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London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

Deerfold

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Edinburgh First Class Lounge is temporarily closed due to unforeseen maintenance - https://www.lner.co.uk/first-class-travel/lounges/edinburgh-waverley/

London Kings Cross First Class Lounge is closed for refurbishment until Spring 2026 - https://www.lner.co.uk/first-class-travel/lounges/london-kings-cross/

Not great that the lounges at both ends of their flagship route have ended up closed at the same time tbh
Yes - discovered London was closed on my way home last week. Glad I didn't arrive as early as usual at Kings Cross.

"Spring" seems rather vague. How many LNER refreshes have we had at London? I'd be happier if they fixed the WiFi at Leeds...
 
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Butts

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Edinburgh to Leuchars (1031) today fantastic service and offering.

Signature Menu and straight to Lunch Items...

Croc Monsieur ( Cheese and Ham Toastie ) really nice - as I was sitting in M I heard them say they had run out but luckily my order was the first in.

Chocolate and Ginger Pot - tasty

Coffee , Biscuits and Crisps plus a Whisky

Great value for an £8.70 ticket one hour duration.


As a comparison I came back on a Scotrail Inter City 7 £13 odd from LEU to EDB

Water and Biscuits to help yourself to - bonus as I was expecting nothing but poor compared to LNER. Reminded me of BA Economy Short haul except the (Border) Biscuits were better on Scotrail.

The ex GWR Seat though was like an armchair compared to the Azuma Ironing Board - forgot how good they were.

If only you could have the Scotrail Seat with the LNER Catering !!
 

ainsworth74

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"Spring" seems rather vague. How many LNER refreshes have we had at London?
I want to say this is maybe the second full on refresh that's closed it for a while? VTEC gave it a refresh when they took over I think but other than that I can't immediately recall a time when it's been shut for an appreciable period. And when VTEC did have it closed for a while they rented a couple of rooms in the Parcel Yard as a temporary lounge. It's a bit disappointing that LNER can't manage the same.
 

white43306

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Two separate trips on Saturday just gone.

Edinburgh to Newcastle with me and just 2 others in the coach. Direct. Had the croque monsieur

Then later in the day the extended long slog from Newcastle to KX and had the grazing box

All very nice
 

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Willie Bee

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My wife and I travelled from NCl - EDB on Sunday (10:02) and were offered the lunch menu shortly after departure. We had expected the breakfast menu, but that was fine. We had the croque monsieur each and it was quite nice

We returned on the EDB - NCL yesterday at 17:30. I had the chicken tagine and couscous, which was OK, but my wife had the croque monsieur again. Funnily enough, there were no knives and forks on board, so we had to do with spoons only.
 

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Butts

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Mice infestation apparently!
Pleased to report it is back open.

Biscuits and Croissants to eat plus Pretzels.

Coffee from machine very nice (cappo with an extra espresso shot)

They should get a similar device in onboard kitchen for decent brews.
 

Willie Bee

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They should get a similar device in onboard kitchen for decent brews.
Great shout ... the coffee options in the lounge are far better than the onboard coffee.

At Waverley the other day, they had paper cups with lids, so my wife and I took a couple of lattes to the train
 

Justin Time

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Just got off 1E05, the 7:30 from Edinburgh. I’ve travelled Newcastle-Doncaster. The app was showing the signature menu was the offer, however the dish menu cards were on the tables.
I queried this as I was looking forward to the “full LNER grill” and the host told me that the menu changes from signature to dish at Darlington as the chef gets off at York, but the grill was available from Newcastle. Result, and very enjoyable.
 

800Travel

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Which of the following circled locations do the first class staff operate from/stay in/around on the 7 coach LNER 225s please? I.e. what is the equivalent location to the coach M or E galley on a 9 or 5 car Azuma. Thanks

N.B. Point A had some carts stowed on a 9 car walkthrough video

Picture shows LNER Intercity 225 seating map with lettered circles annotated over potential areas.
 

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Segedunum

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Which of the following circled locations do the first class staff operate from/stay in/around on the 7 coach LNER 225s please? I.e. what is the equivalent location to the coach M or E galley on a 9 or 5 car Azuma. Thanks

N.B. Point A had some carts stowed on a 9 car walkthrough video

Picture shows LNER Intercity 225 seating map with lettered circles annotated over potential areas.
First Class galley is B.
 

westv

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I've just realised that it's within a few days of 6 years since I last used LNER first class on an almost weekly basis.
I have used it since but a lot less frequently since WFH.
 

TT-ONR-NRN

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I enjoyed an excellent breakfast on the 10.03 from Kings Cross to York yesterday. Good to have a full breakfast service at this time going north. Still available after Newcastle too.
What's the alleged 10:03 from King's Cross to York doing in Newcastle?
 

TT-ONR-NRN

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The ex GWR Seat though was like an armchair compared to the Azuma Ironing Board - forgot how good they were.

If only you could have the Scotrail Seat with the LNER Catering !!
Interesting, as when the GWR IETs and HSTs used to run alongside each other 2017-2019, I used to think the GWR HSTs had by far the most visually impressive first class, but that it was actually all fur coat and no knickers, as it were. And by that I mean, actually incredibly hard, upright and unsquashy to sit on, compared to the IET seat which looks plain but has a very comfortable (in my opinion) reclined position with a squashy spongey head cushion.
 

TT-ONR-NRN

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I want to say this is maybe the second full on refresh that's closed it for a while? VTEC gave it a refresh when they took over I think but other than that I can't immediately recall a time when it's been shut for an appreciable period. And when VTEC did have it closed for a while they rented a couple of rooms in the Parcel Yard as a temporary lounge. It's a bit disappointing that LNER can't manage the same.
Mind you, I don't think they're all they're made out to be, these lounges. These days, they're so busy and cramped, most are very small, it's just a busy room where people sit on a hard sofa staring at a TV playing BBC News and piles of junk food on a table. Honestly, and I mean this, the KX lounge resembles the kitchen in my office.
 
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TT-ONR-NRN

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My wife and I travelled from NCl - EDB on Sunday (10:02) and were offered the lunch menu shortly after departure. We had expected the breakfast menu, but that was fine. We had the croque monsieur each and it was quite nice

We returned on the EDB - NCL yesterday at 17:30. I had the chicken tagine and couscous, which was OK, but my wife had the croque monsieur again. Funnily enough, there were no knives and forks on board, so we had to do with spoons only.
The croque looks nice, would be such a lovely and surely inexpensive touch to add a little side salad on the side though? That on the plate with a scattering of those crisps they do would look really nice, just a little touch to make the service feel a little more balanced. Because currently, depending on when you travel, you either get an impressive full hot dinner, or a sandwich, and I don't see the prices reflecting the differences in offering.
 

Egg Centric

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Mind you, I don't think they're all they're made out to be, these lounges. These days, they're so busy and cramped, most are very small, it's just a busy room where people sit on a hard sofa staring at a TV playing BBC News and piles of junk food on a table. Honestly, and I mean this, the KX lounge resembles the kitchen in my newsroom.

They're not supposed to rival The Pier at HKG or something. They're just meant to be a piece of relative tranquility where you're not having "see it say it sorted" blasted at you every 2 seconds and you can get a free cup of tea. Most of them are fine at that.
 

Butts

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Mind you, I don't think they're all they're made out to be, these lounges. These days, they're so busy and cramped, most are very small, it's just a busy room where people sit on a hard sofa staring at a TV playing BBC News and piles of junk food on a table. Honestly, and I mean this, the KX lounge resembles the kitchen in my newsroom.

You'd be lucky piles of food - junk or otherwise in any LNER Lounge.

Sounds more like a description of a BA Lounge.
 

Egg Centric

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You'd be lucky piles of food - junk or otherwise in any LNER Lounge.

Sounds more like a description of a BA Lounge.

I'm not sure how old fashioned the journalistic organisation @TT-ONR-NRN works for but I doubt it's like a BA lounge in at least one crucial respect - unlimited booze. Or even if it is (just occurred to me there's technically unlimited booze at some of our offices), it probably can't be taken advantage of in the same way that I do in the galleries!

I think back in the 70s journalists getting comatose probably wasn't so frowned upon if it was after noon. Possibly even expected in some places.
 

Deerfold

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I'm not sure how old fashioned the journalistic organisation @TT-ONR-NRN works for but I doubt it's like a BA lounge in at least one crucial respect - unlimited booze. Or even if it is (just occurred to me there's technically unlimited booze at some of our offices), it probably can't be taken advantage of in the same way that I do in the galleries!

I think back in the 70s journalists getting comatose probably wasn't so frowned upon if it was after noon. Possibly even expected in some places.
LNER lounges don't have free alcohol of any type.
Some will sell you alcohol.
Occasionally you may find a soft drink more exciting than water.
 

Willie Bee

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Would there be a hot meal served on a midweek, late afternoon trip from York to Newcastle ?

There are a few train options, some take just under the hour and some slightly over. I think there is a 60 minute rule for the hot food, but is this strictly adhered to ?

An alternative could be TPE. We had their hot meal when travelling from Leeds to Newcastle last year, but maybe York to NCL is too short a trip. Their meal was actually very good
 

VT 390

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Would there be a hot meal served on a midweek, late afternoon trip from York to Newcastle ?

There are a few train options, some take just under the hour and some slightly over. I think there is a 60 minute rule for the hot food, but is this strictly adhered to ?

An alternative could be TPE. We had their hot meal when travelling from Leeds to Newcastle last year, but maybe York to NCL is too short a trip. Their meal was actually very good
For LNER the 60 minute restriction is currently only for the Chef specials section of the Signature menu, there are a couple of hot options in the regular dish section of the menu.

I have used TPE a few times on the Coast to Coast route and have found it more unpredictable on food availability than LNER which could be a consideration joining at York towards Newcastle as they may have run out of some options (in my experience this happens far more frequently on TPE than LNER).
 

Deerfold

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There's advertising at kings Cross that the First Class Lounge will reopen on Tuesday.
 

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HBP

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A review here

and another review here:

‘Looking ahead, LNER is looking to work with local suppliers to offer local goods in the lounge in the future, and will also be trialling new food options as its onboard menu changes.’
 

Willie Bee

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Monday night (30th March) .. 16:30 from Edinburgh to Newcastle no hot food available, so my wife and I had the Mexican bean wrap and the grazing box which were still OK.

The chocolate and ginger pot is very nice .. just a wee bit small .. or am I just being a greedy p.g

Arrived at NCL at about 18:00 and noticed the platform was full of folk with cameras / phones. There was an LNER Intercity 225 standing there. Even my wife commented on the train as it was different to the normal LNER she knows (Azuma)

She even wanted a picture .. I nearly fainted !
 

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D6130

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Monday night (30th March) .. 16:30 from Edinburgh to Newcastle no hot food available, so my wife and I had the Mexican bean wrap and the grazing box which were still OK.

The chocolate and ginger pot is very nice .. just a wee bit small .. or am I just being a greedy p.g

Arrived at NCL at about 18:00 and noticed the platform was full of folk with cameras / phones. There was an LNER Intercity 225 standing there. Even my wife commented on the train as it was different to the normal LNER she knows (Azuma)

She even wanted a picture .. I nearly fainted !
Lovely matching coat and DVT! :D

1A10, 06 56 Skipton - London KX this morning (joining at Leeds, depart 07 40). Excellent friendly, efficient and obliging Leeds crew as usual. Noticed on boarding that one passenger had already finished a cooked breakfast prior to arrival. Food orders taken promptly on departure from Leeds and two LNER Full Veggies served midway between Wakefield and Donny. Not as big as they once were, but fresh , hot and tasty. One minor criticism is that we could have done with a slice of bread or toast to mop-up the spilt egg yolk. Tea and coffee top-ups available on request. All-in-all a very positive experience!
 

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