Thanks for advice. From what I read it seems that trains departure time and day of the week matters as to how good the food service is. Eg it appears that a 7am London to Preston train will have a full cooked breakfast in 1st class on a Tuesday but just a bacon roll on a weekend? But if I took a 10am train there appears to only be basic snacks rather than a full meal service?
I would have thought a full meal service would have been available 1st to last 7 days a week as at some point in the trains trip it will cross a meal time.
Eg If I knew I was getting off the train at 12.30pm Id rather have an early lunch at 11.30am whilst on the train. Rather than stuff around looking for food at the destination. This would be worse if making an onward connection.
I do like the look of the pullman dining service. It appears to only exist on the Cornwell line? It would be great if the Preston line had it too?
Unfortunately, trains running to Cornwall are operated by a different train company (GWR) to trains running to Preston (Virgin), so you can expect different service. Most companies significantly reduce catering on weekends too.
But as I said it does vary between train companies.
If you are travelling out of London Euston on trains towards Manchester, Liverpool, Chester, Holyhead, Shrewsbury, Edinburgh or Glasgow, this will be a
Virgin Trains service and their individual first class menu is here:
https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/experience/first-class/menu
If you are travelling out of London King’s Cross on trains towards York, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Aberdeen or Inverness this is most likely a
Virgin Trains East Coast service and the menu you can expect is here. Although sadly this company isn’t too reliable with offering what is advertised:
https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/the-east-coast-experience/first-class/menu/
If you are travelling out of London King’s Cross on trains towards Wakefield Kirkgate, Halifax, Bradford Interchange, Thirsk, Eaglescliffe, Hartlepool and Sunderland, this is likely to be a
Grand Central service. Hot and cold drinks, plus biscuits and pretzels are offered complimentary to you, with additional items able to purchase.
If you are travelling on a train out of London King’s Cross to Selby, Brough, Hull or Beverley this is most likely a
Hull Trains service.
I cannot find a menu but they offer a limited range of hot snacks such as Chilli Con Carne, Light Salads and Sandwiches. On weekends only sandwiches.
If you are travelling out of London St Pancras towards Corby, Leicester, Loughborough, Derby, Sheffield or Nottingham this is most likely an
East Midlands Trains service.
https://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/Documents/Menus/1/EMT All Day Menu Web Friendly.pdf
However, a complimentary breakfast is offered on some early trains.
CrossCountry operate the long distance services that don’t originate or go through London.
Here is the menu!
https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/media/2418/firstclass_sandwich_menu_handout_a5.pdf
GWR run from London Paddington to Oxford, Worcester, Bristol, South Wales and Devon/Cornwall.
sandwiches, crisps and cake are offered complimentary but certain trains offer the full Pullman Dining service as you said.
On Greater Anglia (London to Norfolk), Abellio ScotRail (Edinburgh/Glasgow to the Highlands) , TransPennine Express and SWR (London to Portsmouth, Salisbury, Southampton, Weymouth and Bournemouth) you may receive a drink and biscuit on limited services.
