London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[ainsworth74]

So why is it ok for other TOCs who let anyone with a FC ticket into their lounges, but not for EC?

I don't work for EC so you'd have to ask them.

 

[island]

"Due to planned engineering works a replacement sandwich service will operate instead of the published meals."

Had that once on a down Inverness service. Not happy!

 

[ash39]

The point would be exactly what it says when you buy the ticket not valid for first class lounge except if you wish to purchase the £5 supplement which then allows access.

To dissuade leisure travellers on cheap advances from filling it up. You can still access the lounge but have to pay a £5 supplement, depending on the lounge and the time you've got to wait it can be worthwhile.

Fair points, but who else is going to be in there on a weekend? Pretty much everyone travelling 1st will be on those tickets. Not many business travellers, in fact from the door the lounge looked to me to be empty.

Fair enough if they don't want it full of people on the cheap but call it a premium lounge or something else, as 1st class lounge sounds to me like it should be accessible to anyone in 1st which it isn't.

 

[Robinson]

OK, so yesterday I did my journey on the 1700 King's X-Edinburgh. Reservation in coach M due to seat selector not working; unfortunately the volume of reservations further forward meant I pretty much had to sit in my reserved seat. (For future bookings, I've got "Quiet Coach" selected under Preferences so hopefully I'll get round that particular problem next time...)

Hot drinks came first; one host came through with coffee, telling me someone else would be along soon with tea; then they did a run of the milk for tea; then tea arrives, and lo and behold they run out just when they're serving me! Cue host going back for more and returning about 5 minutes later to fill the cup.

Next up was orders from the menu. No more sea bass; OK, so I'll have a steak and stout pie instead. (So I was wrong about me getting rotation 4 as I had expected, as it turns out.) Pie certainly went down well when it arrived, a lot better than I had feared from reading some of the posts on here. A run of biscuits, sandwiches + cake came shortly before the hot food was served; except they had just run out of cake.

And so, on to the wine. And this was where East Coast suddenly became much more generous with their helpings If they were this generous with the meals, they'd be right up there with the best onboard service anywhere

Next week, it's back to London on the 1430 off EDB. I shall be sure to report back how the All Day Menu fare compares with yesterday...

 

[calc7]

The 1430 is a "Scone Express" I believe...

 

[Blindtraveler]

correct. If you want hot food its a pre journey trip to BK!

 

[Bungle73]

What about 1400? I'm booked on that coming home from Edinburgh in May.

 

[philjo]

I used my EC 1st reward vouchers for a trip from Stevenage to Alnmouth last week.
Northbound: used 07:27 york train from SVG and changed at Peterobourgh onto the Edinburgh train. I had toast & juice shortly after Hitchin.
After changing at Peterborough, breakfast orders were taken as the train approached Newark. I had the full english which was good (& silver served at my seat) and more toast/juice.
Changing trains helps you to get more toast!

Coming back on Friday I used the 10:58 from Alnmouth which is shown in the timetable with a green shading indicating the mid-morning service applies at Alnmouth.
they were serving tea/coffee when I boarded and had alread passed my seat but the staff member noted that I had just boarded so came back to offer me drinks. They served my green tea promptly (they provided a tea bag & filled the mug with hot water) - sometimes I have had to wait until they have fininshed serving the reast of 1st class tea/coffee)
The all day menus were on the table when I sat down (so not what is advertised in the timetable! ) and about 10 minutes later the staff were taking hot food orders for lunch (which they said would be served after leaving Newcastle)
As it was the steak pie (I don't eat beef) or chilli jacket potato I opted to wait for the sandwiches.
the food trolley came round just after we had left Newcastle - I had 2 of each of the pork and the tomato/cheese sandwiches which were nice.
The person opposite declined the crips so he was given an extra sandwich.

The drinks trolley came round south of Darlington (I had an orange jouce) and again after Doncaster.
As the orders for hot food were taken after Alnmouth, those boarding at Newcastle/durham/Darlington didn't have an opportunity to order hot food until York.
The staff did come and ask those boarding at Doncaster if they wanted any food & served those separately.
The staff were kept busy, as 1st class was fairly full (I think there were about 4 empty seats in coach K after Durham and L was also almost full) so it was taking time to refill the trolley between each coach. Overall the service was efficient and friendly. One issue: The person behind me asked for vegetarian food but was told that they had by then run out of the chiili jackets so offereed her the steak pie! (I think she took the cheese sandwiches)

I changed at Newark onto the stopper HST that starts at Newark. There were 3 of us in the coach. As there were so few passengers the trolley was not used - the staff asked us what we wanted & served us individually by Grantham and asked us again after Peterborough if we wanted anything else.

 

[Butts]

I used my EC 1st reward vouchers for a trip from Stevenage to Alnmouth last week.
Northbound: used 07:27 york train from SVG and changed at Peterobourgh onto the Edinburgh train. I had toast & juice shortly after Hitchin.
After changing at Peterborough, breakfast orders were taken as the train approached Newark. I had the full english which was good (& silver served at my seat) and more toast/juice.
Changing trains helps you to get more toast!

Coming back on Friday I used the 10:58 from Alnmouth which is shown in the timetable with a green shading indicating the mid-morning service applies at Alnmouth.
they were serving tea/coffee when I boarded and had alread passed my seat but the staff member noted that I had just boarded so came back to offer me drinks. They served my green tea promptly (they provided a tea bag & filled the mug with hot water) - sometimes I have had to wait until they have fininshed serving the reast of 1st class tea/coffee)
The all day menus were on the table when I sat down (so not what is advertised in the timetable! ) and about 10 minutes later the staff were taking hot food orders for lunch (which they said would be served after leaving Newcastle)
As it was the steak pie (I don't eat beef) or chilli jacket potato I opted to wait for the sandwiches.
the food trolley came round just after we had left Newcastle - I had 2 of each of the pork and the tomato/cheese sandwiches which were nice.
The person opposite declined the crips so he was given an extra sandwich.

The drinks trolley came round south of Darlington (I had an orange jouce) and again after Doncaster.
As the orders for hot food were taken after Alnmouth, those boarding at Newcastle/durham/Darlington didn't have an opportunity to order hot food until York.
The staff did come and ask those boarding at Doncaster if they wanted any food & served those separately.
The staff were kept busy, as 1st class was fairly full (I think there were about 4 empty seats in coach K after Durham and L was also almost full) so it was taking time to refill the trolley between each coach. Overall the service was efficient and friendly. One issue: The person behind me asked for vegetarian food but was told that they had by then run out of the chiili jackets so offereed her the steak pie! (I think she took the cheese sandwiches)

I changed at Newark onto the stopper HST that starts at Newark. There were 3 of us in the coach. As there were so few passengers the trolley was not used - the staff asked us what we wanted & served us individually by Grantham and asked us again after Peterborough if we wanted anything else.

How did you manage to change trains on a Rewards Ticket or was that the way you were routed ?

 

[fireftrm]

And why did you not have the jacket and chilli? The chilli is three bean, vegetarian. This is not a criticism, but clarification as your post is written as if it was the 'don't eat beef' that was the reason?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The change would have been to allow travel from Stevenage to Alnmouth. East coast stopping patterns mean that the less frequent stops are in differing trains, so going to the less important stops is likely to mean a change. The route with a change would therefore have been quite normal, as would the change to the stopping service southbound.

 

[calc7]

How did you manage to change trains on a Rewards Ticket or was that the way you were routed ?

Not an issue so long as all trains are EC-operated

 

[philjo]

How did you manage to change trains on a Rewards Ticket or was that the way you were routed ?

you can't get a direct train from Alnmouth to Stevenage (other than the 17:58)

Northbound: if you get the xx:27 york stopper and change at Peteroborugh it is a 20 minute wait on the same platform
soutbound: change at Newark - 30 minute wait to cross the isalnd platfrom onto the Newark stopper.

Both services are operated by EC to no problem booking that journey with an EC rewards voucher.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And why did you not have the jacket and chilli? The chilli is three bean, vegetarian. This is not a criticism, but clarification as your post is written as if it was the 'don't eat beef' that was the reason?

I should have clarified - I'm not keen on chilli. Anyway it wasn't all that long since I had had a cooked breakfast in the hotel in Alnmouth! so sandwaiches were fine.

 

[HST Power]

Does anyone know when the website will allow bookings for mid/late July? I'll be doing KX to Newcastle, but my dates are not fixed so it may have to be a First Anytime ticket, hence it's going to be pricey!

 

[Butts]

Does anyone know when the website will allow bookings for mid/late July? I'll be doing KX to Newcastle, but my dates are not fixed so it may have to be a First Anytime ticket, hence it's going to be pricey!

12 Weeks prior to travel normally - so your looking April time. (Website shows when they are booking up till)

 

[calc7]

Does anyone know when the website will allow bookings for mid/late July? I'll be doing KX to Newcastle, but my dates are not fixed so it may have to be a First Anytime ticket, hence it's going to be pricey!

You will almost certainly still save money (though not nearly as much) by booking Advance 1sts even a day or two before travel.

 

[Robinson]

The 1430 is a "Scone Express" I believe...

Do EC advertise this anywhere I could have checked? On the timetable they show everything after mid-morning as offering the All Day menu...

 

[scottish rider]

Do EC advertise this anywhere I could have checked? On the timetable they show everything after mid-morning as offering the All Day menu...

I emailed EC customer services last month to ask which trains offered the Afternoon Tea menu rather than the All Day menu.

They replied to say that the menu changed depending on the time of day and that the Afternoon Tea offer was part of the All Day menu. So I asked again for a note of the trains this applied to but haven't had a response - so I gather EC customer services don't know themselves or it's a secret as they fear passengers might just avoid these trains if they knew in advance...

In my experience though (on northbound services) the 14.00, 15.30 and 16.00 from KGX all serve the Afternoon Tea menu.

 

[calc7]

Typically any service originating between 1400 and 1600 is a Scone Express but YMMV.

 

[Bungle73]

Typically any service originating between 1400 and 1600 is a Scone Express but YMMV.

I'm booked on the 14:00 from Edinburgh in May. That better not be a "scone express". I'll be wanting a meal.

I've been on the 14:01 from York and that had the proper All Day Menu served.

 

[TRAINLINCS]

Travelled on the 14-00 from Edinburgh Friday 8th March. Afternoon tea "Scone Express" that day. No scones though just sandwiches and cake. No hot food. Suited me fine but if you are wanting anything more substantial advise you eat before travelling.

 

[Butts]

Travelled on the 14-00 from Edinburgh Friday 8th March. Afternoon tea "Scone Express" that day. No scones though just sandwiches and cake. No hot food. Suited me fine but if you are wanting anything more substantial advise you eat before travelling.

As it's nearly Easter I'm suprised they have not replaced The "Scone Express" with a "Hot X Bun Express" all the way to the Cross (Kings)

 

[Bungle73]

I shall probably have a large breakfast in the hotel, and I normally find that does me until the evening, but I was hoping for something hot on the train.

But as I said the 14:01 from York serves hot food (I've been on it a couple of times), and so does the 16:01. So how come trains of similar times from Edinburgh - a much longer journey - make people do with sandwiches?

 

[38Cto15E]

For anyone travelling from Waverley after 0900ish, there is a McDonalds on Waverley steps.

The 1000 Edinburgh-Kings Cross, the staff usually take lunch orders before Dunbar!!!!!for service on leaving Newcastle.(1128) This could be to cover up the missing mid-morning menu.

Maybe the Scone express services could offer Hot Toasted Teacakes, yummy.

 

[Bungle73]

Are these "scone expresses" usually like that for whole journey or is there a chance of getting some hot food later on in the journey? I'm going all the way to London.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Remember that even when travelling on an EC service whose 'complmentary offer' does not provide the choice of a hot meal*, then there will still be the option to walk to the buffet counter and buy a hot pannino (just as those weekend services with no 'complimentary alcohol' will still offer alcoholic drinks for sale over the counter).

*[As I continue to post on here, the reality of the dishes served and the accompaniments available continue, by attrition, to slide further and further away from any concept of 'a meal'. The portions reduce in size and variety, the extras are removed. Just the other day I noticed that the customary "fruit bowl" was missing from the trolley during an evening departure from Kings Cross and so I asked, only for the chef to say, "I think I saw an apple in the fridge".]

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I Travelled 1st class yesterday, Easter Bank Holiday Monday, it was the first time that I have done this for a couple of years so I was able to experience the revamped 1st class service and also the renovated Kings Cross Station.

I had several "First experiences" in fact travelling yesterday.

I was on the 1401 from York to KX which departed from platform 6 and that was the first time I have been on a London bound train from a bay platform at York. It was also good that it was a 125 train too (although there was a 15 min delay owing to a tech problem)

I was amazed how good the first class service was as I did not expect that much it being a bank holiday. Overall there were 4 servings of teas and coffees (In china mugs) and fruit juices, 2 main servings of sarnies, egg & ham Mayo and something cheesy, plus crisps and biscuits, even people who boarded at Peterborough where offered sarnies as well as tea, so they did not miss out on anything. I was very impressed. I note from an above posting other positive comments about that particular train too. The two stewards were very good, it was a busy service too.

I travelled north on Good Friday with another TOC who only managed 1 cup of coffee in a paper cup for the whole journey and no biccies.

If this is what East coast 1st class weekend service is like, I must try then on KX to Aberdeen/Inverness 1st class week day trains some time to see how that compares.

Owing to the above mentioned delay, (In fact we had another delay owing to kids playing nearthe line between Grantham and Peterborough) we stopped in the loop platform at Newark while a non stop train overtook us, another first bit of track me, as was arriving at platform 0 at Kings Cross and having to walk right round to get to the Victoria line, then another long walk to the underground platform, hopefully some of that long walk may be reduced when they complete the work at the front of Kings Cross.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I travelled on Saturday's 15:30 Edinburgh to Kings Cross, as far as York.

I sat in coach L, with not just the table of four to myself, but the entire carriage to myself! (Yes- all the way)

The staff were very friendly, particularly the guard who checked my ticket shortly after we left Edinburgh.

Tea and coffee were offered within a few minutes of leaving, followed by the sandwich selection. I really enjoyed the Wensleydale carrot chutney sandwiches, alongside the packet of Corkers crisps and Lily O'Briens biscuits.

One of my most relaxing journeys in a long time. Greatly helped by being in my own private carriage, but having said that I greatly appreciated the food being offered- I say that, because VT/XC offer very little at the weekends. I know EC charge much more for Weekend First, however I was using a good value Advance First ticket.

 

[RochdalePioneers]

On board 1Y14 which today started short at Newcastle. Boarded coach L at Darlington (07:31), and before we passed Croft I had Pain au Chocolate, coffee and Coffee in front of me and a breakfast order taken.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

 

[RochdalePioneers]

Another quick update. Full English was served not long after leaving York. You get a plateful and the quality was excellent, so no complaints from me.

Then after they took my plate I got another coffee, then toast and marmalade. Nice Wilkin and Sons marmalade too.

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[Clip]

This thread is massive so this may have already been answered, but Im doing a trip to Inverness off the 1200 on a thursday in the next month or two. Do they feed you twice at dinner and then tea?