How have people found the NCL <-> YRK shuttles catering wise? Not so great of course that it is snacks only according to the booking portal, but more in terms of how quickly catering kicks in, when it ends etc. Do they come through with trolleys still or is it more a case of ask a crew member? Seems to be the same fares as the normal trains.
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service
- Thread starter MidnightFlyer
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
In December someone came round with a trolley very soon after departure from Newcastle (around 1300)
Iskra
Established Member
Newcastle-York this afternoon; it was the dish menu. I had lamb rogan josh. It was tasty although a little dry in terms of a lack of sauce. The rice was also unevenly heated so it was cold in places. I had a salted caramel pot for dessert which was nice. One round of alcoholic drinks was served so I had a white wine. Hot drinks were also offered and they gave me crisps although I did say I didn’t want them. Customer service was just about okay but there wasn’t much warmth or personality.
Overall a reasonable offering for a relatively short journey. I used the lounges at both ends which were beneficial on a really cold day.
In comparison I’m doing York-Sheffield via Leeds with XC now which is a similar journey time and they’re making you find the catering trolley somewhere down the train to collect unspecified refreshments, so I’ll go grab something before Sheffield to see what that is.
Overall a reasonable offering for a relatively short journey. I used the lounges at both ends which were beneficial on a really cold day.
In comparison I’m doing York-Sheffield via Leeds with XC now which is a similar journey time and they’re making you find the catering trolley somewhere down the train to collect unspecified refreshments, so I’ll go grab something before Sheffield to see what that is.
Andy Pacer
Established Member
Out of interest was that on one of the new "York shuttles" or a Kings Cross service?
Iskra
Established Member
It was an Edinburgh-London service
The York shuttles are snacks and (limited) drinks only unfortunately
That seems to be a theme. If Leeds is anything to go by, it'll be off for years.
Got the 0900 from Darlington this morning a "Dish" service. Orders were taken for food shortly after departure from Darlington and a bacon roll duly arrived shortly before Northerallerton. Tasty but nothing to write home about. Cold drinks were also delivered shortly after departure from Darlington. Crew seemed to change at York but both crews did a food run after every station (it was a semi-fast) and there were plenty of cold and hot drinks runs. Including a hot drinks run as late as passing through (non-stop) Stevenage!
Good service overall but I do think that Dish is a bit naff for the morning. I really do think LNER need to increase the number of services that have the full breakfast on them back to East Coast levels where every service had a full breakfast (but those without a chef only had a egg souffle thingy).
Good service overall but I do think that Dish is a bit naff for the morning. I really do think LNER need to increase the number of services that have the full breakfast on them back to East Coast levels where every service had a full breakfast (but those without a chef only had a egg souffle thingy).
Particularly good service on the 1803 out of Kings Cross today. We're used to everything starting to close down at Doncaster, but at Leeds we were asked if we wanted more snacks and/or drinks for the last leg to Keighley before they locked up.
Currently on the 0800 Newcastle to York around the Durham Coast - service friendly but very slow as its quite a busy one. My (veggie) partner isn't particularly impressed however as they didn't bother loading any of the vegan sausage sandwich at all.
The 05:55 was practically deserted in First Class, at least as far as Northallerton. I don't know if vegan sausage sandwiches were available.
Is the 18:03 one of the evening KX services that has to slum it with the Dish menu rather than Dine?
It is, but with my dietary preferences there's little difference apart from breakfast services.
Got the 1603 from Kings Cross yesterday with clearing up before Doncaster.
LNER service is so variable
Kings Cross - Edinburgh. Food orders after departure, one more drinks pass around York and the crew joining at Newcastle just offered drinks after departure. Pretty poor on one of the slower services that straddled lunchtime
Edinburgh-KX via the Durham coast. Full food offer after each crew change (so Edinburgh, Newcastle, York) and multiple drinks runs.
5 car sets seems to get better service, with 2 hosts serving no more than carriage of passengers. Do like the crumpet option. I know some feel shortchanged by it, but for me it's a nice warm snack to enjoy.
Kings Cross - Edinburgh. Food orders after departure, one more drinks pass around York and the crew joining at Newcastle just offered drinks after departure. Pretty poor on one of the slower services that straddled lunchtime
Edinburgh-KX via the Durham coast. Full food offer after each crew change (so Edinburgh, Newcastle, York) and multiple drinks runs.
5 car sets seems to get better service, with 2 hosts serving no more than carriage of passengers. Do like the crumpet option. I know some feel shortchanged by it, but for me it's a nice warm snack to enjoy.
RailWonderer
Established Member
The 18:00 is full dine as is the 18:18.
On the LNER catering page they list which menus are servied on which services as of Jan 2025.
Northbound:
and southbound:
It looks like the deli and dish menus are most common, the full dine mainly for early morning and late evening services with a few non-London services snacks only. The brunch menu is basically dish but morning only. I'm suprised the 09:00 off KX doesn't have a full dine menu as I'm sure breakfast would be very popular on that service. I took it and got a bacon roll, chocolate pot and a few other snacks.
H F Stephens
Member
Yes, but neither are the 18:03.
The 18:03 is a Dish service in First Class.
Discuss223
Member
On departing Lincoln Central last Friday, there were no menus and I was only offered a sandwich as a meal.
moleman212
Member
- Joined
- 21 Aug 2011
- Messages
- 96
No food except crisps or biscuits on the entire journey 0933 KGX to DON on 1 March. No menus on table.
They know, that’s the point they’re making!
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,544
So sorry to crash in, but the automated system that says what service is available on what train doesn't work too well with my screen reader. What is the last full breakfast service southbound from Edinburgh on a weekday?
Looks like it's the 0830 service.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,544
Cheers so much, I haven't had a full lner breakfast for years and as my travel times potentially fit I thought I'd try it, no doubt I'll be back to EasyJet and an airport weatherspoon offering next time if nothing else on grounds of cost
Leogilbert007
Member
07:30 KGX-DON — full menu of breakfast items, and hot and cold drinks and snacks. Staff passed frequently handing out food and drinks.
on the return 17:56 DON-KGX only light bites (rolls, wraps and sandwiches) were offered alongside the usual drinks and snacks
Overall food and drink was excellent and staff were lovely
on the return 17:56 DON-KGX only light bites (rolls, wraps and sandwiches) were offered alongside the usual drinks and snacks
Overall food and drink was excellent and staff were lovely
As I often do, I check LNER service updates, because... er... sometimes I have nothing else to do!
Anyway there's a been a lot of updates that the usual First Class catering offer is unavailable.
Anyone know whats happened?
Anyway there's a been a lot of updates that the usual First Class catering offer is unavailable.
Anyone know whats happened?
Last edited:
moleman212
Member
- Joined
- 21 Aug 2011
- Messages
- 96
Complained about this and was offered £25 in total for 2 people as a one off goodwill gesture.
Scotrail314209
Established Member
Could be a multitude of things, if it's a Dine train that's been downgraded then it could simply be there's no Chef to cook the meals or there's an equipment issue.
Might be a stock issue, like if the trains been late and the providers haven't had time to fully replenish the train or the kitchen has no power.
The good thing about LNER is rather than have no catering on at all, they try to provide something whether it just be Sandwiches and drinks or a downgraded menu, when other TOCs wouldn't provide anything at all.
I think the reply used to be that as the food was complimentary there was no instrinsic value in it (which I totally disagree with)
So to get a goodwill gesture is something!
Butts
Veteran Member
Not strictly true.
On an AVANTI journey from Edinburgh to Sandwell & Dudley last year there was no attended service until Preston.
Prior to that you could show your ticket at the Buffet and literally have what you liked !!