Monday 6 June 2011

Of All The Bars...

Hello everyone. Well, with little else to do today as the railway was planned to be pretty quiet in terms of staff, I decided to take up a request to serve on the Buffet Car at Shackerstone. The coach; "Jessie"; is very comfortable and is always part of the train rake. She has a fully licensed Bar on board, selling all kinds of bottled ales and spirits. There is also a Buffet area where the coach offers Hot & Cold drinks, Savouries and various Sweets and Crisps. On gala days, "Jessie" even serves Breakfast Cob's! She is a very durable coach! Today, I arrived at Shackerstone at around 10:30am and signed in. I then made my way down to the loco shed to see the day's loco; GWR No3803; and to collect the day's cash tins and float. I then returned to "Jessie", where myself and Janet would be in charge all day. Today, as usual, the railway was operating 5 services, behind No3803. I served on "Jessie" all day, selling many teas and coffees as well as various sweets and packets of crisps. Its a quiet life on the Buffet Car, though it does get a bit hectic at times; especially when alot of passengers have boarded at once! 3803 at Shackerstone...
"Jessie" is seperated into two main areas. The first is the Bar Area. This area features the Bar itself as well as a comfortable seating area in which passengers can enjoy the scenic journey to Shenton and back. The seats are well padded and include tiny tables on which to place your drinks...
In the centre of the coach stands the Kitchen Area. This area is completely private and the public cannot see the various goings on. For example, the washing up! On the other side of the kitchen is the Buffet Area. Below, I can be seen working the Buffet Area, serving a few Soft Drinks...
Between customers, there is time to either chat away to the other staff and visitors, walk along the train, hang from the windows or simply enjoy a little quiet time...
The Buffet Area on "Jessie"...
It is a quiet day on "Jessie" but, believe it or not, it is much harder than working on the loco; early starts aside! I would never want to work on here on a busy Thomas day; those days are manic on "Jessie"...non-stop even! However, now and again, even if only once or twice a year, it is a very enjoyable little day. The one difference is starting work clean, and finishing work clean! Thanks for reading everyone. Next weekend? Well, I believe I'm at Ryton on Saturday to help with two boiler tests on "Achilles". On Sunday, I'm out firing 3803. Posts coming as they happen. Evening all. Sam...

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