London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[HST Power]

perhaps all the mid afternoon suits looked thirsty?
@Yorkshire rider, loving sound of new hot options.

I was the only suit in the carriage! I boarded early so there may have been more further down the train, though in my expierence the first drink runs have been tea and coffee only, with the other stuff coming later.

Totally agree about the new hot options. Looking forward to fish and chips!

 

[philjo]

When I used the Newark stopper travelling south earlier this year all drinks (hot & cold) were delivered on the same trolley. if you asked for food, they brought it preplated from the kitchen presumably due to the low number of passengers they were serving & only those boarding at Newark qualified for any food
I boarded the HST at Newark & was the only passenger in coach L until Peterborough. I think there were a few other passengers in the next coach.

 

[HST Power]

So am I within my right to ask for food at any time, or do I have to wait until they ask me?

 

[Butts]

I was the only suit in the carriage! I boarded early so there may have been more further down the train, though in my expierence the first drink runs have been tea and coffee only, with the other stuff coming later.

Totally agree about the new hot options. Looking forward to fish and chips!

That's of course if your not boarding at York or further North where they will have "run out" if the previous menu is anything to go by.

I boarded the HC at EDB today going as far as FKG ( I was in cattle) - but heard the 1st Class Catering Announcements " Due to technical diffilculties the range of food will be restricted to cold items only as part of the complimentary offer" Strangely enough the paying Cafe Bar had no such caveats :roll:

A real revelation to me today that cattle actually has light, heating,seats and lavatories

 

[tsr]

real revelation to me today that cattle actually has light, heating,seats and lavatories

Heating is a summer-only option on selected trains between 0900 and 1500 each day in June, July, August and early September. Lavatories may be withdrawn without notice. Seats may be sat on and therefore unavailable. Lighting may fail on demand of the depot.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Heating is a summer-only option on selected trains between 0900 and 1500 each day in June, July, August and early September. Lavatories may be withdrawn without notice. Seats may be sat on and therefore unavailable. Lighting may fail on demand of the depot.

strong front runner for Post of the year!

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was the only suit in the carriage! I boarded early so there may have been more further down the train, though in my expierence the first drink runs have been tea and coffee only, with the other stuff coming later.

Totally agree about the new hot options. Looking forward to fish and chips!

same here - propper food that might actually prevent that post journey trip to BK/M and S. Dont get me wrong I like the baked spuds and they aint bad but.......

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That's of course if your not boarding at York or further North where they will have "run out" if the previous menu is anything to go by.

I boarded the HC at EDB today going as far as FKG ( I was in cattle) - but heard the 1st Class Catering Announcements " Due to technical diffilculties the range of food will be restricted to cold items only as part of the complimentary offer" Strangely enough the paying Cafe Bar had no such caveats :roll:

A real revelation to me today that cattle actually has light, heating,seats and lavatories

Cattle is the way to go north of EDB. Due to a mixture of EC's lackluster pennypinching atitude, Faulty HST Fridges and RG just being RG I think its safe to say they have collectively given up on FC north of Waverley where as you have already noted buffet and sometime7 trolley stocked and available in standard.
That said, a new low was reached on the 09:52 X ABD last Sat where niether standard buffet or trolley could be provided.

 

[HST Power]

That's of course if your not boarding at York or further North where they will have "run out" if the previous menu is anything to go by.

Well you could always move to London!

 

[Butts]

Well you could always move to London!

Ho Ho

 

[MidnightFlyer]

New East Coast timetable from December is here, if anyone wants to check if the food on their services has changed - http://static.eastcoastcdn.co.uk/cd... coast timetable 9 dec 2012 - 18 may 2013.pdf

On an unrelated note, that new layout looks a million times better than the old one - I can't tell if it's been enlarged to the standard timetable size as opposed to the small booklets they've used for years, but I certainly hope so.

 

[Butts]

So much for a new menu...just boarded The Chieftan in Edinburgh and the dreaded Green "Afternoon Tea" Menu has appeared ....at 4.30pm whats that all about ????

Will update enroute to Inverness

Coffee, Alcohol and Afternoon Tea all served before FKG so I was wise to get on in EDB = or someone travelling from EDB to FKG (25mins) could have got the lot. I bunked out of my seat in J to a "4" in L it's not busy most "suckers" are in M

 

[Roverman]

I got offered an alcoholic drink on an afternoon VT the other week, first time ever! Normally only get offered coffee then sandwiches then soft drinks.

 

[Butts]

I got offered an alcoholic drink on an afternoon VT the other week, first time ever! Normally only get offered coffee then sandwiches then soft drinks.

Which route is that - all VT's normally have Alcohol after breakfast - or were you on a short hop ?

 

[paulypaul]

Can I ask if the new menu has started?

If so has anoyone tried it?

 

[Butts]

So much for a new menu...just boarded The Chieftan in Edinburgh and the dreaded Green "Afternoon Tea" Menu has appeared ....at 4.30pm whats that all about ????

Will update enroute to Inverness

Coffee, Alcohol and Afternoon Tea all served before FKG so I was wise to get on in EDB = or someone travelling from EDB to FKG (25mins) could have got the lot. I bunked out of my seat in J to a "4" in L it's not busy most "suckers" are in M

Just to update Coffee out of Stirling - no sign of a biscuit......

Next service after Perth - No further offer of food , Coffee round again but no biscuits....Drink Trolley

Once again had to argue to get two Scotches after establishing they would not be around again....are these staff not briefed to offer Customer Service ..it's not their alcohol or do they get a bonus for giving as little away as possible.

As for quoting East Coast Directors Forum most of them claim to have never heard of it - so who's fibbing the Directors or the Staff

So no hot food and the Chef serving teas and coffees .....:roll:

As Blind Traveller has alluded to Customers North of York are being shat on from a great height.

At least I only paid £17 - god help any sucker paying full whack and expecting "Silver Service"

 

[calc7]

That sounds like a poor experience - you do make me chuckle, Butts.

I do want to know why the staff are so tight with the food and drink - this isn't par for the course on the West Coast so it must be fear drilled into them by penny-pinching management.

 

[Butts]

That sounds like a poor experience - you do make me chuckle, Butts.

I do want to know why the staff are so tight with the food and drink - this isn't par for the course on the West Coast so it must be fear drilled into them by penny-pinching management.

I'd like to publicly ask the MODS if they are aware of any members who work on East Coast Catering who can answer some of the queries we have either from a Management or Staff Viewpoint.

The Chef even told me tonight the latest wheeze they are working on is replacing the scrambled egg at Breakfast with an Omlette type product - probably a staff or money saving initiative.

It seems to me after thousands of posts we are not getting the answers we seek - (Holy Grail )

So Moderators can you arrange for a Q&A on East Coast Catering please !!

 

[calc7]

I'd like to publicly ask the MODS if they are aware of any members who work on East Coast Catering who can answer some of the queries we have either from a Management or Staff Viewpoint.

The Chef even told me tonight the latest wheeze they are working on is replacing the scrambled egg at Breakfast with an Omlette type product - probably a staff or money saving initiative.

It seems to me after thousands of posts we are not getting the answers we seek - (Holy Grail )

So Moderators can you arrange for a Q&A on East Coast Catering please !!

ainsworth74 has been interested in EC catering in the past.

Did you get the two scotches you argued for? And were they asked for concurrently or one on the out, one on the "return run"?

 

[ainsworth74]

I'd like to publicly ask the MODS if they are aware of any members who work on East Coast Catering who can answer some of the queries we have either from a Management or Staff Viewpoint.

There is someone who posts on this thread that works for East Coast and I believe they're front line staff. It is, however, up to them if they wish to be identified. I am also lead to believe that East Coast are aware of this thread and have, in the past, read it.

So Moderators can you arrange for a Q&A on East Coast Catering please !!

ainsworth74 has been interested in EC catering in the past.

I am but, unfortunately, it's not within my powers to make EC management attend a Q&A on this forum

 

[Butts]

ainsworth74 has been interested in EC catering in the past.

Did you get the two scotches you argued for? And were they asked for concurrently or one on the out, one on the "return run"?

Yes with regard to the Scotches (one out one in)- asked on run ex Perth if they would be around again - answer no so asked to "double up" - got the usual one drink per run bull - invoked EC Directors Forum- further Scotch delivered on way back.

In the early days of this topic "Silentone" seemed to be an employee looking at some of the comments they made.

Come on Mods find us an East Coast Caterer to have a pop at !!!

 

[calc7]

I am also lead to believe that East Coast are aware of this thread and have, in the past, read it.

Any idea if they take it seriously or think we're a bunch of over-expectant greedy b******s? I am really quite genuine with my thoughts and suggestions - call it free market research if you will!

I am but, unfortunately, it's not within my powers to make EC management attend a Q&A on this forum

You've crushed Butts' image of your superpowers there.

 

[Butts]

There is someone who posts on this thread that works for East Coast and I believe they're front line staff. It is, however, up to them if they wish to be identified. I am also lead to believe that East Coast are aware of this thread and have, in the past, read it.





I am but, unfortunately, it's not within my powers to make EC management attend a Q&A on this forum

Have they read all 3000 odd posts....no wonder I overheard the staff asking if they had come across a tool called "Butts" trying to scam Whisky !!

Please can I ask the EC Employee to come forward - I do not wish to hound them but merely ascertain the truth - not knowing is the worst aspect of the whole business.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Any idea if they take it seriously or think we're a bunch of over-expectant greedy b******s? I am really quite genuine with my thoughts and suggestions - call it free market research if you will!



You've crushed Butts' image of your superpowers there.

Surely Yorkie has the power to summon Boswell herself !!!

 

[ainsworth74]

Any idea if they take it seriously or think we're a bunch of over-expectant greedy b******s?

Have they read all 3000 odd posts....

No idea, I wouldn't have thought so but they've certainly read it in the past (when the offer was first deployed). As for what they think of us? No idea again, but I can't imagine it was totally complimentary.

 

[Butts]

No idea, I wouldn't have thought so but they've certainly read it in the past (when the offer was first deployed). As for what they think of us? No idea again, but I can't imagine it was totally complimentary.

Probably think we are a bunch of "racs" - as long as most people don't complain they don't care.

I didn't know you powers extended to "editing".....your substitute lost the effect of the comment so I have changed it again with a polite version of the original.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

No idea, I wouldn't have thought so but they've certainly read it in the past (when the offer was first deployed). As for what they think of us? No idea again, but I can't imagine it was totally complimentary.

Well I joined "The Chieftan" Southbound this Morning for the 0755 ex Inverness and guess what......

"Due to a technical diffilculty there will be no hot food this morning".....so thats breakfast gone shortbread and crisps are hardly a substitute....can no one work a toaster ..seemingly not.

The worst aspect is the lack of lateral thinking or deviating from the norm in situations like this - have the staff no enpowerment.

Radical thought - buy a load of Bacon Rolls from Pumpkin at the Station before departure or radio ahead to Aviemore to order some for pick up. When you suggest this they look at you as though you have suggested something akin to feeding "Jesus Style" with loaves and fishes.

Or give people a voucher prior to boarding to get something at a Station Outlet or at the termination of their journey. Why not advertise the lack of hot food in advance so people can get something - they must know 30 mins before leaving.

To people who question my motives in screwing as many scotches out of East Coast whilst travelling on the lowest possible advanced fares, the above is in my view vindication of such a course of action.

 

[calc7]

Lack of empowerment must be the issue, as well as fear and intimidation from the management. This would be more acceptable were management better at organising its supply contracts and operations.

Poor Butts, I've just travelled from Wakefield to Doncaster (15 mins) and got two slices of toast, coffee and juice.

 

[Butts]

Lack of empowerment must be the issue, as well as fear and intimidation from the management. This would be more acceptable were management better at organising its supply contracts and operations.

Poor Butts, I've just travelled from Wakefield to Doncaster (15 mins) and got two slices of toast, coffee and juice.

Jammy bugger.....I'm sick of bloody biscuits !!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I suppose one good thing is that all services will now offer a decent breakfast (though not as good as the old one IMHO) as well as offering throughout the day a decent service (and an improved weekend service). But that doesn't make up for the loss of choice that the old at-seat dining offered.

Don't give up your day job....these words have come back to haunt you...!!

 

[ainsworth74]

Radical thought - buy a load of Bacon Rolls from Pumpkin at the Station before departure or radio ahead to Aviemore to order some for pick up.

Previously (pre-complementary offer) it was apparently not uncommon to see crew members rushing into a nearby supermarket to buy fresh bacon so they could serve bacon rolls if the fridges had failed overnight to keep everything at the right temperature.

Don't give up your day job....these words have come back to haunt you...!!

If only I had a day job to give up Also in my defence I think it's fairly clear that I mean 'as long as nothing's gone wrong'. The previous offer was itself a victim of the occasional failure of equipment and personnel

 

[Butts]

Previously (pre-complementary offer) it was apparently not uncommon to see crew members rushing into a nearby supermarket to buy fresh bacon so they could serve bacon rolls if the fridges had failed overnight to keep everything at the right temperature.



If only I had a day job to give up Also in my defence I think it's fairly clear that I mean 'as long as nothing's gone wrong'. The previous offer was itself a victim of the occasional failure of equipment and personnel

Sad postscript to Butts journey ....

Departed train at FKG (at least it was on time) lit a B&H....aah heaven and proceeded to poundland and sourced a £1 pack of bacon. Yes I'm afraid it's a DIY breakfast for Butts this morning.

No wonder "Silentone" is living up to his name , how do you defend the indefensible

 

[John @ home]

The saga of tonight's 1D24 1733 London Kings Cross - Harrogate.

• 1734 - Problem with kitchen, so not hot food.
• 1744 - Trolley has lost a wheel, so no trolley service.
• 1833 - Card machine failure, so cash purchases only from cafe bar.

The good news? Only 2 minutes late passing Peterborough.

 

[Some Might Say]

The saga of tonight's 1D24 1733 London Kings Cross - Harrogate.

• 1734 - Problem with kitchen, so not hot food.
• 1744 - Trolley has lost a wheel, so no trolley service.
• 1833 - Card machine failure, so cash purchases only from cafe bar.

The good news? Only 2 minutes late passing Peterborough.

Better it was a trolley wheel and not a train wheel hehehe

 

[calc7]

Try telling that to the thirsty First passengers!