London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Kite159]

It always surprises me at how many people actually get off at EDB when it arrives, I did think that this would be one where you are asked as a matter of course.

IIRC there are no EC only tickets on this leg either. The XC only first class between the two cities is is cheaper than the STD ticket and is quite popular.

Although you are limited to the 2 hourly XC services between the two cities.

 

[yorkie]

if you are asked where you are going and say Alnmouth or Newcastle you will be served breakfast.

A word of caution:

Can I point out this is only legitimate, in my opinion, if holding a ticket, such as a Rover that would allow the stated journey.

There was a case highlighted on here several posts ago, where a person with an All Line Rover was asked for his destination upon departure from Newcastle and was unsure at that point if he was to alight at York or Doncaster and as a result was refused food. East Coast later apologised to the passenger for this incident.

I believe it's acceptable to state your destination as being anywhere up to the furthest point your ticket allows, if you are undecided, and there is no harm in changing your mind or making a decision during the journey, and alighting earlier if the ticket permits it.

But we cannot allow people to advise incorrectly claiming to hold a ticket that is valid for a journey from Glasgow to Alnmouth if they are not in possession of such a ticket. If you can please put in a disclaimer when making such suggestions in future that would be appreciated, thanks

 

[PermitToTravel]

Lying about where you're getting off for the purpose of securing complementary food, even if you have a ticket valid for the longer journey, is clear-cut fraud.

Changing your mind about your destination is all very well, but not if you know that you're going to change your mind when you first state your destination

 

[trainophile]

Lying about where you're getting off for the purpose of securing complementary food, even if you have a ticket valid for the longer journey, is clear-cut fraud.

Changing your mind about your destination is all very well, but not if you know that you're going to change your mind when you first state your destination

But presumably a ticket for a longer journey implies entitlement to whatever food is served to people who have paid for a ticket for that journey, regardless of their destination intentions?

 

[PermitToTravel]

I was under the impression that it has more to do with the staff's ability to serve and collect plates before arrival

 

[Butts]

Lying about where you're getting off for the purpose of securing complementary food, even if you have a ticket valid for the longer journey, is clear-cut fraud.

Changing your mind about your destination is all very well, but not if you know that you're going to change your mind when you first state your destination

What absolute garbage :roll:

It's only a "happy meal" not a gourmet dining experience.

I have often had a Breakfast when travelling from Edinburgh to Alnmouth (which is a quicker journey) with no one questioning my destination.

The system is at fault not the individual

 

[CC 72100]

What absolute garbage :roll:

What would your reaction be if you were told 'sorry gov, no food left, all the people on short journeys lied about the destination and ate it all' and as a result had no food on a long journey?

I'm with Yorkie on this one, and maybe it's just me who thinks that it's a bit desperate to lie about your destination just so that you can get complimentary food that you would otherwise not be entitled to?

 

[Starmill]

How many First Class Rovers even are there?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

How many First Class Rovers even are there?

ALR and Anglia Plus only IIRC.

 

[Chrism20]

What absolute garbage :roll:

It's only a "happy meal" not a gourmet dining experience.

I have often had a Breakfast when travelling from Edinburgh to Alnmouth (which is a quicker journey) with no one questioning my destination.

The system is at fault not the individual

I can see everyones point on it tbh and I will add a disclaimer to what I have replied that's not a problem.

The seventy minute rule is there primarily to deny Peterborough passengers due to their numbers (And that came directly from an EC manager), unfortunately other journeys are also included as a result.

I must admit I would be pretty miffed if I had paid £25 GLC to EDB and get nothing whilst the person sitting next to me who has paid £20.35 GLC to NCL and gets the works but this is unfortunately how the fares system and the game works.

 

[trainophile]

What would your reaction be if you were told 'sorry gov, no food left, all the people on short journeys lied about the destination and ate it all' and as a result had no food on a long journey?

I'm with Yorkie on this one, and maybe it's just me who thinks that it's a bit desperate to lie about your destination just so that you can get complimentary food that you would otherwise not be entitled to?

No-one is suggesting that, but I still maintain that if I pay for a ticket from London to Edinburgh I am entitled to whatever meals or snacks that journey includes, even if I subsequently get off at York. Of course it would be idiotic to order a hot meal when 20 minutes from York station, but being sensible about it should not create a problem, let alone an accusation of theft!

They should realistically cater for a train to be near to fully occupied throughout its journey, so if they run short of food that is their fault in not loading enough, not the paying passengers for eating what they are entitled to.

 

[CC 72100]

No-one is suggesting that,

Read posts around #5098 and immediately after again - that is exactly how I interpreted it.

but I still maintain that if I pay for a ticket from London to Edinburgh I am entitled to whatever meals or snacks that journey includes, even if I subsequently get off at York. Of course it would be idiotic to order a hot meal when 20 minutes from York station, but being sensible about it should not create a problem, let alone an accusation of theft!

Of course not - but some of the posts suggesting that people who were on shorter tickets that are valid to an early station only should say that they are actually going to be on the train longer than their ticket is valid for, for the sole purpose of getting a hot meal etc.

 

[Chrism20]

What would your reaction be if you were told 'sorry gov, no food left, all the people on short journeys lied about the destination and ate it all' and as a result had no food on a long journey?

Nothing compared to my reaction when being told that there was nothing left sitting half way down coach L on a service from Kings Cross with a first stop at York.

 

[Butts]

What would your reaction be if you were told 'sorry gov, no food left, all the people on short journeys lied about the destination and ate it all' and as a result had no food on a long journey?

I'm with Yorkie on this one, and maybe it's just me who thinks that it's a bit desperate to lie about your destination just so that you can get complimentary food that you would otherwise not be entitled to?

The problem is consistency in both application of the rules and loading sufficient supplies.

As I mentioned before I have often had a breakfast going to Alnmouth from Edinburgh which is a shorter journey than from Glasgow to Edinburgh on East Coast.

Similarly being on-board The Chieftain from Edinburgh to Falkirk I have had a Scotch and a Sandwich.

On XC from Glasgow to Dunbar I had their Breakfast just after Motherwell.

All this penny pinching is ridiculous , either provide what is advertised or don't bother at all.

Hopefully when Virgin / Stagecoach takeover this will be a thing of the past.

 

[extendedpaul]

Does anybody know what's happening to the East Coast complimentary food menu from 26 January onwards ?

I've found the first class menus up to 25 January but for the following week which is rotation four it switches to winter menu with no mention of the evening meal.

I hoped to book a sale journey to Leeds or York when the evening meal is something to my taste (non-spicy)

 

[Chrism20]

Does anybody know what's happening to the East Coast complimentary food menu from 26 January onwards ?

I've found the first class menus up to 25 January but for the following week which is rotation four it switches to winter menu with no mention of the evening meal.

I hoped to book a sale journey to Leeds or York when the evening meal is something to my taste (non-spicy)

I think they have just forgot to load the next weeks cycle tbh as it's still showing the Christmas offering. I checked this morning so that I could update the post I made last week with the different menus in it.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The final rotation is now up on the website.

Corned beef and pickle sandwiches
Egg & tomato sandwiches
Chicken tikka masala with rice
Cheddar, spinach and onion rice tart with salad and Branston
Mozzarella and sage stuffed pork loin with spinach and potato gratin and natural jus (Evening)

The pork sounds nice whilst the tart is interesting. Plenty of pickle and spinach on the go this week.

 

[furgus2]

I've just had a look at the site and the menu for 26th January onwards has now been uploaded.

But I see Chrism20 just got there first!

 

[extendedpaul]

I took the plunge and booked for March 23. First Class sale seats on the evening meal services were going very quickly this morning.

The pork loin would be perfect for me if that's still on offer then.

 

[Mark62]

I am on the 12.25 today from. Newcastle the KC. The service has been truly superb today. The coronation chicken sandwich is excellent as is the fruitcake. The staff are all friendly and attentive.
It really is a pleasure(usually) to travel by EC. It's spoils you when you transfer to other operators. This is exactly how long distance travel should be.
I pray that it remains At this level when stagecoach take over. My experiences of stagecoach on the MML have been very varied. At present it is not good.
But I cannot compliment the staff today enough. Well done

 

[Chrism20]

The French toast is to die for, I am in heaven.

It's better than the mushroom parcel

 

[ATF1]

Read that out loud!

"L" turned out to be quite heavenly The 9.21 from Leuchars was pretty quiet, in First Class at least. The staff were great, both on the run down to Edinburgh and then the new crew to KGX. I was offered toast, fruit and/or croissants on boarding, then the main service started before 11am. I wasn't too keen on the coronation chicken sandwiches because I don't have a sweet tooth, but they were well-made. I was offered a choice of sandwiches and/or snacks + drinks several times, and service was friendly.

Btw, Leuchars station has a small cafe that serves a choice of hot rolls - ideal if you feel like stocking up before the journey or keeping warm on a cold January morning.

 

[Chrism20]

Well the cottage pie is quite nice although it looks rather lonely on the plate with a dollop of brown sauce and nothing else. Even the infamous mixed leaves have been retired from that dish. Needs some carrots or something to go with it.

Mixed bean sandwiches - the jury is out
Ham & chutney sandwiches - dry
Cheddar & slaw sandwiches - drier than the ham ones - think sandpaper!

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I like the spicy pasta dish !

Goes very well with a glass of the Malbec.

 

[dcsprior]

I like the spicy pasta dish !

However on the week it is offered, the veggie sandwich option is also spicy. The individual options are fine, but I wish they weren't combined like this.

On the current menu, vegetarians have a choice between cheese tart or cheese sandwiches one week, then the following week they have a choice between spicy pasta or spicy sandwiches. By mixing things up, fewer people would find there was nothing they liked on a menu.

 

[causton]

Had a lovely service, 2x Gin and Tonic, 3x Coffees, Coke, Cake, Banana, Crisps, more if I wanted it but I honestly couldn't handle any more...

...and the Cottage Pie! Echoing others' thoughts, needs at least the salad there, and looked a bit overcooked, but was very tasty and filling for the portion which is a bit smaller than normal, but reasonably sized considering it's free and on a train!

 

[Chrism20]

However on the week it is offered, the veggie sandwich option is also spicy. The individual options are fine, but I wish they weren't combined like this.

On the current menu, vegetarians have a choice between cheese tart or cheese sandwiches one week, then the following week they have a choice between spicy pasta or spicy sandwiches. By mixing things up, fewer people would find there was nothing they liked on a menu.

Yes they would be better swapping the egg and tomato from week four with the spicy bean sandwiches - they are quite nice tbh but definitely an acquired taste. I don't think they have been very popular so far as they were still offering them today on the two services I was on.

I like the spicy pasta dish !

Goes very well with a glass of the Malbec.

I'm looking forward to trying this one, I missed it last week as I went out breakfast and came back weekend. The french toast is very nice in the mornings.

Had a lovely service, 2x Gin and Tonic, 3x Coffees, Coke, Cake, Banana, Crisps, more if I wanted it but I honestly couldn't handle any more...

...and the Cottage Pie! Echoing others' thoughts, needs at least the salad there, and looked a bit overcooked, but was very tasty and filling for the portion which is a bit smaller than normal, but reasonably sized considering it's free and on a train!

Yes it's a good dish made with good quality pulled beef - no mince but it is definitely lacking something and just looks silly on the plate. Having worked in catering many years ago I reckon the portion cost of the cottage pie will be about £1.30 to £1.40 per portion.

Also the Indian platter looked very nice. The lady opposite me this afternoon ordered it and commented that it was very tasty. It is served with a little pot of Heinz Exotic Sauce.

 

[fraser158]

Anyone using the Chieftain between Inverness and Edinburgh today, the fridges have struck again!

 

[Blindtraveler]

First time in a while I think? Were both power cars shut down last night I wonder? Overheard an Aberdeen Crew member saying once that if 1 was kept running the fridge issue didnt happen. Alternately if its the X EMT Set thats up there then I think it still suffers.

 

[Iskra]

Used EC today and got the afternoon tea menu between London and York. A very good service was provided, I had Old Speckled Hen, egg/tomato sandwiches (nicer than I expected), crisps, some very nice chocolate cake, a very good glass of white wine and a coffee. I was offered more sandwiches, cake and coffee but declined as I was a bit full.

I'll be having more substantial meals and travels on EC later in the week so I'll update then.

 

[Butts]

I was on one of the "Blue Riband" Services yesterday, namely the 1800 from Kings Cross to Edinburgh.

In my opinion there has been a deterioration since I last experienced The Evening Meal departure (unless I was just unlucky !!!)

Last time there was a Drinks Run before and after Dinner with a "Pretzel or Nuts" offering on the initial run.

This time there was only a pre-dinner run and no "aperitif accompaniment" in sight. How much is a micro packet of pretzels for gods sake :roll:

My choice of Main Course was the Chicken Tikka Masala served with Rice not a nam or poppadum to go with it. The "happy meal" sized portion was dished up together in a bowl. It wasn't bad but hardly a sustaining offering.

The Cheese was a complete joke, two "dairylea triangle" sized bits, three micro crackers about the size of a fifty pence , apricot loaf of the same proportions and no apple as advertised.

There was a further booze run after York and a final (as it turned out) one ex Newcastle. There was no "in and out" or double up proffered at any stage.

Even more galling I was in J and from Berwick to Edinburgh there were 6 Catering Staff sat in the coach doing SFA. Could not one of them be bothered to get off their arses and see if anyone wanted anything else :roll:

If I'd paid serious money for a ticket I would have been even more ****ed of than I was.

Very Poor East Coast
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Used EC today and got the afternoon tea menu between London and York. A very good service was provided, I had Old Speckled Hen, egg/tomato sandwiches (nicer than I expected), crisps, some very nice chocolate cake, a very good glass of white wine and a coffee. I was offered more sandwiches, cake and coffee but declined as I was a bit full.

I'll be having more substantial meals and travels on EC later in the week so I'll update then.

You'll be lucky - or must have a small appetite