Cross country 1st class

[TRAINLINCS]

I have booked a Cross Country 1st class journey from Penzance to Derby on a future Friday departing at 09-40 with a change at Birmingham New Street onto a Cardiff - Nottingham service arriving Derby approx 16-40. Can anyone please tell me what I can expect as regards catering in 1st class and if there will be a buffet bar for all passengers. Thank you.

 

[Hyphen]

Can't say too much about catering south of Birmingham (at seat trolley service joining further north; likely free tea/coffee and a snack or microwave meal - someone else can confirm) but on the Birmingham-Derby run you're unlikely to get anything.

I have seen 1st class travellers on the Nottingham service offered a free cup of tea/coffee before, but only once. I wouldn't get your hopes up. Catering is supplied by a third party on that service. There is no buffet, it's a trolley service.

The actual first class section on your second train will be an end compartment (doors are at 1/3 and 2/3 down the carriage) but should be quiet. They will also be no announcements in advance if first class is at the front or rear - and it can be either.

 

[DarloRich]

Cross country 1st class - is a total and utter waste of time. They would be better served taking it out and using the space for more second class seats.

There is almost nothing to justify the extra expense. It isn't like Virgin or East Coast......

 

[ffm]

Tea or coffee and maybe the food, which is very basic and leaves you rather disappointed at best

 

[TEW]

Important to note you won't get anything until at least departure from Plymouth at 11:50.

 

[Squaddie]

Cross country 1st class - is a total and utter waste of time. They would be better served taking it out and using the space for more second class seats.

There is almost nothing to justify the extra expense. It isn't like Virgin or East Coast......

Apart from a larger, more comfortable seat, more personal space and a more pleasant (or, at least, less unpleasant) environment, which is what most first-class passengers want.

 

[Goatboy]

Apart from a larger, more comfortable seat, more personal space and a more pleasant (or, at least, less unpleasant) environment, which is what most first-class passengers want.

Exactly this. I am travelling First with XC next month - the onboard service is dire and the seats are only slightly better but it will hopefully offer peaceful and quiet respite from the overloaded standard class coaches they offer.

In theory. I travelled First today with SWT and had to share the compartment with somebody who thought I the entire First Class coach wanted to hear the music he had on his iPad without headphones.

Astonishingly the train manager only asked him to turn it down a bit rather than off!

 

[Rich McLean]

I rarely travel first class, but if the train is reported Full and standing, or I know that the train is going to be rammed, I will spend extra for first class.

I once stood from Oxford all the way to Sheffield. Never again, so book first class on longer runs on busy trains to avoid this.

Also its all good and well reserving seats, but when its that packed you can hardly get in the door, trying to get to your seat is also a no go

 

[HST Power]

I'm doing First Class from Peterborough-Cambridge in a few months. It's only a fifty minute journey. Will there be any tea/coffee or food available?

 

[TRAINLINCS]

Thanks for the replies. By all accounts most people seem to think that Cross Country complimentary food offerings are poor but has anyone experienced their advertised complimentary lunch/afternoon food offerings of lamb hot pot, maccaroni cheese, or sandwiches and light breakfasts on their long distance services. Comments would be welcome. Thankyou.

 

[starrymarkb]

It's interesting how people whine about First class in the UK when on the continent you get a nicer seat and possibly some Kinder sweets

 

[ainsworth74]

It's interesting how people whine about First class in the UK when on the continent you get a nicer seat and possibly some Kinder sweets

It's an expectation thing I suspect. Once upon a time (read back in the days of BR) it was very similar to the continent, you got a nicer seat, maybe some drinks/snacks and if you wanted anything more off to the restaurant with you! Then with privatisation various TOCs have done away with restaurants and moved to complimentary food in first class. So the expectations of what you'll get in terms of service has changed to reflect that.

 

[brompton rail]

Thanks for the replies. By all accounts most people seem to think that Cross Country complimentary food offerings are poor but has anyone experienced their advertised complimentary lunch/afternoon food offerings of lamb hot pot, maccaroni cheese, or sandwiches and light breakfasts on their long distance services. Comments would be welcome. Thankyou.

Breakfast is a small bacon roll and a hot drink (paper cup). Using a BiteCard at a station buffet would get you a bigger roll and a bigger (& hotter) drink and still loads of change from a fiver. You have been warned!

 

[bnm]

Breakfast is a small bacon roll and a hot drink (paper cup). Using a BiteCard at a station buffet would get you a bigger roll and a bigger (& hotter) drink and still loads of change from a fiver. You have been warned!

My last few 'breakfasts' on XC 1st Class were a Bacon Roll, Coffee, Biscuits and Orange Juice. On one trip I also got a small Blueberry Muffin. More than adequate.

 

[317666]

It's interesting how people whine about First class in the UK when on the continent you get a nicer seat and possibly some Kinder sweets

The difference though is that first class fares on the continent are a lot cheaper. First class over here is really designed for business travellers, so you get more but it costs more.

 

[stut]

First class used be basically be civil service class, didn't it?

 

[pjnathanail]

Thanks for the replies. By all accounts most people seem to think that Cross Country complimentary food offerings are poor but has anyone experienced their advertised complimentary lunch/afternoon food offerings of lamb hot pot, maccaroni cheese, or sandwiches and light breakfasts on their long distance services. Comments would be welcome. Thankyou.

I have sampled their full weekday service including microwaved bacon rolls and macaroni cheese, both if which are quite good. The bread on the roll is a bit soggy because it gets microwaved.

 

[pjnathanail]

Another phto

 

[Butts]

I have sampled their full weekday service including microwaved bacon rolls and macaroni cheese, both if which are quite good. The bread on the roll is a bit soggy because it gets microwaved.

Jesus Wept - that makes East Coast look Michelin Star standard

 

[pjnathanail]

Jesus Wept - that makes East Coast look Michelin Star standard

It's more reliable on XC but the quality leaves a little to be desired
Better than the scone express though!

 

[High Dyke]

It's interesting how people whine about First class in the UK when on the continent you get a nicer seat and possibly some Kinder sweets

At least they aren't giving out Werthers Originals...

I've only really used first class on EMT - 2 boxes per year - and had differing levels of service. However i know the rules regarding refreshments when using the first class privilege so don't make a fuss.

I've never considered paying the slightly extra for 1st class - my priv doesn't allow it.

 

[Goatboy]

It really is rubbish, isn't it.

I am currently travelling in 1st in XC. The air conditioning is defective. The end coach door is defective and is therefore stuck open. There appears to be zero form of even hot drinks being offered.

Given the price of XC FOR's how does anyone not feel like they've been punched in the face when they use it?

 

[ainsworth74]

Given the price of XC FOR's how does anyone not feel like they've been punched in the face when they use it?

Because they're travelling on expenses I imagine! Either that or they are willing to pay fantastic amounts to guarantee a quiet coach (don't think I've ever seen more than a dozen people in XC first class). The only times I've used it are when there have been really cheap advances going (£18 Glasgow to Newcastle for example). Certainly I'd never ever consider the FOR/FOS prices.

 

[Central Trains]

I'm doing First Class from Peterborough-Cambridge in a few months. It's only a fifty minute journey. Will there be any tea/coffee or food available?

I am sure the trolley gets off at Pbo.

 

[Rich McLean]

Most people travelling First Class on XC tend to pay for it on busy services in order to get a seat.

 

[Sleepy]

Most people travelling First Class on XC tend to pay for it on busy services in order to get a seat.

XC FOS/FOR prices are so high in comparision to via London prices (and minimal time difference) that combined with poor catering those in the know avoid XC like the plauge leaving it for those who will not or cannot cross London by tube.

 

[brompton rail]

I doubt that a journey from Yorkshire to Birmingham via London is quicker, cheaper or more convenient than a crowded First Class ride on XC even with plastic cup and mini bacon roll. Rip off fares in Standard and First!

 

[Rich McLean]

I try to avoid XC where I can, but travelling from Oxford to Birmingham is a pain if I dont use XC, as I either have to go via London, via Worcester and the Cotswolds, or the token all shacks service to Banbury and change there to Chiltern

 

[ValleyLines142]

May I invade this thread with a quick question regarding XC's First Class service?

I sometimes travel on the 2000 Bristol Parkway to Cardiff service, which is CrossCountry's daily evening Voyager service from Manchester to Cardiff. At £4.60 for a First Advance single (£1.50 in Standard!!), it's not too bad, what with free WiFi, reclining seats and generally more legroom, etc.

Now the catering trolley leaves the service at Temple Meads. In the mere nine minute journey time between me getting on at Parkway and arrival into TM, would I be eligible to get a free cup of tea/coffee? Or does the fact that really 75-80% of my journey has no catering mean I shouldn't be eligible? I don't want to sound cheeky but it would be nice!!

 

[Goatboy]

Now the catering trolley leaves the service at Temple Meads. In the mere nine minute journey time between me getting on at Parkway and arrival into TM, would I be eligible to get a free cup of tea/coffee? Or does the fact that really 75-80% of my journey has no catering mean I shouldn't be eligible? I don't want to sound cheeky but it would be nice!!

The trolley doesn't vent to First Class anyway - it's done seperately (often by the same person operating the trolley).