London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[me123]

Had my first experience of VTEC FC (in fact, my first experience of ECML FC for some time). Just from Aberdeen to Edinburgh.

Very quick service out of Aberdeen with tea, coffee, and the sandwiches. The coronation chicken didn't look too exciting, but it was actually quite tasty and well filled. Multiple runs of the drinks trolley up and down the carriage, I got three diet cokes. The wifi was pretty decent, and of course the seat comfortable.

I was quite impressed with the weekend offering, knowing in advance that it was less than what you get midweek. For this length of journey, it's more than adequate and there's still enough to justify upgrading. Good value if you have an advance ticket, it worked out as about the same price as the off peak return. I'll definitely do it again between Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

Will report on my trip back, with the All Day menu in a few days time.

 

[Starmill]

All I'm doing is giving him the information. It's up to him what he does with it!

Likewise I'm pointing out health benefits. Nothing to do with anti-smoker legislation or where you are or aren't allowed to smoke. If you don't want good health, that's equally your business

 

[me123]

Well, returned to Aberdeen today.

Had a crew that had various accents (Southern, Northern, Scottish) this time. Very quick service with the tea out of Edinburgh. No menus again, but the offering was verbally recited to each passenger. The sandwiches looked good (unlike at the weekend, I liked that you could get a mix of both). I opted for the toad-in-the-hole, but had a slice of the Toffee Rum & Raisin cake which was delicious! The toad-in-the-hole itself was very tasty and nostalgic for me - I haven't had one in many years. Nice big sausages in a tasty Yorkshire pudding. I kind of agree that something else would have been nice with it, particularly if you were having it as a dinner as opposed to a snack-style lunch, but I'm not sure what you'd want with it. My first thought is starchy & root vegetables, but that's going to give you a huge carb load.

Anyway, got a couple of cans of diet coke. Came very close to getting another slice of cake, but the guy behind me took the last slice :cry: Still, had a Borders butterscotch biscuit, which was very nice. Good to see a quality Scottish brand being promoted on the trains.

Crew were fantastic, friendly, and certainly not stingy with the freebies.

My only criticism - having lunch at 11am is a bit early. I know the staff are keen to serve all passengers promptly so that those leaving at Dundee can get their food, but perhaps offering to delay the food until after Dundee for the Aberdeen passengers would be appreciated? Having said that, the crew were kept busy throughout the journey so perhaps it wouldn't be logistically possible to serve and clean up in that last hour.

If I can get advance tickets, this will undoubtedly become my preferred choice for travel home, particularly during the week. The free wifi* and comfortable seats meant that I could do quite a bit of work on my journey, and at both ends I arrived feeling refreshed. Furthermore, I think having experienced FC All Day menu, I'd be more willing to pay extra for FC knowing that I'd get a good product (again, as long as I got an Advance ticket!).

*I am aware that Scotrail already have this in SC.

 

[Chrism20]

New menus appear to have been loaded online, I haven't been on the EC for a few weeks due to working in Preston so not sure how long they have been in operation.

Breakfast

Breakfast menu now mentions a Swiss cheese flan and granola is available with yoghurt and fruit pieces.

Weeks one, two and three the breakfast menu is the same with no rotational item. Week four has the same menu but with Smoked salmon served with Hollandaise sauce, egg and Emmental souffle and spinach. Not sure if this is an error.

Week 1

All day

Salmon and lemon dressing sandwiches.
Egg Mayo, spring onion and rocket sandwiches
Teriyaki chicken breast with noodles
Camembert and roast tomato tart

Evening Meal

The all day menu plus
British pork steak in jerk marinade with rice, peas and a pineapple salsa

Week 2

All day

New York Deli sandwiches (Peppered beef, Emmental, gherkin and mustard mayo)
Smoked red Leicester ploughman's sandwiches
Smoked salmon fishcake with coriander creme fraiche
Greek style salad with bread roll

Evening meal

Chicken supreme in harissa marinade served with barley risotto and mixed leaves

Week 3

All day

BLT sandwiches with parsley mayo
Mozzarella, tomato and pesto sandwiches
Sweet chilli chicken skewers with Korean style kimchi slaw and mixed leaves
Goat's cheese and caramelised onion tart with mixed leaves and beetroot chutney

Evening meal

Fillet of sea bass with sweet and sour stir fried veg, potatoes and broccoli

Week 4

All day

Beef and horseradish sandwiches
Colliers cheddar and ale chutney sandwiches
Continental platter of prosciutto, salami, mozzarella, stuffed olives and sundries tomatoes plus mixed leaves
Pea, mint and feta quiche with mixed leaves

Evening meal

Chicken supreme in a BBQ marinade with coleslaw and salad.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Not impressed personally but Im sure many will like
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Not impressed myself but Im sure others will be.

 

[Chrism20]

Not impressed personally but Im sure many will like

It's a very mixed bag. There is something each week I'd go for though.

I'm quite enjoying the WC at the moment. There has been a decent variety of stuff and it seems to vary every other day rather than once a week. I had pizza the other day and it was quite tasty.

I will miss the French toast though ;(

Victoria sponge is back on the scone express' though so at least there is a decent cake again.

 

[Blindtraveler]

They should cut that Afternoon tea, or else do it propperly i.e Scones, Jam, cream etc. Agree how much better VT FC is.

 

[me123]

I think the new menus look very nice and very different. I think I could go for just about any of it. Hopefully it'll be as nice in real life. Looking forward to giving it a go.

I agree they really should push the afternoon tea a bit further than they do at the moment. They need to give it something to make it stand out a bit, rather than simply being a scaled back version of the all day offering.

 

[Chrism20]

They should cut that Afternoon tea, or else do it propperly i.e Scones, Jam, cream etc. Agree how much better VT FC is.

I think the new menus look very nice and very different. I think I could go for just about any of it. Hopefully it'll be as nice in real life. Looking forward to giving it a go.

I agree they really should push the afternoon tea a bit further than they do at the moment. They need to give it something to make it stand out a bit, rather than simply being a scaled back version of the all day offering.

The new options are bold and refreshing. It's nice to see something a little different and it certainly doesn't sound like cheap crap, I just hope they don't put us on a diet and cut the portions like what they done with the last change where things looked rather lonely on the plates.

I couldn't agree more about the afternoon tea. If they are going to do it they really should do it right. Most of the afternoon services I have travelled on have the usual compliment of staff so if there is a cost saving by switching for a few hours it's negligible.

 

[JB1601]

I noticed the new menus on Tuesday...is the note on page 2 also new, about asking passengers travelling to Edinburgh only eat once so they can have enough food for everyone? (Also mentions if you go beyond Edinburgh you can have another meal)

As a veggie I find the new choices are a bit samey. Two tarts, a quiche and a salad (although the camembert and roast tomato one was quite nice) Still - at least the "indian platter" has gone - which barely qualified as a starter, let alone a platter. Veggie breakfast has had the omelette swapped for a flan. I noticed the "rotating" breakfast item has gone which is a shame.

Service was brilliant on the 0806 to Leeds though - had the breakfast in front of me at 0815!!

Oh and surely the "afternoon tea" is just a way of dressing up that they don't provide hot options on mid-afternoon services? Other than an extra bit of cake I don't too much can be expected.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The new options are bold and refreshing. It's nice to see something a little different and it certainly doesn't sound like cheap crap, . . . .

I and my fellow traveller had these yesterday :-
He chose the Teriyaki chicken breast with noodles
and I chose the Camembert and roast tomato tart

I thought his looked much more exciting and well presented (he agreed) but he said mine tasted better and was more filling (I agreed).

As a veggie I find the new choices are a bit samey. Two tarts, a quiche and a salad (although the camembert and roast tomato one was quite nice) Still - at least the "indian platter" has gone - which barely qualified as a starter, let alone a platter . . . .

Actually, Menu 1 has a distinct emphasis on cheese:- The cheese and tomato tart, followed by a choice of either, cheese board or cheesecake. Not that I mind a variety of cheeses!

 

[DEE-DE]

The mention about the second meal isn't new, it was already there in January and April. And in August 2013 I got another bunch of sandwiches north of Edinburgh, but there was no menu. I always travel to and from Dundee but first is usually worth it if you book early as you get two meals out of it and with the CIV tickets the difference between the cheapest first and standard fare is more than 3 quid less than with normal tickets.

 

[Chrism20]

I and my fellow traveller had these yesterday :-
He chose the Teriyaki chicken breast with noodles
and I chose the Camembert and roast tomato tart

I thought his looked much more exciting and well presented (he agreed) but he said mine tasted better and was more filling (I agreed).

When they done the chimichuri chicken last year it was the same story - very nice but very small.

Actually, Menu 1 has a distinct emphasis on cheese:- The cheese and tomato tart, followed by a choice of either, cheese board or cheesecake. Not that I mind a variety of cheeses!

I never noticed that actually but on looking at the other weeks it's the same with cheese sandwiches, cheese main and cheeseboard.

Someone in the Catering Department clearly likes cheese.

 

[Starmill]

The 0710 from Leeds to Aberdeen this morning had no bakery trolley which was a bit disappointing - due to staff shortage. The Veggie Breakfast's presentation was pretty bad, but it did all taste very nice. The changes to the preparation of the egg didn't really need to be made but it's still nice. Again stinginess with the juice! No toast means I'm already hungry again, although breakfast was served promptly on departure from York (order placed immediately on leaving Leeds), the portion is too small to be sustaining without toast.

 

[Chrism20]

The 0710 from Leeds to Aberdeen this morning had no bakery trolley which was a bit disappointing - due to staff shortage. The Veggie Breakfast's presentation was pretty bad, but it did all taste very nice. The changes to the preparation of the egg didn't really need to be made but it's still nice. Again stinginess with the juice! No toast means I'm already hungry again, although breakfast was served promptly on departure from York (order placed immediately on leaving Leeds), the portion is too small to be sustaining without toast.

What you have described is my experience of the 0710 every time I am on it, albeit I normally board at NCL.

Not enough staff and not enough food is a common theme on the 0710 unfortunately. It's one of those ones that you need a bacon roll pre-boarding every time just incase.

 

[Starmill]

Greek salad is nice. 1818 crew from Aberdeen as lovely as ever

See attached - not amazing photos I'm afraid.

 

[Chrism20]

Greek salad is nice. 1818 crew from Aberdeen as lovely as ever

See attached - not amazing photos I'm afraid.

That does look very nice, it's good that the dressing is in a pot rather than poured on - en-masse!

I see what you mean about the breakfast. Wetherspoon's serve more on the Children's breakfast.

 

[Butts]

That does look very nice, it's good that the dressing is in a pot rather than poured on - en-masse!

I see what you mean about the breakfast. Wetherspoon's serve more on the Children's breakfast.

At least they can's shrink The Miniature Scotch Bottles - unlike the Beer Cans which are mainly "Coke Sized" now

 

[Starmill]

It's an attractive breakfast option, but if that's all you can expect to get to eat in 3 hours then I'm not sure I can even justify the cheapo First Advance price at ~£30 if I have to buy more food as well. Shame really.

 

[Butts]

It's an attractive breakfast option, but if that's all you can expect to get to eat in 3 hours then I'm not sure I can even justify the cheapo First Advance price at ~£30 if I have to buy more food as well. Shame really.

You really need to get out more often

 

[Starmill]

You really need to get out more often

Look there's cool stuff in Aberdeen OK.
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At least they can's shrink The Miniature Scotch Bottles - unlike the Beer Cans which are mainly "Coke Sized" now

Oh and you clearly haven't seen the 150ml lemonde's on West Coast.

The Strawberry and Rose cake was delicious. Not sure what makes the rose 'flavour' - I would buy that cake if I could

 

[Chrism20]

You really need to get out more often

Lol, steady on. On paper the breakfast is an attractive option. Unfortunately that is where it appears to have ended as an attractive proposition this morning.

Look there's cool stuff in Aberdeen OK.

The Strawberry and Rose cake was delicious. Not sure what makes the rose 'flavour' - I would buy that cake if I could

It will be something like this. Easily made at home with a Victoria sponge mix. Although when you make things yourself it never tastes as nice.

 

[30907]

Sampled breakfast on 0710 Leeds-Durham this morning.
First experience of VTEC breakfast, having used VTWC in the past (pre railcard!).
Not convinced by the tiny egg and cheese thingy but the rest of the full English was fine. Drinks and croissant/toast departing LDS, main course and drink after York, did me till lunchtime fine. Friendly and competent service as well. No complaints.

 

[Starmill]

I'm annoyed I traveled on Tuesday now you say that. I would have had the option to today. Oh well I'll leave their FC to them for a while and stick to West Coast in future bookings. It's less ambitious but much more consistent, and the lounges make up for it.

 

[me123]

Look there's cool stuff in Aberdeen OK.

No. There really isn't.

I've booked my next trip home with VTEC 1st class, and I'm certainly looking forward to trying the new menu. I think it'll be rotation 3 going home and 4 coming back (at time of writing - next weeks and the week after), and I'm really getting a nice "summery" feel from the menus (the antipasti platter for example).

Will miss the Yorkshire pudding though - I loved everything about that.

 

[MrCub]

Did a run on VT East Coast from Leeds to Kings X yesterday.

First class was a bit chaotic. Coach M was missing from the set altogether. Coach L was taken out of use at Wakefield; there was a problem with the doors. Everyone squished into coach K which meant the 'quiet' element was lost; every seat taken with some passengers downgraded to Standard, and at Doncaster, others were advised to wait for the next service if they wished to use First Class.

I had the Greek style salad (I'm guessing it's Greek-style because it's not actual genuine Feta). It was perfectly nice and probably one of the better ones I've had on EC. I just wish they'd accept that we would all probably like a little more than a child's portion. Strawberry and Rose cake was very nice.

I'm still fascinated by the fact that at Leeds station, the platform isn't announced until shortly before departure, despite there clearly only being one East Coast set in the station

 

[Deerfold]

I'm still fascinated by the fact that at Leeds station, the platform isn't announced until shortly before departure, despite there clearly only being one East Coast set in the station

In my experience they seem to either announce the platform at the last minute or half an hour before it leaves.

 

[JB1601]

In my experience they seem to either announce the platform at the last minute or half an hour before it leaves.

Surely that's to do with crowd control? They don't want all the passengers clogging up the platform/circulating area by the barriers if they can't get on the train yet, or it's not ready for boarding?

 

[Deerfold]

Surely that's to do with crowd control? They don't want all the passengers clogging up the platform/circulating area by the barriers if they can't get on the train yet, or it's not ready for boarding?

It doesn't work though - except that it disadvantages passengers that rarely travel. Everyone waits on the platforms where it's obvious - if they don't they usually wait just in front of the very badly placed screens just inside the gateline.

 

[badger1badger]

The food going down to London was good on Thursday

Today the croissant was in edible and went in the bin.


During the week the sandwiches are on a platter today all pre packed and not good ....