RailUK First Class Lounge Guide

[Bungle965]

The VTEC Kings Cross lounge is currently closed for refurbishment. The temporary lounge consists of some reserved tables tucked away in a distant corner of 'The Parcel Yard' pub, which is to the left of the lounge. Not particularly plush, but then VTWC didn't provide any alternative accommodation when the Euston lounge was refurbished (although it did hand out vouchers for a free drink and a cake, sandwich or baguette from one of the many catering outlets at Euston station). The 'old' Kings Cross lounge was very good, so I have high hopes for the refurbished lounge.

I think I read that first class passengers could use both the Euston lounge and the St P lounge.
Sam

 

[All Line Rover]

I didn't pay very much attention to the sign on the (locked) lounge door so perhaps it did mention the St Pancras lounge further down. I'll check later this week.

It would seem that VTEC are refurbishing all of their first class lounges. Concept pictures here: https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.c...travel/all-change-at-our-first-class-lounges/. The KGX lounge doesn't look much different, other than the removal of the garish green colours. Leeds will probably see the biggest improvement (which isn't saying much considering it's present dingy state - the lounge, that is ).

 

[Bungle965]

I didn't pay very much attention to the sign on the (locked) lounge door so perhaps it did mention the St Pancras lounge further down. I'll check later this week.

It would seem that VTEC are refurbishing all of their first class lounges. Concept pictures here: https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.c...travel/all-change-at-our-first-class-lounges/. The KGX lounge doesn't look much different, other than the removal of the garish green colours. Leeds will probably see the biggest improvement (which isn't saying much considering it's present dingy state - the lounge, that is ).

Edinburgh looks a lot nicer than it does now.
Sam

 

[Iskra]

I didn't pay very much attention to the sign on the (locked) lounge door so perhaps it did mention the St Pancras lounge further down. I'll check later this week.

It would seem that VTEC are refurbishing all of their first class lounges. Concept pictures here: https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.c...travel/all-change-at-our-first-class-lounges/. The KGX lounge doesn't look much different, other than the removal of the garish green colours. Leeds will probably see the biggest improvement (which isn't saying much considering it's present dingy state - the lounge, that is ).

That Leeds lounge looks like a children's play area. Tacky. Do they really think that that's the environment 1st class passengers want?

Hopefully it will look better in real life.

 

[trainophile]

That Leeds lounge looks like a children's play area. Tacky. Do they really think that that's the environment 1st class passengers want?

Hopefully it will look better in real life.

Too much red. Hurts my eyes!

 

[ainsworth74]

Hopefully it will look better in real life.

I recall that the visualisations of the Kings Cross lounge before it opened in its present location made it look like the designer had had a bad trip on LSD while designing the colour scheme.

The reality, whilst maybe it didn't suit all tastes, was reasonable in the end. I suspect the same will be true this time.

 

[Crossover]

The Wakefield Westgate Lounge was closed when I passed through the station last weekend

 

[All Line Rover]

Well I checked the poster again today and there isn't any mention of the St P lounge (see the attached photo), although I didn't have the time to double check at St P in person.

 

[Bungle965]

Well I checked the poster again today and there isn't any mention of the St P lounge (see the attached photo), although I didn't have the time to double check at St P in person.

Interesting that they have not advertised that but that is the case, you can use the lounge at both Euston and St P.
Sam

 

[ainsworth74]

Where is that information from?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The temporary lounge consists of some reserved tables tucked away in a distant corner of 'The Parcel Yard' pub, which is to the left of the lounge. Not particularly plush, but then VTWC didn't provide any alternative accommodation when the Euston lounge was refurbished (although it did hand out vouchers for a free drink and a cake, sandwich or baguette from one of the many catering outlets at Euston station).

I think they might have stepped up their game since your visit. They now have sole use of three rooms with plenty of tables and chairs (though not a huge number of power sockets that I've seen). It's quite nice actually. Especially with all the railway memorabilia on the walls.

The staff do seem rather confused by it all though and there is one member of staff using his iPhone to try and provide platform information for anyone who needs it as there are no live departure screens in there.

 

[All Line Rover]

VTEC passengers can use the VTWC lounge at Euston (according to the staff there), but are subject to the same access restrictions as VTWC passengers. I wouldn't be confident trying to use a VTEC lounge pass.

I'll try St Pancras later this week.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Where is that information from?

I too would be interested to know where the information came from because as far as I can tell it is not advertised anywhere.

 

[Bungle965]

VTEC passengers can use the VTWC lounge at Euston (according to the staff there), but are subject to the same access restrictions as VTWC passengers. I wouldn't be confident trying to use a VTEC lounge pass.

I'll try St Pancras later this week.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I too would be interested to know where the information came from because as far as I can tell it is not advertised anywhere.

It was listed on Tyrell that both Euston and St P were available for first class customers.
Sam

 

[All Line Rover]

It was listed on Tyrell that both Euston and St P were available for first class customers.
Sam

What's Tyrell? An internal newsletter?

 

[Deerfold]

I travelled from London Kings Cross yesterday. There was a member of staff sat by the door to the lift directing people to the pub, but no mention of the availability of other lounges. The freebies were similar to normal except for the packaging of the water, the brand of crisps and the lack of Coke.

 

[All Line Rover]

The St Pancras (East Midlands Trains) lounge staff have also confirmed to me that they have been instructed to allow East Coast passengers to use the St Pancras lounge while the Kings Cross lounge is closed for refurbishment. They did not indicate, unlike the VT staff at the Euston lounge, that any time restrictions apply.

This was also the first time I had used the relocated Midland Main Line St Pancras first class lounge. I was surprised to find - particularly when, as I recall, the first class lounge at Sheffield is very nice - that it is still small (only very slightly larger, if that, than the old lounge which was located closer to the Renaissance Hotel / further from the MML platforms), and looks shabby and forlorn (worse than the old lounge, actually), which is made all the more stark by the comparative beauty and grandeur of St Pancras station itself. The staff were friendly and helpful, but to not even have a coffee machine in a first class lounge at a key London terminus is unimpressive on East Midlands Trains' part. It is true that EMT's range of first class tickets (except season tickets) is cheaper than that offered by (in decreasing order of price) Virgin Trains West Coast, Virgin Trains East Coast, and Great Western Railway (except season tickets for which Great Western Railway is by far the most expensive), so I wasn't expecting the lounge to be up to the same standard as Euston, Kings Cross or Paddington, but it was still slightly disappointing.

Speaking of Euston, while the first class lounge is excellent in most respects (providing the air conditioning is turned on and there is no music playing), it's key shortcoming is that it is too small, and so I was disappointed to discover that Virgin will not be taking advantage of the newly constructed balcony at Euston station to extend the size of the lounge.

 

[Iskra]

Darlington 1st class lounge also closed. I don't see why they aren't doing one at a time quickly, rather than most of them but at a slow pace. Wakefield Westgate has been closed for weeks now.

 

[Butts]

Hit the Wolverhampton Lounge yesterday en-route to Birmingham International to catch a Plane to the Motorshow.

Pop and Coffee Machine plus crisps, and a good variety of biscuits. Also as Train was a Voyager with only 1 1st Class Carriage we got a Snack Box and further drinks onboard.

As we were on an easyjet flight Virgin supplied our free picnic to go with a drink purchased on the flight !!!!

I love those "Uglies" Choccie Biscuits - very addictive.

Coming back today hit the Birmingham International Lounge - same goodies as above plus fruit available. Also got another Snack Box and drinks on the Train again.

Fantastic value at £6.60 each way (Virgin Only 1st Class Fare)

Just as well it was not an EC Lounge or our "plane picnic" would have been a packet of biscuits - very plain !!

 

[Martin222002]

The St Pancras (East Midlands Trains) lounge staff have also confirmed to me that they have been instructed to allow East Coast passengers to use the St Pancras lounge while the Kings Cross lounge is closed for refurbishment. They did not indicate, unlike the VT staff at the Euston lounge, that any time restrictions apply.

This was also the first time I had used the relocated Midland Main Line St Pancras first class lounge. I was surprised to find - particularly when, as I recall, the first class lounge at Sheffield is very nice - that it is still small (only very slightly larger, if that, than the old lounge which was located closer to the Renaissance Hotel / further from the MML platforms), and looks shabby and forlorn (worse than the old lounge, actually), which is made all the more stark by the comparative beauty and grandeur of St Pancras station itself. The staff were friendly and helpful, but to not even have a coffee machine in a first class lounge at a key London terminus is unimpressive on East Midlands Trains' part. It is true that EMT's range of first class tickets (except season tickets) is cheaper than that offered by (in decreasing order of price) Virgin Trains West Coast, Virgin Trains East Coast, and Great Western Railway (except season tickets for which Great Western Railway is by far the most expensive), so I wasn't expecting the lounge to be up to the same standard as Euston, Kings Cross or Paddington, but it was still slightly disappointing.

Speaking of Euston, while the first class lounge is excellent in most respects (providing the air conditioning is turned on and there is no music playing), it's key shortcoming is that it is too small, and so I was disappointed to discover that Virgin will not be taking advantage of the newly constructed balcony at Euston station to extend the size of the lounge.

The issue is that both HS1 and Network Rail respectively would have use any available space for retail and food outlets/restaurants than give the TOCs operating out of those stations any larger first class lounges than they already have.

 

[BlueFox]

Are there any alternative arrangements for first class passengers while the Newcastle lounge is closed?

I've got an 80 minute wait been trains today and the main reason I bought a first class ticket was so I could use the lounge.

 

[BlueFox]

To answer my own question...

They've put some comfortable chairs in a small waiting room next to the first class lounge.
There's no sign on the door saying it's for first class ticket holders though so anyone can use it. There's free WiFi but the signal has dropped twice while I've been trying to make this post.
No refreshments despite the attached notice saying there will be some.

 

[ainsworth74]

Well its better than Darlington where they haven't put anything aside...

 

[scotsman]

What's Tyrell? An internal newsletter?

An internal information service. Controllers for all operators and Network Rail send information to its various feeds - has all sorts of useful things on it, from disruption information to which way round XC Voyagers are.

 

[Iskra]

VTEC want all the lounges to re-open at the same time. Next week is what I've heard.

 

[Crossover]

Does anyone know if the VTEC lounges have reopened yet?

EDIT 18:39 - take that as being a no!

 

[scottish rider]

I checked yesterday when out. No still closed. A staff member I spoke to said he understood the aim was to reopen from 4 April but there was still a lot of work to to some.

 

[donald2007]

There have been some big cuts to the Glasgow VT Lounge.

With Martin gone its now all downhill. No more sandwiches, deli plates or fruit bowls in the fridge. Gone are Bevvie Fridays as well.

Lots of tacky signs put up about not taking food.

No one is keeping an eye on it like Martin used to, so it can be covered in plates and dishes from the filthy pax who CBA to put it in the bin.

Had 11 visits this month.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Virgin Trains EC have retweeted some pictures of the Newcastle lounge this morning:

https://twitter.com/tim_hedleyj/status/714783441057918976

 

[ainsworth74]

Ah that colour scheme seems to work a bit better than the visualisations suggested which is as I suspected it would be!

 

[Iskra]

Wakefield Westgate 1st class lounge has reopened today, so I assume the others have too. I may be able to upload a picture tomorrow. It looks nice and smart, quite stylish.

 

[All Line Rover]

I don't like the new Kings Cross lounge. There are no longer any meaningful places to work. The decoration and furniture can be described in one word: tacky. And there has been no meaningful change to the catering provision (although it is not something to which I attach much importance).

The new Kings Cross lounge is little different from a Virgin Money "lounge" (except that people in the Kings Cross lounge are actually paying, through the price of their ticket, for the privilege of using it).

The lounge is notably busier now that it is available for "free" to all first class ticket holders (and I didn't even visit at a busy time, or on a busy day), which may explain why Stagecoach hasn't tried very hard with e.g. catering.