Virgin Trains First Classs

[Bungle73]

Had my first taste of it on Monday on a Euston to Chester service. Tbh after EC's I'm not that impressed. First one of the two FC carriages wasn't "set up for FC", apparently, because there "wasn't enough staff" (how many extra staff do you need for one more carriage) so all FC passengers were squeezed into one carriage. I had to.....well I didn't have to, they asked and I agreed......give up my reserved double seat for a single one (with a pillar) because a family wanted to sit together and there were no other seats! And secondly, well people on here complain about EC running out of food, but at least they only run out when the train's been travelling for several hours. On my Virgin train it seems they didn't even have enough food for the people who boarded at Euston! They were prioritising those who were getting off first. If I wanted more than the cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches they had left I had to wait until the the train got to Crewe where new stock was loaded; this was 20 minutes from the destination in a 2 hour journey! I had to make do with a Snack Box, which they dished out, in the mean time. Not good.

 

[All Line Rover]

Generally Super Voyagers have only one First Class carriage. This is reasonable as if Coach D is First Class, that leaves only three Standard Class carriages, causing severe overcrowding in Standard Class.

It's not unusual for every last seat to be taken on the busiest services (e.g. 09:35 Chester to Euston), in both First and Standard Class. This problem will hopefully be solved once the 6-car EMUs are introduced on the Birmingham to Scotland route, allow most Voyagers to/from London to be doubled up, so each service will have 2 First Class carriages and 8 Standard Class carriages.

Running out of food is unusual, though! But don't expect to me impressed by the food. The sandwiches are occasionally nice (the same as on Pendolinos), but the cooked food on Super Voyagers is severely limited by the fact that they only have a microwave/mini oven/whatever it's called - basically they don't have a proper oven! If you want to experience "First Class Proper," travel on a Pendolino.

If you ever travel again on a Super Voyager, I'd recommend buying a Standard Class ticket and sitting in Coach D. There you get a comfy seat with extra padding, a large table, extra legroom and free Wi-Fi. Almost First Class but without the free food and drink!

 

[Bungle73]

All I know is that people started coming into my carriage from the one on front and that was the reason that was given.

This was an early afternoon service (14:10), which I was told on here would be practically empty in FC, so all they were dishing out was snacks and sandwiches.

 

[All Line Rover]

This was an early afternoon service (14:10), which I was told on here would be practically empty in FC, so all they were dishing out was snacks and sandwiches.

Generally those services are quiet, but with the small nature of the coach it can fill up very rapidly should a few more people than usual turn up.

I should also point out that you only get drinks, snacks and services on mid-day Virgin services (except on the London to Scotland route). Cooked meals or hot snacks are not offered.

 

[Bungle73]

I never mentioned anything about meals.

 

[Butts]

Had my first taste of it on Monday on a Euston to Chester service. Tbh after EC's I'm not that impressed. First one of the two FC carriages wasn't "set up for FC", apparently, because there "wasn't enough staff" (how many extra staff do you need for one more carriage) so all FC passengers were squeezed into one carriage. I had to.....well I didn't have to, they asked and I agreed......give up my reserved double seat for a single one (with a pillar) because a family wanted to sit together and there were no other seats! And secondly, well people on here complain about EC running out of food, but at least they only run out when the train's been travelling for several hours. On my Virgin train it seems they didn't even have enough food for the people who boarded at Euston! They were prioritising those who were getting off first. If I wanted more than the cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches they had left I had to wait until the the train got to Crewe where new stock was loaded; this was 20 minutes from the destination in a 2 hour journey! I had to make do with a Snack Box, which they dished out, in the mean time. Not good.

See my post about East Coast tonight ... loaded 25 meals for 60 passengers at KGX.

Forget sandwiches did "the whisky flow" to placate you

 

[ainsworth74]

I never mentioned anything about meals.

Well then what were you expecting? During the day, apart from London - Glasgow, Virgin don't do anything other than snacks/sandwiches and hot/cold drinks.

 

[Bungle73]

Well then what were you expecting? During the day, apart from London - Glasgow, Virgin don't do anything other than snacks/sandwiches and hot/cold drinks.

I was expecting the sandwiches and snacks I was promised - I thought I made they clear - but apparently that was too hard for them.

 

[welshpax]

Pretty much the same as my experience of Virgin this week, travelled from Cardiff to Edinburgh via Bristol and Crewe. Virgin train from Birmingham, was told there was no food available as it had all been used on the inbound journey, yet person sat opposite me was offered breakfast. Bailed out at Crewe and caught next train North where I was offered snack box which was quite nice.

Coming back from Glasgow, sat in coach k, drinks run done within 2 minutes of leaving Glasgow and then host decided to sleep all the way to Carlisle, curled up in a ball and slept for and hour! Passenger comes down just as we were passing Penrith to ask for a drink and was berated and told to go back to seat and drinks will be served later.

It was quite amusing to see the look on the passengers face, I think you could call it disbelief.

It seems as though Virgin may have an issue with demotivated staff at the moment!

 

[Searle]

Getting the 14:35 service from Chester to Euston on 10th September, in first class. Not too bothered about the food, I'd just like a drink and somewhere relatively empty and quiet to sit!

Can I just ask if they do Gin and Tonic? I'll be terribly disappointed if they didn't!

 

[Butts]

Getting the 14:35 service from Chester to Euston on 10th September, in first class. Not too bothered about the food, I'd just like a drink and somewhere relatively empty and quiet to sit!

Can I just ask if they do Gin and Tonic? I'll be terribly disappointed if they didn't!

Yes - Whisky , Gin and Vodka in Double Measures

 

[Searle]

Yes - Whisky , Gin and Vodka in Double Measures

glad to hear it, thanks! :P

 

[MCR247]

Getting the 14:35 service from Chester to Euston on 10th September, in first class. Not too bothered about the food, I'd just like a drink and somewhere relatively empty and quiet to sit!

Can I just ask if they do Gin and Tonic? I'll be terribly disappointed if they didn't!

1435 is a 10 car voyager so you should have no problems

 

[6Gman]

But hang on! When he asked me to sign his e-petition Sir Richard insisted that customer service was a Virgin speciality!

 

[LouJ]

Had my first taste of it on Monday on a Euston to Chester service. Tbh after EC's I'm not that impressed. First one of the two FC carriages wasn't "set up for FC", apparently, because there "wasn't enough staff"

There is only one first class coach. The adjacent vehicle has first class type seating but is never used for first class and is always a good bet if you are travelling on Virgin Voyagers as the seats are centered on the windows and more comfortable than the conventional standard class coaches.

 

[calc7]

There is only one first class coach. The adjacent vehicle has first class type seating but is never used for first class and is always a good bet if you are travelling on Virgin Voyagers as the seats are centered on the windows and more comfortable than the conventional standard class coaches.

It is used for First Class in the peaks (e.g. 0810 from Euston, 0935 from Chester)

 

[snail]

Coming back from Glasgow, sat in coach k, drinks run done within 2 minutes of leaving Glasgow and then host decided to sleep all the way to Carlisle, curled up in a ball and slept for and hour! Passenger comes down just as we were passing Penrith to ask for a drink and was berated and told to go back to seat and drinks will be served later.

It was quite amusing to see the look on the passengers face, I think you could call it disbelief.

It seems as though Virgin may have an issue with demotivated staff at the moment!

That sounds like standard behaviour in Coach K. I've given up on expecting anything other than a better seat + table in FC on Virgin outside peak hours. If I want food I'll buy it before I board and hope that I get the occasional coffee onboard.

 

[Bungle73]

There is only one first class coach. The adjacent vehicle has first class type seating but is never used for first class and is always a good bet if you are travelling on Virgin Voyagers as the seats are centered on the windows and more comfortable than the conventional standard class coaches.

I only know what I heard, and that a stream of people came in from the other coach which filled mine up.

More issues coming home today. Some people with reservations for FC in "Coach D" when Coach D wasn't a FC coach. Apparently it's a recurring problem....

Oh and they only came round once with tea/coffee on the whole trip!

 

[krisk]

That sounds like standard behaviour in Coach K. I've given up on expecting anything other than a better seat + table in FC on Virgin outside peak hours. If I want food I'll buy it before I board and hope that I get the occasional coffee onboard.

Not on my train its not. Good service and leaving a positive impression are what matters.

 

[applepie2100]

In FC today on a BHM to EUS service an I see the old VT snack box has made a comeback. Little black box containing a pack of the old Penn State pretzels, couple of different crackers, bit of cheese, small flapjack and a valrohna chocolate stick.

Someone trying something new so close to the end of the franchise?

 

[Bungle73]

In FC today on a BHM to EUS service an I see the old VT snack box has made a comeback. Little black box containing a pack of the old Penn State pretzels, couple of different crackers, bit of cheese, small flapjack and a valrohna chocolate stick.

Someone trying something new so close to the end of the franchise?

That's what they were handing out on my train due to the sandwich issue.

 

[Morden Via CHX]

In FC today on a BHM to EUS service an I see the old VT snack box has made a comeback. Little black box containing a pack of the old Penn State pretzels, couple of different crackers, bit of cheese, small flapjack and a valrohna chocolate stick.

Someone trying something new so close to the end of the franchise?

The snackboxes have been around for a while now on FC at weekends. They are much better than the previous weekend FC offering of crisps and biscuits etc.

 

[krisk]

Seem more appreciated from my experience. Perhaps a change in the content on alternate weekends though?

 

[Howardh]

If you don't get first-class service with a first-class ticket, the option was to write in and complain, and (about three months later) get a complimentary f/c ticket by return as compensation.

Not much point now when the service, in three months, will be run by a glorified bus company

 

[Morden Via CHX]

Seem more appreciated from my experience. Perhaps a change in the content on alternate weekends though?

Can't do any harm.

 

[Rick1984]

Travelled first class with virgin from euston to crew and I thought it was brilliant. It was my first time travelling first class.

did haVe to find another seat unfortunately but woman moved to sit with friend so got table of four to myself. Also brian cox was sat opposite.

I had the salmon and scrambled eggs and thought was fairly good especially as cooked on a train. He had a fry up and spilt some of his orange. attended to very promptly and was offered tea and coffee three times before crew! You can only drink so many complimentary drinks though. Felt really well looked after. couldn't believe how many staff there where.

Was certainly superior to greater anglia who don't even do at seat service.

Also sir chris hoy was also in my carriage but completely missed him which I was gutted about as he is one of my heroes!

 

[GarethW]

Travelled first class with virgin from euston to crew and I thought it was brilliant. It was my first time travelling first class.

did haVe to find another seat unfortunately but woman moved to sit with friend so got table of four to myself. Also brian cox was sat opposite.

I had the salmon and scrambled eggs and thought was fairly good especially as cooked on a train. He had a fry up and spilt some of his orange. attended to very promptly and was offered tea and coffee three times before crew! You can only drink so many complimentary drinks though. Felt really well looked after. couldn't believe how many staff there where.

Was certainly superior to greater anglia who don't even do at seat service.

Also sir chris hoy was also in my carriage but completely missed him which I was gutted about as he is one of my heroes!

which one the superior Hannibal Lector, or the rather annoying scientist type??

 

[krisk]

travelled first class with virgin from euston to crew and i thought it was brilliant. It was my first time travelling first class.

Did have to find another seat unfortunately but woman moved to sit with friend so got table of four to myself. Also brian cox was sat opposite.

I had the salmon and scrambled eggs and thought was fairly good especially as cooked on a train. He had a fry up and spilt some of his orange. Attended to very promptly and was offered tea and coffee three times before crew! You can only drink so many complimentary drinks though. Felt really well looked after. Couldn't believe how many staff there where.

Was certainly superior to greater anglia who don't even do at seat service.

Also sir chris hoy was also in my carriage but completely missed him which i was gutted about as he is one of my heroes!

09.40?

 

[Rick1984]

The d: reams fame scientist. Yes the 9:40 you see him too? I nearly had a heart attack trying to run to make my connection to liverpool. My panick about connection was probably why I missed hoy.
I had to get liverpool by 1 to get my passport. I had to leave yarmouth at 5.44 go via london. Saw carragher at lime street. Applied for passport looked round liverpool then luckily got passport at four so got home an hour earlier than scheduled. All for the sun of £250. I think I deserved first class! (it was cheaper than second. No first in way back though)

(P.s. I have bradley wiggins sideburns, In case you saw me)

 

[krisk]

I probably served you your breakfast