London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[ModernRailways]

They aren't freebies though, unless your ticket is up to £5 more than a standard or less than a standard.

You have to pay extra for first class ticket, you get a nicer seat and you get food and drink included. If I was paying £100 more for my ticket compared to a standard class ticket then it isn't exactly free. Yes, it may be free in the sense you don't hand over any money to the person on board the train, but it doesn't mean it's free.

I personally find East Coast's first class offerings alright. However, sometimes they don't have anything because of a late change of stock or that there wasn't a long enough turn around time to load it on. Obviously, if you are travelling daily or even weekly you will experience this on one or two (or more) occasions.

I'll be travelling on the 0703 off NCL on Wednesday and I can only hope they offer the full breakfast. Although as a fussy eater I don't like mushrooms or tomato's - quick question is everything freshly made, as in could I ask for the mushrooms and tomato's to be left off?

I'll be returning on the 2000 off KGX and can only hope they have Indian style chicken breast - hopefully it isn't spicy or anything.

Since I'm an extremely fussy eater I like to plan what I'm having first and so when I get on, I'm not having to think about what I'll be having and whether it may be spicy or have something I don't like in it. The main problem with East Coast's menu is they try too hard to make everything sound so nice and luxurious. I bet some people wouldn't mind a proper beef burger with options of bacon, cheese and other popular options to be included. Obviously some people would also complain at that though and so the balance is tough to get right.

 

[DarloRich]

Well, if you had read the posts properly you would be aware that many people prefer to pay for a reliable service rather than take pot luck with 'freebies'.

Simple indeed.

Well travel second class then if you dont like it.

The main problem, therefore, appears to be that you aren't able to choose from an À la carte menu and receive silver service from a white coated steward whilst conferring with the sommelier about the best choice of wine the the extensive stocks in the cellars to accompany your meal?

Well the unfortunate fact is that the restaurant service didn't make any money and in the harsh commercial world that is all that matters.

A restaurant would be lovely but you had one and didn't use it enough.

 

[welshmikeymike]

Hi All,

Travelling on this service on a Thursday in June - 10.09 no changing. What should I expect....?

Cheers,

Mike

 

[ModernRailways]

Hi All,

Travelling on this service on a Thursday in June - 10.09 no changing. What should I expect....?

Cheers,

Mike

What date are you travelling and between what stations?

10:09 will tend to be the Mid Morning Menu, but could also be All Day Menu.

Check here though and it tells you what rotation and can give you an idea of what to expect.

 

[welshmikeymike]

ooops.... Stonehaven to KingsX

6th June Thurs 10.09
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rotation 4....

 

[Yew]

Well the unfortunate fact is that the restaurant service didn't make any money and in the harsh commercial world that is all that matters.

A restaurant would be lovely but you had one and didn't use it enough.

Still, there is something between a restaurant and an overpriced paninni. Unfortunately the closest I can find is EMT's first class all day offer..

 

[DarloRich]

Still, there is something between a restaurant and an overpriced paninni. Unfortunately the closest I can find is EMT's first class all day offer..

Clearly there is but the crux of the matter is that in first class on East Coast you get the food free. Us mere mortals in second class have to pay around £5 for that over priced, limp, pannini.
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They aren't freebies though, unless your ticket is up to £5 more than a standard or less than a standard.

You have to pay extra for first class ticket, you get a nicer seat and you get food and drink included. If I was paying £100 more for my ticket compared to a standard class ticket then it isn't exactly free. Yes, it may be free in the sense you don't hand over any money to the person on board the train, but it doesn't mean it's free.

I personally find East Coast's first class offerings alright. However, sometimes they don't have anything because of a late change of stock or that there wasn't a long enough turn around time to load it on. Obviously, if you are travelling daily or even weekly you will experience this on one or two (or more) occasions.

I'll be travelling on the 0703 off NCL on Wednesday and I can only hope they offer the full breakfast. Although as a fussy eater I don't like mushrooms or tomato's - quick question is everything freshly made, as in could I ask for the mushrooms and tomato's to be left off?

I'll be returning on the 2000 off KGX and can only hope they have Indian style chicken breast - hopefully it isn't spicy or anything.

Since I'm an extremely fussy eater I like to plan what I'm having first and so when I get on, I'm not having to think about what I'll be having and whether it may be spicy or have something I don't like in it. The main problem with East Coast's menu is they try too hard to make everything sound so nice and luxurious. I bet some people wouldn't mind a proper beef burger with options of bacon, cheese and other popular options to be included. Obviously some people would also complain at that though and so the balance is tough to get right.

May i suggest emailing EC directly and asking them, especially if you have specialist dietary needs

 

[YorkshireRider]

The 0703 will have a chef on board so yes it will be freshly cooked, the crew may even silver serve the breakfast. The Indian chicken isnt very spicy.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Well the unfortunate fact is that the restaurant service didn't make any money and in the harsh commercial world that is all that matters.

I disagreed with this recurring statement at the time, and still do. I won't go into may analysis of how it was costed again, but for the record just ought to ensure that the mantra doesn't enter history unchallenged.

A restaurant would be lovely but you had one and didn't use it enough.

I DID! I DID!
. . .and sometimes it was hard to find a vacant seat, even several minutes before leaving Kings Cross.

But my main reason for posting is to express my enjoyment of the cannelloni on the new menu - makes a welcome change from some of the other dishes which I've found rather bland.

I bet some people wouldn't mind a proper beef burger with options of bacon, cheese and other popular options to be included.

Do you know what? That might just put the last nail in the coffin of on board kitchen catering. It sounds like one step away from the aptly named 'junk food' and I can't see many in first class being willing to eat it. There were a couple of moaners this evening, and they wanted more interesting as well as larger portions.

 

[sidmouth]

Is this the longest running thread?

 

[marks87]

Do you know what? That might just put the last nail in the coffin of on board kitchen catering. It sounds like one step away from the aptly named 'junk food' and I can't see many in first class being willing to eat it. There were a couple of moaners this evening, and they wanted more interesting as well as larger portions.

Burgers aren't always junk food. Clearly what you get from McDonalds or Burger King is, but plenty of places now serve "gourmet burgers".

Certainly, I'd say serving burgers is no closer to "junk food" than fish and chips.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Is this the longest running thread?

actuall, 2 and a bit years old it may be but theres a few longer ones, The Stagecoach Northwest Fleat Changes one over in Other Public Transport being the longest running I am aware of. Mods any further advance on that?

 

[johnnychips]

Is this the longest running thread?

How long have you been poised over the PC waiting to jump in with that?

 

[HST Power]

Well two years on and many hundreds of pounds later, I've never seen the service so good. Albeit the issues over consistency we still have the complimentary food. Whether or not it counts as free is another matter but I'm not really interested in that - it's good food, the service is excellent and in my humble opinion the franchise never looked so good (bar the pink stripe livery, that is ). I can appreciate that for the 'regulars' the service has issues, but if they fix the consistency (eg: we haven't got the hot meal, but you can have the sandwhiches) then what's not to like?

This is an honest post, I'm not trying to kick off an argument here.

 

[SGS]

Well travel second class then if you dont like it.

Oh, Rich, East Coast were on the phone. They said that job as a First Class host was still open if you wanted it.

 

[Lee_Again]

Well two years on and many hundreds of pounds later, I've never seen the service so good. Albeit the issues over consistency we still have the complimentary food. Whether or not it counts as free is another matter but I'm not really interested in that - it's good food, the service is excellent and in my humble opinion the franchise never looked so good (bar the pink stripe livery, that is ). I can appreciate that for the 'regulars' the service has issues, but if they fix the consistency (eg: we haven't got the hot meal, but you can have the sandwhiches) then what's not to like?

This is an honest post, I'm not trying to kick off an argument here.

While I will always prefer the 'restaurant' I realise this is likely gone forever but I have to agree with HST Power and say that the franchise is running as smoothly as it 'ever' has before. Even going back to the GNER days. I am a very regular user of EastCoast both on long and short journies. Most of my travel is in First Class and the service standards are usually excellent. Perfect, no, excellent, yes.

When I travel from King's Cross to Stevenage I always (95+%) get offered a drink (hot and/or cold) and a small snack. In GNER days they often waited until after the Stevenage stop before any service was offered.

And the rewards program is great. I've earned many First Class tickets and my family and I regularly use them for travel to Scotland. They all love the First Class offerings.

 

[ModernRailways]

Well, back from my trip today.

The breakfast was gorgeous and cooked to perfection - although a little too much cheese in the cheese omelette? Only offered one glass of orange juice or one offer of tea. I chose juice, normally though they come round at least twice and since the glasses are so small I can see why, especially since they only fill them about 2/3 so it doesn't spill over the top when the train tilts (elevated curve).

Anyway, came back and had the Indian chicken breast. That was also amazingly cooked. I did ask for no salad, and the host said 'There won't much on your plate mind'. Obviously I was fine with it, and like I said, they could then use it for someone else or store it for later. The cheese selection was also nice.

I must say the new Menu seems to have more 'normal' foods.

As for when I mentioned burgers earlier, what I meant was a proper beef burger and not the greasy kind you would get from McDonalds, Burger King etc. Like mentioned there are numerous outlets for Gourmet Burgers now and East Coast could join them.

Something I would like to see though possibly in the future is for the possibility of Standard Class passengers being allowed to 'reserve' a meal (£15 charge, just food, so no drinks) that First Class passengers would get. Obviously on some services there would be too many passengers in Standard but on the quieter trains it's a possibility.

 

[HST Power]

When I travel from King's Cross to Stevenage I always (95+%) get offered a drink (hot and/or cold) and a small snack. In GNER days they often waited until after the Stevenage stop before any service was offered.

I also make this exact journey every month or so, with longer runs to Newcastle on a quarterly basis. I've even been given sandwiches the last time I made a run to Stevenage, much to my (pleasant) surprise!

 

[Bungle73]

Something I would like to see though possibly in the future is for the possibility of Standard Class passengers being allowed to 'reserve' a meal (£15 charge, just food, so no drinks) that First Class passengers would get. Obviously on some services there would be too many passengers in Standard but on the quieter trains it's a possibility.

How's that going to work? How are the train crew going to get plates of hot food through carriages and carriages of SC? And where's the time going to come from to prepare food for SC customers? And not mention they sometimes don't have food for FC passengers as it is, without spreading the supplies any thinner by doaling out the FC meals to FC passengers. Bad idea IMHO.

 

[ModernRailways]

How's that going to work? How are the train crew going to get plates of hot food through carriages and carriages of SC? And where's the time going to come from to prepare food for SC customers? And not mention they sometimes don't have food for FC passengers as it is, without spreading the supplies any thinner by doaling out the FC meals to FC passengers. Bad idea IMHO.

The customers that would want a meal would have to order it, they would also have to collect it themselves and sit in the buffet coach. Although, I'm sure disposable plates/boxes could be used.
It would only be on select services from Kings Cross in the evenings where the trains run non-stop to York.
People wanting to use it would have to place their order when booking tickets - so with their seat reservation this would ensure enough supplies are brought on board to serve all First Class plus the handful of people in Standard.
Obviously there would have to be some sort of limit on the amount of people able to get it, so it would be based on a first come first served basis and meals would only be served once First Class had had their orders taken.
One downside is it could result in lack of revenue for First Class as it could result in people defecting to Standard as they only go into First Class for the meal anyway.

 

[marks87]

The customers that would want a meal would have to order it, they would also have to collect it themselves and sit in the buffet coach.

That wouldn't work on HSTs, where, as already mentioned, the former restaurants were converted for First Class use.

 

[ainsworth74]

That wouldn't work on HSTs, where, as already mentioned, the former restaurants were converted for First Class use.

Converted? They've been for first class use for years, whenever the service wasn't a restaurant (and even then technically it would still be first class).

As for making meals available to standard class passengers it was, once upon a time, possible for standard class passengers to buy meals and take them back to their seat. However East Coast stopped that practice with the new catering arrangements. I'm not entirely sure why but personally I think it's because they'd be in competition with their first class product.

 

[Bungle73]

I'm currently on the 14:00 EDB to KGX "Afternoon tea" service. I'll say this for it, they dish out four sandwiches rather than the three I've had on the All Day services, and you get them on a plate instead of a napkin. I had cake and crisps as well.

 

[Butts]

I'm currently on the 14:00 EDB to KGX "Afternoon tea" service. I'll say this for it, they dish out four sandwiches rather than the three I've had on the All Day services, and you get them on a plate instead of a napkin. I had cake and crisps as well.

Is the Train as deserted as the Lounge you were in at EDB earlier ?

Has "The Scone Express" not got any hot options - whats the Menu Called ?

Finally have you not had a tipple

 

[Bungle73]

Is the Train as deserted as the Lounge you were in at EDB earlier ?

Has "The Scone Express" not got any hot options - whats the Menu Called ?

Finally have you not had a tipple

Actually it's fairly busy, but I'm in "M".

No hot options, no. And yes, I've had some wine (as always ) and coffee
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The menus's called "Afternoon tea".
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They just came round offering copies of The Times. I thought they offered newspapers in the morning?

 

[ModernRailways]

They just came round offering copies of The Times. I thought they offered newspapers in the morning?

They have them on board all day, normally though it is expected of passengers to ask for a copy though.

 

[Bungle73]

They have them on board all day, normally though it is expected of passengers to ask for a copy though.

Oh. A of people alighting at Darlington.

Just having another wine. This time I got a full glass, rather than the half full one I had previously.
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Been offered more food twice. Last time I declined, but this time I decided to have another packet of crisps.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
On my fourth cup of coffee right now. I love travelling FC.

 

[Butts]

Been offered more food twice. Last time I declined, but this time I decided to have another packet of crisps.

Steady on Bungle you'll be bankrupting them

 

[Bungle73]

Steady on Bungle you'll be bankrupting them

LOL! I am on the cheapest First Advance, I have to get my money's worth.

 

[38Cto15E]

When the HSTs first started on the ECML in the l;ate 70s didn't some sets have 2 catering vehicles, one for the kitchen and another for the buffet?