London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[calc7]

I actually prefer the current set up of mugs and the more appropriate set up of knives and folks etc. Wen FC had cups and saucers it seemed to take ages to get set up by the staff/wash and recycle the layup.

I think they could at least do with a saucer like on Virgin. It's not immediately obvious what do do with used spoons and sugar sachets, especially when you're sharing a table with strangers and don't want to encroach on their real estate.

 

[wintonian]

Or get your paperwork dirty wehen you want to work.

Sent from my Motorola Xoom

 

[Yew]

On a side note I saw a MK4 bearing a red stripe last week, it was a throwback. Apparently the White sticker covering them has never coped well in bad weather since NX put them on.

maybe its part of the preparations for a respray?

 

[amcluesent]

For the peeps who reckon I always dis EC, the 'all day' sarnies of New York salt beef and the crumbly cheese are quite nice, as is the cake.

However, not sure why they were being served on a service after 17:30 out of KGX, when I expected the evening option to have started!

 

[calc7]

For the peeps who reckon I always dis EC, the 'all day' sarnies of New York salt beef and the crumbly cheese are quite nice, as is the cake.

However, not sure why they were being served on a service after 17:30 out of KGX, when I expected the evening option to have started!

If it's the 1733 to LDS (or wherever) then, unfortunately, they believe people can't possibly want an evening meal if they're leaving London before 6 and travelling to West Yorks!


Here's a question for those of you who do breakfast services: are they even stingy with toast/croissants? It's one thing with the booze and hot food, but I'll be damned if, when I go to EDB on the 0800, they think I won't want anything else after what's served on leaving KGX.

 

[ainsworth74]

Here's a question for those of you who do breakfast services: are they even stingy with toast/croissants?

It seems to depend on the crew. On the same service on the same day of the week (but a few weeks apart) I asked for some more toast after we left Peterborough (heading to Kings Cross) when they were coming back from their last food run and was declined once and allowed on the second occasion.

So seems to be 50/50. Personally I don't see any reason why there should be limits on things like that unless they're running out (and they weren't as I could see plenty of toast left over!).

 

[Blindtraveler]

similar experience on my 2 breakfast trains

 

[Butts]

From my experience they on one occasion didn't have any toast due to an "equipment malfunction".

On other runs they "guard it with their life" and don't ask how many slices you would like.

The most irritating aspect is the arrival of the said produce often long before the cooked breakfast, rather than at the same time or shortly afterwards.

I bet Vic Reeves gets as much toast as he wants at the correct time......"tomato sir"........"oh yes please".....yuck

 

[Bridge189]

Funny you should mention that as I saw the woman CSA that served Vic in Leeds station a few weeks ago. She must be based there. I thought it would have been actors doing the adverts but obviously not.

 

[Blindtraveler]

and il bet shes sick to death of being asked was that you on the telly?

 

[YorkshireRider]

Funny you should mention that as I saw the woman CSA that served Vic in Leeds station a few weeks ago. She must be based there. I thought it would have been actors doing the adverts but obviously not.

A very nice lady too, she works on the platforms now but used to work on-board, all the staff featured in the adverts are actual EC staff, no actors.

 

[Bungle73]

There's a "making of" video floating around too (you can find it on YouTube). IIRC it only covers the the Rory Bremner video, but I'm not sure.

 

[Bridge189]

I saw that video "the making of" it was totally un work/railway related circumstances too. Shame they didn't use that shot of Rory talking to the nice looking female crew member in the final cut

It seems like they had to pull half of the coach out just to film it too.

 

[amcluesent]

A half-hearted effort on EC today

Peak time into KGX from PBO, the 'complimentary' was a cold croissant. No OJ, no jam, no joghurt. This prompted some exchanges with the crew-lead from another pax!

Peak time, northbound sarnies were rationed to two due to RG not delivering enough for a fully loaded train (I was in K3x so had 1st dibs)

(And the wi-fi in FC was rickety and only offering 15 min sessions)

Dear, oh dear!

 

[sidmouth]

A half-hearted effort on EC today

Peak time into KGX from PBO, the 'complimentary' was a cold croissant. No OJ, no jam, no joghurt. This prompted some exchanges with the crew-lead from another pax!

Peak time, northbound sarnies were rationed to two due to RG not delivering enough for a fully loaded train (I was in K3x so had 1st dibs)

(And the wi-fi in FC was rickety and only offering 15 min sessions)

Dear, oh dear!

Welcome to the club re KGX from PBO! I've now well and truly given up with EC's £124 peak PBO to KGX tickets following my past and almost identical experiences. Was quiet happy before May 2011 but not now as a second class (excuse the pun) citizen.

 

[156402]

Have to add my bit to this, as yesterday sampled the FC offer for the first time on the Advance Flat £25 fare, advertised before Christmas. Journey was out and back to Edinburgh.

Outward
Full English had on the 0700 ex Kings Cross plus the offer of something off the trolley after each stop, though only 1 piece of toast per visit.

Return
Evening meal served after leaving Edinburgh at 1630, then again offer of something off both the drinks and food trolley after each stop.

Have to say all in all, very good considering it was complimentary.

The only down side was the power socket at my seat on the outward was not working and on both trips the wi-fi was woefull. :cry:

 

[Butts]

Have to add my bit to this, as yesterday sampled the FC offer for the first time on the Advance Flat £25 fare, advertised before Christmas. Journey was out and back to Edinburgh.

Outward
Full English had on the 0700 ex Kings Cross plus the offer of something off the trolley after each stop, though only 1 piece of toast per visit.

Return
Evening meal served after leaving Edinburgh at 1630, then again offer of something off both the drinks and food trolley after each stop.

Have to say all in all, very good considering it was complimentary.

The only down side was the power socket at my seat on the outward was not working and on both trips the wi-fi was woefull. :cry:

It is a bonus on flat fares or advances but not necessarily what you would expect if you'd paid the open return fare

 

[calc7]

Return
Evening meal served after leaving Edinburgh at 1630, then again offer of something off both the drinks and food trolley after each stop.

Have to say all in all, very good considering it was complimentary.

FFS! Why can't we all get this?!

I did the 1830 EDB-KGX a few weeks ago.
*One* run of drinks before Newcastle (it's the last one of the day so stops at Dunbar, Berwick, Alnmouth and Morpeth...), and only two runs between Newcastle and London after the crew change! All this when it's timetabled at 5hrs and was running 1/2hr late.

 

[Blindtraveler]

and seeing as your 3rd class wherever you go on FCC I think it may be time to get the bus!
rG need to go, it so often seams to be them letting it down time and again. Oh and to make matters worse its spreading - no Sarnies iether way between Dundee and Edinburgh on the SR Fasts which origionate in Aberdeen southbound and Waverley Northound. The trolley dollie said none were delivered to iether depot! Result, a hungry punter. Are well good for the waistline I guess
stil sad when even a STD0punter cant buy a sarny on a 2 plus hr trip

 

[142094]

I'd be tempted to ask for more drinks for a journey like that - IMO one per hour is reasonable, others might think different. Also I tend to 'stock' up on the first run - so will have a coffee, bottle of water and orange juice. Drink the coffee and orange juice, keep the water for later. On the next run perhaps get another coffee and soft drink.

Have to say I certainly would be writing in if I didn't get additional drinks when asked for - I can't see anywhere in the EC literature that says "You can only have so much per trip".

 

[156402]

It is a bonus on flat fares or advances but not necessarily what you would expect if you'd paid the open return fare

To be honest, it was part of the reason for doing the trip, to see what the fuss was about regarding the meals!

 

[Butts]

I'd be tempted to ask for more drinks for a journey like that - IMO one per hour is reasonable, others might think different. Also I tend to 'stock' up on the first run - so will have a coffee, bottle of water and orange juice. Drink the coffee and orange juice, keep the water for later. On the next run perhaps get another coffee and soft drink.

Have to say I certainly would be writing in if I didn't get additional drinks when asked for - I can't see anywhere in the EC literature that says "You can only have so much per trip".

Try ordering a Beer with a spirit chaser - have managed it once

 

[142094]

Try ordering a Beer with a spirit chaser - have managed it once

Never had anything alcholic before from the trolley - might change that next month!

 

[Bungle73]

I've had the red wine, and it was very nice. Something very civilised about relaxing with a glass of wine while the scenery wizzes past.

I've had four drinks on a two hour London to York trip. Two coffees, and two glasses of wine.

 

[Butts]

I've had the red wine, and it was very nice. Something very civilised about relaxing with a glass of wine while the scenery wizzes past.

I've had four drinks on a two hour London to York trip. Two coffees, and two glasses of wine.

Agreed.... all that is missing is a nice cigar

 

[jon0844]

I've had four drinks on a two hour London to York trip. Two coffees, and two glasses of wine.

You're the one. GET HIM!!

 

[Butts]

You're the one. GET HIM!!

I wonder what the record is for "booze runs" between Kings Cross and Edinburgh.

There must be at least four I would have thought which could equate to 8 drinks if you get a good "trolley dolly" or whatever the male equivalent is

I had three beers and three spirits on a Birmingham to Edinburgh Voyager once.

 

[142094]

You're the one. GET HIM!!

Lol, no wonder no-one else can get anything! Good job I live at one of EC's main terminus stations so when travelling south I can get first pick, and coming back north I can get more if they want rid of stock!

 

[Bungle73]

LOL! I just had some when it was offered to me.

 

[Butts]

LOL! I just had some when it was offered to me.

Have you ever had a ham sandwich on an East Coast Train - that would fit nicely with your "screenshot"