First Class

[silentone]

yeah, I did it on a weekend, and I must have got offered drinks about 10 times in between KGX and Peterborough (no joke), and the food was excellent quality, even if it isnt free, like on VT, but the overall quality of service (served with a smile from staff) puts Virgin's weekend service to shame...

There is a crew that works the KGX - Inverness service that really do a great job. I think they only work it on weekdays but you get a good laugh out of them! The tea/coffee & biscuits never seems to stop coming with them.

 

[Edvid]

WSMR are #1 for First Class travel IMX. For the prices I've paid (e.g. £19.80 Luton Airport Parkway - Sheffield return with Railcard), EMT First Class is also rather good.

Speaking of EMT, it appears their First Advance tickets are now accepted at corresponding lounges for no extra cost, although they're excluded from the 'FC to/from Sheffield = free Supertram Dayrider' offer...

 

[leewoods60019]

Can anyone verify if Grand Central train fare is £19.90 from Brighouse to Doncaster (first class return) because I swear its too cheap to be real! and what is the service like (never been on First Class before)

 

[John @ home]

Can anyone verify if Grand Central train fare is £19.90 from Brighouse to Doncaster (first class return) because I swear its too cheap to be real! and what is the service like (never been on First Class before)

I don't know about Brighouse to Doncaster, but there is a £4.50 First Class Single from Bradford Yorks to Pontefract Stations route Not Leeds.

 

[leewoods60019]

that is fantastic value for a first class ticket!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Before I did the trip I expected to try and get everything that was for free, and as much as possible. Think at around York I was sick of tea, biscuits and orange juice. Still, the price of all that should have come to at least £20.

Yeah, you do get sick after a while, but if you go to Newc/Edinburgh northwards, you easily go through the £25 weekend upgrade fee.

 

[Mr Spock]

London Midland have confirmed for me what their level of service is, for First Class ticket holders

There is no trolley via Rugby, but there is a trolley on services between Birmingham and Liverpool
All sales from the trolley need to be paid for, there are no complimentary items to holders of First Class tickets

Strangely there is no mention of a trolley service in either the website or timetables
In effect London Midland can withdraw the service and it has no effect no availability

Perhaps they have stopped the service but I know what I used to receive on the train in question. As it is/was basically one or two trains a day perhaps they do not count that as a service.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

For me it's WSMR followed by Virgin.

Pendos are VERY nice during the morning and evening peaks, but SVs aren't that bad during the day time. I actually find as there's only one carriage, you get a more attentive service

 

[Pumbaa]

Perhaps they have stopped the service but I know what I used to receive on the train in question. As it is/was basically one or two trains a day perhaps they do not count that as a service.

Trent Valley is 14 each way a day Mon - Sat; not quite one or two! It's only 5 on a Sunday.

 

[Mr Spock]

Trent Valley is 14 each way a day Mon - Sat; not quite one or two! It's only 5 on a Sunday.

As I have said a couple of times that there is/was an infrequent trolley service on this route I meant that only 1 or 2 trains carried this service rather than there was only that number of actual services.

 

[jopsuk]

ooh, going back to NXEA West Anglia, and the 317/1 fleet with their elderly fixed seats and no tables- how does that square with what is advertised?

reclining seats with its own table and more leg room.

Nothing refering to that section says "Only on Great Eastern intercity services"- like it does for the Weekend First upgrades. Someone with no knowledge of the trains could reasonably assume that that applies to ALL NXEA trains where 1st class accommodation and fares are present.

Hmm, anyone know if this is repeated as-is on a poster anywhere? ASA doesn't quite cover this situation.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

ooh, going back to NXEA West Anglia, and the 317/1 fleet with their elderly fixed seats and no tables- how does that square with what is advertised?

Nothing refering to that section says "Only on Great Eastern intercity services"- like it does for the Weekend First upgrades. Someone with no knowledge of the trains could reasonably assume that that applies to ALL NXEA trains where 1st class accommodation and fares are present.

Hmm, anyone know if this is repeated as-is on a poster anywhere? ASA doesn't quite cover this situation.

Good point - why does everyone hate NXEA - and I'm not just talking about First Class?

 

[jon0844]

ooh, going back to NXEA West Anglia, and the 317/1 fleet with their elderly fixed seats and no tables- how does that square with what is advertised?

Nothing refering to that section says "Only on Great Eastern intercity services"- like it does for the Weekend First upgrades. Someone with no knowledge of the trains could reasonably assume that that applies to ALL NXEA trains where 1st class accommodation and fares are present.

Hmm, anyone know if this is repeated as-is on a poster anywhere? ASA doesn't quite cover this situation.

I'd print that out and use it to claim a full refund for First Class if you went on a 317/1 - or indeed any service that didn't match what they advertise. I guess NXEA doesn't think that a website counts as advertising in the traditional sense, but I think the ASA might actually cover the web? Not sure - but that's outrageous and totally misleading.

 

[jopsuk]

The ASA don't cover websites (though do cover online adverts- a subtle distinction) as set out here. Hmm. Trading Standards it is then.

It isn't that I hate NXEA, btw. The West Anglia services, on the whole, are good value in my opinion- in standard class. But this is blatently wrong.

 

[jon0844]

If you want to get a seat you might otherwise not get by going standard, there's no problem with paying for first class - but you should know that this is ALL you're getting.

 

[bnm]

I have NEVER travelled first class in the UK, really don't know why, oh right, cost thats it.

You really should check out 1st Class Advance fares, there are some bargains out there.

An example: I regularly travel Bristol to Taunton; yes it's only a 35 minute journey, but on a weekday I can get on the 0913 or 1147 FGW HST from Bristol for as litlle as £3.30 (railcard) 1st Class. Throw in complimentary coffee, water, biscuits/crisps and a piece of fruit which would probably add up to more than £3.30 if purchased.

Coming back on weekdays is not so good as it has to be the 2114 if I want a FGW HST. Otherwise it's (god forbid) a XC Vomiter - 1st Class Advance on XC often twice the price and half the service!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

In my opinion the best overall is Arriva Trains Wales
The portions are larger than Virgin Trains (not as large as WSR!) but the quality is "silver service" and served by a Michelin qualified chef

I'll stick with W&S for best overall. The WAGEX only runs 2 services a day Mon-Fri and whilst the quality of food is marginally better than W&S, there's very little opportunity to sample it because of the limited service. I've taken an evening meal on 2 occasions, but have as yet been unable to sample the breakfast because the southbound WAGEX leaves North Wales at 'oh-my-gosh' o'clock! Just not convenient for me to get up there.

Also, Wrexham and Shropshire services are not funded by the taxpayer (excluding the infrastructure of course!)

 

[rail-britain]

I'll stick with W&S for best overall. The WAGEX only runs 2 services a day Mon-Fri and whilst the quality of food is marginally better than W&S, there's very little opportunity to sample it because of the limited service. I've taken an evening meal on 2 occasions, but have as yet been unable to sample the breakfast because the southbound WAGEX leaves North Wales at 'oh-my-gosh' o'clock! Just not convenient for me to get up there

I'll compare the WSR and ATW meals for you, but this is based on last summer
At the time the WSR stock had not been refurbished, and so that is the purpose of my trip this year
Equally, the northbound trip I did on ATW was also on their spare (unrefurbished) RFM

The WSR breakfast was substantial
This started off with a "large" pot of tea and choice of cereals
I don't like cereals so opted for toast and marmalade, but was given eight pieces of toast
I only managed two before the "breakfast" was served
The breakfast was ENORMOUS (puts Virgin Trains to shame)
My pot of tea was also replaced
I was then asked if I wanted more toast, and I had to decline!

The ATW breakfast was mild by comparison
However, again, vastly better than Virgin Trains
I was also advised if I wanted breakfast straight away or prefer to have it after Shrewsbury
Now that didn't really mean anything to me, so asked how long that would be and why
"It's about half an hour and we're going to pick up some local sausages"
Oh yeah I'll wait!

I was so impressed I changed my last day to include the northbound
However the meal was rather disappointing
The sample menu had lamb on it, but the choice was a Salad or Faggots
However the portion was very good
The entire meal included Melon, Faggots, and cheese

I had tried to include a southbound WSR, but it was not possible

 

[furryfeet]

what is the food like on gner in the restaurant car nowadays, both in terms of price and quality ?

thinking of doing glasgow central to alnmouth direct, leaving glasgow at 1550 on a Friday. this service is marked as having a restaurant. So if I get some form of 1st class ticket I should get served at my seat.

Also are the gner restaurant vouchers worth buying ?

 

[John @ home]

what is the food like on gner in the restaurant car nowadays, both in terms of price and quality ?

NXEC replaced GNER in 2007. When NXEC failed in 2009, the nationalised East Coast company took over.

The quality of full restaurant meals remains high, usually very high, but the number of trains with full restaurant service has been drastically cut. Most restaurants have been replaced with At-Seat Dining. The price is also high, but is comparable to high quality restaurants elsewhere if paid with East Coast catering vouchers, which give up to 20% off. The restaurant menus for 7-18 June and 21 June - 2 July are on this page.

thinking of doing glasgow central to alnmouth direct, leaving glasgow at 1550 on a Friday. this service is marked as having a restaurant.

I fear there may not be sufficient time for a full resturant meal to be served and eaten on that journey. This timetable shows that the 1550 Glasgow - Kings Cross offers a restaurant service between Edinburgh and Peterborough.

This usually means that the chef and most of the catering crew board the train at Edinburgh. To have the meal fully cooked from a cold start, served and eaten in the 60-minute Edinburgh-Alnmouth journey would be a challenge.

So if I get some form of 1st class ticket I should get served at my seat.

No. This confuses the traditional restaurant car service, which remains for a few trains including the 1550 Glasgow - Kings Cross, and the new bistro-style At-Seat Dining service. The At-Seat Dining menu is here, but this is not available on the 1550 Glasgow - Kings Cross. If you want to eat at your First Class seat on that train, you will be served from a more limited menu which does not appear to be online. It is similar to this Cafe Bar menu, but I think the price of the "Hot Eats" may be a little higher when served at your seat with proper crockery and cutlery rather than in a paper bag.

Also are the gner restaurant vouchers worth buying ?

They are very good value for the regular traveller. Here are the prices and the terms and conditions. As far as I know, the East Coast catering voucher is the only remaining type of mainline British railway ticket where the words "Validity THREE MONTHS" are printed on the ticket.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

what is the food like on gner in the restaurant car nowadays, both in terms of price and quality ?

Its excellent quality and I think, good value.
There's typical menus on their web site, though some of us will quaintly refer to them nowadays as East Coast!

thinking of doing glasgow central to alnmouth direct, leaving glasgow at 1550 on a Friday. this service is marked as having a restaurant. So if I get some form of 1st class ticket I should get served at my seat.

You shouldn't expect the restaurant to begin taking orders until after Edinburgh, so you would have to ask if you can be served prompty if leaving at Alnmouth. You probably wouldn't have the opportunity to enjoy your food and allow time to appreciate a dessert, drink and mints.

Not many East Coast services have a restaruant service now, but you are not required to have a first class ticket - if the waiters have a seat, they'll happily accomodate standard class pax.
More of their services have "at seat dining" which are prepared and heated on request (on plastic plates with break-off plastic cultery). These meals include dishes which are simply heated on-board; they're also available in standard class over the counter of the buffet.

 

[silentone]

Its excellent quality and I think, good value.
There's typical menus on their web site, though some of us will quaintly refer to them nowadays as East Coast!
You shouldn't expect the restaurant to begin taking orders until after Edinburgh, so you would have to ask if you can be served prompty if leaving at Alnmouth. You probably wouldn't have the opportunity to enjoy your food and allow time to appreciate a dessert, drink and mints.

Not many East Coast services have a restaruant service now, but you are not required to have a first class ticket - if the waiters have a seat, they'll happily accomodate standard class pax.
More of their services have "at seat dining" which are prepared and heated on request (on plastic plates with break-off plastic cultery). These meals include dishes which are simply heated on-board; they're also available in standard class over the counter of the buffet.

The At-Seat Dining Menu is freshly prepared on-board by the Chef and is served on proper crockery with propery cutlery providing you're a First Class passenger. If you are a Standard Class passenger the full At-Seat Dining range is available from the Cafe Bar at a reduced rate but will be served in what's known as a cater-plate which you have to take back to your seat in Standard.

There are some pies, Cottage Pie, Hot Pot etc available on all trains but these are prepacked meals - many believe the Chef makes these on-board.

Most crews will operate At-Seat Dining as if the entire First Class was a restaurant, At-Seat Dining is a bit like having a huge 3 carriage restaurant - not always the easiest of things to work with.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Most crews will operate At-Seat Dining as if the entire First Class was a restaurant, At-Seat Dining is a bit like having a huge 3 carriage restaurant - not always the easiest of things to work with.

Spoken from experience I'll guess!
I admire the catering crew who work those services (and chefs in those cramped kitchens). And being completely objective and impartial, I have to say that the best EC catering crews are, of course, Newcastle crews.

 

[Mr Spock]

And thus my original point still stands with Mr Spock - his experience is at odds with mine and London Midlands operation!

Sorry to raise this again but I travelled on LM's Trent valley service today for the first time for a while and travelled on the 15.20 from Stafford to Rugby, this was the train i always used to get from Tamworth.

There was a catering trolley on this service which was providing "complimentary" snacks and drinks to first class passengersas it always did previously.

 

[Railjet]

There is a crew that works the KGX - Inverness service that really do a great job. I think they only work it on weekdays but you get a good laugh out of them! The tea/coffee & biscuits never seems to stop coming with them.

That, unfortunately for me, conflicts with my experience a couple of months ago. Travelling from Inverness to London, there was the most miserable individual serving tea and coffee - could have been from central casting in British Rail days. Looked like, and behaved like, John Prescott on a bad day. It was so depressing that I got off at Perth and decided to go down the WCML to London instead.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

That, unfortunately for me, conflicts with my experience a couple of months ago. Travelling from Inverness to London, there was the most miserable individual serving tea and coffee - could have been from central casting in British Rail days. Looked like, and behaved like, John Prescott on a bad day. It was so depressing that I got off at Perth and decided to go down the WCML to London instead.

My Experience on the Sunday 1200 or whatever KGX-INV, was the best first class service i have ver recieved in my life. I easily drank my way through my fare in coffee by Donny. This was under NX's ownership. But i suppose its how bothered/friendly the crew are. I personally would avoid VT's weekend service at all costs, but thats just me

 

[GodAtum]

SWT and Southern are rubbish becuase they have the same seats as in standard.

Virgin is quite nice as the food is OK and the lounges are good.

FGW has comfy leather seats.

I'd love to experince WSMR, Arriva Wales, Grand Central.

 

[Aictos]

Well I've been with Grand Central 5 times since they started running which is 3 FC trips and 2 SC trips and everytime the onboard staff have been more then helpful.

I've done one or two in FC with FGW and the highlight is easily the seating!

East Coast depending on the crew, normally it's quite good other times not so much but I certainly could not fault the crew on my 91 from Leeds this evening

 

[jon0844]

FGW appear to have turned down the lighting on the HSTs now too (in as much as every other light is now off). When I travelled, albeit briefly, last month I was very impressed but I didn't do anything with the seatback entertainment system.

Must admit it's rather odd to be on a train that looks and feels so modern inside (right down to TV screens) and then have to stick your hand out of a window to open a door!!

 

[bengolding]

Sorry to raise this again but I travelled on LM's Trent valley service today for the first time for a while and travelled on the 15.20 from Stafford to Rugby, this was the train i always used to get from Tamworth.

There was a catering trolley on this service which was providing "complimentary" snacks and drinks to first class passengersas it always did previously.

Out of interest, what complimentary items were on offer from LM? I'm travelling from Lichfield TV on Mon afternoon to connect with a VT to Euston at Rugby (probably the 17:3x) so this info would be useful.

I try and avoid the so called 'First' on LM at all costs now as I detest the seats (2+2), but it's either use them or get the even worse XCity line to New St with 3+2. When I used it previously, I often found that ticket checks were non-existent south of Northampton so 'First' was often a free-for-all.

 

[Mr Spock]

The "freebies" are a (soft) drink + a flapjack/muffin/crisps etc but you are unlikely to get it on the service you are talking about as there are only a couple of services each way that have a trolley.