London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[calc7]

Told by crew on 10:00 KGX - ABD that the next trolley run not until after York. Fair enough for food but surely tea and coffee should be offered on a slightly more frequent basis?

I repeat my advice to get the slower xx:30 trains where possible (though if you're going to ABD that's probably not optimal) so as not to feel cheated by a 2-hour gap in service being deemed appropriate by these cowboys.

Tea/coffee is not a trolley run so there's half a chance they'll bring the flasks round again an hour in.

 

[Blindtraveler]

ainsworth, great move!

Løk forward to this.

 

[sidmouth]

Just seen Barry Doe's article"Service offered on EC is anything but first class is issue 687 of "Rail", and in which he lambasts EC wrt its 1sr class complimentary food offering. In his article Barry also refers to a recent example of a colleague of his, following the recent Bletchley derailment and travelling from London to Preston, on the 1135 ex KGX being refused refreshments because he wasn't 'one of our customers". Barry Doe then concludes that it is a "blessing" to know that Directly Operated Rail will not be able to bid when the franchise is relet.

Certainly, EC are currently doing themselves no credit, and are simply showing themselves up. Sad really.

 

[John @ home]

Just seen Barry Doe's article"Service offered on EC is anything but first class"

Yes. It seems to me that in the railway press complaints about EC catering are running second only to those about bonuses for Network Rail directors.

I said that my article on the abuse of Quiet Zones (RAIL 686) had produced the largest 'postbag' for any column I had ever written. But that has been exceeded by the letters and emails I received following my piece in RAIL 687 on East Coast's new at-seat catering in First Class. ...

I emailed some of these examples to East Coast's Customer Services Director ... who has made no comment whatever since my original condemnation of the service. He did not reply, so after a few days I emailed again. This time he left an answerphone message to say he had received my email but had nothing to add to the comment EC had made in December. EC has a lot of happy customers and that's an end of it.

So to all those who are not happy with the appalling service they've received, the message is loud and clear: East Coast doesn't want your business.

Sad really.

For many, the sadness has turned to anger.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

For many, the sadness has turned to anger.

I'd say the sadness has turned to hunger.

 

[Bungle73]

Just seen Barry Doe's article"Service offered on EC is anything but first class is issue 687 of "Rail", and in which he lambasts EC wrt its 1sr class complimentary food offering. In his article Barry also refers to a recent example of a colleague of his, following the recent Bletchley derailment and travelling from London to Preston, on the 1135 ex KGX being refused refreshments because he wasn't 'one of our customers". Barry Doe then concludes that it is a "blessing" to know that Directly Operated Rail will not be able to bid when the franchise is relet.

Certainly, EC are currently doing themselves no credit, and are simply showing themselves up. Sad really.

Should someone who isn't an EC customer, and hasn't actually paid them any money be entitled to the FC freebies? I don't think so.

 

[calc7]

Should someone who isn't an EC customer, and hasn't actually paid them any money be entitled to the FC freebies? I don't think so.

I think the point is Virgin presumably don't adopt the same attitude when they convey EC stranded passengers.

 

[philjo]

But if it was the other way round - i.e. Virgin carrying EC 1st class passengers due to an ECML blockage I'm sure they would all have been served food/drink by Virgin. The passengers have a 1st class ticket which has been accepted for travel by EC so there should be no disinction once on board.

EC are not doing themselves any favours as they could have tempted passengers who usually travel via Virgin to use EC next time.

 

[calc7]

But if it was the other way round - i.e. Virgin carrying EC 1st class passengers due to an ECML blockage I'm sure they would all have been served food/drink by Virgin. The passengers have a 1st class ticket which has been accepted for travel by EC so there should be no disinction once on board.

EC are not doing themselves any favours as they could have tempted passengers who usually travel via Virgin to use EC next time.

Precisely.
And how lucky the passengers must think themselves when they get to Edinburgh well watered and fed!

Personally, I find the EC offer so insulting that unless it's a dirt cheap ticket, I will give my custom to Virgin. (I live in West Yorkshire to the journey times from London are very similar)

 

[jon0844]

What idiot gets a customer from another service and passes up a chance to show what they're missing!

 

[calc7]

What idiot gets a customer from another service and passes up a chance to show what they're missing!

It really highlights the bean counting attitude as any rational-acting company would realise the opportunity and go all-out! What idiots.

Chiltern did a really good job in the Bletchley derailment, apparently making sure First Class Virgin customers got some grub and drinks!

 

[YorkshireRider]

Served Virgin passengers during WCML disruption in first class who comment on how much better the service is on EC.

 

[Blindtraveler]

What idiot gets a customer from another service and passes up a chance to show what they're missing!

one (in some cases but not Yorkshire Riders) in an EC Uniform!

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
QUOTE=YorkshireRider;989474]Still waiting for Barry Doe to apologise for the lies he told in his last article about using a quote that wasnt from a EC staff member. Also served Virgin passengers during WCML disruption in first class who comment on how much better the service is on EC.[/QUOTE]



which is what Id have personally expected as otherwise id have been after a refund which virgin may then have tried to claim back off EC. Keep up the good work your doing, I do pitty the staff in all this and yes you deserve an appology for that article.

 

[YorkshireRider]

When another TOC passes another TOCs tickets they get paid off the other TOC for doing so and i would treat the passengers/customers like our own, its only way to do it and like previous posts say its a good way to attract other customers.

 

[Blindtraveler]

great1 nice to hear!

 

[amcluesent]

What idiot gets a customer from another service and passes up a chance to show what they're missing!

Yep, makes sense if you are a middle-manager. If you are on the trolley, you'll likely know that the food ordered from RG isn't enough to cover the additional pax from WCML and you dream-up a reason not to serve them to eke-out the sarnies for the full run.

Sound like it's time Barry was put out to grass. His journalism is all over the place.

 

[Butts]

Weekend Service Report

Saturday 0655 Edinburgh to York - Coffee on Departure quickly followed by Breakfast Croissant. Further runs after Newcastle and Durham and Darlington Coffee , Soft Drinks , Cakes and Crisps. Just as well I was sitting near the toilet :roll:

Sunday 1852 York to Edinburgh - Coffee on departure plus choice of sanwiches (chicken and stuffing or egg and tomato (pre-packed) , crisps, biscuits and cakes. Quickly followed by coke and orange juice etc. Further runs after Darlington and Newcastle.

Mind you if you'd got on at Berwick "tough titty" nothing at all

My verdict - a lot better than the "tea and biscuits" on Virgin at the weekend. Also Coke cans are full size not those diddy sized efforts. The Breakfast Croissant leaves a lot to be desired I'd rather have had one of the "all day" sarnies. They could run to a bacon roll surely

Once again I witnessed all the "suckers" sitting in their reserved seats in the correct coach leaving me a choice of a "4" anywhere on the train

On both journeys "coach class" was rammed with people standing - having paid £40 return I couldn't resist a slight chortle.

 

[marks87]

Once again I witnessed all the "suckers" sitting in their reserved seats in the correct coach leaving me a choice of a "4" anywhere on the train

Whenever I'm intending to go FC with EC, I always use their own website so I can choose, if possible, a single seat. This nullifies the possibility of someone getting on and sitting across from or next to me.

That hardly make me a "sucker".

 

[calc7]

Whenever I'm intending to go FC with EC, I always use their own website so I can choose, if possible, a single seat. This nullifies the possibility of someone getting on and sitting across from or next to me.

That hardly make me a "sucker".

I think he means everybody cramming into coach M as that's the default coach for reservations. Also the coach where all the last-minuters get on at Kings Cross.

 

[Butts]

Whenever I'm intending to go FC with EC, I always use their own website so I can choose, if possible, a single seat. This nullifies the possibility of someone getting on and sitting across from or next to me.

That hardly make me a "sucker".

My apologies

But why have a single when you can stretch out on a "four" ?

 

[marks87]

I think he means everybody cramming into coach M as that's the default coach for reservations. Also the coach where all the last-minuters get on at Kings Cross.

I still think it's a bit unfair...not just because some people have a personal preference, but also with an Advance ticket you're supposed to sit in your reserved seat.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

My apologies

But why have a single when you can stretch out on a "four" ?

Because there's no knowing who might get on further along the line. I'd rather just have space that I know for certain will be exclusively mine for the duration of the trip.

 

[calc7]

I still think it's a bit unfair...not just because some people have a personal preference, but also with an Advance ticket you're supposed to sit in your reserved seat.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Because there's no knowing who might get on further along the line. I'd rather just have space that I know for certain will be exclusively mine for the duration of the trip.

I guess we shouldn't complain - regulars will know to go to coach K (where they will also get the best deal on the complimentaries).

EC nearly always put out the slips in the back of seats so you can find yourself an unreserved table if you so wish.

 

[Butts]

I think he means everybody cramming into coach M as that's the default coach for reservations. Also the coach where all the last-minuters get on at Kings Cross.

Fortunately I rarely travel on a busy service - I have experienced "a crush" in First Class from Euston to Brum (on Virgin).

From Edinburgh I would always Fly to London (easier on nicotine pangs)

It sounds insane as I only use cheapo 1st Class but I become slightly aggrieved if my carriage is more than half full

The other day I was on a service from Polmont to Glasgow and the tiny 1st Class was full by Glasgow !! Felt highly peed off
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I still think it's a bit unfair...not just because some people have a personal preference, but also with an Advance ticket you're supposed to sit in your reserved seat.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Because there's no knowing who might get on further along the line. I'd rather just have space that I know for certain will be exclusively mine for the duration of the trip.

The Guards don't care which seat you sit in as long as your ticket is valid for the journey.(from my experience)

The single 1st Class seats are far to cramped for my liking
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I guess we shouldn't complain - regulars will know to go to coach K (where they will also get the best deal on the complimentaries).

EC nearly always put out the slips in the back of seats so you can find yourself an unreserved table if you so wish.

I'm a K man :roll: - I was sitting at an empty "4" opposite my "proper seat" on both journeys.

I scrutinise the slips as well

 

[calc7]

Fortunately I rarely travel on a busy service - I have experienced "a crush" in First Class from Euston to Brum (on Virgin).

From Edinburgh I would always Fly to London (easier on nicotine pangs)

It sounds insane as I only use cheapo 1st Class but I become slightly aggrieved if my carriage is more than half full

The other day I was on a service from Polmont to Glasgow and the tiny 1st Class was full by Glasgow !! Felt highly peed off

It is a reasonable expectation in the off-peak that one will get at least a table of 2 to oneself in First Class on InterCity services.

If the smoker really fancied the train from EDB to KGX, I would suggest selecting "via Retford" and using the EC text-only journey planner to specify longer interchange times. This may then put you on the 2-hourly stopper from YRK to KGX and may give you a ciggy break at York. In 1st you're a lot more likely to get two trolley runs rather than the pitiful and insulting 1 on the non-stop service.

 

[Butts]

It is a reasonable expectation in the off-peak that one will get at least a table of 2 to oneself in First Class on InterCity services.

If the smoker really fancied the train from EDB to KGX, I would suggest selecting "via Retford" and using the EC text-only journey planner to specify longer interchange times. This may then put you on the 2-hourly stopper from YRK to KGX and may give you a ciggy break at York. In 1st you're a lot more likely to get two trolley runs rather than the pitiful and insulting 1 on the non-stop service.

Table of four more like - just start at one end and carry on until you find one.

Your "York" scenario would be ok if you didn't have to leave the station for a burn

 

[Bungle73]

Whenever I'm intending to go FC with EC, I always use their own website so I can choose, if possible, a single seat. This nullifies the possibility of someone getting on and sitting across from or next to me.

Because there's no knowing who might get on further along the line. I'd rather just have space that I know for certain will be exclusively mine for the duration of the trip.

Me too!

The single 1st Class seats are far to cramped for my liking

Are you fat?

 

[marks87]

Are you fat?

It must be all the toast

 

[MidnightFlyer]

My apologies

But why have a single when you can stretch out on a "four" ?

In either standard or first, unless I knew from experience and was almost certain that the service would be quiet for its entirety, I would always, always take a single seat (in first) or airline seat (in standard). As others have said, I know then that it is my space and my space alone for the journey, and I am unlikely to be disturbed from it. In a bay of four I often feel like I have too much room, but I will take them if the train is quiet enough.

 

[JB1601]

Yeah I'm in the single seat club too - nothing more annoying than sitting at a 4 and then being stuck opposite someone with legs as long as the BFG kicking into you, spreading their stuff out across the table more than they should etc. Just not worth it - those little individual seats are perfect, and since EC have allowed you to choose your seat I always grab one of those.

 

[Blindtraveler]

no northbound breakfast NCL EDB today, RG not loaded it