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Virgin 1st Class- "Little box of Snacks"

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Butts

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May I congratulate Virgin on giving an appropriate name to the above item without any tendency to exaggerate.

On my journey from Liverpool to Stafford I had the dubious pleasure of receiving one. When I saw the trolley approaching I did wonder how it would be possible to store a reasonable quantity of these alongside the drinks.

Upon delivery of the said package which was barely larger than a pack of smokes the storage dilemma was explained.

Are they sponsored by "weight watchers" ? - even the "Afternoon Tea" ones are large in comparison.
 
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AndyLandy

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I must admit, I've found VT's first class offerings to be pretty variable. On my last trip, I was provided with two cups of coffee and a bacon bap.

The previous time, I spent the whole journey being offered stuff. Two or three coffees, a couple of sandwiches, some snacks and a cake, a glass of orange juice and even a glass of wine.

I'm not sure what it is that determines what gets provided as the first class offering, but I should like to find out! :lol:
 

Butts

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I must admit, I've found VT's first class offerings to be pretty variable. On my last trip, I was provided with two cups of coffee and a bacon bap.

The previous time, I spent the whole journey being offered stuff. Two or three coffees, a couple of sandwiches, some snacks and a cake, a glass of orange juice and even a glass of wine.

I'm not sure what it is that determines what gets provided as the first class offering, but I should like to find out! :lol:

To be fair my journey was NYD so I didn't expect anything else - just a more substantial box would be nice. :p
 

gordonthemoron

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I got two LBoS on a five hour journey from MKC to Edinburgh, had to go to shop to buy a bacon butty as I was going to starve otherwise
 

Butts

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I got two LBoS on a five hour journey from MKC to Edinburgh, had to go to shop to buy a bacon butty as I was going to starve otherwise

Indeed, my journey was less than an hour and at least they delivered "the goodies" to the table on NYD :p
 

GatwickDepress

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I'm fairly certain eating a packet of cigarettes would have more nutritional value than the stuff in the box. Pretty poor, especially when even East Coast manage to dish out sandwiches and a little cake...bun...thing...
 

gordonthemoron

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the cheese is especially manky, granted if you had a knife you could spread it on the cracker but there's no knife. Babybel would be better
 

IanXC

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Those of you who are remembering snack boxes of a decent size might like to travel Hull Trains! Their snack boxes contain much more (so much so they don't rattle when shaken!).

Currently they contain Mini Breadsticks, Spelt flatbread (savory), Hummous, jar of Pate, soft cheese, Chocolate cookie, small Flapjack and a packet of Dried fruit pieces.
 

Butts

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I'm fairly certain eating a packet of cigarettes would have more nutritional value than the stuff in the box. Pretty poor, especially when even East Coast manage to dish out sandwiches and a little cake...bun...thing...

Smoking them would certainly be more pleasurable (for a smoker):p
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Those of you who are remembering snack boxes of a decent size might like to travel Hull Trains! Their snack boxes contain much more (so much so they don't rattle when shaken!).

Currently they contain Mini Breadsticks, Spelt flatbread (savory), Hummous, jar of Pate, soft cheese, Chocolate cookie, small Flapjack and a packet of Dried fruit pieces.

Hmm...sounds like First Hull could teach Virgin a thing or two with regard to snack boxes....light bites indeed :roll:
 

island

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I'm fairly certain eating a packet of cigarettes would have more nutritional value than the stuff in the box. Pretty poor, especially when even East Coast manage to dish out sandwiches and a little cake...bun...thing...

Agreed. It's not too long since Virgin weekend offering was crisps, sweet snack, water, tea, and soft drinks, often served by way of the shop guy pointing you at a box on the floor and saying to take as much as you wanted. East Coast is miles ahead for weekends.
 

185

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Quite annoying. If sourced right, train companies could probably get decent quality, microwaveable meals for less than the cost of their current 'bespoke' boxes of bird food.

Such a stigma against microwave meals, however this is the lamb roast I got on the other side of the planet....

Sourced for about £3.40, sold for £7. Worth every penny.
 

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xtradj

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It depends when you travel

I've been first class in the morning and had the full breakfast

However other times I've been on the 20.48 lime street to euston and had the whole carriage to myself where I was able to play music, had at least ten vodkas and they 2 sandwiches with the option of more. Basically they kept offering me as much as I needed.

( that trip was on way to gatwick for holiday to Ibiza I am not an alcoholic ha! Just purely taking advantage of my ticket which was 18 pound single first class and I drank and ate more than that!)

If you go during peak times do not expect such luxury and cheap prices!
 

DarloRich

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They are awful - it would be better if they just gave you nothing! Most of the time I have had to go and collect my own. I mean first class and having to WALK to the buffet like a commoner! Urgh.
 

JB1601

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I actually don't mind it, compared to the old offering which was a bit variable. It's a nice variety of stuff that is quite easy for the VT staff to give out quickly. I've always found a little plastic spreader for the cheese in the box (calling it a "knife" would be pushing it!). Had the "little breakfast box" just before Christmas which was wasn't very breakfasty though. It's not all that long ago you were lucky to get a cup of coffee at the weekend. Do agree EC knocks it out of the park though.

Tried Grand Central 1st on Sunday 29th which was better than I was expecting for a small company on a Sunday between Xmas and NY (i.e. something!). Biscuits, bottled water and endless tea/coffee. Good staff too.
 

Saint66

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I'm looking to travel from Euston to New Street at the end of January on a train at around 11:00am, and thought I might go for First Class on Virgin, what's it like, and what should I expect at that time of day? Thought this thread seemed appropriate to ask in!
 

Mojo

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I'm looking to travel from Euston to New Street at the end of January on a train at around 11:00am, and thought I might go for First Class on Virgin, what's it like, and what should I expect at that time of day? Thought this thread seemed appropriate to ask in!
On a weekday or a weekend?

Weekdays you will get the 'light bites' menu which is a sandwich, plus snacks like cake slices/biscuits/crisps, and fruit. To drink is the usual range of hot and cold drinks, plus alcoholic beverages. On the weekend it's hot and cold drinks (limited range), snack box and sometimes fruit.
 

Saint66

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On a weekday or a weekend?

Weekdays you will get the 'light bites' menu which is a sandwich, plus snacks like cake slices/biscuits/crisps, and fruit. To drink is the usual range of hot and cold drinks, plus alcoholic beverages. On the weekend it's hot and cold drinks (limited range), snack box and sometimes fruit.

It'll be a Friday, so it sounds like I might get some decent choice!
 

bb21

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Said Hull Trains offering.
 

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bb21

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To be honest, Hull Trains have also gone downhill recently. It was only last year I was offered this at the weekend.
 

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scotsman

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In fairness, you'd be hard-pushed to get much more from any TOC in First Class at the weekend
 

Butts

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In fairness, you'd be hard-pushed to get much more from any TOC in First Class at the weekend

Sandwiches, Crisps, Biscuits/Cake and Pop on East Coast which is ten times better than Virgin's little box of nothing.

However in fairness any 1st Class Ticket get's you into a Virgin Lounge for a "top up" whereas EC keep the "peasants" out :p
 

ChiefPlanner

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Never seems to amaze me how many "I have a Virgin ticket - what will I get" threads - sounding like Victor Meldrew here ......the answer is much less than in the early days of the franchise when you used to get thick Gammon sarnies , hot food and so on.

The "snack box" is pretty insulting I reckon.
 
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