Not all people who drink a lot realise when they are becoming intoxicated or rumbustious, but they're not nice to be near.Not all people who drink a lot become "intoxicated or rumbustious"
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London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service
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Butts
Veteran Member
CallySleeper
Established Member
Just to set the record straight without derailing the thread completely...
You might not have felt intoxicated, but you were intoxicated. Feelings don't count for anything. Either way, what we're complaining about is how over-excessive it looks and sounds.
You might not have felt intoxicated, but you were intoxicated. Feelings don't count for anything. Either way, what we're complaining about is how over-excessive it looks and sounds.
Butts
Veteran Member
How do you know he was intoxicated ? - the issue of consumption be it excessive or not is a separate issue, but to make an assumption five beers and a g&t induce some sort of catatonic state is somewhat arrogant on your part.
It certainly does seem to be an inconsistent service. My return trip last night was on the 'Highland Chieftain'. In the 1hr 58 mins between Edinburgh and Pitclochry I was again offered Coffee or Tea three times. A choice between Egg and Peppered Beef sandwiches (I chose the beef and was given 3) a packet of crisps and a large slab of Banoffee Cake. I was offered Wine (White, Red or Rose) Beers, Ciders or Spirits. As the people manning the trolleys were struggling to reach everything, they were happy for people to pick up the odd bottle or can for themselves. If one wanted to 'maximise' the deal then I say ask for the wine, as they were pouring it into juice tumblers so you were easily getting double what you normally get in a wine glass.
I presume those of us who partake of the alcoholic beverages are not driving home afterwards? I certainly wouldn't want to tackle the A9 after the best side of a pint of wine!
I presume those of us who partake of the alcoholic beverages are not driving home afterwards? I certainly wouldn't want to tackle the A9 after the best side of a pint of wine!
Butts
Veteran Member
Blindtraveler
Established Member
Whilst not wanting to get involved in a how much is it or is it not correct to drink type debate I have to agree with happybunny that if tocs want to recreate the airline experience on rails being stingy even with the tees, coffees and waters is not going to do this. Having just come back from a day in the lakes on the Euston Edinburgh pendo↲ with dinner and the last booz run at Carstairs this is more airline like. On topic, anyone know what rotation were on week starting 30th September?
Butts
Veteran Member
Rotation 1 - (Indian Chicken on the All Day)
cjp
Member
I think you have this wrong rather than the drink drive (cars, trains or planes) laws being wrong.
I think you are saying you do not think you are intoxicated or you do not get noisy.
I don't think EC is obliged to offer unlimited alcoholic drinks as part of their first class service, especially to customers who seem to want only to get as many drinks down their necks during the journey as is humanly possible. I would have thought that the offer of a drink with the main meal and another later with a snack would be perfectly acceptable level of service. It's already bad enough having the first class carriages resemble restaurants on wheels, without having them turn into mobile pubs.
Tetchytyke
Veteran Member
EC's first class service really seems to depend on how busy the train is, and what the crew are like.
The "all day" offer is alright, mostly. The afternoon tea is delicious. But the really good food is on the "evening dinner" services out of Kings Cross, I've been fortunate to be on the 1730 a few times recently (on a rewards ticket too
). The salmon is gorgeous, and right up there with what used to come out of the GNER restaurant car.
As for booze, last time I was on the 1730 to Newcastle it was deserted, the crew were bored so I must have had five of the tumblers of red wine (even after turning drinks down on at least two occasions), plus a bit of whiskey for the coffee, plus a couple of miniatures "to take home to your missus". But that's a nice bonus, on the three-hour journey to Newcastle I'd expect the drinks trolley to come down three times, plus tea and coffee. If you demand more than that you just sound like you have a drinking problem.
The "all day" offer is alright, mostly. The afternoon tea is delicious. But the really good food is on the "evening dinner" services out of Kings Cross, I've been fortunate to be on the 1730 a few times recently (on a rewards ticket too
). The salmon is gorgeous, and right up there with what used to come out of the GNER restaurant car.As for booze, last time I was on the 1730 to Newcastle it was deserted, the crew were bored so I must have had five of the tumblers of red wine (even after turning drinks down on at least two occasions), plus a bit of whiskey for the coffee, plus a couple of miniatures "to take home to your missus". But that's a nice bonus, on the three-hour journey to Newcastle I'd expect the drinks trolley to come down three times, plus tea and coffee. If you demand more than that you just sound like you have a drinking problem.
Butts
Veteran Member
Couldn't put it better myself....with one other caveat...has adequate stock been loaded
basfordlad
Member
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- 28 Jul 2012
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We have decided to book east coast from newark instead of emt from nottingham due to emt really poor pricing and we are going 1st class on the way down.
I have checked the time table and the shaded area for breakfast includes Grantham so i assume ill have no problem getting the full breakfast and cup of tea?
We have booked in coach J
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I just didn't want to book this ticket and get disapointed
I have checked the time table and the shaded area for breakfast includes Grantham so i assume ill have no problem getting the full breakfast and cup of tea?
We have booked in coach J
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I just didn't want to book this ticket and get disapointed
ModernRailways
Established Member
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Full breakfast, should do but the staff may need persuading!
There will be plenty of tea (and Coffee) runs I would imagine!
There will be plenty of tea (and Coffee) runs I would imagine!
basfordlad
Member
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Hot chocolate is now an option. This is not available from the hot drinks trolley. It is, however, available from the cold drinks trolley. But for 'quota' purposes still counts as a hot drink.
Subject to availability, yes, as this denotes the journey time is over 70 minutes. The train calls at Peterborough and/or Stevenage, right? (Or has loads of slack time!)
Hot chocolate has always been an option hasn't it? You just needed to ask for it.
ModernRailways
Established Member
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I've had it every time I've been on an evening journey. When the last drinks come around at York I ask for it. They always have to go along to the buffet and make it up though.
I'll be making a couple of Newcastle-York morning journies soon. This is a journey of about 60 minutes, so under the 70 limit. In practice, however, how likely is it that I'll be offered any food? I was wondering whether I would need to bring my own (OK, I know you usually have to anyway...).
They serve the full menu after Newcastle so you could get the full breakfast offering, I just wouldn't mention where you're going and if they ask there is no requirement to tell them you're actually going to York (as long as your morals allow you to bend the truth like that).
basfordlad
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Last edited:
CallySleeper
Established Member
Interesting you say this because I got asked on a trip from Edinburgh south very recently. I assume this was for the commuters alighting at Dunbar and Berwick.
Butts
Veteran Member
I've always managed to blag one going to Alnmouth which is just about 60mins roughly from Edinburgh
anti-pacer
On Moderation
A friend of mine and I are planning to travel from London to the Shetland Islands in October, using the train between King's Cross and Aberdeen (1000 ex-King's Cross).
I'm looking online at First Class fares and see (at the moment) a fare of £157.50 for an advance ticket. What am I likely to get on board in terms of meals for such a long journey? For example, will I get one meal or more as the journey progresses?
I'm looking online at First Class fares and see (at the moment) a fare of £157.50 for an advance ticket. What am I likely to get on board in terms of meals for such a long journey? For example, will I get one meal or more as the journey progresses?
thelongestroad
Member
Take the plane and buy a nice meal once you get there!
Or better still, load up on food and booze at the Kings Cross M&S (if they don't have one, pop next door to St Pancras) and have yourself a moving picnic.
If I remember correctly, on EC first class you get free tea, coffee, water and small snacks. You can order alcohol and more substantial food from the at seat service, I think, but you have to pay. Someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong.
VauxhallandI
Established Member
Or better still, load up on food and booze at the Kings Cross M&S (if they don't have one, pop next door to St Pancras) and have yourself a moving picnic.
If I remember correctly, on EC first class you get free tea, coffee, water and small snacks. You can order alcohol and more substantial food from the at seat service, I think, but you have to pay. Someone will no doubt correct me if I'm wrong.
M&S do some pretty reasonable ales iirc
route:oxford
Established Member
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Much as the journey is quite pleasurable...
Depending on your day of travel you can fly from Gatwick to LSI for under £130.
causton
Established Member
East Coast you will get probably one hot cooked meal and sandwiches (not together, probably hot meal first then sandwiches later in the afternoon). Plus crisps, drinks (alcoholic), biscuits, snacks, etc... all free
Blindtraveler
Established Member
and going a little off topic, note that this train has a habbit of being delayed northwards meaning passengers for the Northlink ferry to shetland are often in danger of missing there saling. for the departures at 17:00 from Aberdeen this train doesnt connect at all. if you have got enough time however fill up on the train as ferry restaurant aint cheep