NXEC Restaurant Service

[northernbored]

Hi all,

Im travelling on the 1732 (1600 from Edinburgh) NXEC service from Newcastle this thursday and intending on eating in the resteraunt.
As I am travelling with a standard class ticket I have second priority for the resteraunt after the 1st ticket holders.
How likely is it I will get a seat, before I go ahead and purchase some discount vouchers i want some idea as to the likely hood of getting in.
Thanks in advance.

 

[maddeningcrowds]

Fairly likely. I don't think the nxec catering vouchers are valid in the restaurant.

 

[Max]

Hi all,

Im travelling on the 1732 (1600 from Edinburgh) NXEC service from Newcastle this thursday and intending on eating in the resteraunt.
As I am travelling with a standard class ticket I have second priority for the resteraunt after the 1st ticket holders.
How likely is it I will get a seat, before I go ahead and purchase some discount vouchers i want some idea as to the likely hood of getting in.
Thanks in advance.

As far as I know, you cannot buy discount vouchers for the restaurant. Catering vouchers can only be used for the buffet and trolleys. As for getting in, as far as I can remember this is a very busy service, particularly in 1st class, so it may be a challenge!

 

[northernbored]

The vouchers became valid with the remodled catering services in january.
http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/Special-offers/Buffet-Vouchers/

I just rang NXEC and they said that if you mention to them that you have already purchased the vouchers and that you are only on-board for an hour then they will usually try there hardest to find a seat. She also that as it is avaliable through to Peterborough then there is more chance of a seat aswell.

 

[gordonthemoron]

i've used the restaurant car on this service in 2007, it was deserted

 

[northernbored]

I hope!
I rekon it will get busy once it gets further south, as the restaurant takes orders all the way to peterboro'

 

[caughtonatrain]

i've used the restaurant car on this service in 2007, it was deserted

I used it in October last year and it was packed. It would be interesting to see any statistics on catering (especially dining car) usage in the context of NXEC's decimation of it and the train travelling experience.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I used it in October last year and it was packed. It would be interesting to see any statistics on catering (especially dining car) usage in the context of NXEC's decimation of it and the train travelling experience.

It probably differs depending on which day of the week it is, I used it on a thursday

 

[maddeningcrowds]

If you board at the restaurant and take a seat or ask the catering folk if there is a seat, you should be o.k. My experience is limited to 5 or 6 occasions but i have never been asked for ticket/class by catering staff, only by the train manager doing standard checks. The first class priority thing seems to be mainly about who is invited via the announcements rather than who is actually permitted.

 

[northernbored]

Another question, gennerally around what coach is it?
I don't want to board at entirely the wrong end.

 

[John @ home]

Another question, gennerally around what coach is it?
I don't want to board at entirely the wrong end.

Coach K.
Travelling south, M is at the front, B at the back, so K is the 3rd coach.

John

 

[northernbored]

Thank you very much.
I must say that ive being in the restaurant car as a FC ticket holder twice before and found the food very nice so I look foward to thursday evening!
I just wish i knew what the menu would be rather than just the example online!

 

[MCR247]

Coach K.
Travelling south, M is at the front, B at the back, so K is the 3rd coach.

John

In GNER days, they lettered the DVT for some reason, I think it was N

 

[DannyBoy]

The DVT was Coach P, although it was lettered around the door at the rear end of the trailer, so perhaps that may be the reason as to why they lettered it.

Dan