Birmingham - London VT First Class service?

[Kristofferson]

So it's that time of the year when the kids go back to school and I can finally purchase reasonably-priced Advance Firsts for my journeys home from work.

I was wondering whether the journey between BHM and Watford Jct (1h 03m) will be long enough to receive the at-seat service? It'd be great to have some food and a Tilting Ale for the journey!

Regarding the menu, the train is the 1910 from New Street which originates at Edinburgh at approx 14xx - will the food on offer be evening meal or light bites?

 

[bengolding]

Crew change at Wolves. As it departs there at 1845, this is the last southbound from New St offering the so-called Evening Meal. Not at all substantial but my recent experience on a Holyhead out of Euston (hot salmon) was surprisingly very pleasant.

Just wish VT could be more creative with their Light Bite sandwich options rather than having the same rotation returning every few weeks.

 

[Kristofferson]

Many thanks!

 

[voyagerdude220]

Crew change at Wolves. As it departs there at 1845, this is the last southbound from New St offering the so-called Evening Meal. Not at all substantial but my recent experience on a Holyhead out of Euston (hot salmon) was surprisingly very pleasant.

Just wish VT could be more creative with their Light Bite sandwich options rather than having the same rotation returning every few weeks.

I travelled throughout on the 14:52 Edinburgh to Euston via Wolves service last year, and wasn't offered the evening meal after Wolverhampton. I asked the Service Manager if it was just unavailable, or if it wasn't intended to have any hot food. He said because the train started from Edinburgh at 14:52, it wouldn't have any hot food, whereas it does when it starts from Wolverhampton.

 

[Kristofferson]

For anyone who finds this thread from a search later:

The "early supper" menu is served on this train, hot food with the usual light refreshments and an alcoholic drink if you'd like one.

Coach H isn't a very "Quiet" coach, it's a pantograph coach so makes some noise in and out of neutral sections.

 

[SeanG]

You mentioned the 'Tilting Ale'

It really annoys me that VT market this as a real ale, however its in a bottle, so therefore cannot be real ale

 

[CyrusWuff]

You mentioned the 'Tilting Ale'

It really annoys me that VT market this as a real ale, however its in a bottle, so therefore cannot be real ale

CAMRA would disagree with you on that point, and support "bottle-conditioned" real ale, per the link.

 

[Robinson]

Is this Tilting Ale offered on the first class drinks trolley? If so, then I can look forward to sampling it later today...

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Is the name of Tilting Ale a reference to the train or to what happens to a person who drinks to many bottles?

 

[Geezertronic]

Is the name of Tilting Ale a reference to the train or to what happens to a person who drinks to many bottles?

Just means that if you have too many, you can actually stand up straight when the train is tilting

 

[Kristofferson]

Robinson - Afraid not, the FC beer is a 330ml bottle of Estrella. Tilting Ale may still be available in the shop, I haven't looked for a while to be honest. It was fairly "light" for an ale, but still had a distinctively ale flavour.

 

[northofthesand]

The last time i travelled in FC from Birmingham to Preston in July they were
a crew member short so i had to go to the shop and get refreshments
(producing my ticket)but the scottish lass on there was really helpfull and
even though she was really busy nothing was too much and said just come back if i wanted anymore