rail-britain
Established Member
- Joined
- 12 Aug 2007
- Messages
- 4,102
I did a 14 day First Class All Line Rail Rover last summer, so here are my recommendations (full details can be found at rail-britain.co.uk/wordpress/?page_id=2)
Virgin Trains
Travel from London Euston to another main destination, such as Birmingham New Street, Crewe, or Manchester
I prefer the tables with two seats, an example being Coach G Seat 01 northbound and Coach G Seat 45
Check their timetables to see where breakfast is available, it is possible to complete a return journey with two breakfasts, or for longer journeys and breaks (to Glasgow) with breakfast and evening meal
On my most recent trip the lunch has greatly deteriorated in value, from a salad or sandwich, to a simple snack
The evening meal has also deteriorated (from original launch), however some services have vastly more stock and very often offer a second round of meals!
The breakfast is little changed and still represents good value
Sadly the fares for these services have greatly increased
East Coast / EMT / FGW :
First Class customers receive basic drinks and biscuits only
There are no extras for First Class ticket holders on the FGW sleeper
FSR :
First Class customers receive basic drinks and biscuits on some express services
On the sleeper, a complimentary breakfast with a First Class sleeper reservation only
WSR :
I was only able to travel once, the breakfast was ENORMOUS!
ATW :
The breakfast was much better than VT
I was so impressed I changed my last day so as to also sample an evening meal
Sadly this was disappointing, but still a vast improvement on what was on offer from VT
XC :
Most services offer drinks, snacks are served at certain times and between certain places on routes
One final note is to watch for VT services between Euston and Crewe, as some are operated by Voyagers
In my experience these were the first to have a host removed and a more basic service offered (typically one round of drinks and limited range of snacks; no meals)
Virgin Trains
Travel from London Euston to another main destination, such as Birmingham New Street, Crewe, or Manchester
I prefer the tables with two seats, an example being Coach G Seat 01 northbound and Coach G Seat 45
Check their timetables to see where breakfast is available, it is possible to complete a return journey with two breakfasts, or for longer journeys and breaks (to Glasgow) with breakfast and evening meal
On my most recent trip the lunch has greatly deteriorated in value, from a salad or sandwich, to a simple snack
The evening meal has also deteriorated (from original launch), however some services have vastly more stock and very often offer a second round of meals!
The breakfast is little changed and still represents good value
Sadly the fares for these services have greatly increased
East Coast / EMT / FGW :
First Class customers receive basic drinks and biscuits only
There are no extras for First Class ticket holders on the FGW sleeper
FSR :
First Class customers receive basic drinks and biscuits on some express services
On the sleeper, a complimentary breakfast with a First Class sleeper reservation only
WSR :
I was only able to travel once, the breakfast was ENORMOUS!
ATW :
The breakfast was much better than VT
I was so impressed I changed my last day so as to also sample an evening meal
Sadly this was disappointing, but still a vast improvement on what was on offer from VT
XC :
Most services offer drinks, snacks are served at certain times and between certain places on routes
One final note is to watch for VT services between Euston and Crewe, as some are operated by Voyagers
In my experience these were the first to have a host removed and a more basic service offered (typically one round of drinks and limited range of snacks; no meals)
On some east coast / FGW you have the option to buy food which will be served at your seats. The burgers on east coast are very good. Although not many Leeds services have catering. 
