London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[DaveNewcastle]

I'd just like to counter some of the posts criticising the Company, and in particular, the suggestion that the on-board crew are not supportive and helpful, with a little story of my own.
I'd like to, but I'd better not, because the staff involved were probably all going beyond the procedures laid down and which have been risk-assessed, and might even be criticised for the help they gave me.

Anyway, the short version is that earlier in the year I had made a stupid mistake which had nothing to do with the Railways and which left me in a very awkward position. A number of solutions were all being denied to me by 'officials', and then I came up with a scheme to get me out of the mess. In the end, it involved 13 ordinary working people being asked if they would do me a favour which was beyond their duty, and if just one of them had said 'no', I'd have remained in my predicament. 9 of them were East Coast staff, and all offered to help.

Thanks to their help, I was out of my predicament, due to the willingness of staff to show a little sympathy and help.
Just for my own amusement, I also thought I would ask the Company officially if they could help in the way I'd planned, and the answer was a firm 'no'.

Im sorry to sound vague and mysterious, but I hope my point is clear - they're a good team, and despite any 'policies' or 'rulings' from head office, they are helpful, supportive and caring. In turn, I treat them with courtesy and a warm welcome and find that its usually reciprocated (just as long as they're not simultaneously trying to dispatch a train or sell a ticket!).

 

[Butts]

Same principle applies to the booze when boarding at Alnmouth as I've seen them not make a run after the Newcastle one even with the "First Class" service advertised as continuing to Alnmouth.

Same goes as after Dundee, also on an northbound.

You might do well to have the paper timetable and the ECDF ruling in your armoury.

I was ok boarding the 1911 tonight .....the staff actually came around and took orders for whatever you wanted and brought it to the table. I could have had the old PP but I just settled for a Scotch,Coffee and some biscuits.

More amusing was what happened on the way down, there was a "problem with one of the ovens" delaying the cooked element of the breakfasts. I got mine 5 mins before Alnmouth - fortunately they are not that big and I managed to quaff it in time - nearly incinerated my mouth on the sausage

I should have asked for a "doggy bag" :roll:

 

[Nym]

nearly incinerated my mouth on the sausage

I should have asked for a "doggy bag" :roll:

Not the first time I've heard that, but when Sodexo took over our catering, none of it was hot enough to burn you when you rushed it anyway...

 

[Butts]

Not the first time I've heard that, but when Sodexo took over our catering, none of it was hot enough to burn you when you rushed it anyway...

Yes I was quite suprised - the one time you want it to be cold its hot :-x
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Has anyone had a Breakfast on East Midlands Trains - I was just looking at their website as I am down in Lincoln next week via East Coast and EM.

It looks ok in the pics - at least you get BP and choice of how eggs are cooked. Is it better than East Coasts ?

Mind you at £9.95 plus £2 for a couple of bits of toast thats more than most of my tickets cost

 

[Bungle73]

Yes I was quite suprised - the one time you want it to be cold its hot :-x
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Has anyone had a Breakfast on East Midlands Trains - I was just looking at their website as I am down in Lincoln next week via East Coast and EM.

It looks ok in the pics - at least you get BP and choice of how eggs are cooked. Is it better than East Coasts ?

Mind you at £9.95 plus £2 for a couple of bits of toast thats more than most of my tickets cost

Changing at Newark North Gate?

 

[Butts]

Changing at Newark North Gate?

Yes , I know I won't get a Breakfast on EM - I just wondered what they were like.

 

[Bungle73]

Yes , I know I won't get a Breakfast on EM - I just wondered what they were like.

Oh. filler

 

[ainsworth74]

From what I've heard it's fairly reasonable, but it's worth bearing in mind that the full breakfast that you're referring to is only available on a limited number of southbound services specifically the 0529, 0557, 0627, 0647 and 0727 from Sheffield and only the 0710 from Nottingham. It's also available on two trains on a Saturday (making EMT the only TOC to offer a full breakfast on a weekend now I think) namely the 0727 and 0732 (calling at Nottingham 0828) from Sheffield. So unless you stay overnight in Sheffield I don't think you'd be able to catch one of them.

Edit: I see now in the time taken for me to research the above you don't in fact need the answer I've found for you

 

[Butts]

Oh. filler

0800 Edinburgh
1117 Newark NG

1206 Newark NG
1236 Lincoln

Will the EM train have 1st Class ?

 

[Bungle73]

0800 Edinburgh
1117 Newark NG

1206 Newark NG
1236 Lincoln

Will the EM train have 1st Class ?

Not when I went on it it didn't. It was just a single carriage train.

 

[Butts]

From what I've heard it's fairly reasonable, but it's worth bearing in mind that the full breakfast that you're referring to is only available on a limited number of southbound services specifically the 0529, 0557, 0627, 0647 and 0727 from Sheffield and only the 0710 from Nottingham. It's also available on two trains on a Saturday (making EMT the only TOC to offer a full breakfast on a weekend now I think) namely the 0727 and 0732 (calling at Nottingham 0828) from Sheffield. So unless you stay overnight in Sheffield I don't think you'd be able to catch one of them.

Edit: I see now in the time taken for me to research the above you don't in fact need the answer I've found for you

I am going to and from Lincoln via East Coast and East Midlands (day trip) I will get B/F on EC and Evening Meal on EC - I was just curious thats all
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Not when I went on it it didn't. It was just a single carriage train.

Ah well its only half an hour

 

[ainsworth74]

Will the EM train have 1st Class ?

The only EMT services that have first class are those that are operated by 222s or HSTs and they are found predominantly on services to/from St Pancras. So no there will be no first class.

I am going to and from Lincoln via East Coast and East Midlands (day trip) I will get B/F on EC and Evening Meal on EC - I was just curious thats all

I've always fancied trying the breakfast on EMT but it's impossible to get a positing move to one of the services that has it without an overnight stay at Sheffield/Nottingham and that's a bit much just try a breakfast!

 

[Butts]

The only EMT services that have first class are those that are operated by 222s or HSTs and they are found predominantly on services to/from St Pancras. So no there will be no first class.



I've always fancied trying the breakfast on EMT but it's impossible to get a positing move to one of the services that has it without an overnight stay at Sheffield/Nottingham and that's a bit much just try a breakfast!

Thanks for the heads up on the 1st Class.

RE Brekkie if you were in a hotel you'd probably get better one there included in your rate

Perhaps someone whos had one will post - sounds like its cooked fresh - must have a travelling Chef like GWR

 

[ainsworth74]

RE Brekkie if you were in a hotel you'd probably get better one there included in your rate

Probably! Just have to man up and eat both

Perhaps someone whos had one will post - sounds like its cooked fresh - must have a travelling Chef like GWR

As far as I'm aware it's exactly like that, freshly cooked on-board by a chef (it's one of the reasons why 222s have full kitchens).

Also GWR?

 

[Butts]

Probably! Just have to man up and eat both



As far as I'm aware it's exactly like that, freshly cooked on-board by a chef (it's one of the reasons why 222s have full kitchens).

Also GWR?

Sorry FGW......:cry:

They do "daytime" meals as well not sure about EC type Evening Meals

 

[ainsworth74]

They do "daytime" meals as well not sure about EC type Evening Meals

They do, I'm told that for the price (around £5) they're very reasonable.

 

[Nym]

But it's EMT so there will be a £25 surcharge for not booking the meal in advance and a £30 penalty charge for not buying your plate on the station?

 

[Butts]

They do, I'm told that for the price (around £5) they're very reasonable.

I'm begiinning to think Dave Newcastle is correct - even a tightwad like me wouldn't mind coughing for a reasonable freshly cooked meal rather than an EC "Microwave Mccain Special"

 

[YorkshireRider]

While the breakfasts on EMT are fresh chef prepared, like Virgin and most EC services (apart from EC evening meal trains) the evening ones are not, just warmed up by CSAs.

 

[Blindtraveler]

and ö offence to any EC staff round here, and it may just be my own taist but Id say EMTs meals heated or otherwise are nicer!

 

[northofthesand]

An old programme on sky 242 feature about east coast grub during gner on now

 

[HST Power]

I'm on the 1720 from Newcastle tommorow evening. Will report on the service.

 

[AndrewP]

I'd just like to counter some of the posts criticising the Company, and in particular, the suggestion that the on-board crew are not supportive and helpful, with a little story of my own.
I'd like to, but I'd better not, because the staff involved were probably all going beyond the procedures laid down and which have been risk-assessed, and might even be criticised for the help they gave me.

Most East Coast staff are excellent - I have even written in praising them on several occasions but there is a small, but seemingly growing, minority who are attrocious and a discredit to the company and its excellent staff.

I am quick to formally complain but equally quick to formally commend. If you write in about bad service you need to write in about the good as well.

 

[HST Power]

I've been given sandwiches, cake, biscuits, coke and tea within ten minutes of boarding the 1725 Newcastle to London.

I'm stuffed! :P

 

[Nym]

Well, still not heard anything back from East Coast Customer Service regarding special dietary requirements and disability adjustments for passenger assistance, and it's been a week since I replied to them...

Wonder if I should just phone them up instead.

 

[HST Power]

Couldn't fault the service I received last night. Loads of food and drink, great staff, everyone was happy. People were thanking the train crew as they left the First Class cabin!

No problems at all with food availability.

Probably the best expierence I've had on a train. Top marks for East Coast.

 

[Essexman]

I had breakfast on the way to Leeds yesterday - first time since it's been complimentary. (I usually travel later than the cut off for full breakfast - but often bought it on old 10.00).
It was good, but I don't think as good as former at-seat or restaurant, and not as good as FGW Travelling Chef where each meal is cooked to order.
Is East Coast breakfast cooked by a chef or reheated on board?

 

[Butts]

I had breakfast on the way to Leeds yesterday - first time since it's been complimentary. (I usually travel later than the cut off for full breakfast - but often bought it on old 10.00).
It was good, but I don't think as good as former at-seat or restaurant, and not as good as FGW Travelling Chef where each meal is cooked to order.
Is East Coast breakfast cooked by a chef or reheated on board?

Take a wild guess - any Chef who turned out scrambled egg like that would be consigned to Fawlty Towers !!!

 

[ainsworth74]

Is East Coast breakfast cooked by a chef or reheated on board?

It varies, some are prepared by chefs and some are prepared by the CSAs.

 

[Butts]

It varies, some are prepared by chefs and some are prepared by the CSAs.

How come they don't do Fried Eggs if some of them are prepared by Chefs ?