LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY on the GWR Pullman restaurant on rails!
Рет қаралды 4,805
Күн бұрынA real luxury train journey on the Great Western Railway GWR Pullman dining service from London Paddington to Plymouth.
Richard and brother Paul go behind the scenes to discover how GWR provides luxury dining on the train, discovering how the food is cooked, meeting the passionate staff on-board, and enjoying the stunning coastal scenery, including the stunning Dawlish Sea Wall.
They sample the delights of restaurant dining on what is often referred to as a Great British train journey. Join them for the ride - you won't regret it!
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On our trip:
00:00 Intro
00:46 Rail Gourmet loads the food into the dining car
01:09 What the Pullman dining service is and what we decided to eat!
02:50 Starters
03:22 Who can use the Pullman service
04:06 Main courses and steak being cooked on a train
05:57 Where did Pullman come from?
07:49 The route we're on
08:58 Desserts
10:23 Our full journey - and worries we might end up on a bus!
12:12 Dawlish Sea Wall amazing scenery
15:02 Fun fact about Teignmouth and train comfort
16:48 Nearing our destination and how the train works
20:15 We've arrived!
21:04 Reflections on an amazing trip... and what Pullman dining costs
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Credits:
Presenters - Nigel Harris (@railnigel on X) & Richard Bowker CBE (@SRichardBowker). General Manager: Stef Foster (@stefatrail)
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
If you like this video, please give it a thumbs up 👍- and subscribe if you want to see more!🔔
@tomcarr1358 Күн бұрын
I've done the trip and had the meal. Amiable chef came to talk to us without soliciting plaudits. The service deserves some support from the advertising budget if viability is difficult without it. Pullman dining on weekdays only when we went. Carriage suspension or state of track or both disappoint the further west and the slower you go. Excellent approach to this sort of travelogue. Beware the over-use of superlatives.
@julianhweatherall2253 2 күн бұрын
Thanks guys.it’s the last proper dining car on the UK rail network.. keep it going..
@GreenSignals 2 күн бұрын
I think the TfW dining car from Manchester to Cardiff is pretty good as well - but I agree the GWR pullman is excellent.
@mattprentice4347 2 ай бұрын
Been thinking of doing this for awhile & now you've totally convinced me. When GWR's franchise finishes in June 2025 I really hope great British Railways keeps this service.
@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын
Thanks Matt. Definitely worth a go. And it would be lovely to see it continue, I agree.
@gbphil 2 ай бұрын
In the 2000’s, Virgin used to do complimentary dining in first class on the West Coast mainline with Steaks between Birmingham and out of Euston. Unfortunately I never had that opportunity getting stuck on the Cross-Country routes with a miserable gratis Bacon Bap. 😎😇
@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын
Ah, the heady days of the 2000s with the brand new trains arriving. Sigh.
@parsifalBN 14 күн бұрын
Great Report! We made the Trip in 2017 (still on the HST at this time) and we enjoyed it quite as much as You showed in Your video.... Great Food, great staff, really an outstanding experience. Thanks for bringing up memories to this Trip and we hope to do it again next Year - the Pullmann Dining service alone is worth the trip from Germany ;-)
@GreenSignals 12 күн бұрын
Thanks. It's brilliant isn't it! Cheers Richard
@AndyMacGillivray-qh7rv 4 ай бұрын
For that price and the quality, I'll more than trust your assessment on that, it is a no brainer. Breakfast dining is also superb.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
It really is a no brainer Andy. And little beats a good breakfast as well......!
@VinCoxRides 2 ай бұрын
Thanks for making this video. I'll be taking this service in 2 days time and you've helped with the anticipation :-)
@GreenSignals 2 ай бұрын
Brilliant. Hope you enjoy it.
@bishwatntl 3 ай бұрын
Richard mentioned the criticism of the seats on the class 800. My first journey on one was between Paddington and Westbury in standard class, sitting near the end of a coach. I noted two main problems - the seat was rather hard for a journey of that distance (let alone one all the way to Plymouth) and the ride was rather rough at times, especially over points. I don't know if perhaps there was some sub-standard track, but the total experience was such that, for my return journey from Warminster, I chose not to go back to Westbury and risk another 800, but to ride on an SWT 158 via Salisbury to Waterloo (a much better experience). I have since ridden on an 800 a couple of times for the short sprint from Paddington to Slough and it was OK for that.
@gram1608 4 ай бұрын
What a pleasant video to watch... you have such a relaxing style. Looked great!
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
What lovely feedback. Thank you - really pleased you enjoyed it! There's plenty more on the way.
@GreenJimll 4 ай бұрын
I just downloaded the sample menu from the GWR website and it was good to see that the menu had veggie/vegan options for each course. Pretty reasonable prices too - cheaper that some restaurants I've been in!
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Exactly - excellent food at a reasonable price for such high quality
@ernestbailey9194 4 ай бұрын
Very nice video. The dinner looked lovely, and well priced. Our 50th wedding anniversary this June, I might surprise my good wife with a special day out. Thank you. Cant wait for the sleeper video. I might add this to the Pullman train visit.
@KempSimon 4 ай бұрын
GWR also offers Pullman Dining on a lunchtime train from Swansea to Paddington and dinner on the return journey in the evening, although for some reason they don't do much to advertise this fact!
@user-iz1ht3ut1m 4 ай бұрын
Marvellous video guys. I’ve enjoyed splendid meals on the Plymouth run with both my wife, Jackie, and my son, Eden, and loved every minute. The staff, as you rightly say, are incredibly welcoming. When you asked ‘what is Teignmouth known for?’ I was convinced you were going to say it was the erstwhile home (at separate times) of the railway authors T W E Roche and David St John Thomas; the later founded David & Charles publishing. Look forward to the sleeper vlog. 🖐
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Yes, sorry about the Teignmouth 'fun fact'. Both my boys are massive Muse fans and we have been to see them live quite a few times now. Never disappoint. So I always think of them when we pass Teignmouth. Thanks for the kind words too. Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers. Richard
@staffordian 4 ай бұрын
What a superb video Richard. Thoroughly enjoyed it and it's good to see that the tradition of railway dining lives, even if it is now a rarity! Looking forward to seeing your film of the Night Riviera. Another tradition which only just about survives. Hope Nigel isn't too jealous! Cheers, Rob
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Thanks Rob. Really appreciate such kind feedback. Nigel was sad he missed it - but we have plans for plenty of other videos. And do watch out for the Night Riviera video. That was another wonderful trip. Cheers. Richard
@KempSimon 4 ай бұрын
Transport for Wales offers three course lunches and dinners to passengers travelling in "Business Class" on its locomotive-hauled Mark 4 trains between Cardiff/Caerdydd and Holyhead/Caergybi, and between Cardiff and Manchester. Unlike with GWR, the Restaurant Caron TfW trains is out of bounds to passengers holding Standard travel tickets.
@craiglogistics2092 4 ай бұрын
I believe that Transport for Wales (TfW) have a dining service on their Cardiff to Holyhead and Cardiff to Manchester services, making good use of ex LNER Mk4 carriages
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Yes, I believe that is correct. I feel another video coming on.....!
@grangetowncardiff6935 4 ай бұрын
Yes they do, and it's great! Please do a review. Only problem, apparently, is that the loco hauled service is sometimes replaced by a multiple unit where all service goes out the window. Hope TfW can sort this on The Cardiff to Manchester service, because that was fine when I tried it last. By the way, I think the Cardiff- Holyhead, is rather different. This, I think is the "Gerald of Wales" which is heavily supported by the Welsh Govt, and as such is not really a commercial service? Or is it? Great review. Pip Pip.
@trevormstone 4 ай бұрын
I haven’t been on the The Gerald of Wales since the MkIVs took over, so should really try it again. I did the evening train (travelling from Newport to Chester) a couple of times with the MkIIIs. Really excellent. I cannot post pictures here, but I can assure you that the food and wine was superb 👌
@ballyhigh11 3 ай бұрын
They do, and it's incredible value. Just £22 for three courses!! You'd be very hard pushed to pay that at any non moving restaurant!
@johng5474 4 ай бұрын
I wish other long distance services had this level, and price, of service available. I need to go sleeper out and dining back, or vice versa.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Watch this space John - our Sleeper trip video will be out soon!
@KempSimon 4 ай бұрын
Cardiff to/from Holyhead and Manchester with Transport for Wales? The locomotive-hauled Mark 4 sets have a Restuarant Car but it is only open to holders of Business Class tickets.
@martinh8590 Ай бұрын
Excellent video. It really is a shame about the seats. I have traveled in 1st class and was shocked at how bumpy the ride was. Also it would be good to have a more widely available dining option offering quality but at a more affordable price.
@GreenSignals Ай бұрын
Is that not the problem though? Everyone wants the same quality but at a more affordable price (by which I presume you mean cheaper). I used to own a very large and successful cycle retail business. We were a partner store for the leading brand Trek. A great friend of Trek is a gentlemen called Keith Bontrager, one of the founding fathers of the modern mountain bike movement. Everyone in cycling wants something strong and something light. Think carbon fibre for example. Keith however has a great saying: "Strong, Light, Cheap? Pick two" And that's the point. It would be marvellous to have a first class environment with wonderful restaurant food that was more affordable (i.e. cheaper) than what it is. In reality, we need to pick two otherwise someone else (the taxpayer) has to pick up the bill. Am glad you liked the video though - thank you!
@davidredgewell7415 3 ай бұрын
We need to Bring back catering on England railways
@johnp9867 3 ай бұрын
I’ve been wanting to do this since Nigel mentioned it. Shame I didn’t plan it for the 50% off ticket sale which I’ve take advantage of again after Nigel mentioned it 🙏🚂
@GreenSignals 3 ай бұрын
You should definitely do it! Glad you've been able to take advantage of the sale.
@Intuitive58 4 ай бұрын
Great job, guys. We love doing that trip.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
It was wonderful - really enjoyed it.
@ianjulian469 4 ай бұрын
It's a shame GWR changed this it used to be the 12:03 to Penzance when I used it which made a great start to a Cornish holiday. Now you have to change at Plymouth to go on into Cornwall on a stopping service. Another GWR snub to Cornwall.
@Richardhill1978 4 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing I’m salivating thinking about my next trip to Cornwall and how I’m going to view dawlish wall section the background music great choice
@GreenSignals 3 ай бұрын
Thanks Richard, glad you enjoyed it!
@Richardhill1978 4 ай бұрын
Just had a second look with Mrs Hill and she’s loving the idae of Pullman dining green signals the new BTF production unit
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Not sure I'd quite go that far - the BTF were wonderful. But we'll keep doing our best!
@michaeljohndennis2231 4 ай бұрын
I can imagine this train going from London to Southampton, but I’d love to see a similar train from Hull, Leeds, Manchester Victoria to Holyhead for the ferry to Dublin - I know that one of the trains going from London at around 6pm is called the Irish Mail Express or similar and it goes from London to Holyhead, but I’d love to see the TfW operating their loco-hauled train from Manchester to Holyhead on SailRail - I’ve got a teddy bear called Paddington and he’s my best friend too, he may be an English teddy, but here in Manchester he’s found a loving Irish home 🇮🇪☘️🇬🇧❤️❤️❤️❤️
@jonathandart3740 4 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed the trip down to my home city; in fact I grew up overlooking Lara depot However, despite regular trips down from Reading I've rer tried the dining car largely because the timings have rarely matched my journeys. Also, you can't count on being able to use ifp you're traveling in standard.
@GreenSignals 3 ай бұрын
It's definitely worth trying to time it so that you can experience it sometime.
@mikespall 4 ай бұрын
Excellent, really interesting and a reasonable price.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Agree on all accounts - even if we say so ourselves!
@nigelgiles902 3 ай бұрын
I travelled on the last Plymouth - Paddington service that was formed of an HST and the staff were brilliant as well as the food. One question though, on the HST there was the option for a "table for two" (sitting opposite each other) but that doesn't seem to be available on the Class 8xx units. Do they ever set up a 4 bay for 2?
@charlo90952 4 ай бұрын
Curiously motor coaches are called Pullmans in Italy.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Thanks. Did not know that!
@Group51 4 ай бұрын
Ooh. Noted for next time I go that way.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Definitely worth a try.
@davidredgewell7415 3 ай бұрын
Its a Great service on First group plc Great Western Railway company
@allanmorton6022 4 ай бұрын
Great video and meal! Great to see such dedicated staff looking after you. I always used to enjoy eating on a train even if just a bacon roll. Did do LNER 1st once which had a meal and it was great fun, makes the journey seem shorter. You should check out my favourite traveller @stevemarsh who has videos on the sleeper trains and lots more. Enjoyed this video a lot.
@davidcrossley8771 3 ай бұрын
Loved this! Was that Nigel providing the guitar accompaniment to the Dawlish Sea Wall section?? Imagine if this were on the West Highland Line perhaps every Saturday to Oban during the summer?
@Crepello100 4 ай бұрын
This takes me back. In 1972 I was just a kid and my birthday treat that year was a trip on the Cornish Riviera Express from Paddington-Exeter. We had a meal on board and got there on time in 2hr24. The food was pretty good but what I really remember is the 'Western' diesel on the front. Happy memories!
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
My only memory of a Western sadly is one that failed at Bodmin Road as it was then on the way to Plymouth Naval Day - must have been around the same time. Your username though suggests your allegiances may lie further East? Cheers! Richard
@peterdawson2645 4 ай бұрын
Re hard seats. I've been in First and Standard on these trains which are our service from Swansea to London. There is no comparison between comfort in First and Standard. The Standard seats are like planks after the HSTs, and they are really uncomfortable after 3 hours. Opinion shared by me (6ft) and my wife (4ft10").
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
That's a very fair comment re the difference between the difference between First and Standard. Though I do travel in standard a lot between Chippenham and Paddington and don't mind them at all. However, that's only just over an hour, not 3. Cheers. Richard
@RobertDaveyD1022 4 ай бұрын
Great video, nicely done, the sea wall is one of my favourite stretches of line in the UK, even better if dining! Well done.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Thanks! Agreed - it is such a lovely stretch of railway and so much better when one has just enjoyed a fabulous meal.
@harri2626 4 ай бұрын
Dining on a train is (nearly) always a treat, and worth the money and time saved during the journey. Wish we had more proper dining cars again with real food, instead of the at-seat "mini-pub-grub". Glad you mentioned the hard seats. George Pullman would be rolling in his grave to know what we are subjected to today.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
This was definitely better than standard pub fare! Really great food.
@cliffhughesmedia4323 4 ай бұрын
Love the video Richard, one query, what did you shoot it on?
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
No problem Cliff. Combination of Sony ZV-E10 with wide angle lens (all the main pieces to camera were shot using this) as well as a GoPro Hero 10. We used Rode Wireless Pro mics for audio. Some B Roll done on iPhone 15. Editing done on DaVinci Resolve although usually we use Final Cut Pro X. We like to keep ourselves busy!
@cliffhughesmedia4323 4 ай бұрын
@@GreenSignals Thanks for that, looking forward to the next one!
@mohammadrajpoot5783 4 ай бұрын
It’s great video
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@TheDaf95xf 4 ай бұрын
Great video guys 👍🏻 Yes a special treat indeed 😊 But train travel like you say isn’t reliable like say the Swiss 🇨🇭 railway. I’m using northern at the moment commuting to work and it’s bloody awful 😣 Love green signals videos too 👍🏻
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
So pleased you love the Green Signals videos. Thanks - and don't forget to tell your friends! Cheers. Richard
@davidredgewell7415 3 ай бұрын
London Marylebone to Birmingham Stourbridge Junction and Birmingham Snow Hill need catering services and Portsmouth to Bristol and Cardiff Central on First group plc Great Western Railway company
@davidredgewell7415 3 ай бұрын
London Waterloo to Weymouth London Waterloo to Salisbury Yeovil Junction and Exeter Central and Exeter St David. London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour All need First group plc MTR South Western Railway company to Bring back catering by the Department for transport
@davidredgewell7415 3 ай бұрын
We need the Department for transport to allow cater back on First group plc MTR South Western Railway company London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, London Waterloo to Salisbury, Yeovil Junction to Exeter St David London Waterloo to Winchester, Southampton Bournemouth Poole and Weymouth,
@grahameccles9804 4 ай бұрын
At £17 for a bottle of Vineyard produced Cotes du Rhone Blanc GWR aren't making much profit. We'd be looking at Euro 8.50 at the vineyard gate, then you've got transport, Duty, VAT before it gets to the table. Great value.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Agreed, it's great value - especially now you have set it out like that. But the quality is also superb.
@davidredgewell7415 3 ай бұрын
And more catering Buffet on Railway station and interchanges so Buffet have not been reopen since covid 19 Like Gloucester Transport hub interchange at Gloucester needs the Buffet reopened
@scottthompson8386 4 ай бұрын
Great video and indeed what looks a great dining service... Anglia Railways used to do something similar and were able to serve a gin and tonic, 2 course meal and wine all by the time we got to Manningtree... superb! 😊
@KempSimon 4 ай бұрын
Or three courses between London Liverpool Street and Norwich with a Main (usually Chicken Curry or Cod 'n' Chips) priced at GBP 4:95? Their full, cooked English Breakfasts weren't bad, either, although of course they weren't available on Anglia's groundbreaking direct train service between Norwich and Basingstoke! Or is my memory playing tricks on me by suggesting that Anglia Railways once had ambitions to run direct trains all the way from Norwich to Southampton?
@scottthompson8386 4 ай бұрын
@@KempSimon my one regret was I never had the breakfast when they did it...
@KempSimon 4 ай бұрын
@@scottthompson8386- Midland Mainline (1996-2007) offered a Saturday morning cooked breakfast service on its London to Nottingham and Sheffield trains which was very good - and very cheap as well!
@stephenbates306 4 ай бұрын
One of the best restaurant car services is that run by Czech Railways on some of their Inter City and indeed International routes, these even have a “happy hour” when they are running on Czech metals, with the prices becoming more international once over the border.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
What great 'intel' - just wondering whether Green Signals could go international? Sounds splendid and the Happy Hour particularly so.
@user-zf2ok8mh2l 4 ай бұрын
As a child, i'm now 72, we used to catch the Aberdonian from Kings X to Stonehaven and have lunch and high tea on the train. It's still a 7 hour journey, come on LNER, time you upped your game. Your existing offering is poor by comparison.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Great memories. And high tea. That does sound splendid! Richard
@michaeljohndennis2231 4 ай бұрын
@@GreenSignalsI’ve been travelling home to Ireland on SailRail for 22 years from Manchester Piccadilly (TfW platform 13, which I hate) and it’s a real hassle changing trains at Chester, Crewe and Lladnuo for Holyhead for the ferry to Dublin - this service should be going from Manchester Victoria (as the service is getting worse not better) and it needs a massive overhaul - I’ve occasionally got the TfW loco-hauled from Cardiff at Lladnuo to Holyhead and also Avanti from Chester to Holyhead, but now I just get Northern from Manchester Victoria to Chester and Avanti from Chester to Holyhead, as TfW trains are tiny and always packed, too uncomfortable for such a long journey from Manchester to Holyhead
@michaeljohndennis2231 4 ай бұрын
Who is the handsome man in the green check shirt? - total hottie ❤❤❤❤
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Literally no idea. 😬 (🤣)
@devon896 3 ай бұрын
It looks nice but not as good as it was pre-covid. That was a really high end product which I don't know why GWR went down a cheaper route.
@GreenSignals 3 ай бұрын
I can't comment on pre-covid, but there was no hyperbole on the video - it really was a wonderful experience.
@robertmiller6255 4 ай бұрын
Class 802 not 800
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
I know. I realised as soon as we were looking at the final edit. IIRC the 802s had the same engine but with the engine management units set to deliver a higher output (and with longer range fuel tanks) for Devon and Cornwall services? What slightly threw me though was the next day, we had a 9 car 800 (defintiley not 802) between Plymouth and Bodmin Parkway. We did that in the cab and it was also an engine down (so 4 out of 9 powered cars not the usual 5). Fair to say it wasn't as happy as it might have been..... Great spot though!
@frodders9987 4 ай бұрын
I noticed that too. But I put it down to Richard referring to 'Eight hundreds' generically ie an 800 or an 802 - basically, a cucumber. Although, of course, there ain't naffink else any more other than the sleeper.
@peterdawson2645 4 ай бұрын
Also, why not on the South Wales service?
@peterdawson2645 4 ай бұрын
Apologies, GWR. Apparently it is available. Not great publicity, I had no idea.
@gordondudman240 4 ай бұрын
Great video and such a positive vibe from the team which shines through. Such a shame that other long-distance operators don’t do this but I guess they know their market.
@GreenSignals 4 ай бұрын
Thanks Gordon - yes, the team were fantastic. It is a shame that we don't have this service in more places.
@KempSimon 4 ай бұрын
Such as the 17:48 from Paddington to Swansea/Abertawe, with last orders for Dinner taken at Bristol Parkway/Brystwe Parcfford?
@VinCoxRides 2 ай бұрын
Thanks for making this video. I'll be taking this service in 2 days time and you've helped with the anticipation :-)
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