London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Butts]

http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/travel-information/timetable-information/weekdays-southbound/ shows its the All Day menu.

There is nothing "between" mid morning and all day, as all day comes after mid morning!

I don't think alcohol will be provided (and I believe it shouldn't be, for obvious reasons) as it's advertised "from lunchtime" which I'd assume to mean 1200 onwards. By 1200 they'll be packing up.

However, I could be wrong.

I'll be on the 1059 York-King's Cross on Wednesday so I'll let you know...

Edinburgh to Aberdeen bypasses the "Mid-Morning and goes straight to "All Day" as does the Southbound Chieftain (boarding at FKG)- Thank God

Booze available well before Noon !!!

 

[Deerfold]

I don't think alcohol will be provided (and I believe it shouldn't be, for obvious reasons).

What obvious reasons are these?

 

[yorkie]

What obvious reasons are these?

I suggest creating a new thread for the subject of discussing drinking alcohol in the morning.

However, having thought about it, I think alcohol probably will be available on any train that is classed as "All Day", even if it's before "lunch time", because the menus will list it.

That doesn't guarantee it will be available just because it's listed though, as croissants were both listed in the menu and specially mentioned as an option by the host taking food orders, yet when the trolley arrived, there were none.

I guess we will find out soon...

As for me, the mid-morning offer supplied one round of soft cold drinks, plus 2 tea/coffee rounds, one piece of toast* and the option out of pancakes/porridge/bacon roll.

I'd imagine butts nightmare trip would be mid-morning on the outward, and afternoon tea (with an alcohol shortage) on the return!

* it's not clear to me what you could have with it, but I heard honey, marmalade and raspberry jam were not options.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Edinburgh to Aberdeen bypasses the "Mid-Morning and goes straight to "All Day" as does the Southbound Chieftain (boarding at FKG)- Thank God !

What I meant was there wasn't a "late morning" option as there isn't an intermediate offering, it's one or the other at that time of day.

I agree that if you can get a train that offers full breakfast until Edinburgh and then all day from there, that would be a very good offering indeed.

 

[Deerfold]

I suggest creating a new thread for the subject of discussing drinking alcohol in the morning.

I wasn't discussing generally drinking alcohol in the morning. I was asking what the obvious reasons were for East Coast to not offer alcohol in its First Class offering in the morning (which seemed relevant) so I could understand your comment better.

 

[Butts]

I'd imagine butts nightmare trip would be mid-morning on the outward, and afternoon tea (with an alcohol shortage) on the return!

Actually my nightmare journey would be an early service out of Edinburgh to London with very few stops, where the only offering is the Breakfast itself. This would compare to a later departure with several offerings of food and booze.

In my opinion the "mid-morning" is a flawed concept and they should serve a full breakfast until the "all day" commences.

As for the "scone express" you are correct in that assumption
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I wasn't discussing generally drinking alcohol in the morning. I was asking what the obvious reasons were for East Coast to not offer alcohol in its First Class offering in the morning (which seemed relevant) so I could understand your comment better.

To pis* off freeloaders like me

 

[Mutant Lemming]

I suggest creating a new thread for the subject of discussing drinking alcohol in the morning.

.

I used to have a beer or two in the morning after a rough nightshift as it would help one relax and maybe get to sleep.

 

[Blindtraveler]

At the wrisk of going even further off topic, I dont see an issue with that. Bacon Roll time for me is Beer Time for someone else!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
On topic, the Afternoon Tea is to me now becoming a bit of a joke given that it
doesnt
offer scones with Jam etc etc etc, just 2 kinds of cake. I think they should maybe go down the road of having a hot option available all day but maybe a wider range of cake i.e more than 2 for those who want tea and cakes?

 

[ModernRailways]

Quick post from my experience in the 0704 Flying Scotsman yesterday (24/07). 1 slice of toast (may as well have been bread, uncooked), bacon roll contained 1 rasher of bacon (McDonalds give two or three). And only one offer for a drink. Complete waste of money for what I received...

 

[furgus2]

I did several journeys on East Coast in 1st class in May and again during the past two weeks using an ALR . Although none of the All Day hot options appealed to me this time, I always found at least one of the sandwich choices suited my taste for simple food. Also, I had come to the conclusion that they are much more relaxed in handing out food and drink these days and wasn't asked at any point as to how far I was travelling. That was until yesterday.
When on the last day of an ALR, I just make up the day's journeys as I go along. So, I was in Newcastle at 11 and decided to head south on the 11.30 departure to Kings Cross and then decide whether to make the complete journey or disembark on route.
The food trolley came along just after Durham and I asked for the ham and egg sandwiches but the server asked me where I was travelling to. I hadn't actually decided where I was going to but just said 'York' at random. He said I could only have cake for that journey. I replied that I had a ticket that was valid to London. he said that didn't matter, it was the actual journey which counted. So, I said I'd go to go to Doncaster instead. He wouldn't accept that as I'd already said York. He then walked off with the trolley. I said to him, "So, you're refusing me food?" to which he said "Yes" and he was gone.
Now, I know about the 70 minute rule and so on but I did think he was being petty although I accept I should just have said 'London' when he asked. Just that it surprised me to be asked.

 

[Butts]

I did several journeys on East Coast in 1st class in May and again during the past two weeks using an ALR . Although none of the All Day hot options appealed to me this time, I always found at least one of the sandwich choices suited my taste for simple food. Also, I had come to the conclusion that they are much more relaxed in handing out food and drink these days and wasn't asked at any point as to how far I was travelling. That was until yesterday.
When on the last day of an ALR, I just make up the day's journeys as I go along. So, I was in Newcastle at 11 and decided to head south on the 11.30 departure to Kings Cross and then decide whether to make the complete journey or disembark on route.
The food trolley came along just after Durham and I asked for the ham and egg sandwiches but the server asked me where I was travelling to. I hadn't actually decided where I was going to but just said 'York' at random. He said I could only have cake for that journey. I replied that I had a ticket that was valid to London. he said that didn't matter, it was the actual journey which counted. So, I said I'd go to go to Doncaster instead. He wouldn't accept that as I'd already said York. He then walked off with the trolley. I said to him, "So, you're refusing me food?" to which he said "Yes" and he was gone.
Now, I know about the 70 minute rule and so on but I did think he was being petty although I accept I should just have said 'London' when he asked. Just that it surprised me to be asked.

What a "Jobsworth" , that sort of attitude is ridiculous. Fortunately this occurrence seems to have been the exception to the rule on your travels.

 

[northofthesand]

Caught the 12.01 from York to Kings Cross on Tuesday had the Ham Sandwich
option then was offered cake, biscuit's and crisps too and when the trolley came through again was told to help myself when i asked for some more food my son left his so had his sarnies too,plenty of tea on offer and had two white wines (Adult and Child £54.75)

Came back today on the 9.43 Euston to Glasgow full breakfast was served just after Milton Keynes more food was offered just after Birmingham plenty again had the chicken pesto wrap.the alcohol was wheeled out just before midday and just before i left at Oxenholme (Adult and Child £94.50)

I was happy with both trips can't rate one above the other really

 

[yorksrob]

The food trolley came along just after Durham and I asked for the ham and egg sandwiches but the server asked me where I was travelling to. I hadn't actually decided where I was going to but just said 'York' at random. He said I could only have cake for that journey. I replied that I had a ticket that was valid to London. he said that didn't matter, it was the actual journey which counted. So, I said I'd go to go to Doncaster instead. He wouldn't accept that as I'd already said York. He then walked off with the trolley. I said to him, "So, you're refusing me food?" to which he said "Yes" and he was gone.

I sympathise. The ham and egg sandwiches are lush. (Incidentally, I wonder if the ham 'n' eggs are a bit of a tribute to Glen Millers "Chattanooga Choo Choo" )

 

[Butts]

I sympathise. The ham and egg sandwiches are lush. (Incidentally, I wonder if the ham 'n' eggs are a bit of a tribute to Glen Millers "Chattanooga Choo Choo" )

That member of Staff should be ashamed of themselves, unfortunately there are a few who still act as though they were dishing out their own food and drink

No chance of a "double double" from that tightwad

 

[helengarden]

Hello! I have read lots of this thread but can't find the answer to what I need to know.

I have booked a first class from Morpeth to Glasgow on Wednesday evening, leaving Morpeth at 8pm. The journey is 74 minutes before I have to change onto a Scotrail train at Edinburgh. Will I get any food at all? I will need to eat before I get on if not, but I don't want to waste my money if I am going to be presented with a 3 course meal!!!

Will there be booze? I was thinking maybe a G and T followed by a glass of red. Is that over optimistic?

I have read that I will get nothing on Scotrail, is that right?

Thanks everyone.

 

[richardderby]

according to the timetable, you should get the 'last run' of the all day menu trolley. a complimentary (alcoholic)drink, and some sandwiches, or hot food, cake and crisps...

http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/food1/complimentary-food-and-drink1/

Please choose from the following
Hot smoked salmon sandwich with
a creamy lemon, dill and chive mayonnaise
and peppery rocket on oatmeal bread
Or
Free-range egg sandwich with a creamy seasoned
mayonnaise and tarragon, Cheshire cheese and
cucumber slices on malted bread (v)
served with hand cooked crisps
Or
British chicken breast served with South American style
spicy Chimichurri sauce, mixed leaf salad and bread (GF)*
Or
A puff pastry parcel filled with chestnut, closed cup
and field mushrooms in a rich cream sauce with
fresh thyme served with mixed leaf salad (v)
-
Orange macaroon cake (v)
-
A selection of fruit (v)

Drinks
Please choose from the following
Your choice of Fairtrade breakfast tea
or freshly ground Fairtrade coffee,
including decaffeinated
Fairtrade Earl Grey, green tea
Speciality infusions –
peppermint and camomile tea
Fairtrade hot chocolate
-
Harrogate Spa still or sparkling water
Orange juice
Tonic or diet tonic water
Canada Dry ginger ale
Coke or Diet Coke
-
Old Speckled Hen ale
Stella Artois lager
Magners cider
Famous Grouse whisky
Beefeater gin
Absolut vodka
-
Wine Selection
Sauvignon Blanc, Grand Sud, France
Cinsault/Grenache Rosé,
Reserve de la Baume, France
Cotes du Rhone, Maison du Chapelas, France

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I have read that I will get nothing on Scotrail, is that right?

A 1st class EC and connections ticket should let you travel on Scotrail 1st class such as it is, but it would need to be on the Queen Street high level route via Polmont. The low level route via Bathgate is slower and has no 1st class, neither has the Glasgow Central route via Shotts.
Scotrail tend not to bother about which of their 3 routes from Edinburgh to Glasgow one chooses to travel on with an EC and connections ticket.

The 1st class offering is a trolley service - tea coffee etc are free but real drinks you have to pay for. You won't get any alcohol from Scotrail at that time anyway, and you can't even bring your own.

 

[Butts]

according to the timetable, you should get the 'last run' of the all day menu trolley. a complimentary (alcoholic)drink, and some sandwiches, or hot food, cake and crisps...

http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/food1/complimentary-food-and-drink1/

Please choose from the following
Hot smoked salmon sandwich with
a creamy lemon, dill and chive mayonnaise
and peppery rocket on oatmeal bread
Or
Free-range egg sandwich with a creamy seasoned
mayonnaise and tarragon, Cheshire cheese and
cucumber slices on malted bread (v)
served with hand cooked crisps
Or
British chicken breast served with South American style
spicy Chimichurri sauce, mixed leaf salad and bread (GF)*
Or
A puff pastry parcel filled with chestnut, closed cup
and field mushrooms in a rich cream sauce with
fresh thyme served with mixed leaf salad (v)
-
Orange macaroon cake (v)
-
A selection of fruit (v)

Drinks
Please choose from the following
Your choice of Fairtrade breakfast tea
or freshly ground Fairtrade coffee,
including decaffeinated
Fairtrade Earl Grey, green tea
Speciality infusions –
peppermint and camomile tea
Fairtrade hot chocolate
-
Harrogate Spa still or sparkling water
Orange juice
Tonic or diet tonic water
Canada Dry ginger ale
Coke or Diet Coke
-
Old Speckled Hen ale
Stella Artois lager
Magners cider
Famous Grouse whisky
Beefeater gin
Absolut vodka
-
Wine Selection
Sauvignon Blanc, Grand Sud, France
Cinsault/Grenache Rosé,
Reserve de la Baume, France
Cotes du Rhone, Maison du Chapelas, France

I've got on at Morpeth before heading to Edinburgh and the service is variable. A good tactic would be to sit in J or K the Coach closest to the Catering Kitchen and make sure the staff see you get on.

Sometimes I have had the full works and other times just a Scotch some sandwiches and biscuits and crisps brought to my table (ie not as part of a trolley run)

If no one approaches you after about ten minutes ask
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A 1st class EC and connections ticket should let you travel on Scotrail 1st class such as it is, but it would need to be on the Queen Street high level route via Polmont. The low level route via Bathgate is slower and has no 1st class, neither has the Glasgow Central route via Shotts.
Scotrail tend not to bother about which of their 3 routes from Edinburgh to Glasgow one chooses to travel on with an EC and connections ticket.

The 1st class offering is a trolley service - tea coffee etc are free but real drinks you have to pay for. You won't get any alcohol from Scotrail at that time anyway, and you can't even bring your own.

You also get a little pack of biscuits as well - if it's a "double train" look which end the catering Trolley is on as it can't get through to both sides of the service.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

You also get a little pack of biscuits as well - if it's a "double train" look which end the catering Trolley is on as it can't get through to both sides of the service.

Thanks Butts, I had meant to mention to check where the trolley is!

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The difficulty in boarding at Morpeth is that it is unpredictable whether the crewe will have completed their passage through the 3 First Class coaches serving cold food and taking orders for hot food.

I've got on at Morpeth before heading to Edinburgh and the service is variable. A good tactic would be to sit in J or K the Coach closest to the Catering Kitchen and make sure the staff see you get on.

I agree, though staff will always go to the doors at Morpeth to see if any passngers are boarding there. Nevertheless, it will be much simpler all round if you get on the north end of coach K and simply intorduce yourself as someone who would be interested in knowing what's on offer.

 

[Butts]

Thanks Butts, I had meant to mention to check where the trolley is!

No probs - as a "Master Scrounger" one has to be aware of these foibles
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The difficulty in boarding at Morpeth is that it is unpredictable whether the crewe will have completed their passage through the 3 First Class coaches serving cold food and taking orders for hot food.
I agree, though staff will always go to the doors at Morpeth to see if any passngers are boarding there. Nevertheless, it will be much simpler all round if you get on the north end of coach K and simply intorduce yourself as someone who would be interested in knowing what's on offer.

Often the "hot option" will have " run out" - :cry: but he should be able to secure some form of offering. With "table service", on an individual basis, you can sometimes "hit the jackpot" and be provided with a veritable banquet of "leftovers" accompanied by copious quantities of Alcohol

I have procured the above upon boarding at Alnmouth which is even further up the line and technically exempt from the "full offering".

 

[cf111]

Got a quick trip from Edinburgh to Darlington and back this week, hot options on the All-Day menu are:

British chicken breast served with South American style
spicy Chimichurri sauce, mixed leaf salad and bread (GF)*
Or
A puff pastry parcel filled with chestnut, closed cup
and field mushrooms in a rich cream sauce with
fresh thyme served with mixed leaf salad (v)

I don't think I could eat both on the same day, so what's the favoured option of our seasoned EC 1st travellers?

 

[Blindtraveler]

definately the Mushrooms, only had 1 but woant forget it!

 

[helengarden]

Thanks for your replies, really helpful! I am actually quite looking forward to this journey, which is unusual for me as I travel so much for work. I am going to prebook more first class seats I think...

 

[leightonbd]

May I ask - what catering might you get in FC if doing Edinburgh - Berwick? Is that too short to qualify for catering?

The (weekday) journey I have in mind is, roughly, 0830 from Edinburgh and back around 1300.

 

[Butts]

May I ask - what catering might you get in FC if doing Edinburgh - Berwick? Is that too short to qualify for catering?

The (weekday) journey I have in mind is, roughly, 0830 from Edinburgh and back around 1300.

If you are sitting in the correct position (depending on how they do the service) you may just get a breakfast. However this is not certain. Normally they take the orders starting from the kitchen outwards, but serve from the furthest point away and work their way back to the kitchen end.

if they tumble you are going to Berwick it may be curtains. However if you are sitting near to the Kitchen you may get some toast and orange juice with the coffee and tea.

Coming back it will probably be a "tea and biscuits job" - indeed you will be lucky to get the latter.

Make sure you use the 1st Class Lounges at Waverley and Berwick to maximise your value. The Edinburgh one has tea and biccies not sure about Berwick.

On such a short journey it's pot luck as technically your entitlement is minimal.
A good crew you may strike lucky, a job's worth one and it may be very little in the way of sustenance.

If you really want "the experience" go a little further to say Newcastle and you should be ok.

 

[yorkie]

May I ask - what catering might you get in FC if doing Edinburgh - Berwick? Is that too short to qualify for catering?

Officially, yes it is too short.

 

[Kite159]

How likely will it be to get a First Class Rewards ticket for one of the services scheduled to have the Evening Meal service? (i.e. 1800 departure from Kings Cross to Edinburgh around December time)

 

[Butts]

How likely will it be to get a First Class Rewards ticket for one of the services scheduled to have the Evening Meal service? (i.e. 1800 departure from Kings Cross to Edinburgh around December time)

If you go into your account there is a search facility which shows availability.

I have previously been able to book an Evening Meal qualifying departure, however if by December you mean X-mas time that may be a different matter.

Wait for the 12 week window and get in early.

 

[Chrism20]

Got a quick trip from Edinburgh to Darlington and back this week, hot options on the All-Day menu are:



I don't think I could eat both on the same day, so what's the favoured option of our seasoned EC 1st travellers?

Definitely the mushrooms. The chicken is the smallest chicken fillet I have seen, and when I was a student I worked in KFC! It's also laced with an extremely oily sauce which is 65% garlic.

 

[Butts]

Definitely the mushrooms. The chicken is the smallest chicken fillet I have seen, and when I was a student I worked in KFC! It's also laced with an extremely oily sauce which is 65% garlic.

Agreed - The Mushroom "pasty" is superb - give the "Sparrow Fillet" a miss