Clad in tall chef’s hat, navy-blue hot pants and lace-up clinging white boots, 22 year old blonde rail hostess Lynda Withers brightened businessman’s lives on the maiden journey of the Western Region’s restored Bristolian service. The train covered the 118 mile stretch between Paddington and Bristol in a record 100 minutes. When it pulled out on the first day, Lynda was in the busy kitchen encouraging the catering staff as they prepared the first of the journey’s 120 meals of bacon, eggs, tomatoes, kippers and coffee.

Passengers’ heads turned appreciatively as Lynda entered the dining car, where she helped to serve breakfasts.

‘What a dish’ murmured one diner, surveying not the plate but Lynda.Another table of male diners demanded

‘If you’re not here next Monday, we’ll want to know the reason why.’ So the happy-go-lucky novelty of pretty Lynda smiling at them destroyed Monday morning blues for lots of BR minded travellers.

- and no doubt helped the wheels of industry to hum more smoothly that day.

‘I enjoyed it all.’ explained Lynda to Rail News, in the tones of one who loves her work. Her tonic effect has already resulted in one business tycoon asking her to act as hot-pants hostess on an express train his firm is chartering for the day

(ABOVE)

Meal on wheels services, Western Style, as hostess Lynda Withers dishes up breakast to delighted passengers. She brightened businessmen’s lives on the maiden journey of the restored Bristolian service. In the picture on the right, Lynda adds the woman’s touch to preparations of the breakfast- without any objection from chef Trevor Wilson.

FIRST EVER

This is the first ever of it’s type organised by a Round Table, left Harlow with 309 revellers for Bristol - bent for enjoyment.

The special brochure produced for the occasion explained:

‘Harlow Round Table have done their best to make this unique event a roaring success and hope it will go down in table history as on occasion to further fellowship through inter-Table relationships.

The travelling Tabler, with 12 coaches made spick and span by the C&W and loco men, was routed the long way round through Cambridge, Leicester and Bristol and the journey took six hours each way with a long break to enjoy the capital of the West Country. The morning session included a cinema, hairdressing - not an ear lost at 70mph - a fair, a fashion show and sherry tasting.

Coming back there was dancing to music by the Travellers and the Hiway Four and Radio Fred’s discotheque lubricated by some 200 gallons of ale.

Harlow Round Table chairman Mike Ruocco thanking BR for all their assistance said:

‘A committee has already been formed to consider a trip to Blackpool in the Autumn.’

(ABOVE)

Dolly Girl Pauline Spurling serves the drinks for Round Table Guests.

(RIGHT)

Lucky steward Chris White who was on the Round Table Special with Harlow dollies Lyndsay Crab, Eunice Lloyd, Pauline Spurling and Linda Webster.

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