TPE 1st Food: Liverpool-Manchester

[merseydrew]

I was planning on travelling 1st between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria (aboard the Newcastle service, usually provided by 802’s I believe?)

As it’s only around half an hour, is it enough time to be able to take advantage of the food available to first class passengers aboard these services?

Thanks

 

[Flying Snail]

You'd be doing well to even get a cup of instant.

 

[Pacef8]

The last tpe from lime street we where on said it would be 30 mins before the urn would be hot enough for drinks .

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I was looking forward recently to a bacon roll in 1st on the 1024 Liverpool-Newcastle (hot breakfast until 1100), but the host said he only had the mid-day cold nibbles.
No trace of regret, I noticed.
Good ambience otherwise.

Today's equivalent (1054 Liverpool-Newcastle) had its round trip cancelled throughout from Newcastle, "problem with train crew".

 

[800Travel]

I was looking forward recently to a bacon roll in 1st on the 1024 Liverpool-Newcastle (hot breakfast until 1100), but the host said he only had the mid-day cold nibbles.
No trace of regret, I noticed.
Good ambience otherwise.

Today's equivalent (1054 Liverpool-Newcastle) had its round trip cancelled throughout from Newcastle, "problem with train crew".

Was this on the old menu or the new one? The new one has hot food in the afternoon too

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Was this on the old menu or the new one? The new one has hot food in the afternoon too

Well it was towards the end of January, if that helps.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

A few years ago, TPE stewards had a habit of sprinting down the aisle as if they were trying to break the land speed record, which obviously didn't make it easy to purchase anything from the trolley... Had to chase them down to buy an overpriced cup of tea, let alone any food!

 

[ainsworth74]

Well it was towards the end of January, if that helps.

Yeah the new menu only started about a week ago so that was before hot food in the afternoon was a thing. It's quite an extensive menu now!

TransPennine Kitchen | Coast to Coast menu

Read our TransPennine Kitchen - Coast to Coast menu which is available when you travel First Class between Newcastle and Liverpool with TransPennine Express. Complimentary snacks, & drinks await!

www.tpexpress.co.uk

Say hello to proper food on the move. Welcome to TransPennine Kitchen – Coast to Coast, now available in First Class on routes between Liverpool and Newcastle.

We've still got the classic brews and snacks, plus some delicious new options. Fluffy breakfast pancakes, the TransPennine Bacon Cheeseburger, a hearty Steak & Newcastle Ale Brown Pie, and plenty more.

 

[Butts]

Excellent service on 0810 Glasgow to Liverpool today.

Coffee and Biscuits served shortly after departure.

Breakfast served after Carlisle -the offering is as good if not better than Avanti or LNER whacking Cumberland Sausage with BP, Beans, Bacon and Egg Creation.

Post 11am Wine and Cake

A veritable bargain at £28

 

[childwallblues]

I have travelled on the 0824Lime Street to Victoria and was served a bacon roll and a cup of tea!

 

[route101]

Excellent service on 0810 Glasgow to Liverpool today.

Coffee and Biscuits served shortly after departure.

Breakfast served after Carlisle -the offering is as good if not better than Avanti or LNER whacking Cumberland Sausage with BP, Beans, Bacon and Egg Creation.

Post 11am Wine and Cake

A veritable bargain at £28

Been meaning to try TPE first class. Always high fares when I look.

 

[Sealink]

The TPE menu does look better than LNER (which I've always rated highly).

 

[Butts]

The TPE menu does look better than LNER (which I've always rated highly).

My only slight moan is that they don't have Whisky !!

If only it was still First Scotrail we might get something decent up here= not a sausage on an HST - a disgrace.

Wonder how it compares to Hull Trains it's sister company - haven't been on them for an eternity.

 

[route101]

Edinburgh to Newcastle TPE in First Class, what can you expect?

 

[Ianigsy]

On the other hand, you might have the experience I’m currently “enjoying”. On the 1352 Liverpool-Newcastle (as far as Leeds), shortly after leaving Lime Street the couple opposite me were offered hot food and alcohol - I wasn’t. People who joined the train at Manchester have also been served hot food. I’ve had a can of Sprite and some crisps and we’ve just arrived at Brighouse.

Based on the people who have been served, however, it may be my own fault for not travelling with a Geordie accent.

 

[Scotrail314209]

Edinburgh to Newcastle TPE in First Class, what can you expect?

This one is the 'Express Plus' menu, so similar to what you get on the 185s.

You'd get a snack box or Porridge/Croissant and a selection of biscuits, crisps and other snacks as well as complimentary soft and hot drinks (with complimentary alcohol after 11am).

Nothing substantial, but enough for the journey between Edinburgh and Newcastle.

 

[route101]

This one is the 'Express Plus' menu, so similar to what you get on the 185s.

You'd get a snack box or Porridge/Croissant and a selection of biscuits, crisps and other snacks as well as complimentary soft and hot drinks (with complimentary alcohol after 11pm).

Nothing substantial, but enough for the journey between Edinburgh and Newcastle.

I see, for some reason I thought it was similar to the Liverpool to Newcastle route.

 

[voyagerdude220]

(with complimentary alcohol after 11pm).

Happy hour?

 

[Scotrail314209]

Happy hour?

That’s what I get for typing while half asleep

 

[Scotrail314209]

I see, for some reason I thought it was similar to the Liverpool to Newcastle route.

Used to be, but it got updated when the new menu launched.

 

[Segedunum]

I did the 1403 Newcastle to York on Thursday with the new menu. Drinks and snacks served immediately on departure with an invitation to take what you wish. Then it all got a bit confusing as menus were also handed out at that time but the staff disappeared until Darlington.

I caught one as he came back from the loo and asked if hot food was being served (as it looked like they weren't bothering) and was told yes - so ordered a steak pie. A few minutes later, orders were done for the rest of the carriage and there was another drinks run. The pie was decent enough, could have probably done with a little more gravy in the filling (or as a side) but it made a change. The burger looked fairly similar to the 3oz American one you'd get at a Spoons, which for a train isn't too awful I suppose!

I managed to get my food before York but not everyone had received theirs by the time I got off - I did get the impression that the staff were still finding their feet with the more complex offering. However - they were very friendly and nothing was too much trouble even if you weren't served immediately. A stark contrast to the LNER First Class offering which feels like a race to the bottom these days.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Did the 1526 Cleethorpes>Liverpool Lime Street in 1st class with TPE last Thursday. Was expecting maybe something for the one hour leg from Sheffield onwards to Manchester Ox Road. Zilch!

 

[hexagon789]

Did the 1526 Cleethorpes>Liverpool Lime Street in 1st class with TPE last Thursday. Was expecting maybe something for the one hour leg from Sheffield onwards to Manchester Ox Road. Zilch!

Which section were you in? The 185 workings only have a trolley in one half when formed of two units.

It is of course very possible there was no trolley provided at all, but equally you might have been in the 'wrong' half?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Which section were you in? The 185 workings only have a trolley in one half when formed of two units.

It is of course very possible there was no trolley provided at all, but equally you might have been in the 'wrong' half?

Did wonder about that, but the TPE conductor then announced at Sheffield that there would be no trolley service that evening.

 

[hexagon789]

Did wonder about that, but the TPE conductor then announced at Sheffield that there would be no trolley service that evening.

That answers that then!

 

[Angusbswheeler]

I travelled from Darlington to Manchester on the 13:35 on Tuesday returning on the ,13:00 on Tuesday. In both cases the dedicated serving staff were very friendly but, although the food I received was good (probably better than LNER) my overall impression was food shortages and slightly chaotic.

On both trips I wanted the burger but on the outward trip the only hot option was the pie and mushy peas, which was very tasty. I was offered drinks at least three times and snacks once - I didn't get the opportunity to get a piece of cake after that. People boarding at York were told that there were no meals left.

On my return the only hot options left were some breakfast items. I had an omelette sandwich which was surprisingly tasty. The host actually forgot to serve me after taking my order and then, after I asked about my ordered food, forgot to serve me and the table opposite drinks. I wasn't offered snacks or cakes on this trip though the people immediately in front of me were.

In both cases the carriage was only half full which suggests that if the service was busy there would a good chance that you wouldn't receive food. It's a shame as the food is good and the burger looked very tasty for those who managed to get one.

As an aside later in the day I took the TfW service from Piccadilly to Shrewsbury and availed myself of the restaurant on that. Food and service were absolutely spot on.

 

[voyagerdude220]

It sounds like availability of food on TPE First Class can be very hit and miss at times. The only time I've sampled it was on the 08:58 from Preston to Glasgow and I had to make do with a sausage roll for breakfast, as they'd completely run out of food before it got to Preston and the food top up at Carlisle was the daytime menu. I wouldn't have minded the hour wait for food if it was breakfast items I was offered.

 

[Willie Bee]

Not sure whether I should add this here, or start a new thread

In February, my wife and I travelled first class from Manchester to Newcastle with TPE and we were very impressed with their catering, which I understand had only started a couple of days earlier. It was a mid-week journey. (see my post, ref. 9 on thread linked below)

Now, I am wondering whether we would get a breakfast on an NCL-EDB Sunday morning TPE service (09:19) This train would actually be starting from Newcastle.

Carlisle to Manchester : TPE First Class on Sunday 16th February (10:44)

My wife and I are travelling to Liverpool on Sunday from Newcastle, but due to engineering works we have to go via Carlisle. I booked the tickets on the forum's site Will there be any food on this service ? I was on a TPE train today and was speaking to somebody, who said there is no hot food...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Scotrail314209]

Now, I am wondering whether we would get a breakfast on an NCL-EDB Sunday morning TPE service (09:19) This train would actually be starting from Newcastle.

Snacks and drinks only on that one. They use the same menu as on the 185s for those services. Breakfast items usually a croissant or porridge. They used to have bacon or sausage rolls but this changed over when they introduced hot food between Newcastle and Liverpool.