mentioned anywhere else and am intrigued..

 

[Steddenm]

I know the post is from ages ago, but what is The Gerald? Don’t see it mentioned anywhere else and am intrigued..

The Gerald was/is(?) a Transport for Wales (previously Arriva Trains Wales) loco hauled Mk4 set that operates between Cardiff Central and Holyhead in an evening (around 5pm from Cardiff) and conveys a full first class restaurant service.

When ATW operated it it was Mk3 coaches and a DVT, and the restaurant menu was originally conceived by the chef at the Celtic Manor Golf Resort outside of Newport.

 

[Butts]

The Gerald was/is(?) a Transport for Wales (previously Arriva Trains Wales) loco hauled Mk4 set that operates between Cardiff Central and Holyhead in an evening (around 5pm from Cardiff) and conveys a full first class restaurant service.

When ATW operated it it was Mk3 coaches and a DVT, and the restaurant menu was originally conceived by the chef at the Celtic Manor Golf Resort outside of Newport.

is it still operational ?

 

[ainsworth74]

is it still operational ?

Yes and expanded onto some Manchester - Cardiff services. However this is rather off-topic on this thread

 

[popeter45]

is it still operational ?

yes but over Covid they replaced it with Mark 4's

 

[Butts]

Yes and expanded onto some Manchester - Cardiff services. However this is rather off-topic on this thread

If you are using the GWR Pullman Dining from Paddington what's the Lounge like there now ?

It used to be half decent pre-covid.

 

[andylikestrain]

The Gerald was/is(?) a Transport for Wales (previously Arriva Trains Wales) loco hauled Mk4 set that operates between Cardiff Central and Holyhead in an evening (around 5pm from Cardiff) and conveys a full first class restaurant service.

When ATW operated it it was Mk3 coaches and a DVT, and the restaurant menu was originally conceived by the chef at the Celtic Manor Golf Resort outside of Newport.

Thank you!

 

[Private Baxter]

Apologies for the pedantry, but it's the 1904 (not 1804) ex Paddington which has the diner.

It used to be both. Hopefully it will be again at some point.

I think the crew works the usual trolley service on one trip and the full pullman on the way back.

No, each crew does a return trip working Pullman.

The Gerald was/is(?) a Transport for Wales (previously Arriva Trains Wales) loco hauled Mk4 set that operates between Cardiff Central and Holyhead in an evening (around 5pm from Cardiff) and conveys a full first class restaurant

I think there are three return journeys on it now.

 

[chrisp37]

I'm keen to try this. I actually wasn't even aware that there were any dining services left outside of charter trains, heritage railway special events etc.

I see one of the destinations is Swansea and that's a destination on our list for a weekend (or longer) break anyway. So the service leaving Paddington at 5.48pm on a Friday is quite appealing.

Am I right that anyone can do the Pullman dining as long as there is space, whereas only first class ticket holders can reserve in advance? If that is the case, does anyone have any idea how booked up these services get, particularly the Friday 5.48pm service? If it's strongly advisable to book, then that's what we would do. What other benefits would a first class ticket get you other than a guaranteed dining seat? If, say, we paid extra for first class but then there were free seats in the dining car then would we essentially be getting nothing extra for the first class surcharge?

 

[PaulHarding150]

Am I right that anyone can do the Pullman dining as long as there is space, whereas only first class ticket holders can reserve in advance? If that is the case, does anyone have any idea how booked up these services get, particularly the Friday 5.48pm service?

That is correct, first class get priority over standard.

I’ve never had a problem turning up on the day and paying, although I’ve never used it on a Friday which may or may not be busier.

In theory if it’s full, staff should be able to do a second sitting, if they know people are coming/waiting.

 

[Private Baxter]

I'm keen to try this. I actually wasn't even aware that there were any dining services left outside of charter trains, heritage railway special events etc.

I see one of the destinations is Swansea and that's a destination on our list for a weekend (or longer) break anyway. So the service leaving Paddington at 5.48pm on a Friday is quite appealing.

Am I right that anyone can do the Pullman dining as long as there is space, whereas only first class ticket holders can reserve in advance? If that is the case, does anyone have any idea how booked up these services get, particularly the Friday 5.48pm service? If it's strongly advisable to book, then that's what we would do. What other benefits would a first class ticket get you other than a guaranteed dining seat? If, say, we paid extra for first class but then there were free seats in the dining car then would we essentially be getting nothing extra for the first class surcharge?

Unlike its west couny counterpart, the Swansea one doesn't tend to get booked up, so you might be okay just turning up, even on a Friday - although don't take my word for it!

Also worth bearing in mind you can join the service as far as Bristol Parkway, where perhaps there might be more space.

 

[chrisp37]

Thanks, both. That's helpful. Food for thought (pun intended).

 

[eroded]

Slightly confused as to the Welsh timetable now

e.g. this Tuesday 13th, GWR website will let me reserve for the 1748 Paddington to Swansea

Yet this service doesn't seem to exist? The only 1748 I can see terminates at Bristol Parkway...

 

[Topological]

Bus replacement for tunnel work.

Pullman dining on the replacement bus to Newport?

 

[Michael.Y]

Slightly confused as to the Welsh timetable now

e.g. this Tuesday 13th, GWR website will let me reserve for the 1748 Paddington to Swansea

Yet this service doesn't seem to exist? The only 1748 I can see terminates at Bristol Parkway...

You need the train that leaves half an hour (or so) earlier.

 

[Unstoppable]

If holding a first class ticket do you get to remain in the dining car for the duration of the journey and do you also get served the usual first class complimentaries?

 

[HamworthyGoods]

If holding a first class ticket do you get to remain in the dining car for the duration of the journey and do you also get served the usual first class complimentaries?

Everyone gets complimentary tea / coffee / water in the dining car. I’m not sure after a meal you’d be needing complimentary food?

 

[alastair]

If holding a first class ticket do you get to remain in the dining car for the duration of the journey and do you also get served the usual first class complimentaries?

Every time I have used it (always with a standard class ticket) once you're in the diner you stay there, till you get to your destination.

 

[shimbler]

Hi all! Quick question from someone who's never had the chance to try out Pullman dining before.

I am going to be returning from Truro to Paddington on a Tuesday (I think 3rd October). The 16:55 is the most convenient return time for me anyway, and it just so turns out that this is the Pullman service. Score!

My question is, I've read that while a First Class ticket on the service allows you to make an actual reservation, in practice provided there's space you can request one as a standard ticket holder. Is it likely to be busy on a Tuesday evening enough to bother? I think the extra cost for a first class ticket is about £33~ in total (for two people), but if I'm sitting in first class via Pullman for what sounds like the entirety of my journey, is it a waste of money and I'll likely be fine to get a table via a standard ticket? I guess £15 a head is possibly worth it to avoid worrying I'll miss out, but no point wasting money for a first class seat I'm not going to sit in. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

 

[alastair]

Hi all! Quick question from someone who's never had the chance to try out Pullman dining before.

I am going to be returning from Truro to Paddington on a Tuesday (I think 3rd October). The 16:55 is the most convenient return time for me anyway, and it just so turns out that this is the Pullman service. Score!

My question is, I've read that while a First Class ticket on the service allows you to make an actual reservation, in practice provided there's space you can request one as a standard ticket holder. Is it likely to be busy on a Tuesday evening enough to bother? I think the extra cost for a first class ticket is about £33~ in total (for two people), but if I'm sitting in first class via Pullman for what sounds like the entirety of my journey, is it a waste of money and I'll likely be fine to get a table via a standard ticket? I guess £15 a head is possibly worth it to avoid worrying I'll miss out, but no point wasting money for a first class seat I'm not going to sit in. Any advice appreciated. Thanks!

I've never yet failed to get into Pullman Dining with a standard ticket but more importantly I think you're going to be in trouble on Tuesday 3rd October, possibly due to the Aslef strike the following day the GWR website https://www.gwr.com/travelling-with...2023-10-03&origin=PLY&destination=PAD&seats=1 states no Pullman dining that day. I would suggest rechecking a few days prior when the situation should be clearer.

 

[shimbler]

I've never yet failed to get into Pullman Dining with a standard ticket but more importantly I think you're going to be in trouble on Tuesday 3rd October, possibly due to the Aslef strike the following day the GWR website https://www.gwr.com/travelling-with...2023-10-03&origin=PLY&destination=PAD&seats=1 states no Pullman dining that day. I would suggest rechecking a few days prior when the situation should be clearer.

Ah, that's an excellent point. I did notice it wasn't bookable, but the website does mention you can only book two weeks in advance and it won't allow you to book Monday (or any other day starting from 1/10) either so I figured that was the reason initially. Thank you for the heads up though as the strike is definitely a complicating factor! I'll do as you advise and keep a close eye on it nearer to the date.

 

[williamn]

I’ve been turned away on standard ticket, so yes I’d recommend going first if you’re very keen to try the Pullman.

 

[RPI]

Generally on up trains you'll get in with a standard ticket, the evening down you'd struggle though.