Carlisle to Penrith First Class

[Huntergreed]

Hi there

My friend (who often does things like this) accidentally bought a first class advance ticket from Carlisle to Penrith return on the 12:49 Pendolino Down and 16:45 Tilting Super Voyager return. In spite of this not so well thought out decision, he has asked me to advise him on what service he can expect to receive. Can anyone help me with this?

 

[yorkie]

Hi there

My friend (who often does things like this) accidentally bought a first class advance ticket from Carlisle to Penrith return on the 12:49 Pendolino Down and 16:45 Tilting Super Voyager return. In spite of this not so well thought out decision, he has asked me to advise him on what service he can expect to receive. Can anyone help me with this?

There is the possibility of a drink, such as a cup of tea or coffee or water, and maybe something like some fruit or a biscuit. I don't think there'd be time for much else. However that is not guaranteed as the trolley may not even reach where he is sat. The journey takes 13 minutes.

(by the way Carlisle to Penrith is in the 'Up' direction in railway terminology,as it's towards London , as well as being very much uphill from Carlisle)

 

[me123]

In about 15 minutes, I'd expect that he'd get a bigger seat and that's it. Virgin Trains say, in their usual mock-casual style:

Just a quickie? If you’re making a short trip we may not have the full First Class catering service available for you.

And it kind of doesn't get much shorter than 15 minutes on Virgin.

There may be time for a drink, and if they serve him promptly from Carlisle on the way down he may get sandwiches if he's very lucky and the service out of Carlisle is prompt, but I wouldn't count on it. Going back North, it's very possible he'll get nothing more than the seat and ambiance. Looking at the cheapest advance 1st fare (£20.50 one way) and comparing it to an open standard class return (£7.80 for the off peak return), I don't think he'll get his money's worth, and I doubt he'll go back to FC.

 

[robbeech]

Whilst i appreciate there may be seat reservations in play here, one would assume that if your friend boards towards the end of the train where the staff usually "hang out" then they are much more likely to receive at least a drink and snack, if it is full then they'll have to find their seat but if not then it should give them a better chance sitting there.
I have done short runs from say Warrington to Preston and as i sat there i was served straight away before the train had even moved. I appreciate that journey is longer but i had consumed everything i was offered within a sensible amount of time.