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London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service
- Thread starter MidnightFlyer
- Start date
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During the week first class has a full at seat service throughout the day. You only need to go to the buffet car if you want something that is not on the complimentary menu (though if you ask nicely they might be willing to fetch something for you). You will probably be too late for the full english breakfast (though in theory they should serve it until departures after 09:30) so it will be the lighter breakfast of things like bacon rolls.
The timetable is here: http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/document...ast_full timetable 22 may - december 2011.pdf unfortunately they don't distinguish full breakfast service from the lighter service. The train starts from Glasgow so will have offered the full breakfast but whether it still does from Newcastle I'm not too sure, let me know when you travel on it (you will get something though don't worry about that).
To be fair (I've been very harsh recently), all East Coast trains do offer an at seat service in first class which still makes them one of the better operators (shows how pathetic the others are IMO). However, the service was a lot better prior to 22 May before things became complimentary, there was a much larger selection of hot food and you could get anything served at-seat. Now if it's not complimentary you have to queue.
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Are they allowed to do this?
I don't see why not but they are certainly well within their rights to say no. But for instance if the train is pretty much empty in first class and you ask for something from the buffet they might say yes. On the other hand if it's a busy service they will definitely say no it depends on the situation and the crew.
It doesn't hurt to ask just don't count on them saying yes.
YorkshireRider
Member
It will be at seat service but i think due to a crew changeover at Newcastle it will be the mid-morning menu which consists of bacon toasties, smoked salmon and eggs or fruit plate. You can also have toast and pastries on top of one of those. I believe on depature from Newark it goes to the all day offer, with full drinks service if you want.
Thank you for your information, and to ainsworth74 for his input. Toast is pretty much the only thing I do eat for breakfast so I think the at-seat offerings will suffice. One final question: could I please have a distinction between what will be free and what will not, considering I'm in First Class? Again, thanks in advance.
Everything is free in first class apart from items at the buffet car which standard class can buy.
Thanks very much. I should get free Wi-Fi to so I will report back during the journey about what's on offer.
YorkshireRider
Member
Yep as ainsworth says everything that is offered is free, if you just want toast then that will be on the trolley as it passes through, along with tea, coffee and fruit juice. After Newark (about 11:30) if you want you can have a sandwich, salad or hot snack with a glass of wine or a beer then you can, all complementary. The sandwiches will be on the trolley, and a separate drinks trolley will come through. If you want the salad (Ham Hock) or hot snack (goats cheese and red onion tart) just order that with the staff as they bring the sandwich trolley through. There will also be crisps and cake on there.
StrollerEd
Member
- Joined
- 27 May 2011
- Messages
- 180
It is sad that this forum is now an enquiry desk on behalf of EC for passenger information about what food can be expected on what train.
But that is what happens when otherwise content FC travellers become disgrunted.
I have to wait for another week to have my renewal of first hand experience of the new offerings.
But that is what happens when otherwise content FC travellers become disgrunted.
I have to wait for another week to have my renewal of first hand experience of the new offerings.
Is it really that much of a hardship to put your rubbish in the bin? There is nothing worse than getting on a train to find someone has left all of their rubbish on the seat. You may be in a first and expect the staff to run around cleaning up after you but is it really that much of a hassle to bin your litter?
Butts
Veteran Member
Perhaps it's time this thread was archived as it is so long it would take hours to go through and leads to repetition.
Incidentally is the length of this thread a record ?
All Line Rover
Established Member
- Joined
- 17 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 5,270
Butts
Veteran Member
Perhaps so. Let's wait until it reaches 100 pages, first.
Will that beat the record ???
No way. Guess The Station has over 1,000 pages and my thread, Guess The UK Train Class, has managed about 150.
I am writing this post from my single First Class seat, onboard the 0928 Newcastle-Kings Cross service, and as promised, I'll fill you in on my opinions.
So far, its been very good. We've just left York. I've already had two cups of free tea, and a jam and butter croissant. The service has been at seat, and they are about to bring through another trolley service! I'll be bloated by the time we reach Peterborough!
The Wi-Fi is working, much to my surprise, and the seats are of good comfort. My laptop is terrible for battery consumption and I'm pleased the seats have plugs! The view from the train is rather nice, looking out over the countryside.
So far, so good, dare I say it.....
MidnightFlyer
Veteran Member
- Joined
- 16 May 2010
- Messages
- 12,856
In NR General Discussion, the 'Grand Central Thread' has ~250,000 views and ~2,500 replies, so there's quite a way to go yet.
Butts
Veteran Member
No way. Guess The Station has over 1,000 pages and my thread, Guess The UK Train Class, has managed about 150.
I am writing this post from my single First Class seat, onboard the 0928 Newcastle-Kings Cross service, and as promised, I'll fill you in on my opinions.
So far, its been very good. We've just left York. I've already had two cups of free tea, and a jam and butter croissant. The service has been at seat, and they are about to bring through another trolley service! I'll be bloated by the time we reach Peterborough!
The Wi-Fi is working, much to my surprise, and the seats are of good comfort. My laptop is terrible for battery consumption and I'm pleased the seats have plugs! The view from the train is rather nice, looking out over the countryside.
Did you get offered a copy of The Independent - I joined the service you are on last week from Edinburgh - Newcastle and they were handed straight out,
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I dare not look at that thread unless I have a DAY to spare !!
Butts
Veteran Member
They probably hand them all out at the start of the journey - glad you enjoyed it.
I was on the northbound Highland Chieftain through to inverness on Saturday. We were handed a newspaper on leaving kings cross & tea/coffee by finsbury park. ( I asked for green tea so the crew went back to the kitchen & reappeared with a teapot which lasted me for the next hour!)
food trolley by Huntingdon - the salmon sandwiches were nice & ok for lunch supplemented with some fruit etc I had got at m&s.
Next food trolley run was after Newcastle then again after hay market each time the selection available was getting smaller (only veg sandwiches left north of Edinburgh) I had a boxed m&s salad with me for evening meal.
Today returning from Aberdeen. No papers offered.
Food trolley has been twice so far -about to cross forth bridge. I was served 3 salmon sandwich triangles -very nice. Will ask for the goats cheese tart hot option on the next trolley run -haven't seen that go past yet but a few people have had the ham hock salad.
food trolley by Huntingdon - the salmon sandwiches were nice & ok for lunch supplemented with some fruit etc I had got at m&s.
Next food trolley run was after Newcastle then again after hay market each time the selection available was getting smaller (only veg sandwiches left north of Edinburgh) I had a boxed m&s salad with me for evening meal.
Today returning from Aberdeen. No papers offered.
Food trolley has been twice so far -about to cross forth bridge. I was served 3 salmon sandwich triangles -very nice. Will ask for the goats cheese tart hot option on the next trolley run -haven't seen that go past yet but a few people have had the ham hock salad.
Butts
Veteran Member
No -I don't drink.
There was a full delivery of food at Edinburgh. I was served the goats cheese tart on leaving Dunbar. It was very nice. Sufficient for my requirements today with the cake etc but I had had a main course for lunch.
Maybe if they could serve it with the option to have it with a largr salad & either a few chips or a granary roll it would be more substantial.
There was a full delivery of food at Edinburgh. I was served the goats cheese tart on leaving Dunbar. It was very nice. Sufficient for my requirements today with the cake etc but I had had a main course for lunch.
Maybe if they could serve it with the option to have it with a largr salad & either a few chips or a granary roll it would be more substantial.
andylloyd
Member
Rightio,
finally got a response back about a few issues on my outward trip back in the end of July.
The major downside was the attitude of the guard who point blank refused to sell me an all zone travelcard.
Having the crew change at York was a pleasure and the new guard sold me one just like that
After the usual glock n spiel at the end of the email was a £5 voucher to use on food and drink.....
Would this swing it for me to go first class again?
finally got a response back about a few issues on my outward trip back in the end of July.
The major downside was the attitude of the guard who point blank refused to sell me an all zone travelcard.
Having the crew change at York was a pleasure and the new guard sold me one just like that
After the usual glock n spiel at the end of the email was a £5 voucher to use on food and drink.....
Would this swing it for me to go first class again?
How about if you get on in Newcastle and find your table in that mess. Yes, I know how to use the bins but sadly I don't take my dishwasher with me!
Let me see if I've got this right. You made some comments to East Coast Customer Service about your experiences with the new 1st Class offering, which includes complimentary food and drink, and they sent you a £5 Catering Voucher?
Seems like they're admitting the offering isn't substantial enough and are giving five quid to spend at the buffet!
It's not really a hassle and I'm no stranger to clearing away cans and bottles myself (obviously they don't want plates thrown in the bin), but East Coast were definitely one of the better operators for keeping their coaches clean in service so it would be a shame if it was cut back on.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,544
another £5 voucher here, thanks EC dont mind if I do have another beer. Agree that its an admission of guilt on there part!
It would seem to me a better idea to have given a voucher for a free upgrade to first class, in order to give you another opportunity to experience a (hopefully) better service. Telling you to get something from the buffet definitely sounds like admitting defeat!