Virgin Catering First Class

[Butts]

I had a day trip to London last Friday to celebrate my daughters A-Level Results.

We travelled 1st Class on Virgin Trains £19 each outward and return ie £76 in total.

We accessed the lounge at New Street for pre-boarding refreshments - a good selection of Hot/Cold Drinks ,complimentary newspapers Independent and Financial Times, various biscuits,fruit and crisps.

Our outward service was 1130ish.

Coffee served within minutes of departure.

Food after Coventry (Salt Beef Sandwich or Veggie Wrap -both more substantial than East Coasts excuse for a sandwich) Fruit, Cakes, Crisps etc.

Drinks Trolley - Good selection of Beers, Spirits and Wines - I had a Cider and two Scotches. One good thing was they "asked on the way out and on the way in" - always sit near the start of the run and you catch it both ways.

Further Coffee Service


After a great day in London we returned to catch the 2103 Service from Euston.

Accessed the Euston Lounge - selection of freebies suprisingly not as good as Birmingham but still hot/cold drinks and a few biccies.

Return Catering same as the outward leg - tried the Veggie Wrap this time and it was OK plus two ciders and two scotches

My verdict - if you have paid a "beggars fare" very good.

If you have paid a 1st Class Open Return at £400odd or whatever silly amount it is POOR

 

[scotsman]

I had a day trip to London last Friday to celebrate my daughters A-Level Results.

We travelled 1st Class on Virgin Trains £19 each outward and return ie £76 in total.

We accessed the lounge at New Street for pre-boarding refreshments - a good selection of Hot/Cold Drinks ,complimentary newspapers Independent and Financial Times, various biscuits,fruit and crisps.

Our outward service was 1130ish.

Coffee served within minutes of departure.

Food after Coventry (Salt Beef Sandwich or Veggie Wrap -both more substantial than East Coasts excuse for a sandwich) Fruit, Cakes, Crisps etc.

Drinks Trolley - Good selection of Beers, Spirits and Wines - I had a Cider and two Scotches. One good thing was they "asked on the way out and on the way in" - always sit near the start of the run and you catch it both ways.

Further Coffee Service


After a great day in London we returned to catch the 2103 Service from Euston.

Accessed the Euston Lounge - selection of freebies suprisingly not as good as Birmingham but still hot/cold drinks and a few biccies.

Return Catering same as the outward leg - tried the Veggie Wrap this time and it was OK plus two ciders and two scotches

My verdict - if you have paid a "beggars fare" very good.

If you have paid a 1st Class Open Return at £400odd or whatever silly amount it is POOR

Nice to know you liked it, especially since my mate now works onboard VT!

It's worth pointing out that there is a better meals service that's available at 'breakfast' and 'dinner' times - still not worth the anytime fare though

 

[bengolding]

At the end of the day, the food offering is complimentary. So you can't really say that it's not worth the First Anytime fare, when other TOCs such as FGW and EMT have an inferior complimentary offering in First without food yet charge similar high prices for First Anytime Returns, e.g. I travelled from St Pancras to Derby earlier today with a peak First return costing £247 and all I got was tea/coffee/water/juice and a biscuit.

It will be interesting to see if the complimentary food and drink offering will remain once the new West Coast franchise starts.

 

[Butts]

At the end of the day, the food offering is complimentary. So you can't really say that it's not worth the First Anytime fare, when other TOCs such as FGW and EMT have an inferior complimentary offering in First without food yet charge similar high prices for First Anytime Returns, e.g. I travelled from St Pancras to Derby earlier today with a peak First return costing £247 and all I got was tea/coffee/water/juice and a biscuit.

It will be interesting to see if the complimentary food and drink offering will remain once the new West Coast franchise starts.

Did you have to pay for the ticket yourself ?

I think I would drive unless my ticket was being paid for.

 

[SS4]

I think Virgin's food is good especially their breakfast (Advance Firsts are more readily available on the 0603 EUS-BHM as well as the 0529 and 0550 BHM-EUS as these are off-peak trains)

I have to agree that the food in Euston's lounge is poor and that New St is better.

 

[Butts]

I think Virgin's food is good especially their breakfast (Advance Firsts are more readily available on the 0603 EUS-BHM as well as the 0529 and 0550 BHM-EUS as these are off-peak trains)

I have to agree that the food in Euston's lounge is poor and that New St is better.

Would you feel the package was good value if you had paid "top whack" ie First Open Return prices in the hundreds ?

Are you aware that certain parties believe the proliferation of Advance First Class Fares debases the ambience for those who have paid the full fare :roll:

 

[SS4]

Would you feel the package was good value if you had paid "top whack" ie First Open Return prices in the hundreds ?

Certainly not! I'd go as far to say I wonder how many people pay for FORs out of their own pocket as opposed to expenses though?

Are you aware that certain parties believe the proliferation of Advance First Class Fares debases the ambiance for those who have paid the full fare :roll:

Yes, but I don't care

 

[bengolding]

Did you have to pay for the ticket yourself ?

I think I would drive unless my ticket was being paid for.

Yes, today I paid for the ticket myself. Had to go to Derby at short notice. With the train running non-stop to Leicester, that didn't leave much for split ticket options in First. The First Off Peak wasn't valid until the 09:25 departure. I made use of the flexibility by going via Birmingham on the return and getting an Evening Meal service to Euston!

 

[Butts]

Yes, today I paid for the ticket myself. Had to go to Derby at short notice. With the train running non-stop to Leicester, that didn't leave much for split ticket options in First. The First Off Peak wasn't valid until the 09:25 departure. I made use of the flexibility by going via Birmingham on the return and getting an Evening Meal service to Euston!

Ah well at least that was better then the "bread and water" on your outward leg.

Made the bill a little easier to swallow - with a little Virgin Free Booze :roll:

 

[All Line Rover]

Are you aware that certain parties believe the proliferation of Advance First Class Fares debases the ambience for those who have paid the full fare :roll:

Yes, I am aware of that, and I would probably agree with that. Today I travelled on the 19:40 London Euston to Manchester service, for which customers could purchase "sale" tickets during Virgin's "First Class Seat Sale" last month.

Coach J (where all the Advance ticket holders are put) was certainly busier than normal - about 75% full. It was also nosier than normal! (Even when Virgin don't have a sale, you can avoid the "scum class" on First Advance tickets my moving carriage, as described below. )

Never mind though, as I moved to Coach G which was practically empty. (I would here point out that I was on extreme "scum class" tickets (), but I'm still not the noisy type - and I don't wreck the First Class ambience! I did also have a seat reservation in Coach J! )
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I think Virgin's food is good especially their breakfast (Advance Firsts are more readily available on the 0603 EUS-BHM as well as the 0529 and 0550 BHM-EUS as these are off-peak trains)

I don't like many of the Light Bites sandwiches, and I think Virgin's "Evening Meals" are extremely poor (they are too small!).

I agree that the Breakfast offering is the highlight of Virgin's First Class, although they must improve the tomato on the "Great British Breakfast!"

Another bugbear of mine is that Virgin serve concentrated orange juice FROM A CARTON, and proudly display that carton on the drinks trolley! :roll: They should at least hide the carton, or better still introduce Tropicana and display that on the drinks trolley. After all, First Class is supposed to be a "premium" offering.

 

[Butts]

When i went to London with my daughter I also "changed coaches" we were in J but switched to the one closest to the kitchen.

I found out the TM's don't care which coach you sit in as long as you have a reservation for that train - obviously choose seats not reserved by other customers.

As I mentioned you hit the trolley on the way out and in - I know you don't drink alcohol but this way you get a double hit

I agree about the Breakfast and lament the passing of The Pendelino Primo where you used to get the Black Pudding etc ....

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I agree about the Breakfast and lament the passing of The Pendelino Primo where you used to get the Black Pudding etc ....

Firstly, how dare you sit in Coach K? Who do you think you are, what gives you the right to? Don't you know that K is the unofficial staff coach, how dare common folk such as yourself even be in the same time zone as it?

Compared to the old Primo menu (I have them all from 2004 until their end), the current offerings are very poor. Fish n' chips or curry anyone?

 

[All Line Rover]

Compared to the old Primo menu (I have them all from 2004 until their end), the current offerings are very poor. Fish n' chips or curry anyone?

Why did Virgin scrap the Primo offering, and when did it happen? I'm not old enough to remember that!

I don't care about black pudding as I don't eat it, but the English Breakfast really is quite poor. The tomato tastes like plastic, and - as I have previously mentioned - the overall breakfast is very dry. I am only happy with the Pendolino breakfast offering because of the smoked salmon.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Why did Virgin scrap the Primo offering, and when did it happen? I'm not old enough to remember that!

I don't care about black pudding as I don't eat it, but the English Breakfast really is quite poor. The tomato tastes like plastic, and - as I have previously mentioned - the overall breakfast is very dry. I am only happy with the Pendolino breakfast offering because of the smoked salmon.

December 2008, when the VHF timetable came in. It was only on the headliner trains and a few select others, but it was very good, a proper three course dinner, not the wee appetiser and desert the size of a thimble you get now. I'll dig out the menu and timetables tomorrow if I can find them.

 

[bengolding]

I recall Virgin did offer mushrooms too at one point before that was done away with along with tomato juice. Black pudding recently appears to have made a comeback!

Primo was great and very well received, especially Friday Fish and Chips along with the Weds Curry nights. The Afternoon Tea had a good selection of hot options, e.g. Welsh Rarebit, and cakes.

Let's hope they follow EC by offering an all day hot option (as they do on selected London-Glasgow services north of Preston). I recall the good old days prior to VHF when they offered a good selection of All Day hot options, such as Winter Warmer soups!

VT took the lead amongst TOCs by offering airline style at-seat catering in First. Too bad it has gone downhill over the years. Last week's mixed bean wrap was much to be desired but I suppose it's better than the other bizarre sandwich combinations of late. They do also offer quiche as a third choice but it isn't often advertised so you have to ask for it!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I'll do the EBW ones when I find the timetable!

Primo services pre-December 2008 (all M-F only):
5 x EUS-MAN
3 x MAN-EUS

3 x EUS-LIV
1 x LIV-EUS

1 x EUS-HHD
1 x HHD-EUS

3 x EUS-GLC
1 x EUS-LAN
1 x LAN-EUS

 

[bnm]

Why did Virgin scrap the Primo offering, and when did it happen? I'm not old enough to remember that!

I believe the Virgin Primo service ended prior to Christmas 2008. In Jan 2009 Virgin introduced the food offerings we see today. As to why - well, cost I suspect.

Trawling archived web pages for Virgin Trains I've found these:

Dec 17th 2008: http://web.archive.org/web/20081217...g_with_us/onboard/first_and_club/default.aspx

Jan 16th 2009: http://web.archive.org/web/20090116...g_with_us/onboard/first_and_club/default.aspx

And here's a Primo Menu from 2008 (one of 4 used in weekly rotation I believe). Yes, it's dated 2006 but the file is attached to the Dec 17th 2008 web page. My memory is a little hazy but I'm fairly sure this was one of the final iterations of the Primo Menu. I definitely had Fish on Friday when I did a 1st ALR in Oct 2008:

http://web.archive.org/web/20071018...ns.co.uk/img/first_and_club/PendolinoMenu.pdf

Now. Doesn't that look tasty?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Primo continued:

1 x EUS-WVH
1 x BHM-EUS

 

[bnm]

Off topic, but if you want to see how on train dining (paid for) was done by British Railways in 1960 then take a look at this document (pp19 onward):

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRWR_Pullman1960.pdf

Fillet Steak at 12/6! (around £11 today incl. inflation) Yes please!

 

[Butts]

Off topic, but if you want to see how on train dining (paid for) was done by British Railways in 1960 then take a look at this document (pp19 onward):

http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/documents/BRWR_Pullman1960.pdf

Fillet Steak at 12/6! (around £11 today incl. inflation) Yes please!

What a disgrace 50 years later things appear to have gone backwards with the current "slop" that has replaced this fare....aah lamb cutlets as well.

70/- Return 1st Class from Birmingham to Paddington that must be about £60 odd pounds in todays money.


What the hell happened