London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Chrism20]

No, absolute fact. From what I could see most seats in our coach were reservations. They in my opinion should be allowing enough catering provision to meet the needs of busy trains...

Indeed and there is absolutely no excuse if the seats are reserved unless they were all booked the night before or shortly before reservations closed which is highly unlikely.

I'm off to London myself a fortnight on Friday on the 0800 from Edinburgh which is the ex GLC service. Here's hoping the rationing of the orange juice has ended since my last journey. I've also got a rewards ticket that expires at the end of the month does anyone know if it can be booked for a service beyond the expiry date? Eg can I book it now and travel next month or does the travel have to take place before expiry? Slightly off topic - apologies.

 

[Deerfold]

I've also got a rewards ticket that expires at the end of the month does anyone know if it can be booked for a service beyond the expiry date? Eg can I book it now and travel next month or does the travel have to take place before expiry? Slightly off topic - apologies.

No problem.

My last rewards ticket I booked 5 months 28 days after cashing it in. I booked for about 6 weeks later.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Just for the record, not only is there no fruit on board on my journey home again, but I'm now told that "we don't carry any fruit"; (other than the apples required to prep the cheese platters and in the crew's rations of course).

Probably the most intelligent comment I can make is . . .

Grrrrrrr.

 

[ModernRailways]

Just for the record, not only is there no fruit on board on my journey home again, but I'm now told that "we don't carry any fruit"; (other than the apples required to prep the cheese platters and in the crew's rations of course).

Probably the most intelligent comment I can make is . . .

Grrrrrrr.

They've lied to you then.

Went up to Edinburgh today, had a great crew and they had a full basket of fruit. Came round twice with it! Also offered a pack of shortbread with each drinks round (3 in total).

 

[Blindtraveler]

that sounds like a newsworthy event - fruite and biskits on same train?

 

[YorkshireRider]

If its one of the peak time evening meal trains, then fruit and cake are not loaded, there should be cheese and a hot dessert option available on those trains. I dont believe fruit or cake are listed on the evening meal menu.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

If its one of the peak time evening meal trains, then fruit and cake are not loaded, there should be cheese and a hot dessert option available on those trains. . .

Ah, that explains it! Thanks.
I'm usually on those services, including the 19:00 which isn't a full evening meal service, and often, but not always, has fruit available.

 

[Bishopstone]

I have some time off work coming up, and would like to sample the East Coast FC service, travelling from Kings Cross and back in a day, mid-week. I don't particularly mind where I end up: York, Leeds or Newcastle would all be fine.

Which tend to be the quieter trains? I'm guessing the York terminators and anything after about 09.00 to Leeds? A breakfast train on the way up would be a bonus, but I couldn't commit to a departure before 08.30-ish.

Thanks.

 

[ModernRailways]

I have some time off work coming up, and would like to sample the East Coast FC service, travelling from Kings Cross and back in a day, mid-week. I don't particularly mind where I end up: York, Leeds or Newcastle would all be fine.

Which tend to be the quieter trains? I'm guessing the York terminators and anything after about 09.00 to Leeds? A breakfast train on the way up would be a bonus, but I couldn't commit to a departure before 08.30-ish.

Thanks.

I wouldn't know myself, however you can check here for a rough guide. I'd think trains around 9-11 would be quietest.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . travelling from Kings Cross and back in a day, mid-week. . . .

Which tend to be the quieter trains? I'm guessing the York terminators and anything after about 09.00 to Leeds? A breakfast train on the way up would be a bonus, but I couldn't commit to a departure before 08.30-ish.

Well it's not often that you'd find a train with full First Class. I usually enjoy a table of 4 to myself. Sometimes its the whole coach.
But clearly you'd want to avoid the morning and evening peaks, unless of course, you wanted to experience the, er, full 'evening meal', which of course would require travel in the evening peak. Some of the Aberdeen and Inverness services can also be busy, simply on account of the high number of places they serve (with connections e.g. for St Andrews University or for Sussex Coast).

Some of the mid-day services with shorter runs can feel tired and unintersesting, so I'm suggesting a balance between the extremes - a Leeds or Newcastle terminator might be most useful, and do make sure you are travelling in daylight so that you can enjoy the sights - the Cathedrals and little chapels, the rivers and canals, the follies, converted windmills and deco homes, the old LNER metal signs, and of course the ups and downs over hills and a stretch below sea level - with a complimetary glass in front of you!

 

[Marionaki]

Hi everybody. I am new here.
I booked a ticket first class from Edinburgh to Kings Cross on the 16.30 on a Thursday in May on coach L seat 63 and it is my first time on East Coast, so it would be great to have a good service and crew. I am actually going on a day trip from London out on the Caledonian sleeper (managed to get the £19 Bargain berth and also my first time!), staying 9 hours in Edinburgh and then back to London on the above mentioned East coast train. I also received my loyalty advance card today, which I applied for 10 days ago, even when I have not even travelled before on Scotrail. I just gave my ref number for the May ticket and although it was a Bargain berth, I got the advance card. So, all in all I am very pleased. Hope I get a few sandwiches, a cake and a few drinks on the east coast train back from Edinburgh to London.

 

[ModernRailways]

But clearly you'd want to avoid the morning and evening peaks, unless of course, you wanted to experience the, er, full 'evening meal', which of course would require travel in the evening peak. Some of the Aberdeen and Inverness services can also be busy, simply on account of the high number of places they serve (with connections e.g. for St Andrews University or for Sussex Coast).

The 2000 Kings Cross to Newcastle is always fairly lightly loaded in the quiet coach. I always opt for that if I've been in London as it gets my home just in time for the last Metro but also means I can have a nice relaxing journey. The 1700/1730/1800 are always too busy for my liking and I avoid them!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hi everybody. I am new here.
I booked a ticket first class from Edinburgh to Kings Cross on the 16.30 on a Thursday in May on coach L seat 63 and it is my first time on East Coast, so it would be great to have a good service and crew. I am actually going on a day trip from London out on the Caledonian sleeper (managed to get the £19 Bargain berth and also my first time!), staying 9 hours in Edinburgh and then back to London on the above mentioned East coast train. I also received my loyalty advance card today, which I applied for 10 days ago, even when I have not even travelled before on Scotrail. I just gave my ref number for the May ticket and although it was a Bargain berth, I got the advance card. So, all in all I am very pleased. Hope I get a few sandwiches, a cake and a few drinks on the east coast train back from Edinburgh to London.

Welcome to the forums!

Enjoy your trip! Do let us know how you get on. You get the All Day Menu on the 1630 from Edinburgh so it's a light meal! I believe the menu will have changed by then though.

 

[transmanche]

I wouldn't know myself, however you can check here for a rough guide. I'd think trains around 9-11 would be quietest.

That's a useful tool.

Unfortunately, what I've learned is that the quietest trains are at peak hours...

 

[Marionaki]

The 2000 Kings Cross to Newcastle is always fairly lightly loaded in the quiet coach. I always opt for that if I've been in London as it gets my home just in time for the last Metro but also means I can have a nice relaxing journey. The 1700/1730/1800 are always too busy for my liking and I avoid them!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Welcome to the forums!

Enjoy your trip! Do let us know how you get on. You get the All Day Menu on the 1630 from Edinburgh so it's a light meal! I believe the menu will have changed by then though.

Great, thanks! Yes, I saw the All Day Menu on the website. Maybe they will do a few rounds of drinks, too!

 

[Butts]

Thought I'd pulled a flanker when I boarded the 0800 service to Kings Cross at Haymarket and blagged a "4" in K to myself. Believe it or not someone had the temerity to sit opposite me joining the service at Waverley

This is the first time this has ever happened to me as most people sit in their allocated seat. However this individual flashed some sort of pass on the ticket check - could have been one of those fabled "Gold Passes" so beloved of the brass.

Note to self next time look for a "4" with 2 seats reserved from Newcastle to avoid a repetition of the above

Amazing.....................1st time ever

My "full English" arrived before the toast, ensuring the latter was warm to accompany my Breakfast.

Two rounds of Coffee before and after and Newspaper delivered to seat.

A good service and reasonable sized serving.

Exited at Newcastle although my ticket was to Darlington (cheaper) and blagged my way through the barrier with "pop out for a fag" brandishing my pre-purchased Newcastle to Berwick ticket.


Boarded The Chieftain at Berwick Upon Tweed to return to Falkirk. Not offered anything until departure from Edinburgh - had Scotch, Coffee and bit of cake. Incidentally it was not a "scone express" all day menu was on offer and the fruit bowl had apples as well as bananas.

I could have had sandwiches etc as well but didn't fancy it. The only reason I got anything was because I was seated in "J" - the food trolley was still in the coach as the service pulled into Falkirk where I alighted.

 

[dave87016]

I am using my 1st class rewards ticket a week tomorrow ( 09:15am from Leeds to London Kings Cross) meeting a friend of mine then boarding the 14:00pm Kings Cross - Edinburgh ( HST) was surprised there isn't a hot option on the latter

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Odd question. Evening meal trains out of Kings Cross. Why the 20:00 for dinner and not the 19:00 and 19:30? Seems like an odd gap.

Second odd question. Timetable shows all day service on some very late services. If I travelled on the last Newcastle - London train (as I will be doing in the summer) will I get any service or will they crew mysteriously flit away....?

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[Marionaki]

Apart from hoping to get a good service in FC from Edinburgh to London, I just realised that when I booked my ticket online and was able to change my seat, I chose a priority seat without knowing!!! Coach L seat 63. I hope this will not cause me any trouble when the ticket inspector comes around, as I am not disabled. But on the website it did let me choose this seat.

 

[westv]

Apart from hoping to get a good service in FC from Edinburgh to London, I just realised that when I booked my ticket online and was able to change my seat, I chose a priority seat without knowing!!! Coach L seat 63. I hope this will not cause me any trouble when the ticket inspector comes around, as I am not disabled. But on the website it did let me choose this seat.

You won't have any problem at all.

 

[Marionaki]

Oh, that's great, thanks!

 

[Tetchytyke]

Travelling down to London this morning on the 0859 from Newcastle, and a momentous thing has happened.

I got a second croissant.

 

[Butts]

Travelling down to London this morning on the 0859 from Newcastle, and a momentous thing has happened.

I got a second croissant.

Blimey !! - were they past their sell by date

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I got a second croissant.

You had a Goundhog Day moment.
Don't be surprised if it keeps recurring.
Croissants ad infinitum.

Or their might be another explanation - it might be my croissant! I'll find out in the morning!

 

[causton]

The staff must have been happy yesterday, as Aaron (Urban Gateline, WFJ Dispatcher or whatever his job title is this week) blagged us a second set of sandwiches yesterday afternoon! After leaving Newark (last place for food service) the lady asked "Would you like anything off the trolley?" "Can I have a sandwich?" "Didn't you already have one?" "Yes" "I'll go to the end and back and if there's some left you can have one" result! Both of us got one pack of four each in the end

 

[westv]

The staff must have been happy yesterday, as Aaron (Urban Gateline, WFJ Dispatcher or whatever his job title is this week) blagged us a second set of sandwiches yesterday afternoon! After leaving Newark (last place for food service) the lady asked "Would you like anything off the trolley?" "Can I have a sandwich?" "Didn't you already have one?" "Yes" "I'll go to the end and back and if there's some left you can have one" result! Both of us got one pack of four each in the end

Four each? Is that all.

 

[causton]

Four each? Is that all.

No silly, four each plus the four we were originally given, plus enough Coke and coffee to fill a small paddling pool, with crisps, "Mike's Brownies" and biscuits! A lack of alcohol was lamented but I didn't mind too much

 

[Butts]

No silly, four each plus the four we were originally given, plus enough Coke and coffee to fill a small paddling pool, with crisps, "Mike's Brownies" and biscuits! A lack of alcohol was lamented but I didn't mind too much

The sandwiches at the weekend, are from my experience better than those on weekdays, due them being pre-packed and hence larger.

 

[Urban Gateline]

The sandwiches at the weekend, are from my experience better than those on weekdays, due them being pre-packed and hence larger.

I disagree, they might be larger in quantity but the fresh weekday ones taste better from experience!

 

[ainsworth74]

I actually thought they were the same. Just that the weekday ones were presented in a slightly nicer fashion (they certainly seem to come in containers) on a plate.

 

[Marton]

No hot food on 1201 York to KX. Seems to be an EM set

Branded as such not the one with EM colour and EC name.

I saw a XC powercar in KX last week

Are EC having problems?


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