London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[dave87016]

Yes but AFAIK everytime I go on the evening meal trains on VTWC its always the same offering Sausage & Mash or Fish and chips and bearing in mind I use them very frequently im not sure there is a rotation on the VTWC evening meal

 

[Starmill]

Of course it changes periodically. It just hasn't done for a while... e.g. the sandwich has been an egg roll for months but its often a wrap or a cheese on sliced bread one. The last time I had a West Coast Evening Meal it was Cheese and Tomato Pizza. The time before that it was a beetroot tart.

 

[ainsworth74]

*reads thread title* *reads last few posts* *becomes confused as to how the posts relate to the title*

Let's keep it on topic please

 

[Silver Cobra]

Sadly, I never got to sample VTEC's first class offerings back on the 21st, due to the OHLE issues at Werrington Junction causing mass delays and cancellations. I've booked more tickets to Newcastle for November to try this again (from Peterborough in both directions this time); hopefully I'll have better luck next time.

I was on it on the 13th, despite being full (due to several cancellations after a fatality at Cramlington) there were three drinks runs and both the all-day option and sandwiches. The crew were very good, being very stingy until they knew everyone had got something- the train was much busier than usual- and then were as free as anyone wanted after York (I think they ordered more).

When I've caught it before it tends to be much quieter. There were probably only about 25 reservations in the whole of the three carriages.

That's good to know. I've gone with services an hour earlier in each direction for my journey in November, but when I next try a journey to Newcastle, I'll be sure to book this particular service again

Thanks to VTEC's recent seat sale, I've also bagged myself some cheap tickets for a day trip to Edinburgh from Peterborough for the middle of October. Much like with Newcastle, I've gone for a standard class outbound and a first class return. The interesting thing is that my return journey involves a change at York to a second VTEC service. Now, this may sound a little greedy, but I wonder if, seeing as I'll be on each train for at least 70 minutes, if this means that I can have something from the first class menu on both trains? Doubt I would necessarily do this if I am allowed to, but it would be tempting

 

[PermitToTravel]

I don't know about entitlement but people have been offered second meals before in that situation

 

[Butts]

Thanks to VTEC's recent seat sale, I've also bagged myself some cheap tickets for a day trip to Edinburgh from Peterborough for the middle of October. Much like with Newcastle, I've gone for a standard class outbound and a first class return. The interesting thing is that my return journey involves a change at York to a second VTEC service. Now, this may sound a little greedy, but I wonder if, seeing as I'll be on each train for at least 70 minutes, if this means that I can have something from the first class menu on both trains? Doubt I would necessarily do this if I am allowed to, but it would be tempting

Should not be a problem to "double up" especially as you are boarding at Edinburgh and then York both of which are normally "Full Service" departure points. With two "meals" you may not get off at Peterborough or wherever feeling hungry.

If you are at all worried about "Stasi Staff Entitlement Questioning" just sit in an unreserved seat rather than the one allocated to you and only the Guard will know where you are coming from / going to - if indeed they actually bother to check the tickets.

Don't worry about feeling "Greedy" just knock back The Scotch and enjoy the freebies !!!

 

[trainophile]

Any of you experts know what we will be likely to get on a weekday day trip Stonehaven to Edinburgh and back, departing Stonehaven at 1010, departing Edinburgh 1428? It's on Weds 9th Sept.

Only two hours in the city, and yes we are mainly going for the train rides!

 

[Chrism20]

Any of you experts know what we will be likely to get on a weekday day trip Stonehaven to Edinburgh and back, departing Stonehaven at 1010, departing Edinburgh 1428? It's on Weds 9th Sept.

Only two hours in the city, and yes we are mainly going for the train rides!

Southbound will be mid morning which is bacon roll/granola/porridge with toast/croissant, hot drinks and OJ

Northbound is the dreaded afternoon tea. Sandwiches, cake, hot & cold drinks incl alcohol. No hot food on that one IIRC.

 

[trainophile]

Thanks Chris, it'll save sorting out our own snacks anyway .

 

[Chrism20]

Thanks Chris, it'll save sorting out our own snacks anyway .

No problem, enjoy.

Below are your options for the return journey. The salmon sandwiches are nice and both the cakes are very good, if you can manage to get one of each cake, which you normally can on this service as it returns as an all day menu at 1818 with one cake option - take them

Afternoon tea menu

Hot smoked salmon with lemon dressing and cucumber sandwich on wholemeal bread served with hand cooked crisps

Or

Egg mayonnaise and spring onion with rocket sandwich on white bread served with hand cooked crisps (v)

Coconut and cherry cake (v)

Or

Classic Victoria sponge (v)

 

[trainophile]

Thanks again Chris .

Not sure if this is the right place to mention this, but I have just re-checked Advance ticket availability for our trip next Weds (we've got ours but I was curious as to whether there are many left), and notice that the 0810 departure from Stonehaven still has plenty (or at least no "only" number showing) at what must be the lowest tier, while the Cross Country departing half an hour later is nearly three times as dear, and only has three 1st Class Advance tickets left for the Stonehaven to Edinburgh bit, at least at the current price.

Must be because it continues to Penzance, so is presumably an infrequent service, hence more demand? I'd be surprised if anyone who only wants to go to EDB would choose to pay such a premium and get less for their money! My first reaction was "so what's wrong with VTEC?" but there must be more to it than that. Or are the VTEC fares unrealistically low due to being Web Only and booking on their own site?

I missed a trick as we should have gone for the 0810 VTEC at the same price, and probably got a full breakfast, but as we're on holiday I didn't want to have to rush. Kicking myself now :roll: .

 

[Aldaniti]

I'd love to know the difference between a Victoria Sponge and a Classic Victoria Sponge. And I've always wanted to see handcooked crisps being made. Does anyone serve classic handcooked crisps?

 

[Tetchytyke]

trainophile, I'd imagine that's down to VTEC attempting to fill empty seats north of Edinburgh whilst XC try and prevent too much custom as a Voyager only has 26 first class seats.

 

[trainophile]

trainophile, I'd imagine that's down to VTEC attempting to fill empty seats north of Edinburgh whilst XC try and prevent too much custom as a Voyager only has 26 first class seats.

Thanks, that makes good sense.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Its odd though given XC has no Catering
what so ever
on that leg

 

[trainophile]

Its odd though given XC has no Catering
what so ever
on that leg

Really? It's a heck of a long way to Penzance if you haven't brought your own sandwiches! Or do they put catering on further south?

(Sorry for taking the thread off topic, there was a tenuous connection originally! )

 

[me123]

trainophile, I'd imagine that's down to VTEC attempting to fill empty seats north of Edinburgh whilst XC try and prevent too much custom as a Voyager only has 26 first class seats.

Very likely. In fact, when I had the misfortune to live in Aberdeen, my preferred mode of transport back to the Central belt was VTEC FC. I could almost always get an Advance ticket just a couple of days in advance and for minimal additional cost compared to SC Advances or Off Peak Returns. The only exception seemed to be the 07:52 southbound service, where I couldn't ever find an AP ticket to Edinburgh. It seems that they keep their FC AP fares on that service for people traveling through to England?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Iv had APs to EDB on that train, depends on day of the week though. On the ABD>PNZ the Trolley and FC Host join at EDB and catering is available til PLY.

 

[Bishopstone]

08.06 Kings Cross - Leeds today. Coach M was about 30% loaded, but I guess it's the tail end of the school holidays still, for some, and the cycle of business trips has yet to resume in full.

Had TWO slices of toast on the table by Welwyn, followed shortly thereafter by the English breakfast, so I was able to eat both components together as it should be.

Three hot drink runs including a final pass just after Doncaster.

I only noticed two servers, so a good performance.

 

[dave87016]

On Wednesday 2nd September I went First class on the 07:10am HST Leeds to Aberdeen as far as Inverkeithing, the service was great the staff friendly and the first hot drink before Neville Hill, breakfast order was taken before York and delivered just before Darlington one slice of toast was the only downside especially numerous times on way back to kitchen there was still plenty on the hosts tray.

Breakfast was spot on i didnt think I would enjoy the flan but it was very nice but felt strange having it with breakfast

 

[Tetchytyke]

The only exception seemed to be the 07:52 southbound service, where I couldn't ever find an AP ticket to Edinburgh

The 0752, now designated a dry train to Newcastle on Fridays, is the one where they have all the problems with drunk rig workers isn't it?

I don't blame them for not wanting them in first!
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Really? It's a heck of a long way to Penzance if you haven't brought your own sandwiches! Or do they put catering on further south?

XC don't do catering north/west of Edinburgh or south/east of Plymouth.

And yes, that's pathetic, especially when Scotrail can manage it on a 170.

 

[Starmill]

Ever wondered what crisps with salad dressing on them taste like? No, neither have I.

But I have now found out - courtesy of Virgin Trains East Coast of course - so that you don't have to.

And I recommend that you don't. Shockingly, the answer is thoroughly disgusting! :roll:

 

[Starmill]

ALSO can I please ask who thought that a mint, pea and feta cheese quiche would be a nice combination? Minty cheese anyone? No? Hardly anyone ordered it, only 3 people I think (myself included) and given the tatste of it I can see why. Compared to the perenially delicious Goats Cheese tart or cheese and tomato tart it's awful.

I was worried for the health of the staff at this point, forget complaining. What goes through your mind when you put crisps on the plate with salad and then add salad dressing? Of course, I could've gotten up and gone to sit with them, chilling out as they were around a table of 4 in the middle of coach L instead of doing anything.

And to think there are people paying walk-up First fares for this.

 

[ainsworth74]

ALSO can I please ask who thought that a mint, pea and feta cheese quiche would be a nice combination? Minty cheese anyone? No?

Oh dear looks like they're backsliding a bit into experimentation mode. They did this back in 2011 when the complementary offer was brand new and it lead to some rather 'interesting' items appearing on the menu but seemed to settle down by the middle of 2012.

 

[yorksrob]

Oh dear looks like they're backsliding a bit into experimentation mode. They did this back in 2011 when the complementary offer was brand new and it lead to some rather 'interesting' items appearing on the menu but seemed to settle down by the middle of 2012.

Perhaps they've got Heston in as head Chef?

 

[dave87016]

I think the hot all day menu has gone totally downhill over the last 6-12 months they used to have a really nice eye catching one but now it is tarts and fishcakes and such

 

[Iskra]

I quite like the feta tart/mint/pea tart. But, yes I do agree the offer is heading down hill.

 

[Blindtraveler]

There was a certain vogue on here at the time of the offer being new for expressing ones discontent in rhymes. This may have to start again i have to say that after 2 bad experiences on the Trot Im not in a hurry to do EC Firstagain, esp if it involves the breakfast Flan thing!

 

[Butts]

On Wednesday 2nd September I went First class on the 07:10am HST Leeds to Aberdeen as far as Inverkeithing, the service was great the staff friendly and the first hot drink before Neville Hill, breakfast order was taken before York and delivered just before Darlington one slice of toast was the only downside especially numerous times on way back to kitchen there was still plenty on the hosts tray.

Breakfast was spot on i didnt think I would enjoy the flan but it was very nice but felt strange having it with breakfast

Did you ask for two slices ?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Ever wondered what crisps with salad dressing on them taste like? No, neither have I.

But I have now found out - courtesy of Virgin Trains East Coast of course - so that you don't have to.

And I recommend that you don't. Shockingly, the answer is thoroughly disgusting! :roll:

You aint doing too well good Sir - first they substitute Salad for Crisps, then they provide both but dress them!
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I've just made a trip in First Class, and found it a complete waist of brass. The sarnies were old, the tea stone cold and the service an absolute farse!