London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Butts]

Then you've just been lucky I guess. I've also had several times myself so this isn't a new policy.

They certainly don't ask on all journeys and the "70 min" rule is often breached with Breakfast served between Edinburgh and Alnmouth

 

[Aldaniti]

That's probably why they've done it

A few weeks ago I declined the shortbread upon leaving York. When I fancied some after leaving Newcastle I was told it had all gone but that more stocks would be loaded at Edinburgh. Sadly I was alighting at Edinburgh. Lesson learnt!

 

[calc7]

They certainly don't ask on all journeys and the "70 min" rule is often breached with Breakfast served between Edinburgh and Alnmouth

Don't go giving them ideas now.

 

[Aberdonian]

Can anyone please help me with info on the £25 First Class fare because I've never been able to find it.
1. is it on all the time and if not how would I know that it is on?
2. how do you book it. Does it just automatically come up in the fares section of the booking engine or do you have to go somewhere on their site/do something to get into these fares?
Its not possible that they are not offered exAberdeen..........is it?
Thanks.

 

[ainsworth74]

They are not available at all times as it's a special offer. I do not think that it's currently running and has not run for some time now. You would know when the offer is available because it will be advertised on the East Coast website. As for availability from Aberdeen I have no idea but I'd imagine they'd have a few available on each service.

 

[Blindtraveler]

09:52 X ABD was always good for these. Youd think with low loadings theyd run it again just to justify having FC?

 

[Butts]

Travelled on 0800 ex EDB this morning - The "Toast Famine" has reared it's ugly head again

On requesting my usual 2 slices of brown was informed that I could have "one for now" and she would return later with another. No prizes for guessing she didn't do "an Arnie"

Also they failed to offer newspapers although I saw an unopened bundle as I got on the Train.

The Breakfast could do with an update or refreshing as well - how long do we have to wait for "BP" to finally make an appearance !!!

Currently on 1926 ex Durham on my way back.

Suprise Suprise .....no hot food...same story from the staff "we tell them but they don't order enough" - their view is that it's an EC money saving measure and they are obviously not getting enough complaints.

Talking of complaints when is the next EC Directors Forum - it's well overdue.

 

[HST Power]

I do a feel a bit sorry for the staff in situations like this. Clearly they are being let down due to no fault of their own.

Nevertheless, I'm struggling to understand these chronic shortages. If you book a ticket on a long haul flight, the airline register your booking and get you a meal. The aircraft is loaded based on how much food will be needed for the trolley and dinner runs.

In order to work out how much you're going to need, you have to know how many people are going to be on the flight. So surely the same rule applies to the train? East Coast can check the amount of people travelling on a train service - I could even do it using the seat reservation planner!

I've got five consecutive days of East Coast week after next. I hope they don't dissappoint me!

 

[Butts]

I do a feel a bit sorry for the staff in situations like this. Clearly they are being let down due to no fault of their own.

Nevertheless, I'm struggling to understand these chronic shortages. If you book a ticket on a long haul flight, the airline register your booking and get you a meal. The aircraft is loaded based on how much food will be needed for the trolley and dinner runs.

In order to work out how much you're going to need, you have to know how many people are going to be on the flight. So surely the same rule applies to the train? East Coast can check the amount of people travelling on a train service - I could even do it using the seat reservation planner!

I've got five consecutive days of East Coast week after next. I hope they don't dissappoint me!

Obviously they are are all "walk up" passengers they were not expecting

 

[calc7]

Obviously they are are all "walk up" passengers they were not expecting

Maybe - but any reputable company would surely keep management information on passenger trends?!

 

[harri2626]

Obviously they are are all "walk up" passengers they were not expecting

Even more reason to have spare supplies, as the "walk-ups" will have paid SERIOUS money!

 

[Butts]

Even more reason to have spare supplies, as the "walk-ups" will have paid SERIOUS money!

This is becoming repetitive, but why didn't they phone ahead and replenish supplies at York

 

[ainsworth74]

This is becoming repetitive, but why didn't they phone ahead and replenish supplies at York

Depending on the catering offer York may not have had the supplies to allow for replenishment. For example York won't have the stock to resupply an evening meal service. Also I'm not sure how large RG's York depot is it could be that they don't have any of the hot options and just carry things like the snacks and buffet supplies.

 

[Butts]

Depending on the catering offer York may not have had the supplies to allow for replenishment. For example York won't have the stock to resupply an evening meal service.

You believe thay actually tried ????

Surely they'd have a few baked spuds or pies knocking about (it was an afternoon departure from KGX -menu item advertised spud and coronation chicken)

ps not a Scone in sight - even that would have been welcome !!

 

[ainsworth74]

Surely they'd have a few baked spuds or pies knocking about (it was an afternoon departure from KGX -menu item advertised spud and coronation chicken)

If the catering plan doesn't call for RG York to have those items then they won't have them. I don't know if the York - KGX stoppers get a full replenishment at York or if they just make do with what they bring from KGX, to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't get restocked as first class loadings tend to be quite low on those services. It's all about the cost. It's cheaper for RG (and therefore East Coast) to only have a few depots with the full range of items (KGX, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and perhaps Aberdeen) so only those places will be able to fully restock a service.

 

[Blindtraveler]

@butts, agreed the breaky needs a makeover and agree also Re the lack off food as trains get further northbound

 

[Butts]

If the catering plan doesn't call for RG York to have those items then they won't have them. I don't know if the York - KGX stoppers get a full replenishment at York or if they just make do with what they bring from KGX, to be honest I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't get restocked as first class loadings tend to be quite low on those services. It's all about the cost. It's cheaper for RG (and therefore East Coast) to only have a few depots with the full range of items (KGX, Leeds, Newcastle, Edinburgh and perhaps Aberdeen) so only those places will be able to fully restock a service.

Which begs the question if "the first class loadings tend to be quite low" how on earth do they run out in the first place ?

If it only happened occasionally I could understand it.The fact that in my experience hot food from York onwards is a rarity, coupled with staff saying they are reporting the shortages and no action is taken, leads me to believe they don't care

Staff have told me sometimes not enough is loaded in London to service the initial cache of passengers there let alone further up the line.

Did shortages used to occur when the service was paid for ?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

@butts, agreed the breaky needs a makeover and agree also Re the lack off food as trains get further northbound

What would you like to see done with the Breakfast ?

I would like "proper eggs" and everything else served from a platter - obviously BP is a must.

Something akin to an "Olympic Breakfast" from Little Chef would be most welcome.

 

[philjo]

I think they do load certain items at York.
When I went to Inverness on the Chieftain they had almost run out of sandwiches for serving in 1st class south of York but received a new delivery when the train called at York.
When I came back on one of the York stoppers, food was being loaded at York.

 

[ainsworth74]

Which begs the question if "the first class loadings tend to be quite low" how on earth do they run out in the first place ?

I was talking about the KGX - York stoppers the services that go beyond to Newcastle and Edinburgh normally have better loadings.

The fact that in my experience hot food from York onwards is a rarity, coupled with staff saying they are reporting the shortages and no action is taken, leads me to believe they don't care

I believe you've hit the nail on the head there I think East Coast are solely concerned with ensuring that first class passengers travelling from London to Leeds/Newcastle/York and Newcastle/Leeds/York to London are catered for. The way the service is currently organised strongly indicates that to me.

Did shortages used to occur when the service was paid for ?

I'm sure they did but on the old offer there used to be four of five hot options so if one ran out you still had a good chance of getting something else.

What would you like to see done with the Breakfast ?

Introduce black pudding and beans. Either give us two potato scones or the hash brown that Virgin offer.

I would like "proper eggs" and everything served from a platter

I'm lead to believe that on the busiest services the breakfast is served from a platter but on quieter services it makes more sense to plate up in the kitchen. Fried egg would be nice to be sure but I'm willing to live without it personally. I think there are bigger fish to 'fry' in regards to catering

Something akin to an "Olympic Breakfast" from Little Chef would be most welcome.

As I've posted on a previous thread the pre-complementary breakfast was much more substantial and not dissimilar to the Little Chef breakfast:

On East Coast when they still had at-seat dining the cost of the breakfast was £12 in first and £6.90 in standard. The breakfast in both classes included bacon, sausage, fried/scrambled egg, baked beans, roast tomato and english muffin. First class got additionally fried mushrooms, black pudding, toast and a glass of orange juice.

Now maybe it's just me but I think that both of those are reasonably priced breakfasts for what you get (though I think the first class price is a little steep, £10 would have been better). I'm sure you could go to a greasy spoon and got twice as much for the same price but for a train? I think that's very reasonable.

All of the above was of course freshly cooked.

 

[theblackwatch]

Can anyone confirm what is offered for breakfast at weekends? The page at http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/food1/complimentary-food-and-drink/ states A light breakfast is served in the morning but the page referring to Christmas at http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board...imentary-food-and-drink/christmas-menu-offer/ says:

The weekend menus will remain as current offer.

15 & 16 December, 22 & 23 December, 29 & 30 December, 5 & 6 January

Breakfast Menu

Selection of twin pack mini rolls
or
Selection of twin pack mini rolls (v)
Lily O’Briens biscuits triple pack (v)

Manye it's just me, but I have never heard a couple of mini-rolls or biscuits referred to as a 'light breakfast' anywhere else!

 

[Butts]

Can anyone confirm what is offered for breakfast at weekends? The page at http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/food1/complimentary-food-and-drink/ states A light breakfast is served in the morning but the page referring to Christmas at http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board...imentary-food-and-drink/christmas-menu-offer/ says:

The weekend menus will remain as current offer.

15 & 16 December, 22 & 23 December, 29 & 30 December, 5 & 6 January

Breakfast Menu

Selection of twin pack mini rolls
or
Selection of twin pack mini rolls (v)
Lily O’Briens biscuits triple pack (v)

Manye it's just me, but I have never heard a couple of mini-rolls or biscuits referred to as a 'light breakfast' anywhere else!

The normal breakfast at weekends is a "crappy roll" with Ham or Cheese in - give it a miss and hit an "all day service" the sarnies are far better. I hope a "twin pack" on the x-mas brekkie menu is not one each of the rolls I mentioned. :cry:

 

[RyanB]

The normal breakfast at weekends is a "crappy roll" with Ham or Cheese in - give it a miss and hit an "all day service" the sarnies are far better. I hope a "twin pack" on the x-mas brekkie menu is not one each of the rolls I mentioned. :cry:

I'm travelling down this Saturday to London for the NFL International Series at Wembley with my Dad and we're travelling first class, so at least I know that the Breakfast we get served will be rather poor, we'll end up buying lunch in M&S just over the road from the Waverley.

 

[paulypaul]

I am travelling from Edinburgh to Peterborough in December in Coach L on a weekday 10am departure. Is that at good coach?

 

[calc7]

I am travelling from Edinburgh to Peterborough in December in Coach L on a weekday 10am departure. Is that at good coach?

A good coach...under what conditions?

It is "good" in that it is nearly always going to offer a more pleasant journey than any of the Standard Class coaches.

It is "good" in that it has charging points (unlike coach J on a HST)

It is "good" compared to Cattle First - coach M - where all the cheap and cheerful Advance 1sts are placed.

If it's an electric set, I would nearly always head for coach K, however.

 

[ainsworth74]

On an HST that's the coach I'd be aiming for (sitting at the country end) on 225s I'd be aiming for K rather than L, but it still isn't terrible. Always avoid M as you'll be getting last choice of whatever is available.

 

[YorkshireRider]

New menu will be out on Monday 26 Nov, dont know too many details yet but im told the breakfast will no longer serve egg, but omelette, also the all day menu will have fish and chips and sausage and mash, sorry butts no sign of BP on the breakfast menu

 

[johnnychips]

Selection of twin pack mini rolls

I hope 'mini-rolls' isn't the chocolate-and artificial cream snack I remember from Cadburys in the 70s.

 

[adtrainz]

They wouldn't even have to put packaging on it...

 

[HST Power]

Four days since the last post......we can't let this thread die, it's one of my favourites!

Got the 1408 KGX to Newark North Gate yesterday afternoon. Sat in Coach K and this young (ish) fellow gets on the train and stands in the crew area, looking in at the coach. A steward comes up to him and says 'are you First or Standard Class?' His responsible, quite literally, is 'erm..........er.......well....I don't know.'

Steward asks to see his ticket. Man hands over his ticket. Steward gestures down the coach instantly and says 'Standard Class, you're that way!'

I also noticed that after we left KGX they brought round the trolley with all the soft drinks and spirits. I've never seen that done before, normally they only bring the tea and coffee.

 

[Blindtraveler]

perhaps all the mid afternoon suits looked thirsty?
@Yorkshire rider, loving sound of new hot options.