[rmt-driver]

I am not liking the sound of this!!!

I am not bothered about taking things with me, that defeats the object and is greed....

I just want enough to drink! ! ! (and I like a drink)

[Greenback]

Take a hip flask!

[ainsworth74]

Originally Posted by DaveNewcastle

All the more reason for you to sit in the (relatively empty) coach 'M', so that you can easily walk next door to the Buffet counter (where you can queue and pay like all the STD class pax) 'cos you certainly won't be happy with the First Class offering !

Coach K surely as M is next to the DVT?

[DaveNewcastle]

Originally Posted by ainsworth74

Coach K surely as M is next to the DVT?

I did indeed!
So sorry. (and I've even correctd the post for the benefit of others)

Originally Posted by rmt-driver

I just want enough to drink! ! ! (and I like a drink)

I can also say that there are (slightly) better wines in the bottles sold over the counter in the buffet than the 'complimentary' red or white savingnons. But doesn't it really hurt when you've paid for first class travel in the expectation of enjoying the 'complimentary' refreshements only to be told that you'll enjoy it better if you pay for the better offering available to the Standard Class accom?

[YorkshireRider]

Originally Posted by rmt-driver

So my main concern is I just want some decent grub (NOT a sandwich) and about 4 glasses of wine and a couple of GnT's.. My journey is Kings X to Donny, out at about 2pm returning at about 3pm (not the same day obviously)..... will I be disappointed?

Best to aim for the Leeds services, unless u already booked and u cant change now as they are quieter services. The drinks trolley will defo come round twice then, just ask the crew if you can have a wine and a g&t each time, personally id give u it as long as u were polite and could have a bit of banter with yer. If u were sat at the top of K and asked for a top up then if it were me id be cool with that also as thats where we keep the drinks so wouldnt have to go far to get you it. However this doesnt mean the crew will, the rule is one drink per run so 2 drinks is all you might get im afraid.

At those times of day it will just be sandwiches, salads, or a small hot tart food wise (maybe afternoon tea, no idea which services do this, ive never seen it). If you do sit in K, remember its the quiet coach or you will have the tutting brigade onto you.

[rmt-driver]

Originally Posted by YorkshireRider

Best to aim for the Leeds services, unless u already booked and u cant change now as they are quieter services. The drinks trolley will defo come round twice then, just ask the crew if you can have a wine and a g&t each time, personally id give u it as long as u were polite and could have a bit of banter with yer. If u were sat at the top of K and asked for a top up then if it were me id be cool with that also as thats where we keep the drinks so wouldnt have to go far to get you it. However this doesnt mean the crew will, the rule is one drink per run so 2 drinks is all you might get im afraid.

At those times of day it will just be sandwiches, salads, or a small hot tart food wise (maybe afternoon tea, no idea which services do this, ive never seen it). If you do sit in K, remember its the quiet coach or you will have the tutting brigade onto you.

Thanks I think I have booked on Leeds trains, not sure where the ones are coming back from though into Kings X...

I would have rather paid for the at seat dining, and a bottle of wine what a shame. Maybe I will just got a bottle from the fridge at Simply foods for £6-7 and take that on !


ANYWAY worst case scenario... it simply CAN'T be worse than the new Euro* FC offerings !!

[DaveNewcastle]

Originally Posted by rmt-driver

I would have rather paid for the at seat dining, and a bottle of wine what a shame.

I, and others on here, agree with you.
Very strongly agree with you.

Originally Posted by rmt-driver

Maybe I will just got a bottle from the fridge at Simply foods for £6-7 and take that on !

How about buying a few? There will be several other passengers stranded on this gastronomic desert for a few hours! I'm sure they will willingly reimburse you!
[Discalimer:
If you did this, you will be exempt from the Licensing Laws of England & Wales, though could be accused of the Railway offence of 'carrying on a trade', but if you kept the receipts and sell for the same price that you bought it for you will be immune to prosecution! And I would make it my business to ensure that.]

[SouthStand]

Tried the first class complimentary food today:

07:15 PBO to NCL

Good English breakfast, only negative was that the toast was offered about 10 to 15 minutes before breakfast was served - personally, I prefer it with my bacon/eggs etc. Declined the first offering but had some fresh and hot! toast after leaving York. Plenty of tea/coffee/orange juice offered after each station departure.

17:25 NCL to PBO

Choice of Salmon, or Roasted Pepper sandwiches, or Tuna Niçoise salad. I had 3 of the pepper variety with a bag of plain crisps and a slice of cake. Offered plenty of tea/coffee, and several alcoholic or soft drinks.

Overall, not too bad at all, but would've preferred a full hot evening meal.
Sat in coach K, thought we'd get first dibs on the food choice

[rmt-driver]

Originally Posted by SouthStand

Tried the first class complimentary food today:

07:15 PBO to NCL

Good English breakfast, only negative was that the toast was offered about 10 to 15 minutes before breakfast was served - personally, I prefer it with my bacon/eggs etc. Declined the first offering but had some fresh and hot! toast after leaving York. Plenty of tea/coffee/orange juice offered after each station departure.

17:25 NCL to PBO

Choice of Salmon, or Roasted Pepper sandwiches, or Tuna Niçoise salad. I had 3 of the pepper variety with a bag of plain crisps and a slice of cake. Offered plenty of tea/coffee, and several alcoholic or soft drinks.

Overall, not too bad at all, but would've preferred a full hot evening meal.
Sat in coach K, thought we'd get first dibs on the food choice

Those food choices sound crap .. I am used to having a nice fish pie, or cottage pie, or venison Sausage and mash.. on the old services !!

BRING BACK GNER.. we didn't know we were born!

[route:oxford]

The "All day menu" I had yesterday was fine.

Few sandwiches, crisps, cake and loads of tea.

I don't drink, so won't comment on the alcohol option. But soft drinks limited to Coke and mixers? It's the *Highland Chieftan* - there should be Irn-Bru!

If I were to wander along to the standard coffee-shop, what would my options be for hot food?

[ainsworth74]

Originally Posted by route:oxford

If I were to wander along to the standard coffee-shop, what would my options be for hot food?

Hot Panini's I think is the hot options for standard passengers.

[Greenback]

Or a biscuit dunked in your hot drink!

[Gus]

oxford
Great suggestion for the Irn-Bru, I had to purchase mine from Pumpkins, got my 20% discount with my Bite card though.

[All Line Rover]

I thought that people may be interested in knowing what First Class passengers are served in other parts of the country. Yesterday I traveled on the ATW Premier Service between Newport and Shrewsbury. The journeys times are very similar to the East Coast London to Edinburgh route, as shown below:

• 2h 51m - 16:15 Cardiff Central to Chester
• 2h 49m - 17:00 London King's Cross to Newcastle
• 2h 51m - 18:00 London King's Cross to Newcastle
• 2h 50m - 19:00 London King's Cross to Newcastle

• 4h 34m - 16:15 Cardiff Central to Holyhead
• 4h 27m - 17:00 London King's Cross to Edinburgh
• 4h 35m - 18:00 London King's Cross to Edinburgh
• 4h 33m - 19:00 London King's Cross to Edinburgh

Although I was not making a very long journey, I had just enough time to eat a full 3-course meal. On this occasion I chose the following:

• Starter: Goats cheese and tomato salad with a honey and mustard dressing
• Main Course: Herb crusted rack of lamb on a bed of creaming mashed potato with mixed vegetables and red wine sauce
• Dessert: Lemon cheese cake with ice cream and strawberries

It was so delicious I didn't have time to take any pictures before it was eaten! And I was certainly full - but not bloated.

The prices between Arriva and East Coast are very similar:

• £59 - 16:15 Cardiff and Chester
• £66 - 17:00 London to Newcastle
• £66 - 18:00 London to Newcastle
• £45 - 19:00 London to Newcastle

• £76 - 16:15 Cardiff to Holyhead
• £67 - 17:00 London to Edinburgh
• £67 - 18:00 London to Edinburgh
• £48 - 19:00 London to Edinburgh

To sum up, I think that East Coast should copy Arriva for the Evening Meal, instead of Virgin. At least on the London to Edinburgh route.

[ainsworth74]

Originally Posted by All Line Rover

To sum up, I think that East Coast should copy Arriva for the Evening Meal, instead of Virgin.

They did, it was called a 'restaurant' and offered 3 course meals freshly cooked by a chef. And before you say "but it wasn't complimentary" it's worth pointing out that whilst EC is a franchised operator (sort of) the Premier Service is funded entirely by the WAG if it wasn't for the several million pound subsidy that WAG give Arriva it wouldn't exist.