WSMR First Class

[ChrisTheRef]

Finally found the time and money to do this next Thursday.

Can anybody tell me what I get? I know I get breakfast, but it's a 4 hour trip, so that's one massive breakfast!

Travelling WRX to MYB on the 0723 and returning on the 18xx

 

[shinkansen1966]

You should get dinner on the way back. Have you looked on their web site for more info?

Let me known what you think of the whole WSMR first class experience. Planning to do this myself during the summer. Day return trip from Marylebone to Shrewsbury.

 

[TDK]

Finally found the time and money to do this next Thursday.

Can anybody tell me what I get? I know I get breakfast, but it's a 4 hour trip, so that's one massive breakfast!

Travelling WRX to MYB on the 0723 and returning on the 18xx

You will get a complimentary 2 course meal with a 1st class ticket from the menu, that's a starter and a main course. The morning one you can have a full Welsh breakfast amongst other things like cereal, toast, kipper,check the web site www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk and see if there is any more info on there. as much tea and coffee as you want as well.

 

[CosherB]

It'd be nice if they did free wine / spirirts / beers as well as Virgin do in First. Wonder why they don't, as their on-board service is superior to Virgin in every other respect?

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Done daytime first class, superb service, had a 2 course meal, you can pay for the third course if you like, but you will need the full 4 hour run to let it settle in your stomach! We got Hunters Chicken served with potato wedges and green beans, and went for the dessert rather than starter, which was some real thick chocolate sponge cake with cream, great food. Only got offered coffee and tea twice, but then again it is proper big cups and a tea pot rather than the crap most companies dish up from the little flasks they carry round.

By far the best first class experience in the country.

 

[Aictos]

Done daytime first class, superb service, had a 2 course meal, you can pay for the third course if you like, but you will need the full 4 hour run to let it settle in your stomach! We got Hunters Chicken served with potato wedges and green beans, and went for the dessert rather than starter, which was some real thick chocolate sponge cake with cream, great food. Only got offered coffee and tea twice, but then again it is proper big cups and a tea pot rather than the crap most companies dish up from the little flasks they carry round.

By far the best first class experience in the country.

I agree, funny how the open access operators tend to offer a superior service as opposed to the franchise operators.

I've used first class with GC and WSMR and the staff really do know how to look after their passengers both in first class or standard so yes, I have no doubts you will enjoy the experience.

 

[merlodlliw]

It'd be nice if they did free wine / spirirts / beers as well as Virgin do in First. Wonder why they don't, as their on-board service is superior to Virgin in every other respect?

I recall about three years ago? at a meeting when food was discussed by
WS people in a presentation , they had decided that alcohol would not be given as part of the meal for a few reasons, one of them people driving after leaving the train, another better value food in costings, also there was a strong move away from giving alcohol free these days. However pay for it if you want it.
They did a lot of market research on thiis subject, so the outcome is, if you want booze, pay for it.

hope this helps

 

[CallySleeperKid]

I recall about three years ago? at a meeting when food was discussed by
WS people in a presentation , they had decided that alcohol would not be given as part of the meal for a few reasons, one of them people driving after leaving the train, another better value food in costings, also there was a strong move away from giving alcohol free these days. However pay for it if you want it.
They did a lot of market research on thiis subject, so the outcome is, if you want booze, pay for it.

hope this helps

You can't argue with that really. I always have a beer with my meal when travelling in first class, but agree it should not be dished out free.

 

[TDK]

You can't argue with that really. I always have a beer with my meal when travelling in first class, but agree it should not be dished out free.

They do a nice real ale brewed out of Oswestry from the Stonehouse brewery, great pint if like ale!

 

[nedchester]

Travelling down on the 0723 from Wrexham to Marylebone tomorrow. Notice that standard passengers can buy breakfast for £9.95. Anyone know what is included?

 

[TDK]

Travelling down on the 0723 from Wrexham to Marylebone tomorrow. Notice that standard passengers can buy breakfast for £9.95. Anyone know what is included?

Bacon, Sausages, scrambled egg, hash browns, black pudding and half a tomato and toast and preserves! I think that also comes with a drink as well!

 

[nedchester]

Bacon, Sausages, scrambled egg, hash browns, black pudding and half a tomato and toast and preserves! I think that also comes with a drink as well!

Think I'll have a bit of that then!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Think I'll have a bit of that then!

Well just had a very nice cooked breakfast from WSMR. Quality.

 

[merlodlliw]

Bacon, Sausages, scrambled egg, hash browns, black pudding and half a tomato and toast and preserves! I think that also comes with a drink as well!

OK its not on the train, but the W/S buffet on Wrexham station does the same all Welsh all day from 6,00a.m. price now £4/90. So if you arrive early without
it being free on the train, another option.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Slightly off topic but didn't see the point in starting a new thread.

Can I buy a CDR from London Terminals to Cambridge (with FCC) on board the WSMR train in the morning? My connection from Marylebone to Kings Cross is only 25 minutes, so I'd much rather buy it on board if possible.

Many thanks.

 

[CosherB]

You can't argue with that really. I always have a beer with my meal when travelling in first class, but agree it should not be dished out free.

I can. The only argument that stands up among those is the 'costing' one; WSMR should consider, as Virgin do, their passengers to be adult enough to make their own descisions on whether to drink or not (which, if they are driving after the journey, they might choose not to).

So it's purely down to cost, then?

I used to travel British Airways a lot to Heathrow, business class. That gave use of the business lounges, which not only had free food and drink available, but it was a 'help yourself' bar. Even with an unending supply of free self-serve booze available, I never saw anyone abuse it. Although I do recall one evening coming home, when due thunderstorms a lot of flights were delayed by up to 4 hours; the witty girl on reception was keeping everyone updated over the public address as to progress with our flights, and also added from time to time reminders that those driving after their flights should take it easy on the G&Ts!

 

[barrykas]

Slightly off topic but didn't see the point in starting a new thread.

Can I buy a CDR from London Terminals to Cambridge (with FCC) on board the WSMR train in the morning? My connection from Marylebone to Kings Cross is only 25 minutes, so I'd much rather buy it on board if possible.

Wrexham and Shropshire use Avantix Mobile, the same as most TOCs, so I don't see why not.

It should, however, be noted that 25 minutes is significantly less than the official cross-London transfer time (though still doable if the Bakerloo and Victoria are running okay) of 50 minutes, as listed in the eNRT.

Not that it really matters given there's a fast train from Kings Cross to Cambridge every 30 minutes for most of the day.

Cheers,

Barry

 

[merlodlliw]

I can. The only argument that stands up among those is the 'costing' one; WSMR should consider, as Virgin do, their passengers to be adult enough to make their own descisions on whether to drink or not (which, if they are driving after the journey, they might choose not to).

So it's purely down to cost, then?

I used to travel British Airways a lot to Heathrow, business class. That gave use of the business lounges, which not only had free food and drink available, but it was a 'help yourself' bar. Even with an unending supply of free self-serve booze available, I never saw anyone abuse it. Although I do recall one evening coming home, when due thunderstorms a lot of flights were delayed by up to 4 hours; the witty girl on reception was keeping everyone updated over the public address as to progress with our flights, and also added from time to time reminders that those driving after their flights should take it easy on the G&Ts!

The difference Captain is,once booked into business lounge BA, the booze is duty free, so little cost, with W/S duty as to be paid. I presume your travel was out of EU.
With non Euro flights, booze is at cost price without any tax to the operator , as you will be aware.
The costing is also common sense, for an open access rail operator. Ever sampled VTs food on a weekend,.

 

[CosherB]

The difference Captain is,once booked into business lounge BA, the booze is duty free, so little cost, with W/S duty as to be paid. I presume your travel was out of EU.
With non Euro flights, booze is at cost price without any tax to the operator , as you will be aware.
The costing is also common sense, for an open access rail operator. Ever sampled VTs food on a weekend,.

I think both Manchester and London are in the EU. So that's not it.

I wouldn't bother with VT 1st at weekend, except it's cheap! All you get are the better seats. During the week, it's a different world to standard class.

 

[merlodlliw]

I think both Manchester and London are in the EU. So that's not it.

I wouldn't bother with VT 1st at weekend, except it's cheap! All you get are the better seats. During the week, it's a different world to standard class.

And here's me thinking you were an international traveller as you mentioned
air travel, as all free booze is duty exempt, so very little cost for BA.

Suppose my point was W/S don't shut first facilities at the weekend.

see you

 

[CosherB]

And here's me thinking you were an international traveller as you mentioned
air travel,

I was that as well - all over the world. But the example I gave was referring to a domestic journey I often took (I live in Cheshire, and our UK head office was near Heathrow), as that is a fairer comparison to an inter-city rail journey.

 

[merlodlliw]

I was that as well - all over the world. But the example I gave was referring to a domestic journey I often took (I live in Cheshire, and our UK head office was near Heathrow), as that is a fairer comparison to an inter-city rail journey.

Agreed, if one lives near Ringway then it is the best option to Heathrow.

 

[CosherB]

I much preferred Virgin to BA, and sometimes took the train even if I was going to Heathrow. Wilmslow to Euston is very fast (and comfortable in 1st), then HEX to Heathrow completes the journey. The big advantage was no airport security hassle, and you turn up for the Pendo just before it arrives at the station, not minimum 1 hour before!

If I was travelling to central London instead of Heathrow, the train wins hands down!

 

[mickey]

I agree, funny how the open access operators tend to offer a superior service as opposed to the franchise operators.

I've used first class with GC and WSMR and the staff really do know how to look after their passengers both in first class or standard so yes, I have no doubts you will enjoy the experience.

Not really a huge surprise though, is it? Open access companies have to fight to get customers and to survive and all staff know they're building a company's reputation from scratch and that they have to work hard to make it a success. Traditional TOCs have no such incentive: staff jobs are secure whatever happens, passengers are considered an inconvenience, and there are stricter DfT rules to follow. Those companies that have adopted a proper customer service approach (Chiltern springs to mind, where the CEO meets every employee to run through the company's mission statement soon after they start work to make sure they're 'on board' so to speak) have thrived as a result. Simple law of business really.