Virgin Trains 1st Class

[Neilandrewhall]

Hey Everyone.

As a train dispatcher I should really no the answer, but its a different line from what I am on.

Virgin Trains, Do a 1st Class Evening meal on the 18:15 Service from Manchester (MAN) to London Euston (EUS), Does anyone no what sort of food they serve?

Tried Emailing them but i have got no response, Hoping Someone on the Rail UK Forums Can actually help me with it, as i am quite picky with my food - but for £32.50 First Class, where the single fare ( Advanced ) was £52, Can't go wrong.

Neil

 

[MCR247]

It is in the timetables, the ones with the blue sun thing about serve evening meals from highlighted stations

 

[Neilandrewhall]

It is in the timetables, the ones with the blue sun thing about serve evening meals from highlighted stations

Yes I understand that MCR. but do you no what the meal actually is?

 

[MCR247]

Yes I understand that MCR. but do you no what the meal actually is?

Sorry, that will teach me for skim reading

They don't choose food by the service, they have menus on rotation, so when you are travelling is quite important. Voyagerdude220 often knows

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Sorry, that will teach me for skim reading

They don't choose food by the service, they have menus on rotation, so when you are travelling is quite important. Voyagerdude220 often knows

Agh Thank you, ,MCR just hope it isn't a curry or something along them lines B.t.w. Nice class 170 :P

 

[wintonian]

Must admit I'm looking forward to the Breakfast on the way to Liverpool next week.

Evening meal options:

Choice of two tasty seasonal hot options (vegetarian option available).
Or choice of two delicious sandwiches or snacks.
With a sweet dessert treat like a chilled pudding or slice of cake.
Or cheese and biscuits (selected services only).

From: http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/trains/first-class/

Not a lot of help realy,but they do manage to tell you about Breakfast.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Must admit I'm looking forward to the Breakfast on the way to Liverpool next week.

Evening meal options:

Choice of two tasty seasonal hot options (vegetarian option available).
Or choice of two delicious sandwiches or snacks.
With a sweet dessert treat like a chilled pudding or slice of cake.
Or cheese and biscuits (selected services only).

From: http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/trains/first-class/

They Should put a copy of there menu on there website - So that if you are fuzzy like me, you no what your going to be eating

 

[Squaddie]

As a train dispatcher I should really no the answer...

Yes I understand that MCR. but do you no what the meal actually is?

They Should put a copy of there menu on there website - So that if you are fuzzy like me, you no what your going to be eating

The word is know.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

The word is know.

Thank you Squaddie

 

[rail-britain]

Why not try such a service on a day off?
However, the return journey may be more expensive so you may want to travel on one of later services where the traditional menu is used

Personally, the "evening meal" is nothing like it used to be and is nothing more than a "hot option"
I've complained about my most recent journey as it wasn't even hot and was still on the traditional menu
I'm sorry, but a Salmon Salad as an "evening meal", which is also what I was offered as lunch...

Furthermore, try the breakfast, that is much better value for money
From Manchester the last service is usually the cheapest

 

[voyagerdude220]

Voyagerdude220 often knows

Me?!!

Lol only joking..

I haven't used VT as often as I used to, as I feel it's not as good as it used to be, both in terms of food/drink offered, and also the quality of the service provided by staff ..

I've noticed the hotline magazine's have had the same lot of First Class food listed for at least a couple of months, suggesting that VT haven't bothered to change what they're offering FC passengers for a while.

(Finds July hotline magazine)

Evening Meals listed are: Organic broccoli and stilton tart with a leaf and tomato salad, free range Thai chicken curry, feta cheese and thyme tart with leaf and tomato salad, or free range chicken thighs in white wine sauce with vegetables.

I'm not 100% sure whether VT are changing the menu for September, it was identical when I had a quick glance at it last week, and I think that was September's hotline magazine. The light bites certainly correspond with what I was offered.

Word of warning: Depending on how busy your train is, perhaps try to sit nearer the front. I sat in coach G a month or two ago on the 16:30 Euston to Glasgow, only to find the food warm at best. Service Manager didn't seem bothered at all, telling me to sit in the kitchen next time. (Ironic that i've often been told not to sit in coach K during the day.)

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Me?!!

Lol only joking..

I haven't used VT as often as I used to, as I feel it's not as good as it used to be, both in terms of food/drink offered, and also the quality of the service provided by staff ..

I've noticed the hotline magazine's have had the same lot of First Class food listed for at least a couple of months, suggesting that VT haven't bothered to change what they're offering FC passengers for a while.

(Finds July hotline magazine)

Evening Meals listed are: Organic broccoli and stilton tart with a leaf and tomato salad, free range Thai chicken curry, feta cheese and thyme tart with leaf and tomato salad, or free range chicken thighs in white wine sauce with vegetables.

I'm not 100% sure whether VT are changing the menu for September, it was identical when I had a quick glance at it last week, and I think that was September's hotline magazine. The light bites certainly correspond with what I was offered.

Word of warning: Depending on how busy your train is, perhaps try to sit nearer the front. I sat in coach G a month or two ago on the 16:30 Euston to Glasgow, only to find the food warm at best. Service Manager didn't seem bothered at all, telling me to sit in the kitchen next time. (Ironic that i've often been told not to sit in coach K during the day.)

Yeah, VT's food standards have slipped. I think they are printed in Hotline to tempt Standard customers to First Class next time. Not to save paper as VT said it was to. They don't like you in coach K because that's VT's staff unofficial private coach - so they can have a drink and chat in peace and quiet away from the public.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

Me?!!

Lol only joking..

I haven't used VT as often as I used to, as I feel it's not as good as it used to be, both in terms of food/drink offered, and also the quality of the service provided by staff ..

I've noticed the hotline magazine's have had the same lot of First Class food listed for at least a couple of months, suggesting that VT haven't bothered to change what they're offering FC passengers for a while.

(Finds July hotline magazine)

Evening Meals listed are: Organic broccoli and stilton tart with a leaf and tomato salad, free range Thai chicken curry, feta cheese and thyme tart with leaf and tomato salad, or free range chicken thighs in white wine sauce with vegetables.

I'm not 100% sure whether VT are changing the menu for September, it was identical when I had a quick glance at it last week, and I think that was September's hotline magazine. The light bites certainly correspond with what I was offered.

Word of warning: Depending on how busy your train is, perhaps try to sit nearer the front. I sat in coach G a month or two ago on the 16:30 Euston to Glasgow, only to find the food warm at best. Service Manager didn't seem bothered at all, telling me to sit in the kitchen next time. (Ironic that i've often been told not to sit in coach K during the day.)

Blymey i will find this Journey hard, I don't eat curry lol and i am allergic to Feta Cheese Yay.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I forgot to say that the hot options offered will be one of the meat dishes and one vegetarian dish, alongside the usual sandwiches etc

(I.e. the options available won't be all of what I listed)

 

[Neilandrewhall]

I forgot to say that the hot options offered will be one of the meat dishes and one vegetarian dish, alongside the usual sandwiches etc

(I.e. the options available won't be all of what I listed)

And Voyager Dude Can i message you please??

 

[voyagerdude220]

Replied :P
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Heading back on topic though, I hope your journey isn't too bad.

 

[GlasgowHST]

Hi, I have just travelled on the 17:30 London Euston to Glasgow Central and the hot options were either Vegetable Risotto or Spaghetti and Meatballs, which were disappointing to say the least and the standard of food being served has sadly slipped.

The breakfast still remains to be acceptable, however I feel that it is also not what it used to be either.

The majority of the staff that I have come across are excellent, with the exception of one or two who think once you have had the food then that is when the service ceases which is not acceptable on a journey between Glasgow and London and they ignore you for drinks only offering passengers who joined at the most recent station.

 

[wintonian]

They dont like you in coach K because that's VT's staff unofficial private coach - so they can have a drink and chat in peace and quiet away from the piublic

They won't like me next week then.

 

[route101]

Hi, I have just travelled on the 17:30 London Euston to Glasgow Central and the hot options were either Vegetable Risotto or Spaghetti and Meatballs, which were disappointing to say the least and the standard of food being served has sadly slipped.

The breakfast still remains to be acceptable, however I feel that it is also not what it used to be either.

The majority of the staff that I have come across are excellent, with the exception of one or two who think once you have had the food then that is when the service ceases which is not acceptable on a journey between Glasgow and London and they ignore you for drinks only offering passengers who joined at the most recent station.

Yeah ive had staff like that , maybe its the policy . Going from Glasgow to Preston once i got blanked after i had my breakfast .

 

[MidnightFlyer]

They won't like me next week then.

Anyone should just go in there just to annoy them

 

[First ScotRail]

Yeah ive had staff like that , maybe its the policy . Going from Glasgow to Preston once i got blanked after i had my breakfast .

Often the case, you will be provided Breakfast from Glasgow with toast/croissant and juice then you wont get anything until Preston at least when they alter the service to All-day Sandwiches etc...Tea/Coffee being the only constant service (and when I say that I mean after a station they come around once).

Ask for more juice or toast and staff often look at you like you have insulted them personally in my experiences.

Also I note many Glasgow crews now work through to Euston, so same standards throughout.

 

[route101]

Often the case, you will be provided Breakfast from Glasgow with toast/croissant and juice then you wont get anything until Preston at least when they alter the service to All-day Sandwiches etc...Tea/Coffee being the only constant service (and when I say that I mean after a station they come around once).

Ask for more juice or toast and staff often look at you like you have insulted them personally in my experiences.

Also I note many Glasgow crews now work through to Euston, so same standards throughout.

I asked for a soft drink too on the morning service and they forgot or dont do that . Compare that to East Coast First Class when i think i got offered service 4 times between Glasgow and Newcastle .

 

[MidnightFlyer]

VT has one of the worst first class services, just because it's free everyone loves it

 

[MCR247]

VT has one of the worst firast class service, just because its free everyone loves the,

Does that even make sense?
Thats rubbish, so it isn't better than the ones where you have to pay for everything?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Sorry - typed without looking, meant to say:

VT have one of the worst first class services, but because it's all free, it is assumed to be better than most others

 

[MCR247]

I still don't agree, you get free food, drinks and alcohol and people still complain. EMT charge £3.75 for a sausage baguette and I got a free sausage cob about as big for free on VT. Although the FGW Travelling Chef is also 3.75 it is twice as much as the EMT one...

 

[Anvil1984]

Is this hunt for freebies in First Class just a British thing, I've just been to Nice on the TGV Duplex and there was no at-seat service and I had to queue with all the standard class passengers at the Bar. In my time as a first class host I found that the passengers who wanted the most had paid the least.

 

[Squaddie]

Is this hunt for freebies in First Class just a British thing, I've just been to Nice on the TGV Duplex and there was no at-seat service and I had to queue with all the standard class passengers at the Bar. In my time as a first class host I found that the passengers who wanted the most had paid the least.

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

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.

 

[rail-britain]

The "offers" to First Class passengers have all come about in the competition for franchises
Equally, on the premium routes (which compete with other TOCs and airlines) the the franchise holders have to offer more than just the basics for First Class

To start off with, First Class simply means a larger seat, less passengers in the vehicle, improved interior (usually curtains where there are none), and some TOCs still only offer this

Where there is competition on a route (either from road or air) the TOC will generally offer the basic extras of drinks and biscuits
Where a TOC is trying to ensure high occupancy rates (such as ATW, WSR, and Virgin Trains) then a range of meals is also included
In the case of Virgin Trains they are comparing their level of service to what the airlines can offer for the same money

 

[MKB]

Not only has VT first-class service deteriorated significantly over the past ten years, the size of the portions served has plummeted too. Anyone travelling first-class should regard the weekday lunch/dinner offerings as no more than a snack. You will be hungry again a couple of hours later.

It's crazy that you can be stuck on a train for two hours or more at a meal time, and you can't get a proper meal, even if you're prepared to pay extra for it.

The Primo service a few years ago was a step in the right direction but was abandoned when VHF came in.