London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Butts]

My 0800 KGX - EDB on the 7th was prepared by a chef who came around with scrambled egg after the rest of the breakfast had been served

Blimey you were honoured - next they'll be knocking out Fried Eggs and Black Pudding :roll:

 

[calc7]

As a matter of interest this service continues to Glasgow via Motherwell after leaving Edinburgh - does the trolley come around again on departure from EDB? as the onward journey is over an hour.

The timetable shows the last service round is after Alnmouth.
The onward journey is over an hour but it has a horrendous amount of padding (25 mins between Motherwell and Glasgow - that's almost as bad as some ATW trains going into Piccadilly!)

 

[Butts]

The timetable shows the last service round is after Alnmouth.
The onward journey is over an hour but it has a horrendous amount of padding (25 mins between Motherwell and Glasgow - that's almost as bad as some ATW trains going into Piccadilly!)

True I forgot about the "shades of whatever colour" in the tt. Conversely on the outward service in the Morning originating in Glasgow do they serve Breakfast before it hits Edinburgh (thats purple for both Glasgow and Motherwell)

 

[calc7]

If it's shaded purple then yes. Classic East Coast!

 

[Butts]

If it's shaded purple then yes. Classic East Coast!

From the evidence I've seen getting on at Haymarket (before EDB) on this service I don't think they do - may be T&C job as its under 70 mins from Glasgow to Waverley.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

From the evidence I've seen getting on at Haymarket (before EDB) on this service I don't think they do - may be T&C job as its under 70 mins from Glasgow to Waverley.

Last time I was on the 0650 exGLC breakfast was served between Motherwell and Edinburgh, but only to those travelling beyond Edinburgh.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1103475&postcount=2882

 

[Butts]

Last time I was on the 0650 exGLC breakfast was served between Motherwell and Edinburgh, but only to those travelling beyond Edinburgh.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1103475&postcount=2882

Well that is nonsense Edinburgh to Alnmouth is a comprable journey time to Glasgow to Edinburgh.

Did they ask to see peoples tickets ?

Take it the EDB passengers got a coffee at least !!

 

[calc7]

They might also refuse EDB-ALN passengers brekky, but give it to GLC-ALN ones?

 

[Butts]

They might also refuse EDB-ALN passengers brekky, but give it to GLC-ALN ones?

Thats why I always get on at HYM as that takes the journey to Alnmouth over 70 mins (in case they go by the book - which is unusual)

 

[calc7]

Thats why I always get on at HYM as that takes the journey to Alnmouth over 70 mins (in case they go by the book - which is unusual)

Inspired!

 

[Butts]

Inspired!

Indeed - inspired by the fact I can have a "burn" whilst waiting - plus get the best "4" available away from my reserved seat in "M" - most people board at EDB.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

They might also refuse EDB-ALN passengers brekky, but give it to GLC-ALN ones?

There should be more than enough time for breakfast from Edinburgh, Althorne (ALN) is in Essex. Unless of course you mean ALM, which is Alnmouth

</needless comment about three-letter codes>

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

There should be more than enough time for breakfast from Edinburgh, Althorne (ALN) is in Essex. Unless of course you mean ALM, which is Alnmouth

</needless comment about three-letter codes>

I got "told off" for using the wrong 3 letter code on this website too!

 

[ainsworth74]

I got "told off" for using the wrong 3 letter code on this website too!

As long as the correct code is used, they are defined (so the first time you use them tell us which station it is) and they are not used in thread titles, no one minds them.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

As long as the correct code is used, they are defined (so the first time you use them tell us which station it is) and they are not used in thread titles, no one minds them.

Well I did wonder if I should write out the correct three letter codes 100 times!:roll:

 

[ainsworth74]

Well I did wonder if I should write out the correct three letter codes 100 times!

Well if you want to I suppose so, however I find it far easier and less time consuming to simply consult National Rail Enquiries to discover the correct codes.

 

[Butts]

I'm still intrigued by the "spirit accounting" in 1st Class ....no I'm not talking ghouls and ghosts of BR past....but Whisky Vodka and Gin

I have noticed they only have three of each on the drinks trolley a lot of the time.

My guess is they get them from the Cafe Bar and some sort of TX occurs for the value.

Imagine they only use 3 but all 9 are tx over. The 6 unused are knocked out to "paying clients" and at £4 odd a pop thats £24 that could be trousered or the stock itself and the books still balance.

There is no way of telling how many "free spirits" have been given away to 1st Class Passengers - at least no check back. This system is wide open

Is this why they are sometimes so reticent to hand out the spirits - if not why should they care how many are given out as for every greedy bugger (like me) a lot of passengers have no alcohol.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The appetiser the last few times I've used an evening meal service has been a packet of fancy slightly spicy biscuity nibbles, to call it an appetiser is a very grand way of describing it. We haven't had what I'd consider a starter on any services since the restaurant finished.

On the 1949 ex York last night. (EM service)

They had the appetiser (nibbles) but no hot food or deserts or cheese and biscuits.

Yes folks this service left Kings Cross at 1800 non-stop to York and had no food on arrival at York.

Apparently the stock holding figures are done on a computer based on trends by staff at HO. The staff have told them about the problems of running out , but are ignored.

I was looking forward to Fish, followed by Eton Mess - all I got was the "nuts"

On pushing them they offered a hot paninni from Cafe Bar but I settled for the old sarnies and whisky to drown my sorrows.:roll:

 

[Blindtraveler]

I havent used EC FC for a good wiile now, been enjoying VTs seamingly limmitless free bar before it goes so if anyboddy has wondered why whisky and white wine have been a bit harder to come by on the mid afternoon EUS - EDB via BHM Pendo theres your answer

 

[Butts]

Am currently on another East Coast train from York to Edinburgh - and guess what......?

They loaded 25 hot meals for 60 people boarding at KGX apparently the staff said it was "messy" no hope of anything at York :cry:

Having said that I am the only person in "L" just been brought a huge plate of sarnies , crisps and cheese and biscuits ....happy as a pig in excrement

 

[calc7]

Am currently on another East Coast train from York to Edinburgh - and guess what......?

They loaded 25 hot meals for 60 people boarding at KGX apparently the staff said it was "messy" no hope of anything at York :cry:

Having said that I am the only person in "L" just been brought a huge plate of sarnies , crisps and cheese and biscuits ....happy as a pig in excrement

Any compensatory booze offerings?

 

[ainsworth74]

Having said that I am the only person in "L" just been brought a huge plate of sarnies , crisps and cheese and biscuits ....happy as a pig in excrement

Well at least they attempted to make some sort of restitution for the mistakes of their superiors.

In fairness to the staff in my experience the crews that still care about customer service will normally try and do something to compensate if the offer falls over. Once travelling from Darlington to London (on a train originating from Newcastle) they came around with the food offer after York and initially took my order for the infamous beetroot risotto. However, a minute later the CSA came back and explained that they had run out of the risotto (bearing in mind I was sat at the north end of L so they'd run out after serving K and a couple of other people in L) so instead offered me a panini from the cafebar which I gratefully accepted. He brought it through a few minutes later and had even taken the time to garnish it with some salad. Needless to say the fellow passengers sat next to me who had partaken of the risotto looked over with rather envious eyes at my panini.

 

[Butts]

Any compensatory booze offerings?

Hic......plenty of Whisky
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well at least they attempted to make some sort of restitution for the mistakes of their superiors.

In fairness to the staff in my experience the crews that still care about customer service will normally try and do something to compensate if the offer falls over. Once travelling from Darlington to London (on a train originating from Newcastle) they came around with the food offer after York and initially took my order for the infamous beetroot risotto. However, a minute later the CSA came back and explained that they had run out of the risotto (bearing in mind I was sat at the north end of L so they'd run out after serving K and a couple of other people in L) so instead offered me a panini from the cafebar which I gratefully accepted. He brought it through a few minutes later and had even taken the time to garnish it with some salad. Needless to say the fellow passengers sat next to me who had partaken of the risotto looked over with rather envious eyes at my panini.

According to the staff the calculations for loading hot food are going tits up and they are reporting this back but nothing is being done.

I suspect penny pinching is more responsible than incompotence

EC Directors forum ..top of the list ...whens the next one ?

 

[Blindtraveler]

had 3 FC Virgin trips in last 4 weeks and never not got my chosen hot food and 1 of these included the flights of a 221 with its tiny fridge!

 

[voyagerdude220]

My only real complaint about VT FC, is that the portions on the Pendo evening meal seem to have got extremely small recently. The last time I used one, I was on a very quiet Pendo in coach K, got served a tiny portion only for the crew to send a shed load of the hot food back to the kitchen. I assume it got thrown away, as it wasn't offered later in the journey. I'd fully understand if it was busy.

 

[Butts]

My only real complaint about VT FC, is that the portions on the Pendo evening meal seem to have got extremely small recently. The last time I used one, I was on a very quiet Pendo in coach K, got served a tiny portion only for the crew to send a shed load of the hot food back to the kitchen. I assume it got thrown away, as it wasn't offered later in the journey. I'd fully understand if it was busy.

Train companies are not famous for their portion sizes....East Coasts are not that big. However you can normally top up on sandwiches on the next run. I did see First Hulls the other day and they are not gigantic either.

 

[voyagerdude220]

True, but it's annoying that they had so much leftover.

 

[Blindtraveler]

dlast time I had a quiet pendo they asked everyone if they wanted seconds so guess it depends on crew?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
think the HST Fridges may be playing up on EC again, done 2 morning runs X Aberdeen lately both in standard but no sandwitches or hot food in standard or first due to chiller issues

 

[calc7]

I have been offered seconds on breakfasts, hot food and cheese "boards" several times before. It really depends on the crew. The best ones tend to be the Manchester- and Birmingham-based ones. The Scottish and London ones are quite stingy.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I agree about the London and Scottish crews being stingy. I forgot to mention that the train I referred to was the 1840 ex Glc.

 

[Nym]

I agree about the London and Scottish crews being stingy. I forgot to mention that the train I referred to was the 1840 ex Glc.

Yeah, tiny portions on that when I was on it, but still, plenty of booze to keep me happy...

Oh and the joyous saga of EC Customer Service continues, my partner has completed the journey in EC 1st and guess what, no catering adjustments where made, but everyone on here was right, no issues at all with mobility assistance at Kings Cross, the barrier, desk and assistance staff couldn't really have been much nicer.

But when EC's CS Dept in Plymouth heard back from me, comprehensively answering the questions they had asked, I didn't hear anything back, and so nothing has been done in the way of asjustments, I think we can rest assured that travelling on EC again will either be done in standard, or he will be catching services from Sunderland and using Grand Central from Sunderland in future (Lives half way between Sunderland and Newcastle on the Metro Network) as you can get a GC Only return for the same price as the cheapest advance tickets off Central, with the added flexability of being able to choose a return date, and only a pair of £2.20 B+C and a pair of Z1234567 (£2.85) Singles to worry about at either end...