London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Blindtraveler]

id be at very least hoping the booz keeps going!

 

[Darandio]

I think most of use can go a few hours without eating can't we? Especially if we've only just eaten.

When I went to York a few weeks ago I had the Ham Hock Salad at about 1pm on the train up and that did me until I ate in the evening

That all depends on the person involved and how long the journey is.

We have a customer here who has boarded at Haymarket and shown what he received, that being all he is allowed all the way to London, a journey getting on for five hours.

This isn't about eating all you can here, or trying to get as much as you can for free, it's about being provided a service that matches all of the publicity EC have been woo-ha-ing about. Look at the literature the customer has pictured, what is "substantial" in that meal provided? Mind you, it does say "little more substantial" which includes two words that do not go together but also mentions for shorter journeys the customer will receive "snacks". As has been pointed out on here more than once, and in light of the picture taken by the customer, he has received nothing more than a "snack" for a near five hour journey!

 

[wintonian]

Well the same lady who has been on since at least EDB is still here with the food trolly, at least have had 3 goes at the booze trolly.

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[Bungle73]

That all depends on the person involved and how long the journey is.

We have a customer here who has boarded at Haymarket and shown what he received, that being all he is allowed all the way to London, a journey getting on for five hours.

This isn't about eating all you can here, or trying to get as much as you can for free, it's about being provided a service that matches all of the publicity EC have been woo-ha-ing about. Look at the literature the customer has pictured, what is "substantial" in that meal provided? Mind you, it does say "little more substantial" which includes two words that do not go together but also mentions for shorter journeys the customer will receive "snacks". As has been pointed out on here more than once, and in light of the picture taken by the customer, he has received nothing more than a "snack" for a near five hour ,journey!

It says you will be offered something a little more substantial, which is what he got. It's not a snack IMO, it's a light lunch.

 

[jon0844]

If EC did offer what you could consider as too much, I am sure people would simply say 'no thanks'. I doubt everyone is out to eat and drink as much as they possibly can.

Sure, there might be some exceptions but it wouldn't cost EC that much and generate a lot more goodwill.

We once finished a day in Paris and were in leisure select. We were offered glasses of champagne and I think there was a virtual limit, in that you had to ask for a refill and the staff didn't pass THAT frequently. We were cheeky and asked for the bottle (there were 4 of us) and she obliged. Did it put Eurostar out of business? Did it have everyone else on the train suddenly ask for a bottle themselves? No.

 

[wintonian]

What I had would be fine from somewhere like York but Haymarket is quite a long trip so another round off sandwiches after York for example would have been nice but not even 1 little quarter triangle I thought was a bit off on 4 1/2 5 hour trip.

Incidently am now back London.
Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[Greenback]

It says you will be offered something a little more substantial, which is what he got. It's not a snack IMO, it's a light lunch.

If you think that what was in the picture is in any way adequate for the Dinburgh to London journey, given EC's advertising campaign and the messages on the menu's, I think you are going to be very much in the minority!

 

[jon0844]

After suggesting people take photos of what they get, I wonder how long it will be until staff take exception to anyone taking a picture and the passenger gets arrested by BTP under the prevention of terrorism act!

 

[Blindtraveler]

it wil last until a 4YO girl is onboard eating ice cream!

 

[wintonian]

After suggesting people take photos of what they get, I wonder how long it will be until staff take exception to anyone taking a picture and the passenger gets arrested by BTP under the prevention of terrorism act!

Can you disguise a bomb as brie and cranbury wellington?

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[Greenback]

Can you disguise a brie and cranberry wellington as a meal?

 

[wintonian]

Can you disguise a brie and cranberry wellington as a meal?

Now come on, it did come with lots of leattuce!

Sent from my HTC Desire S

 

[harz99]

Just like to say that the quotes attributed to me in post 1623 are not mine! They come from the OP of post 1622.

I have no interest in East Coast (or any other TOC's) FC freebies as I never travel FC in the first place.

 

[Greenback]

Just like to say that the quotes attributed to me in post 1623 are not mine! They come from the OP of post 1622.

I have no interest in East Coast (or any other TOC's) FC freebies as I never travel FC in the first place.

I apologise. I don't know how I managed to get the name wrong.

 

[John @ home]

I don't know how I managed to get the name wrong.

It has happened to me when I had draft replies to different threads open at the same time in different windows of the same browser.

 

[Butts]

Can you disguise a brie and cranberry wellington as a meal?

Only if you are a stick thin model !!

It looks more like something from a "finger buffet"

Are EC providing a "diet on rails"

 

[Blindtraveler]

to anyone who has eaten it, whats it like?
Would you rather have it, or a beetroot thing?

 

[wintonian]

to anyone who has eaten it, whats it like?
Would you rather have it, or a beetroot thing?

It was actually very nice, very nutty and the cake was quite nice as well.

 

[Butts]

Just had a revolutionary thought

If they really want to save money on the catering why don't they just give all First Class Passengers £10 or £20 of vouchers to spend at the Cafe Bar onboard.

They would have to up the staffing there but this would be more than balanced by the saving on the"at seat service"

If I had the choice I would go for the vouchers.

Come to think of it you woudnt even need vouchers , just show your ticket like you do on Virgin at the Weekend.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Trouble is is that that would be (on the surface) seen as very poor service - you've paid £250 for your ticket and you have to walk through 4-5 coaches and queue up everytime you need a brew!

 

[Butts]

Trouble is is that that would be (on the surface) seen as very poor service - you've paid £250 for your ticket and you have to walk through 4-5 coaches and queue up everytime you need a brew!

I must have missed the "highlights" of the new system.

At least with £20 to spend you could choose what you wanted when you wanted it -ie a burger or something.

Using the price of £250 as a rationale for the current service is ludicrous - if anything it highlights the paucity of the offer.

 

[YorkshireRider]

Maybe the powers that be read this forum as they are going to trial doing away with the menu booklet and just have single menus of whatever is served on that train at that time. This was due to customer feedback who found the booklets confusing. No start date for this but probably in about 3 weeks or so. The full new menu should be rolled out on Nov 14th

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Using the price of £250 as a rationale for the current service is ludicrous - if anything it highlights the paucity of the offer.

I wasn't using that example to show how good the new service is; compared to pre-May it is poor. I just chose it as an off the top of my head figure for a walk-on 1st class fare.

 

[Butts]

I wasn't using that example to show how good the new service is; compared to pre-May it is poor. I just chose it as an off the top of my head figure for a walk-on 1st class fare.

I suspected that was the case and understand the point you were making about service etc.

The figure you quoted emphasises the poor offering in a supposedly 1st Class Service.

I'm off to Aberdeen the morrow and for my £13.50 special the fayre and fare are quite acceptable

 

[Blindtraveler]

interesting Re the menues. Maybe they'll keep reading and bring the restaurant back next?

 

[wintonian]

interesting Re the menues. Maybe they'll keep reading and bring the restaurant back next?

And maybe the pork chops fly their way down the carriages under their own steam to the passenger’s plates!

 

[ainsworth74]

interesting Re the menues. Maybe they'll keep reading and bring the restaurant back next?

Doubt it to be honest. People I think need to get over the loss of restaurants, it's sad and annoying but it's done and I don't think it's ever going to change. However having said that it doesn't mean there isn't any scope for improvements. My suggestions have been outlined elsewhere and I don't think they would break EC's preferred model of catering to implement them but would still lead to a much improved experience for passengers.

 

[Blindtraveler]

having gone back to check I agree with your thoughts on this one. Agreed the restaurant almost certainly woant return however nout wrong with a little joke? Cant help but wonder if worst group get EC If a similar moddle as GW would be introduced, I.E traveling chef? They could, if in the franchise spec offer sandwitches, caue etc as complimentary but have hot food to order? This would certainly please me.

 

[Butts]

having gone back to check I agree with your thoughts on this one. Agreed the restaurant almost certainly woant return however nout wrong with a little joke? Cant help but wonder if worst group get EC If a similar moddle as GW would be introduced, I.E traveling chef? They could, if in the franchise spec offer sandwitches, caue etc as complimentary but have hot food to order? This would certainly please me.

We have Road Chef so why not Rail Chef....on second thoughts not such a good analagy for decent grub

 

[wintonian]

Let’s be really radical and call it a buffet and have a first class dining car?