On-train catering

[D6130]

2 Uglies,

What are "uglies", if I may be so bold to ask?

 

[seagull]

Lily O'Briens Chocolate Uglies

 

[Butts]

Lily O'Briens Chocolate Uglies

Indeed the one and only "tooth crackers" themselves.

 

[seagull]

A most rewarding and delicious way to crack one's tooth, however.

 

[Trackman]

Good to hear that "at seat" has returned on Avanti. I saw the website had been updated but wasn't sure what to expect.

This must have happened fairly recently and yes good to hear.

Avanti now do an at seat ordering service in Standard too. You can go online and order something from the shop and either go and collect it or have it delivered to your seat.

Apparently this is a bit a hit and miss as they can switch off the delivery option if they don't have enough crew.

I didn't visit it as in 1st Class - Table Service on both.

@Butts, with Avanti did they offer tea and coffee? Couldn't see it mentioned on your previous post.

 

[Butts]

This must have happened fairly recently and yes good to hear.

Apparently this is a bit a hit and miss as they can switch off the delivery option if they don't have enough crew.

@Butts, with Avanti did they offer tea and coffee? Couldn't see it mentioned on your previous post.

Indeed and they did.

Both Operators came around took the orders then delivered it in a brown bag to your table.

 

[D6130]

Lily O'Briens Chocolate Uglies

Thanks. You learn something new every day!

 

[py_megapixel]

Neither have really got an excuse not to bring back the Free Alcohol from May 17th - will they do it ?

The 'excuse' would be a need to cut costs - I doubt it's all that cheap to provide the booze.

 

[Butts]

The 'excuse' would be a need to cut costs - I doubt it's all that cheap to provide the booze.

Certainly not if I'm onboard

Seriously very few imbibe and it's a nice touch in keeping up with Airlines in higher categories.

 

[bikesntrains77]

Certainly not if I'm onboard

Seriously very few imbibe and it's a nice touch in keeping up with Airlines in higher categories.

Exactly ... For my EUS-GLC trips, without the usual full first class service (and ability to work) I'd be switching to the plane.

 

[dk1]

Exactly ... For my EUS-GLC trips, without the usual full first class service (and ability to work) I'd be switching to the plane.

You’d still be able to work. Surely it’s not that bad that flying could be considered.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Scotrail stopped during the First lockdown, with the on-train hosts redeployed to cleaning duties onboard on the trains. Haven't seen any since September.

I wonder if Scotrail will quietly drop it, I hope they don't because the trolley is selling point and well utilised on the likes of Inverness and West Highland trains.

 

[Huntergreed]

Scotrail stopped during the First lockdown, with the on-train hosts redeployed to cleaning duties onboard on the trains. Haven't seen any since September.

I wonder if Scotrail will quietly drop it, I hope they don't because the trolley is selling point and well utilised on the likes of Inverness and West Highland trains.

It would be daft considering they have a buffet and space for complimentary first class service on their HST’s too

 

[dk1]

Scotrail stopped during the First lockdown, with the on-train hosts redeployed to cleaning duties onboard on the trains. Haven't seen any since September.

I wonder if Scotrail will quietly drop it, I hope they don't because the trolley is selling point and well utilised on the likes of Inverness and West Highland trains.

Was it because Scotland are a little behind with lifting the restrictions? Catering is back in earnest now on many TOCs since the 12th & will be more so no doubt from next months further lifting. It does seem that some are a little less ambitious & taking their time for some reason.

 

[JModulo]

Was it because Scotland are a little behind with lifting the restrictions? Catering is back in earnest now on many TOCs since the 12th & will be more so no doubt from next months further lifting. It does seem that some are a little less ambitious & taking their time for some reason.

ScotRail seem to be dragging their heels with bringing back several things, catering and ticket checks being another.

 

[westv]

You’d still be able to work. Surely it’s not that bad that flying could be considered.

Looking at the LNER website 1st class catering looks mediocre compared to normal.

 

[dk1]

Looking at the LNER website 1st class catering looks mediocre compared to normal.

No free alcohol and their strange alcohol ban seems to be what's upsetting many.

ScotRail seem to be dragging their heels with bringing back several things, catering and ticket checks being another.

Very odd how different they all are.

 

[scotrail158713]

ScotRail seem to be dragging their heels with bringing back several things, catering and ticket checks being another.

Evening services as well. The last train on the North Berwick line is around 19:45 currently.
Hopefully this will change during May at some point.

 

[kez19]

Just since some have spoken about LNER, it does seem pretty basic they are catering for on the trains(?), including in both first/standard.

Food & drink onboard our trains

With LNER's first class rail travel we have a wide range of food and drink to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

www.lner.co.uk

I noticed they aren't selling hot food but can do hot drinks? Any ideas of if even when hot food would return?

 

[route101]

ScotRail seem to be dragging their heels with bringing back several things, catering and ticket checks being another.

Tickets checks back from next Monday I overheard today. As for catering who knows.

 

[takno]

Just since some have spoken about LNER, it does seem pretty basic they are catering for on the trains(?), including in both first/standard.

Food & drink onboard our trains

With LNER's first class rail travel we have a wide range of food and drink to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

www.lner.co.uk

I noticed they aren't selling hot food but can do hot drinks? Any ideas of if even when hot food would return?

I'm not aware of hot food having stopped. It's back down to hot sandwiches these days anyway, so they may just not be carrying any stock of the hot ones at the moment to avoid wastage.

The alcohol ban is annoying, but not as annoying as the standard class Azuma seats, and at least alcohol will make it back at some point.

 

[Butts]

I'm not aware of hot food having stopped. It's back down to hot sandwiches these days anyway, so they may just not be carrying any stock of the hot ones at the moment to avoid wastage.

The alcohol ban is annoying, but not as annoying as the standard class Azuma seats, and at least alcohol will make it back at some point.

It was not offered on the All Day on Avanti or LNER in 1st Class last week.

Perhaps you get a hot " bacon roll" on an AM service.

Forget the food bring back the Alcohol !!

 

[kez19]

I'm not aware of hot food having stopped. It's back down to hot sandwiches these days anyway, so they may just not be carrying any stock of the hot ones at the moment to avoid wastage.

The alcohol ban is annoying, but not as annoying as the standard class Azuma seats, and at least alcohol will make it back at some point.

In morning it’s porridge or bacon roll, but rest of day it doesn’t appear according to the site they ain’t doing it, I did find their menu pre-Covid where they done a chicken tikka naanster but as above nothing like that is featured hopefully policy changes in next month or so

LNER lets eat menu (pre-covid)...

https://www.lner.co.uk/globalassets/food/new-april-19-menu/lets-eat-cafe-bar-menu.pdf

 

[Butts]

I'm not aware of hot food having stopped. It's back down to hot sandwiches these days anyway, so they may just not be carrying any stock of the hot ones at the moment to avoid wastage.

The alcohol ban is annoying, but not as annoying as the standard class Azuma seats, and at least alcohol will make it back at some point.

Believe me the First Class Ones aren't' much better. - bring back HST's

I'm "running the Border" Friday and Saturday on LNER to Newcastle and Durham so will report back.

 

[takno]

Believe me the First Class Ones aren't' much better. - bring back HST's

I'm "running the Border" Friday and Saturday on LNER to Newcastle and Durham so will report back.

The first class ones are a lot better because they aren't bolt-upright. Went on one today and didn't end up with the usual bad back at all. Ride quality was rubbish, my actually assigned seat was broken, and the free catering is rubbish at the minute, but comfort-wise the first class seats are every bit as good as the old standard class ones.

 

[Butts]

The first class ones are a lot better because they aren't bolt-upright. Went on one today and didn't end up with the usual bad back at all. Ride quality was rubbish, my actually assigned seat was broken, and the free catering is rubbish at the minute, but comfort-wise the first class seats are every bit as good as the old standard class ones.

But not as good as the old 1st Class ones ?

 

[westv]

The ability to recline saves the 1st class Azuma seats.

 

[Butts]

The ability to recline saves the 1st class Azuma seats.

A feature not commonly found on Ironing Boards !!

 

[nlogax]

Got a EUS-GLC coming up on Friday morning..assuming it's a Breakfast Box in Avanti 1st?

 

[johntea]

The 'excuse' would be a need to cut costs - I doubt it's all that cheap to provide the booze.

I could buy a litre bottle of Vodka from the supermarket for £15 and that is 40 passengers sorted for a round! (unless they were really having a party and doing doubles but still 20 passengers @ 75p each!)

I was pleasantly surprised on a 45 minute LBA - Amsterdam KLM flight last year they were round with a complimentary beer (or soft drink) and snack service for all passengers!

Out of interest do TOCs have to have an alcohol license / premises license?