Virgin Trains 1st Class

[RAPC]

I agree with others who have mentioned that the dinner service isn't what it was. Recently it has been spaghetti and meatballs and a risotto, followed by cheesecake, cheese and biscuits or fruit. As somebody who is allergic to cheese, I've often found that we're down to 2 cheese options by the time they get to the quiet coach, so depending on the crew you either get nowt, or they'll try and find one of the cup cakes instead from the earlier menu.

Breakfast is still very good, although you normally have to ask for cereal when they are doing the drinks as they serve it then. It is almost like a dirty secret that they have cereal and milk in the cart, as you wouldn't know it due to the lack of menus now!

Usually the staff and service is pretty good despite the shrinking portions. As always, ticket prices go up, but investment in the quality of food has gone down. Way of the world sadly.

 

[Geezertronic]

You don't get cereals or cheese/crackers on the EBW route (or not last time I did a VT First Class run)

 

[voyagerdude220]

I think you're right Geezertronic, in the days VT still bothered printing menus in FC, I remember them stating about no cereal offered on breakfast services. Neither are the cheese & biccies on evening meal services.

The FC lounges (at least Wolves/New Street) seem to have packets of cereal on offer, which I believe is intended for the use of passengers heading down to Euston, because of the far shorter journey time.

I took advantage of it last Friday at Wolverhampton on my way down to Paignton, as I was holding a valid Virgin ticket to Wolves before goin on the Cross Country run.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Fought I would update this, Travelled back from Manchester on Virgin 18:15 To London Euston. Meal was Ok Had a starter of Bombay Potatoes, Main was a choice of Meat: Pork Ribs and WARM Potato wedges or Pasta, Desert: Was Chocolate Fudge Cake, or Strawberry Cheesecake with Ice Cream.

If people don't no what the virgin 1st Class is like. Ive put a picture with this

 

[At_traction]

Based on a one-off experience of Virgin long-distance catering, I, in all, had a rather nice experience. Partly perhaps due to the scenery, being a "valley twister" pendo connection from Glasgow to Euston.

The food served consisted of smoked salmon pasta, a roll, white wine w/ refill and a rather substantial dessert pastry. I think I had a beer too, I don't remember. IMO rather delicious, in fact, and I was also admittedly pretty full and sated w/ a tableful of cans and wrappings.

As for the catering, during the early part of the journey, the young catering-lady seemed to have a bit of an on-edge martyr complex as I asked for a tea but eventually all got sorted and she lost the stress. Still, even with being overworked, it might be beneficial to try to keep the patronizing tone down a bit. At least to a degree.

But, in all, I've got a rather good account of Virgin's 1st Class offerings and surroundings.

I think it is just a British thing, and nowhere more so than on this forum.

A proud tradition!

If you travel on Swiss Railways' first class all you get for your money (and it's a lot of money!) is a very comfortable seat in a relaxing, peaceful environment. If you want something to eat or drink you buy it from the trolley or go to the restaurant car.

Is the price difference 1st vs. 2nd about the same as in the UK?