First Great Western - how to complain, experiences of doing so?, There has to be a limit to what they can call a service? Options

[Mugwump00]

Hello all,

I need to/choose to/regret using the 9:03 from Thatcham to Reading twice a week. Have done so for 4 years. I've sat down about twice.

1GW are clearly taking the P here, this is a busy service and Thatcham is far from an inconsequential stop these days (I think more embark here than at Newbury). This service is ALWAYS 2 carriages short.

Anyone had a similar grievance, and how did they present it to 1GW? How did they get on?

[Roger T]

I went once, on a train. A long journey, up t'North, as they would say themselves.
On the upward leg, a 2 hour delay. Failed brakes or something. They were fixed at a station. But on the plus side, I was sitting down, and there were only 4 other people in the whole carriage.

On the return leg, a 7 hour delay. Some midlanders decided to dispose of their scaffolding on the rail line. I'm surprised we didn't derail. A missed opportunity really, a book, perhaps a movie, and some stories to tell the Nephew. But alas.
We were escorted off the train and, walked half a mile to an exit in the fence where a mini-bus took us, to Birmingham train station.On the bus, we started singing the "Mya-ha" song. As we were all firm friends after that amount of time.

A taxi ride back to Thatcham station. As he would not drop me at my house. Even though it was closer. I fail to understand the logic.
This was Virgin, but FGW, aren't that good either. Going to Reading is like, I imagine, **** in a hand basket.

[andy1979uk]

I went once, on a train. A long journey, up t'North, as they would say themselves.
On the upward leg, a 2 hour delay. Failed brakes or something. They were fixed at a station. But on the plus side, I was sitting down, and there were only 4 other people in the whole carriage.

On the return leg, a 7 hour delay. Some midlanders decided to dispose of their scaffolding on the rail line. I'm surprised we didn't derail. A missed opportunity really, a book, perhaps a movie, and some stories to tell the Nephew. But alas.
We were escorted off the train and, walked half a mile to an exit in the fence where a mini-bus took us, to Birmingham train station.On the bus, we started singing the "Mya-ha" song. As we were all firm friends after that amount of time.

A taxi ride back to Thatcham station. As he would not drop me at my house. Even though it was closer. I fail to understand the logic.
This was Virgin, but FGW, aren't that good either. Going to Reading is like, I imagine, **** in a hand basket.

I would say scaffolding on the line and a mechanical breakdown is no real fault of the operator.

Its pretty obvious why they wont drop people off at their houses, you have paid to goto the station, also what on earth does this journey have to do with the topic above ?

[Roger T]

I was delayed for 7 hours, and the Taxi driver drove PAST my house in Newbury, and dropped me at Thatcham. I had to get Mrs T to give me a lift.
It was related to trains, was it not? I didn't know you were the forum adjudicator.

Even on an on topic note, I said FGW was not good, comparing it to going to a firey place, in which Satan resides, in a woven basket.

[andy1979uk]

I was delayed for 7 hours, and the Taxi driver drove PAST my house in Newbury, and dropped me at Thatcham. I had to get Mrs T to give me a lift.
It was related to trains, was it not? I didn't know you were the forum adjudicator.

Even on an on topic note, I said FGW was not good, comparing it to going to a firey place, in which Satan resides, in a woven basket.

You travelled with virgin, and again you paid to get to Thatcham that is where you would be dropped off. That is the logic.

A delay on a virgin train due to some idiots throwing scaffolding on the line has nothing to do with FGW.

[Roger T]

Nevermind.
Another thread derailed, by the marvelous Andy. Such a good sport.

Some pun intended.

[andy1979uk]

Nevermind.
Another thread derailed, by the marvelous Andy. Such a good sport.

Some pun intended.

Lets try and keep the thread on topic, and no post stories of random train journeys that are of no interest to anyone.

[andy1979uk]

Lets try and keep the thread on topic, and no post stories of random train journeys that are of no interest to anyone.

esp as they mention the nephew

[Roger T]

I had some Hovis once, on a FGW train.

[andy1979uk]

I had some Hovis once, on a FGW train.

Do you work Rodger, out of interest ?

[Roger T]

I work at a Charity shop, I am in charge (I say in charge, I'm not really in charge of anything) of stock, so I sit in a backroom.
Is that because of my posting, or because I ate bread on a train. I am not homeless. Do you work?

[andy1979uk]

I work at a Charity shop, I am in charge (I say in charge, I'm not really in charge of anything) of stock, so I sit in a backroom.
Is that because of my posting, or because I ate bread on a train. I am not homeless. Do you work?

Yes I work, hence why sometimes I wont reply for hours on end if am busy. If am working at home I can check more often.

[Andy Capp]

Perhaps using PMs would be more appropriate for this argument? Please?

[James_Trinder]

Hello all,

I need to/choose to/regret using the 9:03 from Thatcham to Reading twice a week. Have done so for 4 years. I've sat down about twice.

1GW are clearly taking the P here, this is a busy service and Thatcham is far from an inconsequential stop these days (I think more embark here than at Newbury). This service is ALWAYS 2 carriages short.

Anyone had a similar grievance, and how did they present it to 1GW? How did they get on?

As I'm sure that you're aware the reason why this train is always packed is because it is the first off-peak Reading bound train in the morning.

The following site gives good advice on how to make railway complaints:

http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/advice-and-complaints/

[andy1979uk]

Perhaps using PMs would be more appropriate for this argument?

Its a discussion :-)

[Mugwump00]

As I'm sure that you're aware the reason why this train is always packed is because it is the first off-peak Reading bound train in the morning.

The following site gives good advice on how to make railway complaints:

http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/advice-and-complaints/

Thanks, I'll look into it.

As for these others;

Posts: 169
Joined: 1-May 12

Posts: 232
Joined: 18-April 12

"Advanced Members" ? Oh dear, wouldn't the birds listen to you?

Another broken forum. Technology isn't always a wonderful thing. ****, as they say, is other people...

[On the edge]

Writing to Richard B. our MP can help. He's managed to do quite a lot and things have improved a bit since he started his mission. He's certainly responded when I've ever gone that far.

The issue is, many people just grumble, but won't do anything. A couple of winters back, one day temperature well below freezing - I was on an early train to London which had no heating. Of course, no Guard to be seen - so on way to Paddington, seven or eight of us started putting things to rights. We agreed to go to Complaints Desk on Station - I agreed to be spokesman. So, when I arrived at the desk, explained to the guy with the Managers badge - he asked who else had complained. Yes, you've guessed it, they'd all sneaked off!

[Biker1]

A couple of winters back, one day temperature well below freezing - I was on an early train to London which had no heating. Of course, no Guard to be seen -

There are no guards on ANY of the turbo type trains between Bedwyn and Paddington.

[Biker1]

Hello all,

I need to/choose to/regret using the 9:03 from Thatcham to Reading twice a week. Have done so for 4 years. I've sat down about twice.

1GW are clearly taking the P here, this is a busy service and Thatcham is far from an inconsequential stop these days (I think more embark here than at Newbury). This service is ALWAYS 2 carriages short.

Anyone had a similar grievance, and how did they present it to 1GW? How did they get on?

There is a leaflet "Tell Us Your Views" available from staffed stations. This has a freepost address.
You can also do it from the FGW website.
Agreed this train should be strengthened but it is not as easy as you might think.
The extra carriages would have to be sourced from somewhere and attached at Newbury. Even though this would cause a delay it may be possible to do something.
If enough people complain about overcrowding on this train then something may be done.

[On the edge]

There are no guards on ANY of the turbo type trains between Bedwyn and Paddington.

No heat, so presumably no maintenance either...(lets not go there!!)