London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[38Cto15E]

I say keep the thread going, until next week at least when I have submitted my TR for the 1200hrs Kings Cross-Inverness and 0755 hrs return a couple of days later, 'The Highland Chieftain'.

FWIW I will not be complaining even if I am given very little because my ticket is a First Advance at a mere £39 one way, now if I was paying the First Open fare......

 

[Blindtraveler]

o dear. A sad loss if the coffee machines are going but I am sure theqe are good reasons for it. any other interesting cafébar changes?

 

[philjo]

The Tea I think is Taylors of Harrogate but I don't think it's the brand Yorkshire Tea.

Excellent! A big improvement compared to the current Std Class tea then (which I always found to be undrinkable) & helps keep suppliers local to the EC route.

 

[silentone]

Standard class catering? Where do the hungry people from first class go?

You've completely missed the point that I'm talking about aspects which are related to those in standard.

And to once again state soup is off the menu regardless of what other TOC's are doing.

 

[Skimble19]

Totally dismissing the point made upthread that EMT manage to serve soup. As do FGW on their Pullmans. Oh, and soup shouldn't be served 'boiling'. Ruins the flavour. It should be served at a temperature that won't burn the lips. So, worst case scenario is a dry cleaning bill - the same should any other hot food be accidentally dumped on a passenger.

Does it really matter?! Soup isn't happening. EMT and FGW can do it all they like, it makes no difference..

 

[gordonthemoron]

but where do you draw the line? What about stew or curry which can be fairly liquid? What about gravy?

 

[jon0844]

EC could just hand out pictures of food to people, although there would be a risk of paper cuts.

RG would no doubt also run out of ink...

 

[amcluesent]

Keep the thread open! "Tra-la-la-la not listening!" may be the approach of Elaine and her marketing yes-men, but why stop comment here? The thread will die off when EC get FC catering back on an even keel!!

 

[gordonthemoron]

so never then?

 

[Skimble19]

Indeed, most of what's being repeatedly said isn't going to happen / make any difference / (insert applicable phrase here).. I see no reason why when something worthy of discussion happens a new thread can't be started, as at the moment nothing will be changing (aside from the weekly rotations) meaning there isn't really anything more to discuss..

Then again, Failed Unit might actually get 4 sandwiches one day so perhaps we should leave it open?

 

[Darandio]

Then again, Failed Unit might actually get 4 sandwiches one day so perhaps we should leave it open?

Now you're just talking silly.

 

[YorkshireRider]

NB Avoid onion bahji sarnies!

Im quite fond of these

 

[Failed Unit]

Indeed, most of what's being repeatedly said isn't going to happen / make any difference / (insert applicable phrase here).. I see no reason why when something worthy of discussion happens a new thread can't be started, as at the moment nothing will be changing (aside from the weekly rotations) meaning there isn't really anything more to discuss..

Then again, Failed Unit might actually get 4 sandwiches one day so perhaps we should leave it open?

Then I will be moaning that I didn't get my slice of cake

Maybe we should open a thread for customers (not staff) that have seen the existance of the "hot option"

The reason this thread goes around in circles is because.

1. East coast claim they have improved catering.
2. Passengers are hungry
3. East coast management and some staff blame rail gourmet
4. These are teething things will improve (everything on the menu will be delivered )
Go back to step one

Maybe one day I will get my 4 sandwiches (without having to get over myself and buy them)

 

[amcluesent]

You can just ask!

Only this week, southbound out of PBO, I asked for a croissant and they made off to heat one up. They had run out of jam though!

I've building up to asking for two alcoholic drinks out of KGX, there was a certain coolness when I asked for G&T, OJ and Coke tonight

 

[Failed Unit]

You can just ask!

Only this week, southbound out of PBO, I asked for a croissant and they made off to heat one up. They had run out of jam though!

I've building up to asking for two alcoholic drinks out of KGX, there was a certain coolness when I asked for G&T, OJ and Coke tonight

I use the Edinburgh route, unless you sit in coach K you have no chance, if you ask you just get.

a) they never loaded it (for the hot meal)
b) we need to ensure we have enough for everyone. (for the sandwiches)

At least the Leeds route is shorter so not everyone wants the offer. Sad to see the coffee machines going, I used to wander into standard even in GNER days, until they became so unreliable.

Still no response to my letters, they have 2 weeks or to the advertising standards agency and passenger focus I go.

 

[silentone]

You can just ask!

Only this week, southbound out of PBO, I asked for a croissant and they made off to heat one up. They had run out of jam though!

I've building up to asking for two alcoholic drinks out of KGX, there was a certain coolness when I asked for G&T, OJ and Coke tonight

There's no official rule I don't think, but they don't want us giving out two like drinks together. Crews will also check if you're having a meal in the evening and offer a glass of wine along with another drink while you wait.

I would probably draw a line on OJ & Coke along with a G&T. G&T + 1 other for now then something later. Mainly because if everyone in the carriage did it then I'd have to make another trip back to the kitchen for more. And that's probably ontop of a trip I'll already have to make for wine/glasses.

I'm also going to be starting the service from M now, and that's more for practical reasons and to speed up the work we're already doing.

 

[sheff1]

there was a certain coolness when I asked for G&T, OJ and Coke tonight

Ah ..... but was there a coolness with the red wine

 

[williamn]

not wanting to turn this into a soup thread, but soup doesn't have to be plated in the kitchen, in can be served from a trolley, so reducing potential for spills. Virgin have been known to serve it I think?

 

[silentone]

Vestibules & Tipping.

All trolleys have and will tip at some point.

Trolley's also frequently get stuck on the join between carriages and have to be lifted part the way over. Yes lets add some nice hot soup to the mix.

The soup debate is well and truly over it won't ever happen. It's another get over it moment.

 

[142094]

Back in 1st yesterday as it was 25p cheaper than a standard advance. Train started at Newcastle, and although I was travelling to York I could have easily asked for one of the salads as they were handed out before Darlington. Had sandwich and cake again, very nice. Tea and coffee right after each station except Northallerton, drink trolley only through once.

Same impression as the last time - nice enough for a small bite to eat on a short journey, but anything longer and I'd rather have the option to buy something more substantial.

 

[StrollerEd]

back in 1st yesterday

<snip>

same impression as the last time - nice enough for a small bite to eat on a short journey, but anything longer and i'd rather have the option to buy something more substantial.

+1


.....

 

[maddeningcrowds]

Southbound, West Yorkshire route, weekend. Vacuum packed continental breakfast. It tasted better than it looks. Friendly service, drinks offered regularly.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

We've talked to our customers and they've told us they want a meal included . . . . . . So when the customer says that, it becomes a really easy decision

and so, we made our decision . . .

The soup debate is well and truly over . . . . . It's another get over it moment.

 

[richa2002]

Elaine's idea of a meal is extremely odd .

 

[Failed Unit]

and so, we made our decision . . .

Lol. Yep it is back to we listen to customers at east coast, but only if they say what we want to hear. If you say something like "we think the old offering is better" - get over it we are not interested!

If you are don't think we give enough food, never have everything on the menu (which is our suppliers fault as we cant manage them) and don't want to walk to the cafe bar - we don't want you business so find another operator.

 

[Essexman]

But what question did they ask?

Do you want free meals? (and did they define 'meal')

Or do you want free breakfast, sandwiches, perhaps a poncy tart, or if you're lucky perhaps a proper meal - but you will no longer be able to buy cooked food on all other trains?

Of course people will say they want free food, but did EC take note of its exisiting lucrative 1st class business market, amny of whom want the choice to buy a proper meal?

 

[YorkshireRider]

And so the thread goes around again. Realistically EC will judge whether its working on first class ticket revenue in about 6 months or so, if its up then your all probably correct, they wont give a toss about your complaints but they will start to listen if its not.

 

[Failed Unit]

Right on both counts Yorkshire Rider. I guess the year will be the bigger point, as those that try it once go hungry and don't return need to filter out.

 

[jon0844]

FC may be up purely because they have an additional carriage for FC tickets now they've ditched the restaurant. If they had to offer loads of cheap tickets and upgrades to fill that, it would be different than simply saying 'numbers are up xx%'.

Of course, they'll say whatever they need to say to prove their argument (as you'd expect them to do).

 

[Skimble19]

For the hopefully last post on soup: I wouldn't class it as a meal in the slightest.

The restaurant was used by the minority, made a loss and took up space that is better used as standard FC space which can now be filled.