• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

B

Blindtraveler

Established Member
Joined
28 Feb 2011
Messages
9,642
Location
Nowhere near enough to a Pacer :(
20 quid seams decent to me for first on a non stop London run, that said iv all but given up on EC first these days after to many underwhelming experiences. Virgin West Coast might not be brilliant outside of core times but they offer what they offer consistently and that for me matters
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

S

SteveP29

Member
Joined
23 Apr 2011
Messages
1,006
Location
Chester le Street/ Edinburgh
SteveP29 said:
I have a complaint in with VTEC at the moment.
Got stuck at Carlisle on the morning of the first set of floods in December. Was in 1st class on the 07:05 Edinburgh- Newcastle (Via Carlisle and Tyne Valley)
Hour and a half from Edinburgh to Carlisle, received our 3rd drinks round as we arrived in Carlisle. We were stuck in Carlisle for an hour and a half, and then an hour and 45 minutes to Newcastle.
In that 3 hours and 15 minutes, the refreshment trolley never came round at all.

December 17th, myself and my partner travelled to London from Edinburgh. Having booked 24 weeks in advance, I could only get tickets delivered to home instead of pick up at the station as I always do. I subsequently forgot the tickets, thinking they were in the machine at Waverley (obviously not).
As my partner's daughter was with us and she'd booked 1st class to be with us that day, my partner insisted we travel 1st too, so a new set of return tickets had to be bought, at a cost of £572.
The VTEC 1st class offering is not anywhere near worth that price. barley risotto was the 'hot' offering. I took the continental platter (1 slice of almost see through salami, 1 slice of almost see through prosciutto, some greenery, 2 tiny balls of mozarella cheese and 2 bread buns that would embarrass a hamster for their tinyness)
The toilet in our coach was disgusting, we were on the 10am out of Edinburgh, so there was no reason it should have been so untidy (my partner said she actually cleaned the toilet before she used it)
Half cups of tea/ coffee (as has already been mentioned).
Under East Coast, travelling Edinburgh to London, there was always the hot meal and then further in the journey, the sandwich meal. Now there is just the one meal.
If I can persuade her, I think next time we travel top London, I think we'll fly. It might take longer door to door, but it will be cheaper and be less of a rip off.
Click to expand...

Good news, I've been given rail vouchers to the value of £572.
I know its standard practice to reimburse via vouchers, but I'd have much preferred a money refund to pay the credit card bill that I accrued with this transaction and I know I will be booking more train travel in the future but I will be accruing interest on the credit card.
Still, small victories and all that :)
 
mad_rich

mad_rich

Member
Joined
12 Feb 2013
Messages
323
Location
Newcastle
Newcastle-Retford, 0655 on Good Friday

Coffee and biscuits from the friendly crew immediately on departure from NCL. Great, I thought. This is going to be a good run.

Within a couple of minutes, they were all sat down at a table at the end of the carriage, bitching about work, life, customers, weekend first upgraders...! The bitching session lasted for an hour or so, only briefly pausing at intermediate stops to offer tea and coffee to new arrivals.

The food didn't arrive until York. To be fair, it was very tasty when it did, and not bad for a weekend offering (yoghurt and pastries). The crew were suddenly friendly and chatty again.

It does seem that there's a very rigid service pattern. If there is, it would be helpful if it were published, so that customers know what to expect and when
 
W

westv

Established Member
Joined
29 Mar 2013
Messages
4,214
I wonder how the input of James Martin will change the 1st class offerings and what the "exciting changes to be rolled out to standard class passengers this autumn" will be.
 
C

Chrism20

Established Member
Joined
27 Feb 2013
Messages
1,347
westv said:
I wonder how the input of James Martin will change the 1st class offerings and what the "exciting changes to be rolled out to standard class passengers this autumn" will be.
Click to expand...

Well there is one comment in the press release which bizarrely was posted on the west coast site but is for the east coat that will excite a few here.

https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/abou...joins-virgin-trains-as-executive-chef-1371263

Virgin said:
The new seasonal menus will showcase fresh, local flavours and champion producers on the train operator’s route. Breakfast, casual dining and, on selected services, evening meals are all set to be reinvigorated by James’ distinctive flair. For breakfast, James has created an exclusive range of jams produced by Yorkshire based The Fruity Kitchen. In addition, he has introduced a premium Black Pudding which will be served alongside sausages, bacon and eggs, while casual dining features the chef’s signature golden sultana sauce as an accompaniment to sausage rolls. Evening diners will be able to feast on sumptuous lemon and herb roasted chicken, as well as a new chicken curry dish created in the chef’s development kitchen.

James, whose roots hail back to Virgin Trains’ York managed station, said: “Virgin Trains came to me with a genuine vision and passion for improving the experience they deliver to their customers and – as a frequent Virgin Trains traveller – I shared their belief that the food on offer could have a real impact on customers’ experience as a whole.

“I see this partnership as a real opportunity to open people’s eyes to the great food they could enjoy as they speed up the iconic East Coast line – and I feel the new menus we’re cooking up together will make it a truly enjoyable experience.”

Alison Watson, Customer Experience Director at Virgin Trains on the East Coast, added: “This is another step in Virgin Trains’ journey of improving every element of our customers’ experience when they travel with us. Our new First Class carriages are rolling out on a weekly basis now, we are upgrading our First Class lounges for customers, and we have a totally new fleet of trains in the pipeline, too.

“However, we are also focusing on getting the experience right for our customers today, and a revitalised menu is another important element of that. We’re confident the menu James is designing with our team will be the finest dining any UK train operator can boast and will be another step in making our customers’ journeys even better.”
Click to expand...

Yup black pudding is on its way by the look of things.
 
yorksrob

yorksrob

Veteran Member
Joined
6 Aug 2009
Messages
38,942
Location
Yorks
I hope by some twist of fate that I get the EMT set when I travel up to Inverness !
 
L

lightbulb

Member
Joined
15 May 2010
Messages
444
Mod Note: This post and posts #5774, #5775, #5776 & #5777 originally in their own thread before being merged with this one.

Not sure where to post this!

Five of us will be travelling 1st class Kings Cross to Leuchars (one of whom will be joining at Newcastle) on the 1200 ex KGX on 25th July outward, and 1622 LEU - KGX on 28th back (again, one passenger alighting at NCL).

I recall that during GNER days, there was a spreadsheet available online showing details of what meals were served during each train's journey, and that on journeys from London to destinations north of Edinburgh, passengers in 1st class were entitled to two meals, rather than just one. Does this still apply?
 
38Cto15E

38Cto15E

Member
Joined
1 Nov 2009
Messages
1,001
Location
15E
On the 1200 Kings Cross-Inverness train you normally have a drink, alcoholic if you want and the chance for a hot dish after leaving London for First Class passengers.
After York and then Newcastle it is drinks again plus food for passengers joining at those stations.
For leuchars you will be probably be changing at Edinburgh to Abellio Scotrail who will give you a hot drink and biscuit all being well,if you are travelling First Class.
 
S

ScotTrains

Member
Joined
13 Nov 2014
Messages
376
Location
Scotland
The new timetable starts in May. Unfortunately it doesn't state what food menu will be offered on your chosen service. Hopefully Virgin will correct this with the launch of their new food menu, created with the help of chef James Martin.
The current timetable (valid until May) is still available to download, and does include colour coded First class food offering times. I would be surprised if the meal times change significantly with the new timetable.

If changing at Edinburgh remember you can use the First class lounge, even with advance tickets, while you wait for the Leuchars train.
 
fishquinn

fishquinn

Established Member
Associate Staff
Quizmaster
Joined
4 Oct 2013
Messages
6,643
Location
Warwickshire
Have the rules at Kings Cross 1st class lounge changed regarding advance 1st class tickets? If so then can you go in the lounge 2 hours before departure like with VTWC? Finally, what sort of food/drink is available in the KGX one (between 10:00 and 12:00 on a Wednesday in June)?

Cheers!
 
C

Chrism20

Established Member
Joined
27 Feb 2013
Messages
1,347
lightbulb said:
Mod Note: This post and posts #5774, #5775, #5776 & #5777 originally in their own thread before being merged with this one.

Not sure where to post this!

Five of us will be travelling 1st class Kings Cross to Leuchars (one of whom will be joining at Newcastle) on the 1200 ex KGX on 25th July outward, and 1622 LEU - KGX on 28th back (again, one passenger alighting at NCL).

I recall that during GNER days, there was a spreadsheet available online showing details of what meals were served during each train's journey, and that on journeys from London to destinations north of Edinburgh, passengers in 1st class were entitled to two meals, rather than just one. Does this still apply?
Click to expand...

The 1622 is the 1452 from Aberdeen which IIRC is the dreaded afternoon tea as far as Edinburgh. So you will get sandwiches and cake for leuchars and then should get the all day menu from Edinburgh on that one and you should be permitted both.

The 1200 is as others have said is an all day menu
 
M

me123

Established Member
Joined
9 Jul 2007
Messages
8,510
Chrism20 said:
The 1622 is the 1452 from Aberdeen which IIRC is the dreaded afternoon tea as far as Edinburgh. So you will get sandwiches and cake for leuchars and then should get the all day menu from Edinburgh on that one and you should be permitted both.
Click to expand...

As true as this is, going from Leuchars to Edinburgh you are traveling for just under an hour, which means you probably won't get an afternoon tea selection. You should get a drink and some biscuits.
 
A

ainsworth74

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
16 Nov 2009
Messages
27,642
Location
Redcar
fishquinn said:
Have the rules at Kings Cross 1st class lounge changed regarding advance 1st class tickets? If so then can you go in the lounge 2 hours before departure like with VTWC? Finally, what sort of food/drink is available in the KGX one (between 10:00 and 12:00 on a Wednesday in June)?
Click to expand...

As far as I'm aware there are no time restrictions on the KGX lounge its purely a case of whether or not they charge the £5 supplement or not. My experience is that they do not charge it for AP holders but the rules have not been formally changed so they could opt to do so.

Drinks are tea/coffee or soft drinks alcohol is available to purchase (for those of the right age ;)). Food is usually crisps, fruit and biscuits. I think possibly pastries on the morning but I'm not 100% on that.
 
M

me123

Established Member
Joined
9 Jul 2007
Messages
8,510
ainsworth74 said:
As far as I'm aware there are no time restrictions on the KGX lounge its purely a case of whether or not they charge the £5 supplement or not. My experience is that they do not charge it for AP holders but the rules have not been formally changed so they could opt to do so.
Click to expand...

Ooh, thanks for this :) I'm on my way South just now, but I might be tempted to try the KGX lounge it there's a possibility of a freebie :D
 
scotsman

scotsman

Established Member
Joined
6 Jul 2010
Messages
3,252
me123 said:
As true as this is, going from Leuchars to Edinburgh you are traveling for just under an hour, which means you probably won't get an afternoon tea selection. You should get a drink and some biscuits.
Click to expand...

Although you'll probably get it anyway
 
A

ainsworth74

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
16 Nov 2009
Messages
27,642
Location
Redcar
me123 said:
Ooh, thanks for this :) I'm on my way South just now, but I might be tempted to try the KGX lounge it there's a possibility of a freebie :D
Click to expand...

Always worth a go in my experience as I've not been asked to pay in the last four or five visits.
 
S

ScotTrains

Member
Joined
13 Nov 2014
Messages
376
Location
Scotland
The customer experience director at Virgin Trains East Coast has said "We’re confident the menu James [Martin] is designing with our team will be the finest dining any UK train operator can boast".
It will be interesting to see how it compares to the GWR Pullman dining service or Arriva Gerald premier service.
 
A

ainsworth74

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
16 Nov 2009
Messages
27,642
Location
Redcar
ScotTrains said:
The customer experience director at Virgin Trains East Coast has said "We’re confident the menu James [Martin] is designing with our team will be the finest dining any UK train operator can boast".
It will be interesting to see how it compares to the GWR Pullman dining service or Arriva Gerald premier service.
Click to expand...

Ha! I'll believe it when I see it! The WAG Express complementary menu knocks everything, other than the paid for GWR Pullman, into the middle of next week in terms of quality and portion size. So whilst I'd be perfectly keen for VTEC to take that mantle from ATW I can't believe they'll actually pull it off.
 
B

Blindtraveler

Established Member
Joined
28 Feb 2011
Messages
9,642
Location
Nowhere near enough to a Pacer :(
ScotTrains said:
The customer experience director at Virgin Trains East Coast has said "We’re confident the menu James [Martin] is designing with our team will be the finest dining any UK train operator can boast".
It will be interesting to see how it compares to the GWR Pullman dining service or Arriva Gerald premier service.
Click to expand...

It will also fall a bit flat on its bum if the quite frankly mad practice of only offering dinner from London isnt changed. I won't be the only one to realise that I can go to Carlisle on TPE, change and be tucking into an evening meal by Preston where as if I went direct to the cross Id have all day at best or Afternoon tea at worst
 
A

ainsworth74

Forum Staff
Staff Member
Global Moderator
Joined
16 Nov 2009
Messages
27,642
Location
Redcar
Blindtraveler said:
It will also fall a bit flat on its bum if the quite frankly mad practice of only offering dinner from London isnt changed. I won't be the only one to realise that I can go to Carlisle on TPE, change and be tucking into an evening meal by Preston where as if I went direct to the cross Id have all day at best or Afternoon tea at worst
Click to expand...

'Tucking in'?! The evening 'meal' I experienced from London was, at best, the same size as the hot options on the 'All-Day' menu over on VTEC (I actually suspect it was smaller than some of them). On the basis of that (and I'm lead to believe that what we had was not unusual) I see absolutely no reason to use TPE to Carlisle and then VTWC on from there.

As for getting 'Afternoon Tea' at the time of day we're talking there are no departures that would be offering 'Afternoon Tea' at a similar time to those departing offering an 'Evening Meal'.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top