Welsh Highland Pullmans

Just back from North wales where I treated Mrs General to a ride in the WHR Pullman. I have to say it was a little disappointing.
I doubt real Pullmans ever served tea in paper cup and we felt they are missing a real opportunity.
I had imagined there would be a Steward attending our needs and Luxury would be the keynote. It turned out to be just a coach with posh seats.
We would have been quite happy to pay whatever it took extra for a special experience.
We didn't bother upgrading for the return journey and rode in the open coach which was a much more pleasing experience and the tea came in the same paper cups.

 

Dear Mr General,

Thank you for your feedback, we treat all comments and suggestions from our customers seriously and it is appreciated. I do apologise that your first class Pullman experience was not what you expected. We are always looking for ways in which to expand our first class offer so your comments are welcomed, we also always strive to exceed expectations so I am sorry that on this occasion we did not.

In the autumn of 2017 we began Pullman afternoon teas on a Saturday which include a much more luxurious service. As this is the first full season of these special trains, we shall be looking to see what we can offer our daily first class passengers from these and, therefore, providing a more luxurious service to all trains.

Many thanks again and kind regards
Stephen Greig
Customer Services Manager Ff&WHR

 

Thank you for answering. I think anyone who has experienced real Pullman trains or knows of them would think the same as me. We were quite happy to pay £11 supplement but just to emphasise, we would have been quite happy also to pay a premium price for a premium at-table service. I can see that a full meal service would be tricky, but would a teapot and proper cups not be feasible? I'd guess we wouldn't have batted an eyelid at paying £10 extra (over and above what we paid for tea and a generic prepacked eurocake), each just for that

Just as an aside, your trolley persons were very very good indeed, friendly and helpful and a credit to you. I know they are employees not volunteers so this is especially pleasing.

 

There is a persistent, possibly apocryphal view that hotels pretty much include the price of towels and gowns in the room rate, on the assumption many are unlikely to still be there post-checkout (such is human nature), so you'd need a spot of actuarial analysis of how much china and cutlery would need washing up.

That, or charge through the nose for old newspapers and bubble wrap!

 

What about giving passengers a nice commemorative mug for their tea and to keep as a souvenir?

 

a mug? in the Pullman? It's a good idea though... feel free to keep the cup and saucer, save the washing up....bought in bulk how much would the crocks cost?

 

It sounds a great idea, and why care about the style - when I want a coffee I want a proper one, and not something served in a la-di-da thimble

Steve B

 

Mmmm. I predict a Gog Mount Testaccio!

So long as it's decent coffee, strong enough to pep up a brontosaurus ..... hot too!

 

i think you've missed the point by a mile

 

Not really - I take your point, I was just being a little silly. Sorry...

Steve B

 

A basic branded cup and saucer would add £ 5 for each single journey, a quality souvenir at least double.

 

A couple of local railway groups I am involved with have purchased branded mugs recently, £2.75 cost, suggested retail £5.99.
I'm sure that the Ff&WHR could do a deal on the wholesale price. Every mug which leaves North Wales will be more advertising which the customer has paid for.

Cheers, Neil

 

The WSR's on train catering people have been selling branded mugs for years. The scheme is simple, you buy a mug of tea for £6 (or so) then each time you visit the buffet car you can get your mug filled with more tea at a discounted rate. At first refills were free, but the scheme got too popular.

 

I'd have tried a slightly different approach. Flog mug and first cuppa at sick squid, as per, then .... a free top-up in your commemorative mug when you buy a slice of cake .... or sommat else along those lines. Punter gets their 'freebie', cake gets sold and (fatties aside) it should be pretty well self-regulating!

 

This is a genius idea!

 

And of course the mugs are dated, so you have to buy a new one each year.
(One day I really must hunt round my house and gather them all in one place, I must have dozens of them.)

 

That notion is sheer genius (Pity the TR has left it a bit late for Douglas's centenary ... well, this time around, at any rate).

Do you by any chance design sports kits for premiership rugby and soccer teams?

 

They have a similar thing at work. To reduce waste from disposable cups if you bring your own you get 10% (may even be more) off your cup of tea.

 

Don't know if they still do but Swanage do a buy a Mug for a fiver for Diesel Gala, free refills all weekend they reckon you have to have something like 22 brews over 3 days before they're down on the deal!

 

Sorry, no, I'm not a designer of anything like that.