London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Bungle73]

I should have mentioned before, the glasses of wine I had were quite generous. Also they've only got so much stock; it's a train, it's not like they've got a wine cellar to draw from.

 

[Butts]

I should have mentioned before, the glasses of wine I had were quite generous. Also they've only got so much stock; it's a train, it's not like they've got a wine cellar to draw from.

No but it involves stock control - allow for every eventuality - especially if RMT Driver is onboard

I'm sure they could pick up enroute if necessary on a long run ie London to Edinburgh.

 

[ainsworth74]

Any idea what EC would serve in first on the 1800 ex-Perth to Aviemore?

It will be the all day offering which is listed under 'During the Day' here. I wouldn't expect there to be enough to count as an evening meal on the all day offer so you might want to eat something before you travel and then use the on board complementaries to supplement.

You can find out what offering is available on which trains by looking at the timetables here, the shading indicates what the offering is.

 

[Furrball]

It will be the all day offering which is listed under 'During the Day' here. I wouldn't expect there to be enough to count as an evening meal on the all day offer so you might want to eat something before you travel and then use the on board complementaries to supplement.

You can find out what offering is available on which trains by looking at the timetables here, the shading indicates what the offering is.

From doing the HC I seem to recall there being a small selection of sandwiches. They also stopped serving not that long after at around 18:30 IIRC so stock up on the booze if you want some!

 

[graham43404]

On an HST bash day out from Leeds to Aberdeen and back today travelling up in first class. The service so far has been top class as has the vegetarian breakfast.

This is the first time we have travelled first class with East Coast since the new menu and so far its impressive.

 

[snail]

Let us know what response you get, will be intresting to hear how they explain that, not your problem that the service you were on has padding between Durham and Newcastle. Also there is no 70 min rule on drinks anyway.

I won't bother typing the response I got, it's all here... :roll:

This was the response I got after a comment on the service [my emphasis]:

I am sorry to learn that the quality of our complimentary food and drink service did not meet your expectations. We aim to provide a wide range of high quality products for our customers and I was therefore concerned to read your comments.

From the details you gave, I am not sure whether you informed staff at the time regarding your dissatisfaction. If ever you feel our goods are not up to standard it is helpful if customers inform staff about their dissatisfaction. This then gives us the opportunity to fully check standards and put things right on the day.

I have taken note of the points you make and will ensure that they are made known to the people responsible for making improvements to our catering services.

With the introduction of any new service we understand there may be lessons for us to learn. I would like to assure you we are working hard to resolve these as quickly as possible. We know that people are let down and disappointed when, for whatever reason, we fail to deliver. The development of our First Class complimentary food and drink service is a key part of our business plan and we know we will fail in our aspirations if we cannot deliver this reliably for our customers.

I would like to assure you that a great deal of work has gone on at all levels within our organisation to ensure we deliver a high quality service our customer. We are determined to get this right and we are grateful to you for taking the time to write and let us know about your experience.​

 

[pgs911]

I won't bother typing the response I got, it's all here... :roll:

What a coincidence! Identical to the letter I received from Ms Holt.

 

[sidmouth]

In this months "Modern Railway" focus on East Coast Elaine Holt wrt FC catering says "we are going to make one or two refinements to it from September because whilst market research shows that 80% of passengers are happy we've had some issues with passengers from Peterborough customers" .... "In terms of Peterborough passengers I think we need to do something that meets their requirements but it's not practical to serve them a full breakfast in just 45 minutes".

At last common sense breaks out. If I'm paying £124 return for a 45 minute journey then I don't like to feel like a peasant.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I'm not after a full breakfast just some food...

 

[jopsuk]

Heading south from Edinburgh. Had a tea, glass of wine, crisps, ceaser salad so far, and we've not yet reached newcastle

 

[voyagerdude220]

VT manage to offer breakfast to pax on the 48 ish min journey both ways between Rugby & Euston.

 

[amcluesent]

It's quite common for full breakfasts to be served after departure from PBO to KGX, obviously ordered by pax further up the line. I'd expect most PBO pax would be happy with a return of the bacon sarnie, OJ and croissant.

 

[sidmouth]

I'd expect most PBO pax would be happy with a return of the bacon sarnie, OJ and croissant.

That's all I am asking for - a bacon sarnie or at least some toast. Or am I asking for the earth?

 

[YorkshireRider]

The changes re Peterbrough-London passengers started today, on trains leaving Peterbrough before 0930 yogurt and pastries are to be offered. The trolley will come through with a choice of strawberries and cream yog or peaches and cream yog and a basket with croissants and pastries, along with fruit juice. Toast is not part of the offer.
Trains after 1100 in either direction will now offer sandwiches to Peterbro-KX passengers however not the salad or hot option(s).
There are no plans for any further changes until the new menu which is currently planned for December 12th.

 

[amcluesent]

a basket with croissants and pastries, along with fruit juice

TBH that only formalises what was done informally on services such as the 07:50 out of PBO when crews would pass out "leftovers" from the trolley

 

[sidmouth]

Just noticed that the EC website now says on "shorter journeys (of 70min or less) we will endeavour to provide complimentary drinks and snacks".

That now sounds at long last like a perfectly sensible position. Just a shame it's taken 5 months to react.

 

[junglejames]

Are all Southbound Journeys still dinnerless?

 

[YorkshireRider]

Yes, no further changes until December

 

[Blindtraveler]

so we have time yet to campaign!

 

[amcluesent]

Yes, no further changes until December

No doubt EC realised that with season ticket prices sky-rocketing on 1st Jan, PBO pax won't stand for a service which, officially , offers them nothing more than coffee southbound and a G&T northbound.

 

[HST Power]

This is thread is still going??? I'm impressed!

If you're heading south between Peterborough and Kings Cross a cup of coffee/tea seems enough to me. You could buy a FC ticket and do the journey with FCC, calling only at Stevenage, and get nothing at all other than a seat, which isn't even guaranteed.

 

[jon0844]

FCC would be quite a bit cheaper though wouldn't it? Or certainly if you were buying a season ticket.

 

[YorkshireRider]

This is thread is still going??? I'm impressed!

It keeps being dug up now and again, but is dying a slow death.

 

[ainsworth74]

Depending on what EC change in December this thread may yet get a second wind

So I wouldn't count it out just yet

 

[Marton]

This is thread is still going??? I'm impressed!

More than I am with the Southbound evening meal service.

Hunger drives the thread forward

 

[IanXC]

More than I am with the Southbound evening meal service.

Hunger drives the thread forward

Well I'm sure if you printed it out and ate the paper you'd feel quite full

 

[StrollerEd]

I travelled back to Edinburgh by plane recently and discovered that I had a 'good' ticket. small cottage pie with bread roll and slightly chilled red wine were the reward. sufficient for such a short flight but more would have been needed for a longer train journey

 

[Aictos]

No doubt EC realised that with season ticket prices sky-rocketing on 1st Jan, PBO pax won't stand for a service which, officially , offers them nothing more than coffee southbound and a G&T northbound.

We must be using two different operators then, I've no issues with East Coast and their offers.

 

[amcluesent]

I've no issues with East Coast and their offers.

I know what you're saying. So long as you get on at KGX and say you intend to travel to Leeds or Newcastle, but then change your plans to detrain at PBO, everything is fine...

 

[Aictos]

I know what you're saying. So long as you get on at KGX and say you intend to travel to Leeds or Newcastle, but then change your plans to detrain at PBO, everything is fine...

Not at all, regardless of the distance and time I don't have any complaints about the East Coast offerings at all.

 

[marks87]

As I mentioned a couple of pages back, I'll be travelling First Class on Wednesday on the 16.04 from Dundee, which the timetable has marked as "All Day Menu".

In reality, what does that mean? I was looking at the online booklet (http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/Global/Welcome/first_class_booklet.pdf) and it has an "All Day Menu"; is it the same menu on all services, or does it change?

And if it changes, is there anyone here's who's had it? And what have you been offered?