Great review! I grew up in Cornwall and use GWR daily. I do find there 1st to be okay for snacks etc.. but for penzance pad it can be deceiving! Comfort seems to variate, based off the springs in the seat and how soft they're.. Also lovely to see you was looked after by the host I know who that is as I know most by name he's really nice and glad your journey looked like fun! 😊😊
Loving all of these videos, definitely a really good insight into all the different first class options in the UK. It has even made me book a little tour covering LNER, Avanti and TransPennine for myself! Travelled on GWR today from Exeter and totally agree with you on your conclusion that it was pretty good. Thank you for making these amazing videos and I look forward to the next one!!!
Another lovely video! Alcohol also isn't allowed on Scotrail services or stations run by them (and isn't sold by them) - though not sure it would be anyway if the rule hadn't been put in- think their service offering for first class on intercity 7 services (basically the services where there's proper 1st class and any trolley service) isn't beyond hot drinks and small snacks.
Yeah. You'll see what ScotRail offer when I release that video, but their complimentary offering is pretty basic. I didn't realise alcohol was banned though! It's interesting how that ban doesn't extend to LNER etc who also run through Scotland
@@TravelSoGood ooh looking forward to that! I thought that too actually but not sure if they used to do announcements around the border (or if that stopped a few years ago or something, not heard that on more recent trips that are still a while ago anyway with LNER). Been on Avanti to Glasgow Central too though more recently and seems their cafe bar stays fully open as well though I think
The First Class food is pretty poor given the route lengths and timings are similar to LNER and Avanti WC. I think there should be a similar hot meal service on GWR. 😊
Thanks! I was there for about 12 hours, lol! Got off the train the day before, slept then left! You'll see the train I arrived on in a few weeks' time (I'm not releasing the videos in the order I filmed them but rather the the order that makes the most interesting series)
GWR has a markedly inferior food offering to the other two big players LNER/AVANTI that cannot be dressed up with extra hot drinks/crisps/biscuits or very poor choice and looking sandwiches. The alcohol restriction is also poor.
But GWR operates Pullman trains and these do have different catering arrangements albeit at extra cost. At the very end of the video it's mentioned that these will be sampled.
Interesting video, well done. Though you got lucky with the sandwiches … I’m a very regular Truro-Paddington traveller and I don’t think I’ve seen the sandwiches offered on more than one or two occasions in years. At weekends it’s just tea and a biscuit. Very poor compared to LNER and at much higher prices. The service is also variable - some excellent crews, like you experienced here, but more often just terrible ones. On the plus side I’m one of the few people that likes the seats and the Hitachi trains. I think they’re comfortable, bright and the power outlets normally work.
Yeah, I don't get the hate on the 800 series trains. I quite like them in general. But interesting to know that sandwiches aren't common. I did take a couple more GWR trains on this trip to/from Cardiff as "positioning trains" and this was the only one I was offered anything more than snacks
Great video. Im planning on going to Penzance in September but cant find a hotel/bnb. Any places in Cornwall to recommend. Also GWR does a really good dining experience
Sadly, I didn't get to see any of Penzance when I was there! When I arrived, I went across the road to the Premier Inn and left the next morning right after breakfast
very positive.. however the seats are terrible first and second , the lights are far to bright and cold and everytime I go from cardff to London ( a few times ) the 800 rattles and bounces like mad!! I then get home and go on a sprinter ( 150) or a flirt and its like riding on air .... no rattles even the pacers were better .. bar the ride... the cost is for what you get in second terrible ! 2 hrs on a cucumber is bad enough ... 5 hrs would drive me insane !!!
The service has improved since i last went on GWR 1st class. Thanks again for another brilliant video 😀. I would try the sleeper service which is excellent 👍🏾
Thanks again for watching! I have done the Caledonian sleep a few years ago (check back at my old videos), but I've not done the Night Riviera. I should one day for the experience although I don't actually see the point of it as a service
@@TravelSoGood It's good if you have an early morning meeting in Cornwall saves travelling down night before and having to pay for train fare and hotel room 😉
