The Railway, Greenford

Official site of The Railway - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of The Railway - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Substantial early 20th-century Greene King pub (with residual Flaming Grill signage) located - as you would expect - near Greenford station. Modernised with semi-modern furniture throughout the various seating / dining areas, so no real character left within. Two pool tables, and a beer garden off to one side. I probably caught it on a bad day - and the staff attitude certainly also left something to be desired - but none of the four handpumps (two of which were sporting reversed IPA and Abbot clips) proved to be operational so made do with a swift John Smiths (£1.35, half) before catching my train.

Now owned by Flaming Grill Pubco ,this 1930's roadhouse has had a recent makeover.The interior is open plan but with three distinct areas.To the left hand side is where most diners head,although at the front there was a flat screen with the footie on ,while in the middle there are two handpumps serving Old Speckled Hen and a good London Pride at £3.19pp justifying the cask marque accreditation.To the right of the pub is another flat screen,a pool table,fruit machine and this is where the locals gather,some well oiled on my midweek trip. Throughout the furniture is modern,boxy chairs and tables,some high tables and a mix of "flaming" carpet or pine flooring.There is a clever use of mirrors in the dining area,making it appear much more spaceous. It's all clean and functional but lacking any pub atmosphere.I didn't eat but it served it's purpose for a quick pint after getting off the nearby tube.

I have used the Railway for many years and have returned to eat the Carvery there today. I always liked the atmosphere and the friendly service. However today! I asked for a Bulmers at the bar together with a Carvery meal. There was no apple bulmers. ok waiting for the carvery, the chef was very abrupt with the patrons and extreamly intimidating. the vegitables had run very low and depleted in most trays. I asked the girl if there was anymore brocolli, she told me it wouldn't be ready for 5mins and to come back (my plate was already half full) so I would have to come back with a cold dinner. I ate what I had, which was nice, but the service had to be remarked upon. I always have had a lovely meal in there and I know that cut backs have to be made, but this should not be done by relinquishing the quality of the service. I am a bit upset for what has happened to my favourite carvery, but I shall still be eating carvery however, elsewhere from now on.

Randomness Guide to London - Railway entry

Randomness Guide to London - Railway entry

This very large Spirit Group pub is split into five sections with two seating areas along with another two areas served by their own bar and a large restaurant at the rear. The décor is pretty much what one would expect in a pub that advertises itself as a carvery, but I was surprised that one of the two plasma screens at the front of the pub was tuned into Kiss FM which was playing at an excessive volume. The staff seemed pleasant enough, but I only spotted Old Speckled Hen on hand pump alongside a limited standard draught selection. I went for the Guinness which was well below par, but I did visit fifteen minutes after opening time so I had the first of the day. There is a solitary picnic table out the front which can best be described as a car park, but some better seating can be found in the beer garden to the side of the pub which has a covered decked area and some more picnic tables on a well kept lawn. It is not the greatest location due to being on the edge of a large industrial estate meaning that there are countless lorries thundering past. The food seemed reasonably priced and although I didn’t try any it did look OK, but I cannot see myself returning here in the near future.

The pub didn't look too promising from the outside, the interior however was a little different, certainly not as I expected. There seems to have been some kind of makeover recently, the bar area has a flagged floor, and the areas either side are furnished and decorated in that modern style so favoured by interior designers who seemingly don't really follow what pubs are about. The wood panelling is painted turquoise and coffee colours, random modern art hangs on the walls, the fireplace has also become an art exhibit, the grate packed with chopped logs end on. There is some traditional seating, albeit with garish covers, a few low sofas and some high tables and stools. A few screens dotted about were showing Sky News muted, while some sort of modern jazz played to the few customers. The pub is very large, beyond the left side area is another room, totally unoccupied, then a large carvery restaurant with a sign optimistically asking customers to wait to be seated. A large garden with benches is at the side with views of the trading estate on which the pub is located. There were three handpumps, one unclipped, one reversed (Courage Best), the third had Ruddles Best. This went as the barmaid attempted to pour it. I may have been spared. I only passed by while walking The Capital Ring, so I doubt I'll ever pass this way again.