TT-ONR-NRN critiques... (note: contains large images)

[fowler9]

Pilots are instructed to bang the aircraft down fairly hard in the event of wet weather, it reduces the likelihood of aquaplaning and skidding. That combined with the 737 being a cruder and noisier aircraft than the A320 series probably explains all.

FWIW I agree FR are pretty rubbish in terms of the "soft product" but I have never had an actual problem with them in any form.

I know mate, as I said to be fair the weather was bad. I possibly should have said hardest landings rather than worst landings. Ha ha.

 

[cactustwirly]

If I was paying stupid prices like £10, then I wouldn't care about the soft touches as long as I got there ok.
I would care a bit more if I was paying more.

I can't really say much about FR, since I haven't flown with them. They don't go anywhere useful from LGW.
Although I have flown with EZY and found them pretty good.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Apologies for drifting off topic there TT. A few more Ryanair stories for you though.

That’s okay. At the end of the day just proves that it’s not me being snobby (as my twin brother wrongly says) - they are just an awful airline... Maybe I’ll just splash out a bit and fly BA if Club Europe is fairly cheap. I would normally but I’ve got a fairly low budget for this trip (about £250) as I would like to do trips to Frankfurt and Basel too.

Anyway, whatever I choose to do, there will be first class train trips when I get there, the reviews of which will be posted here.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Heathrow Express First Class

Travelled: December 2017

Where: London Paddington to Heathrow Terminal 5

Stock: Class 332 EMU


Yo, people. Welcome to another critique. I hope enjoy reading it.

So. We go back in time a month and a half to mid December, where on a cold Inset Day my twin brother and I were in the capital city of this fine land, at London Paddington as it happens.

Why? Well - the clue should be in the title, eh? We were armed with first class tickets valid for the Heathrow Express. A regular haunt of ours, as most people know the Heathrow Express is a super speedy Express train from London Paddington to Heathrow Terminals 2, 3 and 5.

The first place that my brother and I headed was the London Paddington first class lounge. This is owned by Great Western Railway and is a welcome place to start a journey.

Here is the London Paddington first class lounge:




It is fairly basic but I prefer it to King’s Cross’ Lounge.

Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Water and Fruit Juice are on offer (we helped ourselves to a can of the first each). A hot drinks machine also stood there.

In addition, Tyrrells Popcorn, Viennese Whirls and Salted Peanuts stood on top of the drinks cabinet. On the side was a big fat Lemon Drizzle Cake cut into chunks.

I took a small slice of lemon drizzle cake and a packet of peanuts, Ryan took a bag of popcorn and one of peanuts. We sat down in the seating area - it is a pleasant area with comfortable seats and MacBooks are available to use too. The lounge toilets are fantastic. I couldn’t believe toilets at a station could be so clean! Wow.

I nibbled at my cake, which was very nice but my appetite isn’t brilliant and it wasn’t finished sadly. I put the peanuts in my pocket for later, and we went across to our Heathrow Express train, which was a nine coach service formed of two 332s coupled together both in a bright livery of pale blue, brown and green.



I do like 332s. They have a stylish ambience. I’ve ridden on them many times and never have I had an unpleasant journey on one.

I took my seat in the comfortable first class carriage in the centre, going forwards of course. Highly unusually for me I chose to sit on the left this time.

The picture was taken when the train was in the tunnel. Here is Heathrow Express first class, featuring a large and very spacious atmosphere with a 1x1 seating layout. The seats are large and very comfortable, fabric made with a stylish leather headrest. The seats remind me of 787 British Airways first class actually.

The seats do not recline but seem to be in a permanent reclined position anyway. This made sitting in it very comfortable in my opinion, although someone like my dad who does not like to recline his seat in first class would likely disagree! Complementary magazines and newspapers are available.



You can see how well adapted this train is for airport use, what with the wide aisles, and large luggage racks.

The train glided smoothly out of Heathrow, sounding its Electrostar style traction motors. I relaxed and watched the Great Western Main Line go by...

An expressionless, young train manager with short, coiffed dark brown hair came up to us and checked our tickets. He spent a long time staring at them, then looked at us suspiciously.

“I’m sorry, is everything OK?” I enquired in a polite tone. He raised his eyebrows at the smartly dressed woman sitting across from us. ‘Right.’ I thought in my head. ‘An irritating one. Great…’

“Americans, are you?” he asked me, with an unpleasant grin across his face. My temper began to rise.

“Canadian.” I said, coldly - yet maintaining a degree of politeness in my voice. No matter how rude train staff sometimes are I do try not to stoop to their level. “Ah, same thing,” he responded. (My blood began to boil) “Don’t they call it the 51st state?”

He signed our tickets and went, laughing to himself. “Badword Hoser,” I muttered, glaring at his back ferociously. Ryan just laughed. I tried to enjoy the rest of my journey.

During a Heathrow Express journey in first class the Express TVs are switched on, showing the BBC World News. Well, I suppose it’s a good way of helping one fall asleep eh?

The train glided into Heathrow Central, then continuing onto Heathrow Terminal 5, where we were asked to disembark for security purposes.

Returning to the train we discovered that the doughhead of a conductor had signed my return ticket instead of the outbound ticket, fortunately (and unfortunately at the same time) it was the same one so this wasn’t a problem.

The train left Heathrow and headed back to London at an impressive speed. We took out our mini bags of peanuts and nibbled them while the train clattered through Hayes and Harlington. It was a pleasant feeling, sitting there in a stylish first class carriage with my headphones in, taking it easy.

After fifteen minutes the train pulled back into London Paddington, concluding our journey.

“Hasta la vista, boys,” said the annoying man in a dodgy accent that sounded like a mixture of Texas and Wisconsin accents. Totally different accents I know. “See y’all later, eh?”
Ryan gave him a polite “Later.” I said nothing, far too annoyed at (a) his earlier remark that Canada was owned by America, (b) his ignorance of thinking that Canadians said “y’all” (no one north of blimming Alabama says that surely? ) and (c) his oh so funny (not) way of tagging “eh” on to the end of his sentence to say a single word to him.

Anyway. My opinions:

Heathrow Express First Class is lovely. Super stylish, really spacious and lounge access is always nice. However - it’s a fifteen minute journey which means that Express class is totally fine instead. HEx is definitely worth the extra money than awful old HC though.

Coming up soon:

1) Either tomorrow, Tuesday or Wednesday - to be confirmed

2) Either Thursday or Friday - Virgin Trains EC - First Class - Weekday Breakfast service

3) Either Friday or Saturday - Virgin Trains EC - First Class - Rest of the Day service

Also as I said, in April you can expect a foreign critique or two. Here are the plans:

SNCF TER First Class

SNCF TGV Duplex Oceane First Class

I hope you enjoyed my review of Heathrow Express First Class and will join me for the upcoming reviews I have planned.

So until next time...

Hit the lounge up,
Stay away from irritating guards,
Plug in your headphones
and chill.

Sigh. Typers cramp.
Peace out. Z.
LatRz

 

[fowler9]

Nice read. As an aside I remember when backpacking that Canadians always seemed to make sure that they had a Canadian Flag patch on there Rucksack because they got sick of being mistaken for people from the US. Ha ha. I met a French Canadian girl in Chile who didn't have that problem, they just thought she was French instead. I love the Canadian Accent, is actually quite distinct from the US accent in many ways just like Australia and New Zealand or Scouse and Manc.

 

[Harbornite]

I think you were taking his comments too seriously. They were attempts at humour, just chill out and laugh them off.

 

[telstarbox]

Actually I'm with TT on this one. Mocking your passengers' homeland isn't a good look especially on a service with an international clientele like the HEX.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Nice read. As an aside I remember when backpacking that Canadians always seemed to make sure that they had a Canadian Flag patch on there Rucksack because they got sick of being mistaken for people from the US. Ha ha. I met a French Canadian girl in Chile who didn't have that problem, they just thought she was French instead. I love the Canadian Accent, is actually quite distinct from the US accent in many ways just like Australia and New Zealand or Scouse and Manc.

Yes but just like “Scouse and Manc,” are there not just the English accent, different parts of Canada have different variants of the “Canadian accent,”. I come from Toronto, I suppose that is fairly near the border so probably the most similar to an American accent but it’s still pretty different.

Although to be fair, I’ve lived here since I was about nine. I’d personally say if I went back to school in Toronto they’d say I had an English accent. I probably have an RP accent with a Canadian twang. The Canadian accent comes out even more when I’m angry (which is fairly rare) so I’ve noticed.

I think you were taking his comments too seriously. They were attempts at humour, just chill out and laugh them off.

Ah, maybe you are right. I think he had a bit of a Scottish lilt actually (no lie). Maybe I should have told him that Scotland was mainly a minor part of England. And later maybe I should have said goodbye in a dodgy Lancashire accent while saying irritating stereotypical things such as “Bye ya wee laddie,”?

Hopefully as you say he would just laugh it off like you think I should have done.

Actually I'm with TT on this one. Mocking your passengers' homeland isn't a good look especially on a service with an international clientele like the HEX.

They are my thoughts exactly
Although my trip on Heathrow Express despite the idiotic TM was much more enjoyable than the simply awful Gatwick Express trip I took today! You can read about that either tomorrow or Wednesday.

 

[Segedunum]

I found the staff on HeX to be a bit weird when I used Business Class (and genuinely for a flight at the other end too, not just to sample it out and back). A young lady TM actually twisted her face up when I did my usual Northern greeting of "Hi you alright?" and presented my ticket. She spent a good two minutes trying to find something wrong with it (a bargain basement £7.50 single, I couldn't afford a walk-up!) before seemingly staring at me whenever I looked up for the rest of the journey.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I found the staff on HeX to be a bit weird when I used Business Class (and genuinely for a flight at the other end too, not just to sample it out and back). A young lady TM actually twisted her face up when I did my usual Northern greeting of "Hi you alright?" and presented my ticket. She spent a good two minutes trying to find something wrong with it (a bargain basement £7.50 single, I couldn't afford a walk-up!) before seemingly staring at me whenever I looked up for the rest of the journey.

Well, to be fair mine cost 5p soooo

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Gatwick Express First Class service & First Class Lounge

Travelled: Yesterday
(February 2018)

Where: Gatwick Airport to London Victoria

Stock: Class 387/2 EMU


Hi…

Unfortunately the journey that I so much looked forward to yesterday turned out to be a bitter disappointment. I’m pretty bummed about the whole thing…

So I was looking online for cheap first class tickets for services that I haven’t yet reviewed, when the Gatwick Express came to mind. I wasn’t very sure about what I would get with the semi new Electrostars... so on Sunday I phoned up and asked what I would get if I went to Gatwick and back on Monday. I was told the following:

- A guaranteed seat in a private exclusive compartment with complementary newspapers and magazines handed out to me. Nice.

- Use of a dedicated, luxury Gatwick Express First Class lounge with complementary drinks and snacks available. Very nice.

- Guaranteed (that word was used) use of the airport’s NO1 First Class Lounge when booking on the GatEx website. This lounge boasts an all inclusive island bar, panoramic runway views, an a le carte restaurant (meals are free), a buffet bar on top of that (meals are free), unlimited free Wi-Fi, free spa treatments, complementary use of computers, library area, leather massage chairs etc.

Now I don’t know how you might react but I thought that was pretty cool. I was especially amped about using the NO1 Lounge - I mean I don’t really care about using a spa or a library area but I’m happy to hang out at an a le carte restaurant overlooking the runway eating a high quality meal! Sure thing!

I was also pleasantly surprised yet excited at the term “private compartments” as I was sure that I’d heard the first class seats on the 387s were cruddy value numerous times before!

So I happily handed over my debit card details to Gatwickexpress.com on Sunday night and looked forward to a hopefully ace day! I arrived at Gatwick Airport (on a Turbo taken from Guildford) completely prepared, with the confirmation email and passport photocopies folded up in my pocket for reference should it be needed, and headed up the stairs to the main concourse. Here I joined a horribly long queue in order to print my tickets from a dodgy machine which kept breaking.

Half an hour later, my tickets were in hand! I decided to perhaps pick up a coffee and a couple of biscuits from the Gatwick Express first class lounge and chill there for ten minutes as I had just missed the 12:00, aiming to use the Premium NO1 Lounge upon returning.

So I headed to the Gatwick Express first class lounge. Here it is:



I pressed the button to open the gateway to the “luxurious first class lounge with useful amenities and complementary drinks and snacks”. I gasped and then started laughing.

This was it:



The “luxurious first class lounge with useful amenities and complementary drinks and snacks” was a tiny room with two armchairs and a muted TV hung above some locked cupboards!!! It looked like a dentist waiting room

I sighed heavily, not impressed, and didn’t even bother sitting down. Outside the lounge stood a Costa Coffee machine labelled “Out Of Order,”.

I decided I would hit the Premium NO1 lounge first after all. So I went to the departures building and asked if my tickets would be valid in the NO1 Lounge. He took my confirmation email and nodded.

“Yeah mate that’s valid. You need to check in first then you can use the premium security lane to get to the lounge quickly.”

Shhhhhugar. ^ Or words to that effect).

“Security?” I asked, my heart pounding just a little. He nodded.

“Yeah mate, you need to go through security and show them your boarding pass first. Can’t get there until you’re airside.”

Great. So you actually have to be flying to go to this premium lounge. Never did the Gatwick Express website or staff member on the phone tell me that. Never.

I went onto the platform (quite disheartened) and waited for a Gatwick Express train. The eight car Gatwick Express service off Brighton pulled in six minutes late, packed. First class was heaving and get this?! A STANDARD CLASS CARRIAGE PURELY WITH A LABEL ON! Where are these promised private compartments?! I was feeling very cheated, and asked the guard for a refund. He said that I would have to pay a £10 administration fee...

So an extremely bummed me waited for the next train, which was a thankfully empty twelve carriage service that pulled in ten minutes late. This was the complete opposite of the last train - even standard class was empty!!!

I boarded and of course, 387s are the only stock working Gatwick Express services. So I had paid over triple a normal Southern Railway standard class price... for this!!!



Luxurious, private compartments my posterior! I have never felt so swindled in my life!!! It’s just the same non-reclining ironing board seats in the same 2x2 seating layout as Standard!

These complimentary magazines and such never materialised either. The only amenity at my Gatwick Express First Class table was this grubby phone socket which didn’t work!!!



The train lurched out late and cluttered towards London Victoria. It stopped outside Battersea Park for ages too, finally arriving into London Victoria fourteen minutes late. And that’s it! That is ALL YOU GET for an extortionate thirty pound ticket. Use of the world’s crappiest first class “lounge”. And a free drink if the machine serving you can be bothered to work!!! The access to the NO1 lounge btw is not included unless you buy a first class open return ticket. So yeah. You don’t get any added comfort, any larger seat, any recline or added legroom.

As for complementary on board drinks, ha - forget it! You have to fend for yourself - I did just that from the station cafe.



I was so bummed I just took a Southern electrostar home. I don’t ever want to take the Gatwick Express ever again, thanks...

I was truly disappointed at my first (and definitely last) ever Gatwick Express experience.

Anyway. Coming up soon:

1) Either Thursday or Friday - Virgin Trains EC - First Class - Weekday Breakfast service

2) Either Friday or Saturday - Virgin Trains EC - First Class - Rest of the Day service

3) After that... er, ooh... I might be running out! I did Thameslink and Southern first class earlier in the week, but are they really significant enough for a review???

Thank you for reading my review of Gatwick Express First Class and that it didn’t depress you too much! But seriously: DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

So until next time...

Recline, Oh wait, you can’t...
Double double your free on-board coffee. What on-board coffee? What on-board anything?
and chill. What, on Fainsa seats? Dream on...

Grr.

Regards,
a very bummed TT-ONR-NRN

 

[Dhassell]

Gatwick Express is nice if riding to the Airport, but it is not worth paying for First Class. Also, from the description of the "No1 Lounge" I gathered it was for flyers only, hence why its called "Gatwick Express" an express train for the airport for flights. I doubt maybe people would travel to an Airport Lounge unless they where actually flying. And to start with, you mentioned the bloke on the desk said your ticket was valid for the lounge, but later you stated that only First Open Returns where?

 

[Failed Unit]

Why don’t you send your review to GTR. I would be interested in their response. What is more worrying is tourist may pay this and not know they were ripped off.

 

[Dhassell]

Why don’t you send your review to GTR. I would be interested in their response. What is more worrying is tourist may pay this and not know they were ripped off.

I only read a thread earlier today about GX first class being poor! Not even this one!

 

[Failed Unit]

I only read a thread earlier today about GX first class being poor! Not even this one!

Yeah. I wouldn’t touch it (either class) unless it was free.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Gatwick Express is nice if riding to the Airport, but it is not worth paying for First Class. Also, from the description of the "No1 Lounge" I gathered it was for flyers only, hence why its called "Gatwick Express" an express train for the airport for flights. I doubt maybe people would travel to an Airport Lounge unless they where actually flying.

Err...sorry?

And to start with, you mentioned the bloke on the desk said your ticket was valid for the lounge, but later you stated that only First Open Returns where?

I had one of those. Booked it online

Why don’t you send your review to GTR. I would be interested in their response. What is more worrying is tourist may pay this and not know they were ripped off.

Because I wanted to apply for their Student Work Experience placement. They offer it to 15 - 17 year olds I believe. I want to stay in their good books! Maybe I’ll just report it to Angela Rippon, she is a family friend of my friend. She can slate it on Rip off Britain because you are exactly right, tourists are likely being fooled.

I only read a thread earlier today about GX first class being poor! Not even this one!

As did I. I only wish that was before yesterday...

 

[Kite159]

Did you really think 1st class on Gatwick Express was going to be anything special? You could have saved money by sampling the first class area on a regular Southern 377 to get the experience of the same seats with a napkin on the rear

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Did you really think 1st class on Gatwick Express was going to be anything special? You could have saved money by sampling the first class area on a regular Southern 377 to get the experience of the same seats with a napkin on the rear

You could have fooled me Mr Kite, what with the way the woman talked it up on the phone. The internet was vague as always. Besides, I took a 442 from London Bridge to Three Bridges once and the 442 First Class is very nice. So Gatwick Express never used to be that dreadful, surely!

 

[Failed Unit]

Did you really think 1st class on Gatwick Express was going to be anything special? You could have saved money by sampling the first class area on a regular Southern 377 to get the experience of the same seats with a napkin on the rear

I really think it is GTRs way of killing it off. Make the product undesirable then people won’t use it. Withdraw it for lack of use. When Thameslink reopens full in May it will be much more desirable for many. 30 minutes journey to London Bridge for northern and Jubilee. Blackfriars for district and Circle and Farringdon for cross rail. Much better connections. Anyone wanting Victoria stick with Southern. (Admittedly boarding in the peak can be a challenge)

 

[anti-pacer]

As soon as you said "No. 1 Lounge", I thought, "What? That's included in a GEx 1st Class ticket? Never"!

Maybe ask forum members what you may get. I do, and you know you'll get an honest answer. South East commuter routes, including GEx do First Class about as well as Pacers do smooth riding.

 

[cactustwirly]

What! You paid £30 for it! I paid less than that for my trip around the coast at Christmas (for an adult + railcard which included travel across London)
£30 will pay for me to go to Manchester, and I'll still have change!

Have you not read the forum about GX? You would have known what to expect!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

What! You paid £30 for it! I paid less than that for my trip around the coast at Christmas (for an adult + railcars which included travel across London)
£30 will pay for me to go to Manchester, and I'll still have change!

Have you not read the forum about GX? You would have known what to expect!

Yes but a) Gatwick Express say they are a premium service (ha) which is why they charge extra and b) While you are at University you live pretty close to Manchester! That’s like me saying £30 will get me to London! Which it definitely will.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

As soon as you said "No. 1 Lounge", I thought, "What? That's included in a GEx 1st Class ticket? Never"!

Maybe ask forum members what you may get. I do, and you know you'll get an honest answer. South East commuter routes, including GEx do First Class about as well as Pacers do smooth riding.

Well it is included but you have to book an open first return through their website.

Also - I’ve heard forum members say CrossCountry offer a measly drink and that’s it on a three hour journey. If I took what that forum member said literally then I would never have tried them out. I ended up with a Coke, Coffee, Scone with Jam and Cream and Kettle Chips purely between Reading and Basingstoke

 

[Kite159]

You could have fooled me Mr Kite, what with the way the woman talked it up on the phone. The internet was vague as always. Besides, I took a 442 from London Bridge to Three Bridges once and the 442 First Class is very nice. So Gatwick Express never used to be that dreadful, surely!

Agreed, the First Class on a 442 was nice, but didn't you do any research before hand (i.e. search Google for Gatwick Express 1st Class and look at the pictures?)

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Agreed, the First Class on a 442 was nice, but didn't you do any research before hand (i.e. search Google for Gatwick Express 1st Class and look at the pictures?)

Well, it was one am Monday morning and my first time making my own card booking. All I cared about was getting that done at the time. Although I have seen pictures of the GX Ironing boards and disapproved the woman said they’d changed them and put in private compartments! What an absolute liar...

 

[STKKK46]

You thought you were going to get all of that at an airport, all for £30? When you’re not flying?

You have been had over there but I can’t help but laugh, sorry! Hopefully future experiences are better for you.

 

[cactustwirly]

Yes but a) Gatwick Express say they are a premium service (ha) which is why they charge extra and b) While you are at University you live pretty close to Manchester! That’s like me saying £30 will get me to London! Which it definitely will.

No I don't, I live in the East Midlands & Manchester is the North West!

Leicester to Manchester is 92 miles (3x the distance of Gatwick - London), whilst I admit the £30 price is only valid if you have a railcard, travel on a weekend and split your tickets. But still GX is way overpriced.
If you were careful you could have saved yourself some money (ie not buying Gatwick to London) other origins have cheaper tickets.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

You thought you were going to get all of that at an airport, all for £30? When you’re not flying?

You have been had over there but I can’t help but laugh, sorry! Hopefully future experiences are better for you.

No I don't, I live in the East Midlands & Manchester is the North West!

Leicester to Manchester is 92 miles (3x the distance of Gatwick - London), whilst I admit the £30 price is only valid if you have a railcard, travel on a weekend and split your tickets. But still GX is way overpriced.
If you were careful you could have saved yourself some money (ie not buying Gatwick to London) other origins have cheaper tickets.

I got it for £16 actually. I don’t care about the waste of money because it was only sixteen pounds. I care that they tried to con me.

 

[fowler9]

Yes but just like “Scouse and Manc,” are there not just the English accent, different parts of Canada have different variants of the “Canadian accent,”. I come from Toronto, I suppose that is fairly near the border so probably the most similar to an American accent but it’s still pretty different.

To an extent. You will find though that many people across the world would not have a clue that Scouse is just an English accent. I have been asked if I am Australian and my accent isn't even that strong. Got a mate who for a living is the vocalist in a Death Metal band (Might not sound appealing but he has played to very large crowds across the world on every continent apart from Antarctica and he is strongly of the feeling that no where in the world do accents vary so strongly and so locally as they do in the UK. Anyway, that is off subject, ha ha, apologies. I agree that a member of staff shouldn't take the mick out of the customers accent. As a scouser I get it all the time, it doesn't offend me but it is tedious. That is before they start with the "Watch your wallets jokes".

Anyhow, sorry about the GX experience, it was quite comical in parts. Last time I went on it it was hauled by 73's with Mk 2 coaches and was quite pleasant.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

To an extent. You will find though that many people across the world would not have a clue that Scouse is just an English accent. I have been asked if I am Australian and my accent isn't even that strong. Got a mate who for a living is the vocalist in a Death Metal band (Might not sound appealing but he has played to very large crowds across the world on every continent apart from Antarctica and he is strongly of the feeling that no where in the world do accents vary so strongly and so locally as they do in the UK. Anyway, that is off subject, ha ha, apologies. I agree that a member of staff shouldn't take the mick out of the customers accent. As a scouser I get it all the time, it doesn't offend me but it is tedious. That is before they start with the "Watch your wallets jokes".

Anyhow, sorry about the GX experience, it was quite comical in parts. Last time I went on it it was hauled by 73's with Mk 2 coaches and was quite pleasant.

I wasn’t offended. It takes a lot to offend me believe it or not. It just wound me up slightly.

But what an insult to say “watch your wallets”! That’s horrible! I like Scouse accents, always did.

I do find accents interesting. I’d like to think I’m pretty good at accents, I’m on Grade 5 LAMDA and they play a key role. English RP and American are easiest.



Anyway moving on. On Friday I hope to sample VTEC’s breakfast service and Rest of Day service on return. I have already accepted I obviously won’t be able to get this done on my usual weekend London to Stevenage ticket. But say I book a ticket for the 1008 to Newark between Kings X and Peterborough and then one for the first returning service, do I have a chance of getting breakfast on the way and the Rest of the Day Hot option on return? Any advice appreciated