New TPE first class menu

[A S Leib]

I got a hot drink and was offered a choice between two sandwiches; no hot food.

 

[185]

I heard mention of substantial job losses - catering has become very hit and miss with, from what I've seen, the core Transpennine service usually having no catering, whilst their Scottish service seems to have the entire cast of Phantom of the Opera serving in first class.

 

[danbarjon]

Doncaster isn't between York and Newcastle? Do you perhaps mean Durham or Darlington?

Sorry, was tired when typing this I meant Darlington.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Failed to get fed again today on the 0902 Newcastle-York.

The inbound was late, so it took them a while to set up the galley. The host started taking breakfast orders 45 minutes after we left Newcastle.

He wouldn't take my order 'because I can't promise I'll get it to you'.

I was pretty jealous when half the carriage got their bacon rolls 7 minutes later!

I wonder what prevented them (if anything!) from serving food earlier in your journey. Surely the Host would have had a good idea of how long it would take to heat up say a Bacon Roll for you.
I get the impression that TPE First Class catering isn't really being managed particularly well, in that when it's good it's good, but when it's bad it's really bad. No consistency.

I had a similar experience last year when I took a 397 from Preston to Glasgow. I estimate First Class was roughly half full. Around 10 minutes after we left Preston, the Host brought orders through to those who had already ordered food before Preston and soon offered me a drink.

When I asked about food around half an hour later, the Host apologised, saying he'd run out of food but was getting a delivery at Carlisle. This would have been fine, but it was the all day menu, not Breakfast. Having a Sausage Roll at around 10:30 for Breakfast wasn't to my liking. The Haggis pasta on the return journey was very good.

 

[800Travel]

I wonder what prevented them (if anything!) from serving food earlier in your journey. Surely the Host would have had a good idea of how long it would take to heat up say a Bacon Roll for you.
I get the impression that TPE First Class catering isn't really being managed particularly well, in that when it's good it's good, but when it's bad it's really bad. No consistency.

I had a similar experience last year when I took a 397 from Preston to Glasgow. I estimate First Class was roughly half full. Around 10 minutes after we left Preston, the Host brought orders through to those who had already ordered food before Preston and soon offered me a drink.

When I asked about food around half an hour later, the Host apologised, saying he'd run out of food but was getting a delivery at Carlisle. This would have been fine, but it was the all day menu, not Breakfast. Having a Sausage Roll at around 10:30 for Breakfast wasn't to my liking. The Haggis pasta on the return journey was very good.

Stock does often seem to be a pinch point. I’d say probably less than a quarter of services have had everything I’ve asked for. Running out of crisps seems to be rife!

 

[mad_rich]

Pleased to say that TP have given me refunds of £10 and £12 for two trains with no catering, which represent the whole of my Seatfrog upgrade cost (more than I was expecting!).

For a third train, they said catering was never planned for the 2041 train from Manchester-Newcastle, and they've even changed the catering map to fit this narrative. However I still have a copy of the map that was on their website at the time of purchase, which says it's offered on all services, so I'll ask again.

 

[Djgr]

Pleased to say that TP have given me refunds of £10 and £12 for two trains with no catering, which represent the whole of my Seatfrog upgrade cost (more than I was expecting!).

For a third train, they said catering was never planned for the 2041 train from Manchester-Newcastle, and they've even changed the catering map to fit this narrative. However I still have a copy of the map that was on their website at the time of purchase, which says it's offered on all services, so I'll ask again.

Sounds as if their argument is pretty flaky then

 

[GuyGibsonVC]

Not complaints from me on the 0902 from Newcastle.

Drinks served by Chester Le Street. I was going to opt for the breakfast but went for the bacon bap instead which was served around 10 minutes after Darlington.

Two decent slices of smoked bacon, a fresh bap and some brown sauce, all served by a pleasant chap.

I've been impressed the last few times I've used TPE on that route.

 

[Butts]

0744 Glasgow to Liverpool-excellent service !!

3 Coffees with cake
Full Breakfast
Couple Rose Wines

Only a handful of people in Coach E hence the good service -bargain at £35 with CD Card

 

[Sealink]

TPE seem to be leading the pack with their First Class offering (when it's available!)
Just saw these options from West Coast Menu and Coast to Coast menu. They sound mouthwatering.


STEAK & LANCASTER SUPERNOVA PALE ALE PIE
Tender British beef slow cooked in our very own Lancaster Supernova pale ale, wrapped in golden pastry.
Served with mushy peas for a comforting finish.

TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS TEX-MEX BURGER
A TransPennine twist on a Tex-Mex classic – a juicy burger topped with melted cheese, salsa, jalapeños, pickles and creamy burger sauce, finished with crunchy tortilla chips for extra bite.
Served with a side of crispy tortilla chips.

THE ROCKET SCOUSE A rich, slow-cooked beef and root veg pie inspired by Liverpool’s most iconic dish - Scouse.
Served with Vimto-braised red cabbage, a sweetand-sour twist that nods to the North West’s proud culinary heritage.
Named after Stephenson’s Rocket, this dish celebrates 200 years since the first passenger railway rolled from Liverpool to Manchester. Flavour powered by history.

 

[Willie Bee]

Is there nothing on the NCL to EDB route yet ?

My wife and I have travelled on the WCML, Carlisle to Manchester and on the ECML, Leeds to Newcastle with TPE and their service and meals have been brilliant.

Once TPE provide a similar meal option on their route from Newcastle up to Edinburgh, it'll be full marks from me .. and others too

 

[D6130]

Nnn

TPE seem to be leading the pack with their First Class offering (when it's available!)
Just saw these options from West Coast Menu and Coast to Coast menu. They sound mouthwatering.


STEAK & LANCASTER SUPERNOVA PALE ALE PIE
Tender British beef slow cooked in our very own Lancaster Supernova pale ale, wrapped in golden pastry.
Served with mushy peas for a comforting finish.

TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS TEX-MEX BURGER
A TransPennine twist on a Tex-Mex classic – a juicy burger topped with melted cheese, salsa, jalapeños, pickles and creamy burger sauce, finished with crunchy tortilla chips for extra bite.
Served with a side of crispy tortilla chips.

THE ROCKET SCOUSE A rich, slow-cooked beef and root veg pie inspired by Liverpool’s most iconic dish - Scouse.
Served with Vimto-braised red cabbage, a sweetand-sour twist that nods to the North West’s proud culinary heritage.
Named after Stephenson’s Rocket, this dish celebrates 200 years since the first passenger railway rolled from Liverpool to Manchester. Flavour powered by history.

....no vegetarian option though!

 

[MrJeeves]

TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS TEX-MEX BURGER
A TransPennine twist on a Tex-Mex classic – a juicy burger topped with melted cheese, salsa, jalapeños, pickles and creamy burger sauce, finished with crunchy tortilla chips for extra bite.
Served with a side of crispy tortilla chips.

I had this a few weeks ago, and quite enjoyed it. If I wasn't travelling on Avanti later in the day, I would have tried the pie though.

I mean the quality of the burger is a bit "meh". It's kind of like a microwave burger but I'd much rather have this than nothing at all!

Service was all extremely friendly, as I've come to expect from TPE's catering offer.

 

[Darandio]

....no vegetarian option though!

There is, that post cherry picked a few options from both menus.

 

[Sealink]

There is, that post cherry picked a few options from both menus.

Indeed, I picked the ones that appealed to me.

 

[Butts]

Indeed, I picked the ones that appealed to me.

Strange the Government Owned Franchise is upping the ante - but welcome.

If only the Scottish Government would do the same with Scotrail 1st Class on the HST's.

 

[Sealink]

Strange the Government Owned Franchise is upping the ante - but welcome.

If only the Scottish Government would do the same with Scotrail 1st Class on the HST's.

100%

 

[Spartacus]

Strange the Government Owned Franchise is upping the ante - but welcome.

If only the Scottish Government would do the same with Scotrail 1st Class on the HST's.

Taking their lead from the WAG Express offering perhaps? At this rate the SNP will be either forced to make a change to avoid embarrassment or issue some statement about ' first class decadence' or something

 

[Sealink]

Indeed, I picked the ones that appealed to me.

For completeness, here are the vegetarian options on the "Rest of the Day" menu.

SPINACH & SWEET POTATO LENTIL DHAL
A warming blend of spiced lentils, sweet potato, and spinach, simmered to perfection.
Served with soft flatbread for the ultimate comfort dish.

COAST TO COAST CHEESEBOARD
An assortment of cheeses, including Harrogate Blue, Northumberland Nettle, and Northumberland Oak-smoked, served with crunchy crackers and onion chutney.

WEST COAST CHEESEBOARD
An assortment of cheeses, including Isle of Mull, Blue Murder & Lammermuir, served with crunchy crackers and onion chutney.

 

[D6130]

For completeness, here are the vegetarian options on the "Rest of the Day" menu.

SPINACH & SWEET POTATO LENTIL DHAL
A warming blend of spiced lentils, sweet potato, and spinach, simmered to perfection.
Served with soft flatbread for the ultimate comfort dish.

COAST TO COAST CHEESEBOARD
An assortment of cheeses, including Harrogate Blue, Northumberland Nettle, and Northumberland Oak-smoked, served with crunchy crackers and onion chutney.

WEST COAST CHEESEBOARD
An assortment of cheeses, including Isle of Mull, Blue Murder & Lammermuir, served with crunchy crackers and onion chutney.

Thanks....that's a good selection.

 

[Angmering1974]

Service has really declined recently. It's been about a 50% rate of having a full host service on the Newcastle Liverpool route. When there is full service it's very good if you get the good hosts (there are only 2 or 3)

The meatballs and mash are decent, as is the breakfast

I'll stop bothering with first for a while as it's too unpredictable.

 

[800Travel]

Service has really declined recently. It's been about a 50% rate of having a full host service on the Newcastle Liverpool route. When there is full service it's very good if you get the good hosts (there are only 2 or 3)

The meatballs and mash are decent, as is the breakfast

I'll stop bothering with first for a while as it's too unpredictable.

I’d agree that some of the hosts are really good and proactive (though I put this number a lot higher than 2 or 3), but some others let the side down and don’t come round frequently at all, which can make it quite inconsistent

 

[Tetchytyke]

but some others let the side down and don’t come round frequently at all, which can make it quite inconsistent

Are the ones who "let the side down" dedicated hosts?

It always used to be that there was one person who did first class and the same person also did the standard class catering trolley. Having done a first class run on departure from York I often wouldn't see them again until pretty much Manchester Victoria. They weren't being lazy, they were off pushing the standard class trolley. So if they're short-staffed and there's no dedicated first class host it'll be the same story again.

 

[800Travel]

Are the ones who "let the side down" dedicated hosts?

It always used to be that there was one person who did first class and the same person also did the standard class catering trolley. Having done a first class run on departure from York I often wouldn't see them again until pretty much Manchester Victoria. They weren't being lazy, they were off pushing the standard class trolley. So if they're short-staffed and there's no dedicated first class host it'll be the same story again.

Yes, first class hosts with separate standard class hosts

 

[Angmering1974]

I will add to my previous comment, in TPE's defence, first class suffered because of a lot of cancellations and delays. Not like they understaffed on purpose etc

Was a bit annoying today to see them serve 8 paying customers before the first class passengers...then carry on having a gossip. So I went up to them to ask. Don't ask don't get with TPE half the time

I maintain my "2 or 3 good ones" but I accept mileages vary. The blond slightly older Liverpudlian lady is 10/10 service. Always glad to see her (no not for that reason, wrong team !)

 

[Butts]

I’d agree that some of the hosts are really good and proactive (though I put this number a lot higher than 2 or 3), but some others let the side down and don’t come round frequently at all, which can make it quite inconsistent

Perhaps they could have a call bell or a little self service area for drinks.

One welcome addition to the menu would be little yoghurt type desserts a la LNER.

 

[800Travel]

I will add to my previous comment, in TPE's defence, first class suffered because of a lot of cancellations and delays. Not like they understaffed on purpose etc

Was a bit annoying today to see them serve 8 paying customers before the first class passengers...then carry on having a gossip. So I went up to them to ask. Don't ask don't get with TPE half the time

I maintain my "2 or 3 good ones" but I accept mileages vary. The blond slightly older Liverpudlian lady is 10/10 service. Always glad to see her (no not for that reason, wrong team !)

Yes I would agree - short starting of services due to disruption often yields no catering across the route - guessing this is simply because they don't have as large crew base as operators such as LNER, who can swap crews around 'easier'.

I know the host you mean - certainly agree she is very good

Perhaps they could have a call bell or a little self service area for drinks.

One welcome addition to the menu would be little yoghurt type desserts a la LNER.

A call bell would be good near the galley - I've seen passengers open the door and try and get their attention when they are in the staff vestibule, but never thought it worth risking this myself given it's marked as a staff only area.

Little desserts would be good, though I'm personally not a fan of the LNER ones nowadays.

The Coast to Coast menu is certainly a much improved offering, rivalling operators with more established first class offerings. Very impressed with the effort that TPE have clearly put in to trying to improve their offering.

 

[styles]

Had a fun one this evening.

I was sat furthest away from the galley.

The current menu is the festive menu:

• Turkey meatballs
• Holiday nutless roast
• Spinach and sweet potato lentil dhal
• Duo of festive mini pies
• Festive West Coast cheeseboard.

I wanted the cheeseboard, as it's better for grazing.

Host comes out and starts taking orders from the galley side of the carriage. Someone asks for the meatballs, "No meatballs, I'm sorry", passenger goes back to look at the menu and opts for the pies.

Second and third passenger, "Any hot food? We have everything apart from the meatballs and the pies. One passenger takes the nut roast, the other the cheeseboard."

A few more passengers choose the nut roast.

Person diagonally opposite from me, "Any food hot? We basically have the dhal and the cheeseboard left."

Comes to me, "Any hot food? We only have a dhal left."

Well I guess I'll take the dhal then!

Vicar sat next to me, the last passenger to be asked, is given the same option (what I'm not calling Dhal Or No Dhal) and politely goes for No Dhal. It's alright though, he's got a red wine so he's set.

The dhal is actually the only non-festive menu item so that's a bit disappointing! Hopefully it's good. Next time I'll sit next to the galley I think!

 

[Angmering1974]

Galley end is a poor strategy on TPE IMO - they more often seem to start closer to the other end. If there is a 'standard' it's only executed about 25% of the time at best.

The cheeseboard is exceedingly popular too I find (it's very good). Wonder why they don't stock more.

Funny how they've turned the mince pies – offered as snacks – into a menu offering!

(I also find solo travellers get the short end of the stick more generally. A group of 4 travelling together on a table won't be able to move for snacks and will be drowning in booze)

 

[styles]

Galley end is a poor strategy on TPE IMO - they more often seem to start closer to the other end. If there is a 'standard' it's only executed about 25% of the time at best.

It's the first time I've had this 'issue' so never really paid attention to the order they do it!

The cheeseboard is exceedingly popular too I find (it's very good). Wonder why they don't stock more.

Yes the American who nabbed the last cheeseboard loved it. I'm happy for him.

(I also find solo travellers get the short end of the stick more generally. A group of 4 travelling together on a table won't be able to move for snacks and will be drowning in booze)

I am a solo traveller on this trip. They have been otherwise very attentive with drinks and snacks