London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Iskra]

Well, I'm glad it's not just me who finds it inconsistent.

I've recently booked my first standard EC journey in a year, I'm finding it so subpar at times.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I'm on my second slice of cake as we speak. The cherry and coconut cake is lovely; the Victoria sponge isn't.

 

[leightonbd]

Well, the competition is not doing much to hurt EC, in terms of its catering in any event.

I chose to fly with BA both ways from EDI to London with lounge access at LHR in the evening. That BA lounge has gone massively downhill in the 12 or so months since my last visit: cheaper wines, less choice and somewhat lesser quality food. Back to the train for the return trip next time. At least you can supplement the EC offering with a vist to M&S beforehand.

The planes were fine though, with adequate catering both ways. (Cooked breakfast on the 0750; drink and snack on the 2145).

 

[Blindtraveler]

Iv always had a lot of time for BA, Shame their going downhill in the lounge.

 

[Bungle965]

Currently on the 0912 (ex Leeds) to Kings Cross service the catering service is okay the catering crew started serving just after we left Doncaster I have been severed with so far.
Orange Juice
Tea
`Hand Twisted Croissant`
Yogurt.
The only real thing that i could complain about would be how they severed the tea, the women who was serving me did not ask how much milk or even if a wanted any, just poured it anyway.
That is probably just me probably just being pedantic.
Sam

 

[me123]

The only real thing that i could complain about would be how they severed the tea, the women who was serving me did not ask how much milk or even if a wanted any, just poured it anyway.
That is probably just me probably just being pedantic.
Sam

That crew sounds decidedly sinister

Out of curiosity, is the croissant still as awful? The last one I had certainly didn't resemble an actual croissant in any way, shape or form. I reckon a Frenchman would probably punch you in the face if you served the East Coast "Croissant" to them.

 

[debs]

Hi,
not traveled first class before. But going from Wakefield to Kings Cross - sunday 25 oct @ 9.18am and returning Wednesday 28 October @15.05. Does anyone know if the sunday will be seat service or will we have to go to the buffet car to recieve our food? Also does any one know what the menu is likely to be?

Thanks

 

[Bungle965]

That crew sounds decidedly sinister

Out of curiosity, is the croissant still as awful? The last one I had certainly didn't resemble an actual croissant in any way, shape or form. I reckon a Frenchman would probably punch you in the face if you served the East Coast "Croissant" to them.

The Croissant was okay, I have certainly had better though.
Sam

 

[ainsworth74]

not traveled first class before. But going from Wakefield to Kings Cross - sunday 25 oct @ 9.18am and returning Wednesday 28 October @15.05. Does anyone know if the sunday will be seat service or will we have to go to the buffet car to recieve our food? Also does any one know what the menu is likely to be?

On Sunday, unless there is a crew shortage (and this would be announced on board), the service will be at seat. However I would either eat breakfast before travelling or buy at the station as the Sunday morning service is terrible. A cold, bright yellow, croissant is the main item. Otherwise tea/coffee, juice, water and later in the journey Coca Cola will be offered.

On Wednesday the 1505 will be serving Afternoon Tea which means sandwiches, cake, crisps and fruit along with tea/coffee, alcoholic drinks and cold soft drinks will be offered. So if you want a late lunch it should be perfectly suitable.

VTEC menus can be found here and they are currently available up to 11 October so check back in a few weeks and you'll be able to find out exactly what should be on the menu for your trains.

Unfortunately you've chosen the two worst types of service Weekend Breakfast and Weekday Afternoon Tea are both the worst service that VTEC provide!

 

[debs]

Thanks ainsworth74

Typical for me to choose the train times with the worst options.

Debs

 

[Chrism20]

Thanks ainsworth74

Typical for me to choose the train times with the worst options.

Debs

On your return you should have the same menu as W/C 28th September.

Beef & Horseradish sandwiches
Cheddar & Chutney sandwiches

Lemon & Elderflower cake
Chocolate & Raspberry sponge

 

[philjo]

Travelled on the 07:28 york stopper from Stevenage this morning (booked during the EC seat sale).
It appears that the plates used for breakfast have got smaller - they are the oval plates also used for the toast etc. I have a photo I took back in March when I had breakfast on an Edinburgh train and that plate was round and had a bigger serving of mushrooms & potatoes.
just wondred if they have reduced this all round or just on some of the less busy services? I usually get the Leeds trains form Stevenage and hadn't noticed this before - next booked on a Leeds breakfast train in a couple of weeks so will see.

The service was prompt - though I got the impression that they were waiting until departure from Stevenage before taking orders as only 3 of us boarded 1st class at Stevenage and a lot of other orders went through to the next coach just before we arrived into Peterborough.


Used the 16:02 return from York - good service - though no trolley until after leaving Doncaster. This is an all day menu train unlike some of the fast trains which only serve the afternoon tea menu. The lemon cake was nice.

 

[telstarbox]

Anyone seen this?

Win a seat on our judging panel
We'd love to see the dishes you've enjoyed on your Virgin Trains East Coast First Class journey. Tweet a photo of your favourite to @Virgin_TrainsEC with #eastcoastfavourites for your chance to be a judge in our next Chef of the Year competition.

https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.c...nce/first-class/complimentary-food-and-drink/

 

[Tetchytyke]

Weekday Afternoon Tea are both the worst service that VTEC provide!

It depends on what you're after.

There's no hot offering, but IME the crews tend to be a lot more generous with the Afternoon Tea servings. On both my recent journeys with the Afternoon Tea menu the crew have pretty much been forcing passengers to have second (and third, and fourth) helpings of sandwiches and cake.

The mozzarella and tomato sandwiches were divine.

 

[Butts]

Anyone seen this?



https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.c...nce/first-class/complimentary-food-and-drink/

I suspect you may need to enhance the size with some photographic trickery or people won't believe the paucity of fayre on offer

 

[Starmill]

I had all but given up on VTEC First.

A few weeks ago I made a journey from Perth to Edinburgh, 1h 25m, listed as the mid-morning option. All I got was 1 cup of tea and a biscuit. Clearly no point in even complaining about it, the staff just said there was no menu from Perth.

I also had to ride the horrible EMT set all the way from London to Dundee - wa my last ever Rewards ticket too so I was pretty gutted. I also found their minty cheese quiche really unpleasant, but anyway we've talked about that.

Today I've a much more positive experience to report. Tenpted very cleverly by a lowest tier 1ST Advance available the night before, I booked the Newcastle train (all day menu) from York not really expecting much because the staff would know it wasn't a qualifying journey. Anyways there was a points failure outside the station, so the Edinburgh train that follows 20 minutes behind it was put out first and Darlington and Newcastle passengers were asked to join this service instead.

I was initially a little confused because a host arrived with an empty trolley, save napkins and notepad, and asked If I would like any lunch. I asked if the Sandwiches were on the other trolley and he said no, which would you like. Thus I ordered the Cheese and Ale Chutney sandwiches, which are absolutely delicious. They arrived 5 minutes later on a plate with some salad on one side and crisps on the other! I was very impressed with the presentation from not having to maul them off a trolley.

The trolley when it did arrive had hot drinks, cake, fruit and biscuits on it, as well as additional crisps so these items were all still available.

When you get 4 sandwiches plus salad and crisps, a slice of cake and a banana in an hour (in addition to a tea and a diet coke) you actually feel like you've had a satisfying lunch all round. It isn't even too unhealthy. I was very impressed with the hosts handling of that, so well done.

Of course I suppose it couldn't be guaranteed that sandwiches will always be available for Newcastle <> York journeys but it was quiet for the Edinburgh service and there was no suggestion I was not entitled to them.

A pleasing development indeed.

 

[Tetchytyke]

IME you'll never have issues getting sandwiches between Newcastle and York, and especially when it's the Afternoon Tea service they don't ever ask you where you're travelling to. On some of the quieter ones you can really do very well out of it; I had two servings of sandwiches and three slices of cake, as well as fruit and crisps, on the last Afternoon Tea service I took.

 

[Deerfold]

Anyone seen this?

https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.c...nce/first-class/complimentary-food-and-drink/

Seems odd that in the section advertising their vegetarian options they've chosen a picture of a meal clearly containing at least 2 different types of meat.

 

[backontrack]

Seems odd that in the section advertising their vegetarian options they've chosen a picture of a meal clearly containing at least 2 different types of meat.

And that's aimed at people who are Coeliac. I hate it when people don't do their research on vegetarianism

 

[Starmill]

IME you'll never have issues getting sandwiches between Newcastle and York, and especially when it's the Afternoon Tea service they don't ever ask you where you're travelling to. On some of the quieter ones you can really do very well out of it; I had two servings of sandwiches and three slices of cake, as well as fruit and crisps, on the last Afternoon Tea service I took.

If going from Newcastle to York (and not on the Doncaster or Leeds trains!) Then I definitely agree. In the other direction I'd be more uncertain.

 

[RochdalePioneers]

I'm on board the up Chieftain (end to end! Thanks EC Rewards RIP). Had tea toast juice and full breakfast before we got to Aviemore so great so far. Ah, and more tea as I type this.

Not a surprise really, did the down train from Darlington yesterday and service was great then. Steward was practically begging me to have another (4th) beer last night!

 

[Tetchytyke]

Just had the minted pea and feta cheese quiche tonight.

Whisper it quietly, but I thought it was really tasty!

 

[Blindtraveler]

I think your in the minoritty, on here anyway. At least we now know who to give them all too!

 

[Iskra]

I still think it's a good menu item!

 

[RochdalePioneers]

I thought the quiche was great!

 

[IanXC]

Just had the minted pea and feta cheese quiche tonight.

Whisper it quietly, but I thought it was really tasty!

I can add another 2 votes, my parents liked it. Feel like I'm missing out on having an opinion , bot having tried it myself!

 

[Chrism20]

Three journeys this week so far and a bit of a mixed bag.

Monday 1731 from Edinburgh. The noodles were very nice. Sandwiches offered after York in addition to the earlier meal and four runs of the drinks trolley with the last one doubled up.

Tuesday 0835 KGX to LDS. Coach K out of use, not a major issue as the service was quiet. Breakfast served after Stevenage although I think they start to cook the potatoes when the train left Stevenage on the inbound earlier in the morning. Not sure what the issue is with those sliced but every breakfast I have had with them on it they have been almost inedible. They are going in the oven so perhaps the hash brown from VTWC would be better or something similar to the hash brown KFC put in their tower burgers. One slice of toast but another one provided without question when requested.

My meeting was cancelled whilst I was on the train so I got the same one back to London half an hour later.

Coach K seemed to be fixed and was back in use. Drinks etc provided immediately on departure and the food followed. The noodles this time came with no soy dressing although they appear to have poured salad dressing all over them and a lot of them were stuck together in a large clump. Not the most appealing looking or tasting TBH.

Back to Edinburgh on the 0930 on Thursday morning

 

[becky.tinnion]

I'm travelling from 7:30 till 8:30 on a first class virgin trains east coast train on a Wednesday from York to Newcastle. I specifically paid the extra £7 it was to go first class purely for the reason I wont have to purchase a burger king for the same price and find it cold and soggy like last time! After reading some of this thread it seems I may not actually get food?

Can someone please confirm if I will or not.

Thanks in advance

 

[Starmill]

You will most likely be offered a pastry or slice of toast (maybe both if lucky and it is quiet, although it probably won't be at that time, in fact if you mean the Aberdeen service it definitely isn't) plus a hot drink and maybe some juice.

 

[Tetchytyke]

If it's 7.30am you should be offered a pastry and a coffee/tea, but that's your lot. You wouldn't be entitled to a hot breakfast as your journey is less than 70 minutes, although in my experience if the train is quiet and they have some left you may be offered one.

If it's 7.30pm the same deal will apply, you'd usually get a coffee/tea and maybe a small snack and an alcoholic drink, depending on the crew. IME they normally do one last drinks trolley run just after leaving York, and doubling up isn't frowned upon if it's a Geordie crew. You wouldn't get hot food as, again, your journey is less than 70 minutes.