London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[A-driver]

And not trolling. Just finding it odd that people are so worked up about a bit of free food and drink-and stating that there is no false advertising. It's just not what some people appear to expect!

 

[A-driver]

Amazing.

What is? I genuinely don't understand?

 

[ainsworth74]

But you said you boarded at Darlington- now the at seat service may have been done after London and York in which case there is no false advertising.

Can you indicate to me where East Coast advertise this limitation of their service? Again all East Coast say on the matter is:

enjoy our complimentary food and drink service from the comfort of your own seat

You'll be served refreshments at your seat by our friendly on-board team.

There is no indication that this service is limited only to journeys between York and London. Indeed I have been previously advised by Karen Boswell that on the Anglo - Scottish route that the complimentary menu is offered from all primary stations those being London, Peterborough, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh (that's a minimum as I've seen service also from Doncaster and Newark on Anglo-Scot trains).

 

[Darandio]

OK.

If a service goes from London to Edinburgh but I board at Darlington, it means there is another two hours left of the journey. If they have done a run after Kings Cross and then another after York but won't give me anything, how does that translate into "not false advertising"?

Their advertising stipulates that as my journey is over 70 minutes, I am entitled to this complementary offer, subject to availability of course.

However, your logic seems to throw all of that out of the window. Regardless of availability, if I don't get anything it's because I might have boarded too far north and it's apparently fair game?

 

[A-driver]

But you got your complimentary food and drink?! I don't understand the problem, so you had to walk and get it, not a big deal really. You were not denied the free stuff-there are reasons why they may not have brought it round, often east coast swap staff about if they are short so that all trains get something, turning staff round at York instead or Newcastle etc, its happened before, or perhaps there was a fault in the trolly etc.

I'm not going to argue anymore as I have made my point, and I know it now comes across as if I am trolling (which I certainly am not intending to).

As I said before, east coast are not denying first class passengers free food and drink, and they do provide it at seat throu out part of the journeys but for what ever reason they don't after every station, I have explained a couple of possible reasons. But it is to false advertising, people on here seem to be very upset that they are not being offered everything going at their seat and complaining that the quality and quantity of food is not good enough forgetting this is a train company providing a light snack, if you want a full meal you need to have one before or after travelling.

 

[matlong30]

Hi all,

Newbie to the board!
Traveled First Class Edinburgh-London 7 Dec for the first time ever - Service VERY average compared to the advertising on the EC website.

Was expecting a 3-course meal as per website - received a tiny Meal of Beef lasagne with some lettuce which was pretty average, nothing else. No cheese. Red Wine ran out after the second trolly run. Was given a red wine when hopped on board, only two more drinks for the rest of the four and a half hour journey. Refused extra drink from the kitchen when I asked for it!

Wifi did not work the entire journey - called 0845 number several times and left messages - nothing back.

Disappointed at 80 quid one way!

 

[Butts]

Hi all,

Newbie to the board!
Traveled First Class Edinburgh-London 7 Dec for the first time ever - Service VERY average compared to the advertising on the EC website.

Was expecting a 3-course meal as per website - received a tiny Meal of Beef lasagne with some lettuce which was pretty average, nothing else. No cheese. Red Wine ran out after the second trolly run. Was given a red wine when hopped on board, only two more drinks for the rest of the four and a half hour journey. Refused extra drink from the kitchen when I asked for it!

Wifi did not work the entire journey - called 0845 number several times and left messages - nothing back.

Disappointed at 80 quid one way!

The "three course meals" are only available out of London and in theory York going Northbound on certain services. "Going South" you just get a hot, what they describe as a meal ,option.

Did you not get offered sandwiches as well on the runs after Newcastle and York and other stops?

Welcome to East Coast.....

 

[HST Power]

£80 one way....considering the poor service, you could have got a Standard Advance for £48.50 and bought sandwhiches and drinks from M&S.

I haven't travelled with East Coast for ages, yet I'm still hoping to give the new menu a try sometime around the New Year.

 

[John @ home]

the at seat service dies

Yes. That's our complaint.

 

[Butts]

£80 one way....considering the poor service, you could have got a Standard Advance for £48.50 and bought sandwhiches and drinks from M&S.

I haven't travelled with East Coast for ages, yet I'm still hoping to give the new menu a try sometime around the New Year.

Well I've paid £13.70 for an Advanced 1st from Falkirk to Newcastle tommorrow, and I had better get my "two slices" or all hell will let loose

Coming back on The Chieftain so I'm not expecting to sample the "new menu"-could be a dreaded "scone express" at that time of departure

 

[calc7]

Well I've paid £13.70 for an Advanced 1st from Falkirk to Newcastle tommorrow, and I had better get my "two slices" or all hell will let loose

Coming back on The Chieftain so I'm not expecting to sample the "new menu"-could be a dreaded "scone express" at that time of departure

Though a further "booze run" post-EDB is on the cards so not the end of the world eh!

 

[Butts]

Though a further "booze run" post-EDB is on the cards so not the end of the world eh!

I know this sounds crazy but I'd rather be offered two slices of brown (toast ) with my Breakfast and actually have the two delivered at the same time.......chances of this happening ??? :cry:

For an "Extra Scotch" it'll probably be a DIY job

 

[paulypaul]

Travelled on the 10:00 Edinburgh to Peterborough service today. The previous EC service was cancelled so the 10am service was packed. First service of sandwiches came around after departure, but I was told that it was either sandwiches or a hot meal, so I declined the sandwiches and had fish and chips passing Doncaster. The drinks trolley came around 3 times and there was no problem getting a drink on either passing.

 

[Butts]

Well fair play to East Coast.......

I got my two slices ot toast

Currently onboard the 0655 ex EDB heading for NCL

Excellent Service.....Newspaper Offered - The Times

Tried the new breakfast - the little omellelette is much better than the old scrambled egg and the potato rosti is better than the old scone you used to get. Still no BP but hey could be worse.

Unfortunately toast still arrived way before brekkie but at least I got the "2"

Copious amounts of Coffee and Orange Juice served....mind you she's empty in 1st Class

Hope The Chieftain lives up to this later on

 

[HST Power]

Newspaper, two slices of toast, an omelette, coffee, orange juice, a comfy seat, Wi-Fi.....not a bad deal for £13.70!

The EC website was showing reservations on the Chieftain as 'not applied throughout.'

 

[calc7]

He'll be on the Northbound Cheiftain

 

[Butts]

He'll be on the Northbound Cheiftain

I am now onboard the HC ex NCL heading to FKG.

Picked up a Menu and magine my excitement when I saw Fish & Chips on the card..........

Seconds later a staff member arrives to take orders and all thats left is sandwiches and only one variety (Brie and Cranberry)....:cry:

Still got 4 , a packet of crisps (which have shrunk ...new brand "corkers") and two bits of cake. Plus got a Coffee and a Scotch.

I thought it was to good to last after this mornings perfection :roll:

Quick update on departure from Edinburgh the dreaded "scone express" menus appeared without the scones !!!

Yes folks Afternoon Tea on an Evening Departure - this wouldn't happen in London !!!!

An interesting aside anyone sitting in "K" between Edinburgh and Falkirk would have experienced the "whole service" food and alcohol on a 30 min journey at a cost of £9 single with no reductions - a good anomaly for commuters in the know !!

I just had another scotch and a "carry out" of crisps and cake.

 

[calc7]

Not a bad haul! It says a lot about EC's philosophy when you got the same offering as somebody travelling on a £177 London - York First Single.

Has anybody got any photos of the new offerings?

 

[ainsworth74]

There are a few promo shots on this page.

 

[calc7]

There are a few promo shots on this page.

Promo shots and reality are very different beasts...

 

[Butts]

There are a few promo shots on this page.

With regard to the picture of the "Fish and Chips" - I didn't know they'd started doing "happy meals" - that fish is what some chip shops refer to as a mini-fish

It would have been nice to see it "in the flesh" :cry:

 

[ainsworth74]

It's a start, at least, until the various contributors to this thread can get some pictures

 

[Butts]

It's a start, at least, until the various contributors to this thread can get some pictures

Has anyone got a microscope with a camera ?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Functions like Zoom on a camera tend to make microscopes accompanying them obsolete.

 

[Butts]

Functions like Zoom on a camera tend to make microscopes accompanying them obsolete.

For EC catering you may need an electron microscope to see whats on the plate

 

[MCR247]

Nooo. I've just looked at those promo pictures and the fish and chips comes with six chips? Six chips?! SIX CHIPS?!?!

I'd be ashamed to offer that to someone, never mind promote it on the website with a picture of the pathetic 'meal'


I mean the tartare sauce takes up more space on the plate than the chips?!

 

[Butts]

Nooo. I've just looked at those promo pictures and the fish and chips comes with six chips? Six chips?! SIX CHIPS?!?!

I'd be ashamed to offer that to someone, never mind promote it on the website with a picture of the pathetic 'meal'


I mean the tartare sauce takes up more space on the plate than the chips?!

Did you not know.......?????

East Coast Catering sponsored by "Weightwatchers"

 

[transmanche]

East Coast Catering sponsored by "Weightwatchers"

With the emphasis on the middle four letters...?

 

[IanXC]

There are a few promo shots on this page.

I love the fact we are told that the Crisps are "Cooked".

Well to be honest I'm not sure they'd be Crisps if they weren't!

 

[Bungle73]

To be fair the chips are very fat types, not the anaemic types you get in fast food restaurants. And they did me when I had pie and chips this May.

I love the fact we are told that the Crisps are "Cooked".

Well to be honest I'm not sure they'd be Crisps if they weren't!

I think they missed out a word; normally they call them hand-cooked crisps.