Report from my most recent LNER First Class Trip
Outbound: York - Dundee, 11.55, 09/01/20
This was my first experience of the new Azuma trains, and my first LNER run of the new decade. Train arrived early, and I got seated in my reserved single seat in coach L. Reasonably well loaded from Kings Cross, but very few passengers joining or leaving at York (or indeed the intermediate stations up to Waverley, where loading dropped to around 25% in my coach).
I know discussion re: rolling stock is covered elsewhere in detail, but I will just touch on it briefly. I did not find the seats themselves particularly uncomfortable, but will certainly admit to preferring the leather upholstery of the HST units which used to serve this run. Being 6'5 though, and "fairly rotund" I did find the biggest issue for me was the large table leg on the single seats was just where my left leg naturally wanted to sit, meaning I had to shift position and get up and walk to the vestibule several times! Plug sockets and WiFi were all in good working order, and seat reservations are certainly much improved when it comes to finding your place, with clear signage and red/green lights to signify vacant seats. The end of carriage luggage racks seemed slightly inadequate, being full on arrival at York. However, seat 01 was out of service, with a sign advising it could be utilised for "luggage overspill".
Service of hot drinks immediately on departure of York, but declined, having enjoyed a pint in York Tap in the half hour I had to kill at the station. Food orders offered shortly afterwards - choosing the Beef / Yorkshire Pudding, and was also handed the dessert option at the same passing (some sort of deconstructed cheesecake in a pot). Cold drinks were next along - I requested a Gin and Tonic - no problem - and also a still water - which unfortunately could not be supplied. For some reason, cold water was on the aforementioned hot drinks trolley, which had now sailed off into "M". This is a bit of an issue with the new trolleys on the Azumas - they are clearly more compact units and everything contained is something of a mystery, as it is all secreted within internal drawers, rather than the traditional "open" trolleys of old.
Food appeared north of Darlington, with a further cold drink run, then followed by hot. Food was fine - exactly the same offering of beef as has been reliably served for what seems like many months. (I echo recent comments that a little more variation would be appreciated - while I rarely traveled in first back in the early days of the complimentary offering with the various operators, I believe back in 2011 there was a weekly rotation over a four week menu plan, which under VTEC reduced to a two weekly rotation, but seemingly now the beef has been in residence for many months. There is supposedly a "weekly special", but no mention of this was made when I placed my order, so maybe an announcement / details on the website or on-board menu could serve passengers with this information).
Further hot and cold drinks offered after Newcastle, with a last service of food for those joining there, and then service was wound down until departure from Waverley. On this occasion, I opted for the "Deli Box" which proved a pleasant snack to accompany a final G&T before leaving the train on time at Dundee. Another offer of the dessert pot made, but I passed on that this time around. Decent service, and all staff thoroughly professional, friendly and helpful. I was also able to help myself to a copy of "The Times" from the luggage rack on this journey, which was appreciated.
Return: Dundee - York, 11.08, 15/01/20
Perhaps the most lightly loaded first class journey I have ever made on this route, probably 25% to Waverley, then less than 50% until my departure at York. Once again took the seat I had reserved in "L" - however, on this occasion, no reservations and no WiFi throughout the journey. Luckily, as the train was so quiet, there were no issues with passengers finding a seat.
Coffee accepted on the approach to the Tay Bridge, along with still water. Shortly after came the food offering - all that was available was a somewhat limp (microwaved?) croissant with butter and jam (no porridge, yogurt or bacon roll as has been the usual offering in recent times on this service). Crew member was very apologetic, and on the return to the kitchen did offer a second croissant, but I decided against it. A second pour of coffee post-Leuchars before service was stopped and preparations made for the crew change at Edinburgh.
Once again I went for the Beef option for lunch, which was served around East Fortune (pretty speedy service, with such a light loading), along with a G&T. I think the chefs at LNER must have been sent a load of jars of "Silverskin Onions" in the post-Christmas period, as my meal consisted mostly of those, with two half new potatoes, three pieces of beef and two half mushrooms for company! Declined crisps and pretzels, but had the cheesecake dessert once again. Further G&T south of Newcastle, but nothing offered to Darlington passengers - I assume there would be at least one more "full run" after York as the train continued non-stop to Kings Cross.
Once again, the journey ran absolutely on time, with a friendly and helpful on-board crew.