To be honest I probably wouldn't bother with first except that the seats in standard aren't an option. If taking away the food puts a few seatfroggers off and means that I can still get an advance for around 100 quid close to the day then I'm happy. Ultimately the amount of any saving for me would only have to match the cost of a cheap four pack and a Tesco sandwich anyway.
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London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service
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Scotrail314209
Established Member
If the catering was to be cut out of First Class completely, wouldn’t that leave a lot of Hosts and Chefs out of work?
It doesn't seem to have bothered them getting rid of a lot already.
I imagine that might be the point.
Scotrail314209
Established Member
In a figurative sense, if LNER took the survey seriously and cut the free food offer in First Class, would they be the first TOC to do so?
They're one of only two operators with a free food offering anyway, and Avanti have taken it away from the majority of their previously first class customers.
Scotrail314209
Established Member
Don't GWR and TPE also offer food in first class, even though it's things from the trolley?
I think if LNER did scrap it, it would be a bad move especially considering the journey times for the likes of London to Aberdeen.
Two? What about Hull Trains?
I seem to recall that pre-pandemic they did a nice curry in 1st!
GWR complimentary offering is peanuts and crisps along with a coffee. I thought TPE was much the same, and Scotrail is the same but you aren't allowed the peanuts *and* crisps. XC will sling you a free sandwich from a very short list, on weekdays and only if you can find the First Class host.
Hull Trains may well have a very nice offering - I'd completely forgotten they existed!
In terms of covering long journeys they'd be better off doing paid-for cook-chill option that was available for the whole train, ideally with a coffee station at the end of the carriage so I don't have wait on the catering staff's convenience before I get a drink.
"Dine" menu on the website now. Seems the breakfast is now going to offer a choice between fried or scrambled or poached eggs. No black pudding though.
www.lner.co.uk
First Class menus
Enjoy luxurious travel and exquisite food when you travel first class with LNER. Our menu regularly changes but always includes vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.
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One of these days they'll manage to include everything. Seems like every time they mix it up they manage to add in something that was missing (in this case the choice fried, scrambled or poached which has been something others have been after) but take away something that was good (the black pudding)
Anyway, at least there is now some sign of a proper breakfast re-appearing.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Almost back to what it was before, except the dessert is still a silly thing in a packet or pot; the evening meal trains pre-COVID had rather nice slices of cheesecake or tart served on a china plate which was very nice.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Avanti/Virgin have always served Bury black pudding and grilled tomatoes, both of which I’m a big fan, while LNER haven’t - but instead always served up (rather sloppy) baked beans and often cold mushrooms, neither of which were on the West Coast menu.
It seems they’ve swapped the mushrooms for tomatoes now, West Coast style, but unfortunately for me they’re still intending to slop beans on the plate instead of a nice black pudding.
I hope to see a very clear and reliable way of showing which trains have which menu, as while you can scoff all you like at how silly this may sound - I’m only really going to be interested in forking out for first class tickets if I get a decent meal. I used to book them just for a bit of room and extra comfort, but the Azumas have lots of legroom in standard and less difference in the First and Standard seats, so the meal is the only enticing factor really… now that it’s back to being a meal anyway (on SOME trains)
I missed the lack of mushrooms....Avanti/Virgin have always served Bury black pudding and grilled tomatoes, both of which I’m a big fan, while LNER haven’t - but instead always served up (rather sloppy) baked beans and often cold mushrooms, neither of which were on the West Coast menu.
It seems they’ve swapped the mushrooms for tomatoes now, West Coast style, but unfortunately for me they’re still intending to slop beans on the plate instead of a nice black pudding.
I hope to see a very clear and reliable way of showing which trains have which menu, as while you can scoff all you like at how silly this may sound - I’m only really going to be interested in forking out for first class tickets if I get a decent meal. I used to book them just for a bit of room and extra comfort, but the Azumas have lots of legroom in standard and less difference in the First and Standard seats, so the meal is the only enticing factor really… now that it’s back to being a meal anyway (on SOME trains)
It does say....
I too would like to know which menu is on which train. Before, you could get on any morning train and (almost) be guaranteed a cooked breakfast. Now it looks like some (who know how many) might only have the more limited menu. I only travel with them a few times a year, and rarely in the mornings, so the option of a cooked breakfast when I do is something of importance to me.
Scotrail314209
Established Member
Something tells me the Lincoln and York stopping trains may be Dish/Deli only. They stop at all principal stations which is normally a 20ish minute gap between most, definitely not enough time to cook full meals.
I think Dine will be on most trains to/from Edinburgh with quieter trains serving Dish/Deli. You could also make a case for Dine being on the more limited stop services, such as the ones that are non stop Kings Cross to York.
LNER have said their ultimate ambition is to get rid of the Deli menu. I want to know how they'll work this out.
I thought the same about the Lincoln services - I hadn't considered the York stoppers. Luckily the only breakfast trains I've caught (and plan to catch) have been long distance ones. I've only caught the Lincoln services during the day, and the York stoppers (apart from one time years ago) on evening return trips to KGX
I think that looks rather good. I am a huge proponent of pork cheeks so very pleased to see that!
Butts
Veteran Member
Sacrilege - no Black Pudding
Still at least it's a step up ....
I wonder what the position will be with regard to toast ?
Some on here will remember in previous incarnations the famous "Toast Famine" that was prevalent for a while - ie any more than one slice required an "Oliver Twist" grovel !!
Do you not realise how expensive toast is?!Sacrilege - no Black Pudding
Still at least it's a step up ....
I wonder what the position will be with regard to toast ?
Some on here will remember in previous incarnations the famous "Toast Famine" that was prevalent for a while - ie any more than one slice required an "Oliver Twist" grovel !!
Andy Pacer
Established Member
Hopefully with not too many negatives!Can we expect a flurry of "LNER cooked meal" reports starting from tomorrow?
Butts
Veteran Member
Can we expect a flurry of "LNER cooked meal" reports starting from tomorrow?
From past experience I suspect that may be an exaggeration - "LNER cooked happy meal" may be a more appropriate description.
But you never know they may "supersize" the previous offerings into something that extends beyond a lite bite.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,544
Quick question. I'm planning on doing an early morning weekend service in February, Edinburgh to York to do the Durham coast diversion. Planning to book first less in terms of the catering but more in terms of the seat comfort as this is very much a bashing excursion and would like to be reasonably comfortable for what is quite a lengthy run. But as I'll be in first, am I likely to get anything that vaguely constitutes breakfast or should I take my own supplies? Saturday the 12th of February is my intended date
It's not clear what trains the "Dine" menu will feature (the one with the full cooked breakfast and whatnot) but "Deli" and "Dish" both feature bacon rolls so you should at least get a bacon roll!
Scotrail314209
Established Member
That should be coming soon though, LNER have stated that they intend to show what menu you have when booking the train.
Andy Pacer
Established Member
There certainly didn't used to be much if anything hot on a weekend but would be interesting to know if it's changed.
Yes the "Deli" menu has been served all week since its introduction last summer including all hot food options and alcohol. Keep up at the back!
Andy Pacer
Established Member
Haha, thanks, that's good newsYes the "Deli" menu has been served all week since its introduction last summer including all hot food options and alcohol. Keep up at the back!
