1st Class ALR Catering

Andy Pacer · 18 Nov 2018

Firstly, sorry that this thread will clash with previous ones as I’ve read bits of this elsewhere but wonder if I can have a dedicated answer all in one place... if this exists elsewhere then by all means point me in that direction!

I’m planning a 1st class ALR for spring or summer next year. I’m usually interested in chasing units/shacks but for the ALR I’m more interested in travelling in style and enjoying the passing scenery. I’m aware that most of the 1st Class offerings either have no complementary food or just snacks, but wondered if people could help me compile a list of which TOCs / routes do have some complementary snacks or hot food. I’ve come up with a few myself (mostly those I’ve used on 1st Class advances before) but wondered which gaps I’ve left (if any):

East Midlands Trains (Mainline only)
LNER
Virgin West Coast
Cross Country (Voyager/HST routes only)
Transport for Wales (WAG ‘67’ only)
Great Western Railway (HST/IET only)
TPE (certain routes only?)

Anything Scotrail?

RailUK Forums

cactustwirly · 18 Nov 2018

andyallen4014 said:
Firstly, sorry that this thread will clash with previous ones as I’ve read bits of this elsewhere but wonder if I can have a dedicated answer all in one place... if this exists elsewhere then by all means point me in that direction!

I’m planning a 1st class ALR for spring or summer next year. I’m usually interested in chasing units/shacks but for the ALR I’m more interested in travelling in style and enjoying the passing scenery. I’m aware that most of the 1st Class offerings either have no complementary food or just snacks, but wondered if people could help me compile a list of which TOCs / routes do have some complementary snacks or hot food. I’ve come up with a few myself (mostly those I’ve used on 1st Class advances before) but wondered which gaps I’ve left (if any):

East Midlands Trains (Mainline only)
LNER
Virgin West Coast
Cross Country (Voyager/HST routes only)
Transport for Wales (WAG ‘67’ only)
Great Western Railway (HST/IET only)
TPE (certain routes only?)

Anything Scotrail?

EMT do a breakfast on selected morning peak trains, otherwise it's the usual Tea/Coffee & snacks

Andy Pacer · 18 Nov 2018

cactustwirly said:
EMT do a breakfast on selected morning peak trains, otherwise it's the usual Tea/Coffee & snacks

Thanks. Being Leicester based I have used this occasionally myself and to be honest it was quite impressive for the difference in fare from standard on some occasions.
I’m more looking at which TOCs / routes offer anything at all whether it be proper food or just snacks.

cactustwirly · 18 Nov 2018

andyallen4014 said:
Thanks. Being Leicester based I have used this occasionally myself and to be honest it was quite impressive for the difference in fare from standard on some occasions.
I’m more looking at which TOCs / routes offer anything at all whether it be proper food or just snacks.

GWR do snacks & Tea/Coffee.
There's also the Pullman dining service, but you have to pay extra for that.

Andy Pacer · 18 Nov 2018

cactustwirly said:
GWR do snacks & Tea/Coffee.
There's also the Pullman dining service, but you have to pay extra for that.

I thought that, any other TOCs with any offerings other than the ones I listed? Just trying to work out what it’s most worth including in my rough plan.

cactustwirly · 18 Nov 2018

andyallen4014 said:
I thought that, any other TOCs with any offerings other than the ones I listed? Just trying to work out what it’s most worth including in my rough plan.

No, but I'd definitely do the evening TFW 'gerald' service.

Andy Pacer · 18 Nov 2018

cactustwirly said:
No, but I'd definitely do the evening TFW 'gerald' service.

Agreed, that’s definitely in the plan. I used to get free travel on it when it was Arriva, but never the catering so will be good to do that, do they do breakfast on it in the morning too?

306024 · 18 Nov 2018

You can add the GA Liverpool St - Norwich service to the list. Only Tea and biscuits or similar but better than nothing. Just beware of the few services that have nothing as everything, including catering crew, is resourced from the Norwich end.

Andy Pacer · 18 Nov 2018

306024 said:
You can add the GA Liverpool St - Norwich service to the list. Only Tea and biscuits or similar but better than nothing. Just beware of the few services that have nothing as everything, including catering crew, is resourced from the Norwich end.

Cheers, they’re the class 90 hauled trips?

306024 · 18 Nov 2018

andyallen4014 said:
Cheers, they’re the class 90 hauled trips?

Hauled, or pushed if going to Norwich, but yes that’s them. You’ll have to go to the buffet and show your ticket, generally no at seat service, but it’s only a coach or two to walk.

Blinkbonny · 18 Nov 2018

ScotRail offer you a tea, coffee or water and a selection of an item off a tray. Cake, biscuit, fruit pot, or even a stick of fudge!

It ain't much but it's better than nothing.

Andy Pacer · 18 Nov 2018

Blinkbonny said:
ScotRail offer you a tea, coffee or water and a selection of an item off a tray. Cake, biscuit, fruit pot, or even a stick of fudge!

It ain't much but it's better than nothing.

I assume that’s only on certain routes?

Blinkbonny · 18 Nov 2018

Yes. Must be. It depends on the route having a trolley service (and indeed a First Class section at all!)

Andy Pacer · 18 Nov 2018

Blinkbonny said:
Yes. Must be. It depends on the route having a trolley service (and indeed a First Class section at all!)

That’s what I was thinking! So the next dreaded question... do we know what Scotrail routes have a first class section?!

cactustwirly · 18 Nov 2018

andyallen4014 said:
That’s what I was thinking! So the next dreaded question... do we know what Scotrail routes have a first class section?!

Edinburgh/Glasgow to Aberdeen/Perth/Inverness

PeterY · 18 Nov 2018

When I done my first class ALR's this year basically I grabbed for free what I could, even if I put the snacks in my bag for later. I've still a few uglies (chocolates) left from Virgin, saving them for Christmas. And don't forget to use the first class lounges.

I reckon I got a good £150+ worth of goodies in a week.

vlad · 18 Nov 2018

South Western give you tea and biscuits - but only on certain trains and only if you travel before 10am. I assume they have their reasons.

185143 · 18 Nov 2018

andyallen4014 said:
Firstly, sorry that this thread will clash with previous ones as I’ve read bits of this elsewhere but wonder if I can have a dedicated answer all in one place... if this exists elsewhere then by all means point me in that direction!

I’m planning a 1st class ALR for spring or summer next year. I’m usually interested in chasing units/shacks but for the ALR I’m more interested in travelling in style and enjoying the passing scenery. I’m aware that most of the 1st Class offerings either have no complementary food or just snacks, but wondered if people could help me compile a list of which TOCs / routes do have some complementary snacks or hot food. I’ve come up with a few myself (mostly those I’ve used on 1st Class advances before) but wondered which gaps I’ve left (if any):

East Midlands Trains (Mainline only) No Idea
LNER Complimentary hot food is available, no idea how substantial it is/what is offered.
Virgin West Coast Hot meals offered on weekdays unless late at night. Snacks at weekend.
Cross Country (Voyager/HST routes only) No Idea.
Transport for Wales (WAG ‘67’ only) Restaurant quality 3 course hot meals offered. Very good indeed. Tea/coffee/soft drinks free.
Great Western Railway (HST/IET only) No idea.
TPE (certain routes only?) Snacks+tea/coffee only, catering is only between Manchester and Sheffield if travelling on the South route. I think the Scotland services get something a bit more substantial-but nothing hot.

Anything Scotrail?

See the above.

Andy Pacer · 19 Nov 2018

185143 said:
See the above.

Any other operators though that aren’t listed?

SwindonBert · 19 Nov 2018

Don't forget 1st class lounges, Paddington is worth popping into to top up supplies.

robbeech · 20 Nov 2018

Hull Trains has some excellent food. The sandwiches are nice and the hot meals are in my opinion far better than LNER offerings. Of course, at the moment there are a few alterations to services.

Andy Pacer · 20 Nov 2018

robbeech said:
Hull Trains has some excellent food. The sandwiches are nice and the hot meals are in my opinion far better than LNER offerings. Of course, at the moment there are a few alterations to services.

Thanks i’ll try and pull one in (if they are running then of course!)

[.n] · 21 Nov 2018

vlad said:
South Western give you tea and biscuits - but only on certain trains and only if you travel before 10am. I assume they have their reasons.

I think its trains towards London only that are scheduled to arrive before 10am

Esker-pades · 21 Nov 2018

On the ScotRail point, the HST services have a much better first class offering than the 170s.

route101 · 22 Nov 2018

FelixtheCat said:
On the ScotRail point, the HST services have a much better first class offering than the 170s.

Bacon rolls in the morning and a wrap after

1st Class ALR Catering

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