London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Butts]

As far as I am aware they serve 95% of the time starting from K/J as they always have.

Well I had a stupendous journey today from Falkirk to Alnmouth - for a mere £7.80 e/w

1st Class Scotrail - Scotsman Newspaper, Coffee,Pastry
Virgin Lounge Edinburgh Orange Juice, Coffee, Biccies
1st Virgin East Coast (0800) ex EDB

Sat in L on a four to myself new leather seats...
Times Newspaper
Orange Juice, Coffee, Full English with proper Fried Egg (bigger bit of BP than VWC !! - but no potato item)
Served within 15 mins of leaving Edinburgh

1st Class Virgin East Coast (1311) ex ALN
Coffee, Ploughmans Sandwiches, Crisps, Cake.....and....:roll:

THREE DOUBLE SCOTCHES.....................

Sat in K right beside the restaurant....why do all those saps sit in M in their allocated seats missing out on all the extras !!

ps Scotrail back to Falkirk Coffee and Cake !!!

Top Notch ......

 

[Tetchytyke]

Well done Butts, does that mean they're starting to move away from that utterly stupid 70 minute rule?

Only three? You're slacking. I would be jealous, but I switched to gin after they "enhanced" the Famous Grouse into Bells

 

[Butts]

Well done Butts, does that mean they're starting to move away from that utterly stupid 70 minute rule?

Only three? You're slacking. I would be jealous, but I switched to gin after they "enhanced" the Famous Grouse into Bells

I think the 70 mins is less important than where you board in relation to when the normal runs are done (particularly after Breakfast). For breakfast on VEC and VWC they seem to target people who get on at intermediate stops.

Also sit near the Buffet and be polite to the staff - more chance of an "in and out" on the booze. Don't sit in M whatever you do - they get f all - saps !!

Three in an hour, I was half cut when I got off - I even declined a fourth

 

[45135]

Don't sit in M whatever you do - they get f all - saps !!

That was also my experience when Mrs 45135 and me sat in coach M for the first time in January - we didn't have any choice unfortunately as the train was full. Not only that but the banging sounds coming from the DVT didn't really enhance the first class experience.

 

[Bungle73]

That was also my experience when Mrs 45135 and me sat in coach M for the first time in January - we didn't have any choice unfortunately as the train was full. Not only that but the banging sounds coming from the DVT didn't really enhance the first class experience.

Didn't have any choice? But you can put yourself in an alternative coach from M when you chose your seat on booking.

 

[45135]

Didn't have any choice? But you can put yourself in an alternative coach from M when you chose your seat on booking.

I can now that I know that it's the coach to avoid.

 

[trainophile]

I came back from Berwick to York in M last week, and had the full breakfast about 10 minutes into the journey. It was silver service too, but its arrival unfortunately coincided with the ticket inspection, so it got rather muddly. No complaints about the offerings though.

 

[Butts]

I came back from Berwick to York in M last week, and had the full breakfast about 10 minutes into the journey. It was silver service too, but its arrival unfortunately coincided with the ticket inspection, so it got rather muddly. No complaints about the offerings though.

Breakfast (from a service point of view) is not the problem. Later in the day when Alcohol is coming around there is no chance of an "in and out" as M is the end of the line so to speak

 

[BlueFox]

I'm on an east coast train at the moment, and I'm impressed by the service in first class. I've not travelled in first on EC at the weekend before and wasn't expecting much.
I joined the train at Carlisle at 07:30 and had coffee and a Muffin within 10 minutes. Was offered more food but decided not to be greedy.
Had another hot drink half way between Carlisle and Newcastle, then again just after leaving Newcastle, plus more food.
My first class Carlisle to Doncaster ticket cost £13.40 in the EC sale. Bargain. I just wish they'd divert via Carlisle more often.

Edit :

Food offered again just after Darlington.
Just pulled in to York and they've changed to the all day offering, so I've got sandwiches and crisps.

 

[dave87016]

I too experienced VTEC weekend offerings for the first time on the 10:43am Edinburgh - Newcastle via the Tyne Valley, shortly after passing through Haymarket the drinks trolley came round with the snacks trolley right behind i had Coffee and a can of coke followed by Cheese Ploughmans sandwich , crisps , banana and Maple muffin , bag of popcorn. Then again after Carlisle the same was offered , after arriving at Newcastle we boarded the 14:02pm service to Kings X as far as York once again the offerings were the same as earlier.

The packaged Cheese ploughmans sandwich had a very generous and tasty filling and after plenty of rave reviews on here I decided to see what the fuss was about regarding the Banana & Maple muffins and they are very nice indeed, all in all really delighted with that kind of service for a weekend

 

[Kite159]

The Chicken wrap was very nice on today's trip from Inverness to Kings Cross

 

[Butts]

Went down to Durham today on the 0800 ex EDB - 4 to myself full Breakfast and no problems. The "Toast Famine" seems a thing of the past - unless anyone out there knows different

Returned on the 1325 ex Durham to Edinburgh............

Disaster...

No Scotch available....had to cope on copious cans of Magners Cider as I'm not keen on Vodka or Gin.

Had Curry to eat..not bad a bit like those Birds Eye Ones tipped onto a plate with a slither of naam

One thing I did notice the East Coast Muffins are smaller than the West Coast Ones - I half inched one from the Edinburgh Lounge.

 

[leightonbd]

What are the loadings like southbound from Edinburgh in the late afternoon/ evening? I normally go southbound in the morning so have no idea what to expect. My ideal would be a 'not too crowded' FC experience rather like that which Butts describes above. All I need to do is get there (London) in time to check in at the hotel.

 

[Chrism20]

What are the loadings like southbound from Edinburgh in the late afternoon/ evening? I normally go southbound in the morning so have no idea what to expect. My ideal would be a 'not too crowded' FC experience rather like that which Butts describes above. All I need to do is get there (London) in time to check in at the hotel.

The 1400/1430/1530 are all not too bad usually. The 1530 is a circa 1700 at Newcastle though so can get busy there.

The 1600 and 1630 are usually reasonably busy but not rammed.

The 1700 has always been pretty busy anytime I've been on it. Forget finding a bank of four to yourself or bagging an individual seat if you haven't reserved.

The 1731 comes from Aberdeen and is busy. It stops at both Dunbar and Berwick so there are a fair few commuters on it as well. Reservations are seriously advisable on this one, however after Newcastle (1906) it's probably only about 50% full and come York around 40%.

Not sure about the later ones - the 1731 is a 2212 arrival at KGX which is late enough for me by the time I get to the hotel/get something to eat etc.

 

[Waverley21]

Loadings can be checked here: https://www.virgintrainseastcoast.com/rail-travel/your-journey/train-seat-availability/

 

[godfreycomplex]

Not sure about the later ones - the 1731 is a 2212 arrival at KGX which is late enough for me by the time I get to the hotel/get something to eat etc.

18:42 has been reasonably quiet the couple of times I've tried it. Haven't tried the 19:35 but can't imagine it's much busier.

 

[ainsworth74]

As far as I'm aware the 1700 and 1731 are the two really busy services south from Edinburgh on an evening in first class. Everything around them is usually considerably quieter.

 

[westv]

On the Executive. First time I've used 1st class for an age. Oh I do miss Rewards.
No cups, spoons or menus at the moment

 

[Chrism20]

On the Executive. First time I've used 1st class for an age. Oh I do miss Rewards.
No cups, spoons or menus at the moment

I think the cups and spoons are only on the tables in the morning now. For the rest of the day they are usually on the trolley with the hot drinks when it does eventually appear around about Peterborough if my last few trips have been anything to go by.

 

[westv]

I think the cups and spoons are only on the tables in the morning now. For the rest of the day they are usually on the trolley with the hot drinks when it does eventually appear around about Peterborough if my last few trips have been anything to go by.

All appeared now and just enjoyed the roast chicken.
When I'm in 1st class if feels my natural home.

 

[Butts]

On 0830 out of Edinburgh this Morning heading to Berwick Upon Tweed - almost blagged a Breakfast but the service was to slow - noticeably busier than the 0800 last week when I had it on the table 15 mins after leaving Edinburgh.

Still had Toast OJ and Coffee plus what I'd raided from the Lounge prior to boarding. I should have ordered a "special" such as a Bacon Roll which were served first and before I left the Train. Tactical error. Had the cutlery and sauce sachet but no scran

Back on the 1430 ex Berwick to Edinburgh - 2 Chicken and Bacon Wraps , Crisps, Cake and a Couple of Scotches on a 45 min journey made up for the mornings disappointment.

Sit in J / K and make sure the staff see you get on is my tip for "scrounging success"

 

[westv]

I was thinking the service seemed just a little quieter than normal....
.... and then realised it was Thursday rather than my normal Friday!

 

[BlueFox]

I'm currently on the same service I was on two weeks ago - the 07:30 from Carlisle.
Two weeks ago food and drink came round shortly after leaving each station, and that included Sandwiches on leaving York.


Today is very different.
Nothing after Darlington or York.
We've just left Doncaster and they're bringing the breakfast stuff again, but only for people who joined the train at Darlington or York (no mention of Doncaster)

I didn't have as much breakfast stuff as I could, as I was anticipating getting sandwiches, so I won't be happy if there's no more food before I get off at Peterborough.

 

[Deerfold]

I'm currently on the same service I was on two weeks ago - the 07:30 from Carlisle.
Two weeks ago food and drink came round shortly after leaving each station, and that included Sandwiches on leaving York.


Today is very different.
Nothing after Darlington or York.
We've just left Doncaster and they're bringing the breakfast stuff again, but only for people who joined the train at Darlington or York (no mention of Doncaster)

I didn't have as much breakfast stuff as I could, as I was anticipating getting sandwiches, so I won't be happy if there's no more food before I get off at Peterborough.

I'm confused. How long have East Coast served Carlisle?

 

[Bungle965]

I'm confused. How long have East Coast served Carlisle?

They don`t normally it is just when there is engineering works on and they are diverted via Carlisle that they stop there.
Sam

 

[Deerfold]

They don`t normally it is just when there is engineering works on and they are diverted via Carlisle that they stop there.
Sam

Ah! Thanks.

 

[Butts]

On 0542 from Falkirk to Newcastle yesterday- first time I have boarded a Virgin Service from "home" other than The Chieftain.

Got a coffee as I was in J on boarding nice new leather seat coach. In retrospect getting a direct service from Falkirk cuts out the raid on the Lounge in Edinburgh !!

Breakfast served just after Berwick so my theory last week would again have dipped out on a Berwick trip. No potato item on B/F am I getting mixed up with VWC ?

Returned on 1154 Newcastle to Edinburgh - curry, muffin and only 1 Scotch

 

[Kite159]

Any idea if the Chicken Curry on the current evening meal menu is spicy?

 

[Butts]

Any idea if the Chicken Curry on the current evening meal menu is spicy?

If it's the same as the All Day one I had yesterday - no.

 

[Chrism20]

Any idea if the Chicken Curry on the current evening meal menu is spicy?

Nah it's quite creamy I think. Somewhere between a korma and a tikka masala if that makes sense.

It's actually quite nice but it's starting to get boring now.