Llangollen Railway

Indeed, I think it’s sensible that the LR Trust aren’t committing their own funds to buy the RMB. Just hoping they can encourage someone else to buy it and keep it at Llangollen.

 

We seem to be rather deviating here.

 

I quite like the Ffestiniog/WHR system where the menus are on the table, a steward comes through the train, takes orders, then returns with your order and collects payment.
Seems very civilised, and means you don't end up missing any of the journey while walking through the train and queueing to be served.
Also means less people up and about, fewer conflicts at doorways and corridor connections, and probably lower risk of a passenger falling and injuring themselves.

Obviously, this more suited to lines where people are likely to stay in their seats from one end to the other, and the journey time is long enough that you don't reach the other end before your food arrives.

 

A lovely image of a buffet attendant with modified weed-killing equipment on their back and full safety gear due to hot liquids, trying to squirt boiling water into a cup on the table from at least 2 metres away ...

 

You might laugh - but when I went to ‘t Kuipke to watch the Ghent 6 day some years back, they dispensed beer to the crowds exactly that way, so you never needed to leave your seat and miss any of the racing ...

Tom

 

Were cups involved or did you just lean back with your mouth open

 

Cups were involved - they might be Flemings, but they aren’t heathens ...

Tom

 

All sorts and sizes of insulated container are readily available nowadays.

 

The actual auction hasn't started yet

https://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/...ed/lambert-smith-hampton/catalogue-id-ed10689

 

I wonder if the auction will be visible for all to view, or only those registered to bid?

 

From https://www.shropshirestar.com/ente...st-time-for-heritage-trust-to-save-rail-line/
"Directors and key volunteers are compiling a list of assets they consider essential for the continued running of the railway.”
Presumably the Trust are not publically publishing the list against the cash they have available?
They seem to want people to help give cash for items to stay, easier to sell to some potential givers ownership or part ownership of locos they have, rather than raise cash for other less attractive items in the auction?
I think I saw somewhere they are prioritising the accessablity enabled carriage (35188) but can't find the quote again.

 

Not these days...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Maybe I'm being a bit of a fuddy-duddy here but I think that, unless you have got a line long enough to give the passengers time to put their order in, be served and then eat/drink whatever they ordered in a fairly relaxed and unhurried way, you would be better off not having any catering on train at all but putting your effort into ensuring you have good and sufficient catering at all appropriate stations.

You wouldn't have the worry of restocking the trains, no need for serving staff on the trains (they would probably be more use in the stations allowing more people to be served quicker) and less mess, tables to be wiped down and rubbish to be collected at the end of each run.

Has anyone ever heard any complaints from passengers about having to buy their coffee and cake on the platform and then take it on the train with them?

 

It is quite volunteer intensive. You need at least two people and as you say a sufficient journey length normally three.

Did they provide you with the necessary equipment so you didn't have to leave your seat after drinking the beer?

 

Sort of, usually it's because they've arrived close to departure time and don't want to have to queue up at the bar/restaurant. Often they only ask about it when they've already boarded the train.

I've seen some SVR buffet staff do the same but it is quite staff intensive.

 

With the advent of being able to pre order, apps etc, there is no reason why , if you know your table number you can't pre order your food , drinks etc, pay using google pay etc, before you board your train, even on the day, that way, the catering staff know what they need to provide, and it can be brought to you at your seat, or picked up by yourself from the buffet before you board, how much work would it take to include a basic menu on the pre booking form, ?

 

TPO pick-up arrangements from an off-train kitchen...
"This is the lunchbox crossing the border..."

 

Not a lot of work and I know of one railway which already does it. If you sell compartment tickets for set numbered compartments, then the order for compartment No19 can be set out in the compartment ready for the guests to arrive.

 

.....and still are.

Shall we get to Llangollen?

 

What happened when the beverage had been 'processed'?
I speak as a reverse filter coffee machine.