The decline of the east coast-the crisp scale

[Waverley125]

was thinking about this recently, and you can mark the decline is service quality of the EC franchisee by the crisps they offer.

GNER offered Pipers, which are delicious, and i can also remember buying some Tyrells on board at some point as well.

NXEC came in, we immediatley got walkers

and now we have Golden Wonder

this, to me, is a very effective proof of how NXEC has no regard for onboard passenger comfort. While Golden wonder may be a lot cheaper (about half the price IIRC) of Pipers, they're virtually inedible compared to pipers wonderful offerings.

 

[Demps]

I'm a man of such logic too.

 

[tbtc]

With DaFT specifying almost everything else for new franchises, perhaps any new East Coast franchise will have the crisp provider specified in the terms and conditions?

 

[Waverley125]

I'd like to apply for the job of crisp tester, so the DfT can ensure the public recieves first class crisps on their trains.

 

[37401]

In there 1st class lounges Virgin went from REAL CRISPS to one I cant remember the name of now

 

[BlythPower]

Surely dumping those Godawful monopolistic Walkers in favour of something, anything, else is sign of improvement?

 

[The North Briton]

And have you seen the biscuits they dish out in First Class now? ONE shortbread, less than 2" in diameter!

 

[gordonthemoron]

they should sell kettle chips

 

[MCR247]

they should sell kettle chips

Agreed!

 

[philjo]

It is only PG tips tea on NXEC now as well. :roll:
Will have to take my own tea bags & ask for a cup of hot water next time!

I asked for Early Grey from the trolley last week - was told that it is no longer stocked on the trains - only PG tips (even for 1st class).
officially, Early gray was not available to standard class for the last 6 months.
Never had a problem getting this (or Darjeeling) from the buffet with GNER.
Earl Gray is available on every other train company I have used recently (where refreshments are sold on train) : VT, FGW, ATW, Hull Trains, WSMR, Eurostar & TGV in France.

Those awful milk sachets are now used 1st class as well as standard (you used to get a jug of milk in 1st class along with a tea pot) - I gather that several people have managed to empty the contents over the keyboard of their laptops whilst trying to open them....

 

[Failed Unit]

I has been well documented that the standard of service has declinded since National Express took over. I guess we should look at the positive side that they are soon leaving the East Coast. Hopefully standards can be restored as soon as we are rid of them (which can't come soon enough) along with thier money grabbing reservation charges!

 

[Daimler]

And have you seen the biscuits they dish out in First Class now? ONE shortbread, less than 2" in diameter!

Absolutely! And it's laid out at the start of the journey, meaning you can't (as I used to ensure I did ) get second helpings!

Those awful milk sachets are now used 1st class as well as standard (you used to get a jug of milk in 1st class along with a tea pot) - I gather that several people have managed to empty the contents over the keyboard of their laptops whilst trying to open them....

Again, more evidence they've done their best to ruin all that was special about GNER. Cheap feeling mugs instead of a proper teacup and saucer (lined in GNER blue) also help spoil anything 'fun' about taking tea on the train.

It all combines to make the journey less attractive by train overall - when you're paying first class prices, you expect better. Still, as others have said, let's hope for a reversal of these things under East Coast MainLine!

 

[jopsuk]

Earl Grey is, to be fair, vile stuff...

 

[Daimler]

Ignore - moved up to previous post...