Esker-pades
Established Member
That has never happened to me. In fact, I always try to get myself in coach M because it seems to be far less crowded than L or K (certainly on the IC225 sets).
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London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service
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Yes as someone who travels with LNER five days a week M is now the go to carriage for peace.
When they abolished the first class quiet coach they also meddled with the way the reservations are allocated. Previously the advances were stacked into M and it was horrible.
I'm sure the changing of it was something to do with the Azumas.
Butts
Veteran Member
Rather than start a new thread, and to add a bit of balance, I submit my Virgin West Coast 1st Class experiences on three journeys this week.
Monday 1730 Birmingham New Street to London Euston - 4 Scotches, Nice Beef Stew, Crisps, Cake , Uglies and Coffees - "In and Out on Scotch x2 "
Tuesday 1843 London Euston to Sandwell & Dudley - 4 Scotches, Beef Stew Again, Crisps, Giant Cookie, Uglies and Coffee "In and out on Scotch x 2)
Thursday 1600 Glasgow Central to Sandwell & Dudley - 8 Scotches(didn't drink them all on train !!) Meal 1 Game Pie - came in a box with pickle very tasty and a good size, crisps,cake, uglies and Coffees. Meal 2 after Preston Ploughmans Roll very tasty plus extras as above. "In and out on Scotch x 4"
Couple of points of interest the Crisps have gone down to 20g packets although they had 40g ones in the Lounge in Glasgow.
Uglies now come in Red as well as Blue wrappers - thought the red would be dark chocolate aka Bounty Bars but not so exactly the same.
Scotch was a mix of Johnnie Walker /Grouse
Finally forgot the Pretzels / Peanuts served with the cold drinks !!!
Always sit in the coach K/J et al by the Buffet for maximum Scotch offerings - in and out 9/10 on LNER or Virgin.
Monday 1730 Birmingham New Street to London Euston - 4 Scotches, Nice Beef Stew, Crisps, Cake , Uglies and Coffees - "In and Out on Scotch x2 "
Tuesday 1843 London Euston to Sandwell & Dudley - 4 Scotches, Beef Stew Again, Crisps, Giant Cookie, Uglies and Coffee "In and out on Scotch x 2)
Thursday 1600 Glasgow Central to Sandwell & Dudley - 8 Scotches(didn't drink them all on train !!) Meal 1 Game Pie - came in a box with pickle very tasty and a good size, crisps,cake, uglies and Coffees. Meal 2 after Preston Ploughmans Roll very tasty plus extras as above. "In and out on Scotch x 4"
Couple of points of interest the Crisps have gone down to 20g packets although they had 40g ones in the Lounge in Glasgow.
Uglies now come in Red as well as Blue wrappers - thought the red would be dark chocolate aka Bounty Bars but not so exactly the same.
Scotch was a mix of Johnnie Walker /Grouse
Finally forgot the Pretzels / Peanuts served with the cold drinks !!!
Always sit in the coach K/J et al by the Buffet for maximum Scotch offerings - in and out 9/10 on LNER or Virgin.
VT 390
Established Member
- Joined
- 7 Dec 2018
- Messages
- 1,366
Are there really that many people who board at Aberdeen and stations in between before Dundee on this service?
I could be wrong but I think it may be more to do with availability of storage on those services. The food for the breakfasts is loaded in Edinburgh the day before and sits in the fridges overnight for use the following morning.
That obviously means when the train leaves Edinburgh there is stock for the northbound and southbound journeys onboard whilst almost any other services except the exInverness (And probably the exGlasgow) are only getting food loaded for the immediate journey.
Like I said I could be completely wrong but I would imagine this may be a factor.
You got lucky .
Took first class from preston to Glasgow few months ago and service was rushed . Beer was plonked and by the time i said thanks she was away .No crisps or biscuits offered
What are "Uglies"?
More than likely this is a factor, but it's the kind of explanation which doesn't wash with customers, who would rightly ask why the breakfast service is being advertised if the railway isn't in a position to deliver it!
Yes. The two morning trains from Aberdeen to London are very busy, especially in first class.
Chocolate covered cookie pieces.
Sam
TT-ONR-NRN
Established Member
They’re rock hard. Absolutely awful, cheap things that ruin an otherwise decent service.
They are however delicious! Or at least I think they are anyway.Thanks - I can imagine why they are called "Uglies" now!
Sam
They are. You can sometimes find them in the first class lounges too. And you can buy them from https://lilyobriens.co.uk/all-chocolates/chocolate-collections/uglies
Well yes as a paying passenger I would expect what is advertised to be available more often than not. They will hide behind the subject to availability unless you push the matter with them in which case you then get some RTVs.
Also IIRC before when there was mid-morning and afternoon tea menus in the mix the first southbound was mid-morning menu from somewhere like Arbroath meaning breakfast was only really an option for Aberdeen, Stonehaven and Montrose passengers. I wonder if this is a hangover from those days. The second southbound IIRC was midmorning from origin so only really bacon and yoghurt etc required for that one.
Utterly, utterly awesome, I fully agree.
RTVs are all very well but it's still a cop-out and I'd rather the customer service was right in the first place.
Full breakfast was always advertised from Aberdeen to Dundee inclusive on the first train, and mid-morning Aberdeen to Dundee inclusive on the second.
trainophile
Established Member
I did tweet them and was told they would look into it. I won't hold my breath!
I think Uglies are on VTWC only - there didn't seem to be any chocolate offerings on LNER on my recent experience. Also, when they bring the drinks through they ask if you want a hot or cold drink but don't mention the snacks on the bottom shelf unless you point to them and ask. Another thing - the bacon rolls weren't wrapped, just on plates. I used to really rate VTEC but I think VTWC is far better now.
I think Uglies are on VTWC only - there didn't seem to be any chocolate offerings on LNER on my recent experience. Also, when they bring the drinks through they ask if you want a hot or cold drink but don't mention the snacks on the bottom shelf unless you point to them and ask. Another thing - the bacon rolls weren't wrapped, just on plates. I used to really rate VTEC but I think VTWC is far better now.
Esker-pades
Established Member
It would be quite an indictment on VTWC if their first class offering was worse than something that didn't exist!
trainophile
Established Member
Don't be pedantic! I of course meant that the old VTEC was excellent, while the new LNER isn't up to much.
Esker-pades
Established Member
LNER tends to be very hit-and-miss. I've had some very good first class services (usually when it is less busy) with multiple rounds of sandwiches, as well as a hot meal. But, I've also had times where I have been missed out entirely (I had a journey from Darlington to Edinburgh where I was given a very small can of lemonade and about 50 paper napkins and that was it). I haven't yet been able to work out a pattern for this.
Are you saying you _want_ the bacon roll to come wrapped rather than on a plate? If I wanted that I'd just grab one from pret and eat it in standard
trainophile
Established Member
Well yes, as per VTWC. By the time they have been carried through two coaches with goodness knows what airborne germs, the bread roll was all dry and the bacon cold and greasy. Also the bacon wasn’t well cooked and was very fatty.
Sorry but could do better.
leightonbd
Member
For breakfast fans .. that (beneath the egg, behind the whole tomato and large slice of black pud) is FRIED BREAD. At last the East Coast has worked out what a good breakfast looks like (and has a chef with the flair to do it).
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
That is pretty good though it'd benefit from beans.
Potato scone on services within or originating in Scotland would be a good alternative to fried bread!
trainophile
Established Member
I hope you got toast as well.
Esker-pades
Established Member
I have always got toast with my breakfast on LNER.
Butts
Veteran Member
Potato scone on services within or originating in Scotland would be a good alternative to fried bread!
No chance - haggis every time for me !!!
Esker-pades
Established Member
Sadly, I have never experienced haggis on an LNER breakfast
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