Virgin Trains First Classs

[calc7]

I don't think that's correct, most Lancaster terminators after the morning peak are Voyagers.

Really? I have caught that train several times and it has always been a Pendolino. I thought Voyagers only worked Chester and BHM-Scotland service (and the odd Birmingham diagram)

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The 1756 for me last week (ex-LAN) was a 221, I'm sure most off-peak Lancaster terminators are Voyagers, I shall check though.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Hi chaps,

I can confirm that the *14:30 Euston to Lancaster/17:36 Lancaster to Euston is booked to be a Pendo Mon-Thurs/Super Voyager on Fridays. (Don't know if it will still be the case during the new timetable).

*14:30 ex Euston on Fridays runs to Glasgow with a Pendo. A Super Voyager forms an additional 13:33 (ish) Euston to Lancaster, both to relieve the busy 13:30 Euston to Glasgow and also position itself to form the 17:36 back to Euston.

Super Voyagers work north of Lancaster on a daily basis. They form the majority of the Birmingham to Scotland services. Pendolinos have started to form more of these trains over the last year or two. There are at least three Pendolinos each way which I can think of from the top of my head.

13:39 and 15:39 (give or take a few mins) Lancaster to Euston services are both Pendolinos Monday to Friday.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

... is booked to be a Pendo Mon-Thurs/Super Voyager on Fridays...

Super Voyagers work north of Lancaster on a daily basis.

Ah, yes, I just remembered some services are booked Super Voyagers FO and 390s during the week

I should have made it clear in my post that I meant there are no booked Voyagers north of Lancaster ex-Euston, of course there are the hourly Voyagers north of there to Scotland (supplemented by the odd 390 now too) ex-New St.

Sorry for any confusion.

 

[route101]

Remember using a Afternoon Tea Primo service from Euston to Glasgow Central back on a warm day in 06 , got a £25 advance on it with railcard too.

 

[tankmc]

And First Hull ??

First hull where very good as well, i was just stating the best and worst. Hull trains was comfortable and clean. The food was not as good as virgin but is was still nice.

 

[work-traveller]

Not travelled in 1st on a pendelino for a while, but will be doing a return trip to Euston in a few weekends time. I know that the service is hot drinks and a cold snack box at weekends. Question is, do you still get a complimentary paper on Saturday and Sunday? Don't want to give Mr.W.H.Smith a few quid at New Street if I'm going to get a paper onboard anyway.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

You do not.

 

[Essexman]

What's happened to the Virgin hot choice at lunchtimes?
I went from Euston to to Liverpool yesterday (11.07) and back from Manchester today (13.15) and all that was offerred was sandwiches.
Am I wrong or did they used to have a hot choice at lunchtime?

 

[calc7]

Yes, but not for a few years now.

 

[Butts]

Yes, but not for a few years now.

So East Coast (at least in theory) trump Virgin on that score.

 

[WCMLaddict]

So East Coast (at least in theory) trump Virgin on that score.

To be honest, East Coast first class offering is at the moment much better at all times beside breakfast time where both companies have similar level of service.

While staff is great as always, the food is getting worse all the time:
Breakfast - more or less the same (salmon and scrambled egg portions are half of what it used to be year ago)
Light breakfast - I noticed availability has slipped a lot. It sometimes looks as they serve what is left from breakfast
Mid day/light bites - that has changed most. I think they even changed the name of the menu. It is literally bites that they offer as some of the "sandwich collections" have 2-3 tiny sandwich triangles that I wouldn't even call quarters. It used to be a sandwich pack like you get in shops.
Evening meal - that has been a let down lately as well. Maybe it is just a menu this month or something but for past month (I hope this is just on the trains I have been on) they have been serving pies only. I live near Wigan at the moment but FFS not all people here eat them

I'm not complaining though

 

[Roverman]

I was on the 12:48 from Liverpool Lime Street going down to Stafford last Thursday and they couldn't give it away fast enough. Coffee served almost as soon as we left, cold drinks,spirits and pretzels just after Runcorn with main food about 2 minutes later. Sandwiches, Crisps, Cake and Fruit. Normally its postioned as Sandwiches or Crisps, Cake or Fruit so it was nice to get the lot!

Seeing as I'd paid £9 for an advance ticket I was very pleased with this!

 

[RAPC]

Normally its postioned as Sandwiches or Crisps, Cake or Fruit so it was nice to get the lot!

I typically do 2 North West to London 1st class round trips each week, so am a bit too familiar with the service these days for my own liking!

The above was not quite correct. You always are offered crisps along with your sandwich selection. They can get a bit sniffy on giving out cake and fruit like you say, but that often isn't a problem either. The main choice tends to be cake or chocolate, but again they have started to be a bit happier to dish everything out now.

It's the 'hush hush' cereal selection on the breakfast services that usually causes frowns from the staff. It is very seldom offered, even though it is usually available when they do the cold drinks run.

 

[Roverman]

Thanks for that RAPC. On the times I've travelled during breakfast I've only once had the full english but it was lovely! Usually by the time I get on (7:03 or 8:23 from Stafford) they are down to the Bacon Rolls! No one has ever asked me if I want cereal!

 

[WCMLaddict]

Thanks for that RAPC. On the times I've travelled during breakfast I've only once had the full english but it was lovely! Usually by the time I get on (7:03 or 8:23 from Stafford) they are down to the Bacon Rolls! No one has ever asked me if I want cereal!

You can ask for cereal from the juice trolley.
But you're right that it isn't often that they offer it themselves

 

[Trains06]

Having only ever travelled in the mid-week with VT I am curious as to what to expect from VT's weekend offering?

 

[matt]

Having only ever travelled in the mid-week with VT I am curious as to what to expect from VT's weekend offering?

A "snack box" plus Tea/Coffee or soft drinks. The "snack box" contains stuff like cheese and biscuits, a small cake etc.

 

[Trains06]

A "snack box" plus Tea/Coffee or soft drinks. The "snack box" contains stuff like cheese and biscuits, a small cake etc.

Ah, thanks Matt, do you get access to the lounge in Euston as well, and is there just the one round of drinks on the trip?

 

[matt]

Ah, thanks Matt, do you get access to the lounge in Euston as well, and is there just the one round of drinks on the trip?

Yes you can use the lounges. I travelled Coventry to Euston and return. One round of drinks.

 

[breadfan]

I did a two week all liner, first class a few months ago, East Coast beat Virgin by a long way for catering. XC would be 3rd. For comfort, Chiltern.

 

[Butts]

I did a two week all liner, first class a few months ago, East Coast beat Virgin by a long way for catering. XC would be 3rd. For comfort, Chiltern.

Did you not try First Hull - I would say their offering is superior to that of XC

 

[trainophile]

Yes you can use the lounges. I travelled Coventry to Euston and return. One round of drinks.

By "one round of drinks" do you mean alcoholic drinks? I'd assumed tea/coffee and whatever soft drink/s they offer would not be restricted to just the one?

 

[calc7]

By "one round of drinks" do you mean alcoholic drinks? I'd assumed tea/coffee and whatever soft drink/s they offer would not be restricted to just the one?

No booze on a weekend.
Coventry to Euston is less than an hour - it's quite likely there would have been an earlier run (upon leaving Wolves or Birmingham).

 

[breadfan]

Did you not try First Hull - I would say their offering is superior to that of XC

I didn't try First Hull. If I had a 3 week ticket, then I would've got to Hull.

I did want to get to try GC too. Such a good ticket, so little time.

Anyhow, Virgin catering, my advice would be to expect shoddiness and greet anything above that as a bonus.

 

[tankmc]

By "one round of drinks" do you mean alcoholic drinks? I'd assumed tea/coffee and whatever soft drink/s they offer would not be restricted to just the one?

If you ever want another drink just go to the back and ask. They are always more than happy to help... Unless you start clicking your fingers at them lol. I don't think it's a limited on how many drinks your allowed.

 

[tankmc]

I didn't try First Hull. If I had a 3 week ticket, then I would've got to Hull.

I did want to get to try GC too. Such a good ticket, so little time.

Anyhow, Virgin catering, my advice would be to expect shoddiness and greet anything above that as a bonus.

I found virgin catering fantastic. I sis London to Glasgow and got a hot breakfast and lunch. Amazing.

Hull trains is a good service also and the seats are super comfy. I wouldn't expect too much from GC. I never bother paying to go first. There standard is just as roomy minus a cup of tea.

 

[tgsh2011]

I am travelling this Friday on the 17.07 EUS-LIV service in 1st. Am I right in assuming the offer is the evening meal? What should I expect?

 

[calc7]

I am travelling this Friday on the 17.07 EUS-LIV service in 1st. Am I right in assuming the offer is the evening meal? What should I expect?

The Northbound evening meals are, in my experience, decent but not great - due to the number of passengers. Sit nearest the back of the train (disregard your reserved seat) in order to get the best deal on food and drink.

There will be meat and veggie hot meal options, and something cold. The portions are not tiny but you may feel hungrier later. Dessert is cheese and biscuits or something like a slice of cake. On a Southbound service it would not be uncommon to get additional offers of dessert and cold drinks - Northbound due to the sheer number of passengers this is unlikely.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Tonight, it's Chicken Curry or Cheese and Onion pie. I've had the Curry, which was very tasty, just lacking in size. The pies also appeared to be small.