| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by broadgage at 22:33, 5th March 2026 |     |
I would hope when they are retired we get the ones Mr Rule hinted at, but then didn’t deliver.
Sorry this is your view, but we've not sought to hide it. Staff started looking at and giving feedback on the plans for the new trains around three years ago.
I think many of the concerns you mention are based on the idea that somehow we think we can deliver this service with something similar to the current trolleys. We can't.
There are plenty of more sophisticated trolleys on the market that keep things hot, and keep things cool, and even serve a proper cup of coffee. A quick google will give you some idea.
Edit note: Quote marks fixed, purely for clarity. CfN.
A cynic like me might suspect that FGW "have generally not been very good at articulating what we intend to offer in terms of food and drink" because they wanted to conceal the fact that the new trains don't have buffets, until it was too late to alter this.
For some year on these forums I have offered as an opinion, and more recently I have stated as a fact that "the new trains wont have buffets"
Many respected members of these forums felt that such views were unduly negative.
"of course they will have buffets"
"they will probably have buffets"
"a buffet could be installed if the TOC want one"
"a buffet could be retrofitted"
And eventually an admission that they don't have buffets.
I too share the doubts expressed by others as to how precisely hot food is to be served in standard class from a trolley, I also have doubts about the sufficiency of trolley stocks of chilled beer. I have observed very substantial volumes of beer being sold on some trains and doubt that a trolley could cope.
For some year on these forums I have offered as an opinion, and more recently I have stated as a fact that "the new trains wont have buffets"
Many respected members of these forums felt that such views were unduly negative.
"of course they will have buffets"
"they will probably have buffets"
"a buffet could be installed if the TOC want one"
"a buffet could be retrofitted"
And eventually an admission that they don't have buffets.
I too share the doubts expressed by others as to how precisely hot food is to be served in standard class from a trolley, I also have doubts about the sufficiency of trolley stocks of chilled beer. I have observed very substantial volumes of beer being sold on some trains and doubt that a trolley could cope.
Sorry this is your view, but we've not sought to hide it. Staff started looking at and giving feedback on the plans for the new trains around three years ago.
I think many of the concerns you mention are based on the idea that somehow we think we can deliver this service with something similar to the current trolleys. We can't.
There are plenty of more sophisticated trolleys on the market that keep things hot, and keep things cool, and even serve a proper cup of coffee. A quick google will give you some idea.
Edit note: Quote marks fixed, purely for clarity. CfN.
And after TEN years what has happened ?
Improved trollies has changed from a commitment, to an aspiration, and now sunk without trace.
Hot food in standard class, also sunk without trace (after a brief trial that produced the expected result that it was uneconomic)
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by TonyN at 17:33, 5th March 2026 | |
Keep thinking the title of this is 'Shy and retiring on-train trolleys'.
This certainly applies to the 08:56 Great Malvern-Paddington. The Trolley always stays in hiding on this service.
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by Richard Fairhurst at 14:06, 5th March 2026 | |
Keep thinking the title of this is 'Shy and retiring on-train trolleys'. Tempted to name those cubicles found on IETs that unexpectedly contain one, the 'Drawing room'.
The signs on those proclaim them to be "Staff storage room". This strikes me as a great idea - when the train is held awaiting a driver, they can just get a spare one out of the staff storage.
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by 1st fan at 13:41, 5th March 2026 | |
I would hope when they are retired we get the ones Mr Rule hinted at, but then didn’t deliver.
A cynic like me might suspect that FGW "have generally not been very good at articulating what we intend to offer in terms of food and drink" because they wanted to conceal the fact that the new trains don't have buffets, until it was too late to alter this.
For some year on these forums I have offered as an opinion, and more recently I have stated as a fact that "the new trains wont have buffets"
Many respected members of these forums felt that such views were unduly negative.
"of course they will have buffets"
"they will probably have buffets"
"a buffet could be installed if the TOC want one"
"a buffet could be retrofitted"
And eventually an admission that they don't have buffets.
I too share the doubts expressed by others as to how precisely hot food is to be served in standard class from a trolley, I also have doubts about the sufficiency of trolley stocks of chilled beer. I have observed very substantial volumes of beer being sold on some trains and doubt that a trolley could cope.
For some year on these forums I have offered as an opinion, and more recently I have stated as a fact that "the new trains wont have buffets"
Many respected members of these forums felt that such views were unduly negative.
"of course they will have buffets"
"they will probably have buffets"
"a buffet could be installed if the TOC want one"
"a buffet could be retrofitted"
And eventually an admission that they don't have buffets.
I too share the doubts expressed by others as to how precisely hot food is to be served in standard class from a trolley, I also have doubts about the sufficiency of trolley stocks of chilled beer. I have observed very substantial volumes of beer being sold on some trains and doubt that a trolley could cope.
Sorry this is your view, but we've not sought to hide it. Staff started looking at and giving feedback on the plans for the new trains around three years ago.
I think many of the concerns you mention are based on the idea that somehow we think we can deliver this service with something similar to the current trolleys. We can't.
There are plenty of more sophisticated trolleys on the market that keep things hot, and keep things cool, and even serve a proper cup of coffee. A quick google will give you some idea.
Edit note: Quote marks fixed, purely for clarity. CfN.
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by Mark A at 12:23, 5th March 2026 | |
Keep thinking the title of this is 'Shy and retiring on-train trolleys'. Tempted to name those cubicles found on IETs that unexpectedly contain one, the 'Drawing room'.
Mark
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by TaplowGreen at 20:43, 4th March 2026 | |
What happens to GWR refreshment trollies when they retire? How would I set about getting hold of one (or two - one for spares) - don't see them at Railwayana sales ...
I think Broadgage is hoping to get hold of one.....he can offer the cats a packet of seagull scratchings & other delicacies
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by broadgage at 19:49, 4th March 2026 | |
" Restaurants are replaced by buffets, buffets replaced by a trolleys, and trolleys are replaced by nothing"
This is called progress.
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by TonyN at 19:24, 4th March 2026 | |
Try Cross Country they have just removed trolleys from the 170 services.
| Re: Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by bobm at 18:10, 4th March 2026 | |
The ones on IETs say they are owned by Hitachi judging by an ID plate on them. Might be worth approaching them.
| Retiring on-train trolleys Posted by grahame at 17:26, 4th March 2026 | |
What happens to GWR refreshment trollies when they retire? How would I set about getting hold of one (or two - one for spares) - don't see them at Railwayana sales ...
