Britain’s Last Restaurant Car: GWR First Class Pullman Dining
May 16, 2020, 9:18 am
#16
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@ Genius1 - can confirm that it’s been added to my (growing !) list. Have been a fan of interesting trains ever since childhood.
I just checked out the website of my favourite rail aficionado / acknowledged expert, but was a tad disappointed to see no mention of this particular service - although he does cover the sleeper train to Cornwall. In fairness he tends to focus primarily on the practical aspects of rail, and on routes which are especially scenic .... rather than the ‘luxury’ end.
I have previously made good use of his site in relation to a couple of overseas trips : https://www.seat61.com
I just checked out the website of my favourite rail aficionado / acknowledged expert, but was a tad disappointed to see no mention of this particular service - although he does cover the sleeper train to Cornwall. In fairness he tends to focus primarily on the practical aspects of rail, and on routes which are especially scenic .... rather than the ‘luxury’ end.
I have previously made good use of his site in relation to a couple of overseas trips : https://www.seat61.com
https://www.seat61.com/Cornwall-slee...don_&_Cornwall
It's a short mention, but it is definitely there on his website!
Anyway, thanks to Genius1 for the great little Trip Report! To me nothing beats a great meal on a train while watching the view - it's something which can be certainly as good and enjoyable as a premium flight. Let's hope for proper international rail services to be reinstated soon as well.
May 16, 2020, 9:36 am
#17
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@ Romanianflyer - thanks for the follow-up and link 
Yes, I see there is a (brief) mention, and I obviously missed it - although I feel the TR provided by Genius1 is so thoroughly comprehensive that I’m not sure there is much more to learn about this service - other than actually taking it oneself !
Yes, I see there is a (brief) mention, and I obviously missed it - although I feel the TR provided by Genius1 is so thoroughly comprehensive that I’m not sure there is much more to learn about this service - other than actually taking it oneself !
May 16, 2020, 10:24 am
#18
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I haven't visited the UK outside of London since my teenage years being towed along by my parents. I'd love to combine the GWR with the sleeper to Scotland and perhaps a flight or two there (Papa Westray), as well as a ferry to the Orkneys and Shetland Island. These trip reports aren't good for my itchy lockdown feet
May 17, 2020, 10:53 am
#19
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Well, that was certainly different ... and interesting! Not having been on a l/h train since 1981, it was quite a revelation!! Thanks for you efforts in compiling in your usual immaculate and informative style.
Oh, isn’t it complicated these days. There myst be a Railtalk forum somewhere out there to help the unitiated and tourists. I wouldn’t know where to start in this century!
Oh, isn’t it complicated these days. There myst be a Railtalk forum somewhere out there to help the unitiated and tourists. I wouldn’t know where to start in this century!
May 18, 2020, 1:01 pm
#20
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Thank you T8191! I guess Jersey isn't overly endowed with trains...
May 19, 2020, 1:52 am
#21
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Neither of Jersey's railways survived the omnibus and WW2..
1929 ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Eastern_Railway
1936 ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Railway
1929 ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Eastern_Railway
1936 ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey_Railway
May 22, 2020, 8:33 am
#22
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Nice to see a train report. Having commuted between Reading and London for a good few years I've had plenty of experience on the older trains in both first and Standard class but less so since the new Class 800 trains have been added to the route. Having been on both the Great Western, and the East Coast Azuma version in standard class they seem pretty pleasant, though the first class seats/coaches do look pretty basic in comparison to what came before.
I also think your comparison with Pullman dining and a domestic business class flight interesting. Price wise I never though of it that way before.
On the other hand at least the lounge looks better than the East Midlands Trains one at St Pancras, that is absolutely dire.
I also think your comparison with Pullman dining and a domestic business class flight interesting. Price wise I never though of it that way before.
On the other hand at least the lounge looks better than the East Midlands Trains one at St Pancras, that is absolutely dire.
May 22, 2020, 12:49 pm
#23
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Reminds me of the restaurant car service on the East Coast Mainline between London and Leeds/Edinburgh back in the days when GNER operated the franchise. I didn’t realise that GWR still had a Pullman Dining service.
Jun 5, 2020, 1:24 pm
#26
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Thanks for all of the recent comments!
Some interesting history there T8191!
I hadn't considered it when booking, but writing the report it popped into my head, and I think it's a fair comparison. Pretty decent value, although not an experience I would need/want to repeat every time. I'll save future Pullman Dining trips for a special occasion/treat.
I think it's one of the UK's least well known travel products, but I can't see why!
Some interesting history there T8191!
I think it's one of the UK's least well known travel products, but I can't see why!