Blindtraveler
Established Member
and if I were in my front room, there would be a notable lack of stella, tinned salmon and Crem Frech mix and various other gooddies. There would however be plenty of whisky!
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service
- Thread starter MidnightFlyer
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
badger1badger
Member
We are travelling on the 7.10 service east coast to Edinburgh - from there we head to Balloch Central on the 22nd November
I think the only first class portion of the whole journey is Leeds to Edinburgh ? What first class food/ or drinks can we expect and can we use the first class lounges in Edinburgh and Glasgow ?
Cheers everyone
Paul
I think the only first class portion of the whole journey is Leeds to Edinburgh ? What first class food/ or drinks can we expect and can we use the first class lounges in Edinburgh and Glasgow ?
Cheers everyone
Paul
Last edited:
If I'm not mistaken, you'll be offered a full English breakfast along with cereals and hot and cold, non-alcoholic drinks.
Yes, you can use the East Coast lounge at Edinburgh but if your on an 'EC & Connections' ticket I don't think your allowed access to the ScotRail 1st class lounge at Glasgow.
Yes, you can use the East Coast lounge at Edinburgh but if your on an 'EC & Connections' ticket I don't think your allowed access to the ScotRail 1st class lounge at Glasgow.
anti-pacer
On Moderation
If you buy your First Class cheaper (in advance), are you subject to the same offerings on board?
Yes completly the same.
Um, if he's on an Advance ticket then he won't access to the FC Lounge. Not unless he either a) pays £5, or b) has a Rewards FC Lounge Pass
Is your ticket straight through from Leeds to Balloch? If so, you should also get free tea/coffee, biscuits and possibly a newspaper between Edinburgh and Glasgow with ScotRail.
This is true but I've found it doesn't hurt to ask (at least outside of London). I've presented my first advance to the desk person at Edinburgh and Darlington and been allowed in before now without paying the supplement.
To be honest I think East Coast should ditch the charge everywhere other than London because it's not as if those lounges ever get particularly full!
anti-pacer
On Moderation
What's actually in these lounges?
I think even Wakefield Westgate has one.
I think even Wakefield Westgate has one.
I used the Edinburgh Lounge for the first time once in May, and for most of the time I was there (about an hour or so) I was the only one in there!
Comfy seats, power points, quiet space to wait, free hot/cold drinks and snacks and at Kings Cross you buy alcholic beverages. You might find our lounge guide to be of interest.
Same experience I had then! Darlington is the same on the occasions I've used it. Which is why I think they should make it available to all first class ticket holders. By all means reserve the right to turn away advance ticket holders if the lounge is really busy but I've never seen EC lounges busy apart from Kings Cross. Seems like an easy way to increase the value of the first class product.
Butts
Veteran Member
You don't get cereal on East Coast (from my experience)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
You kept that one "under your hat" as the chief "East Coast Scrounger" I am affronted you have failed to impart this information sooner
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Before you board look to see the position of the trolley (often waiting on the platform) and sit in the 1st Class Section adjacent to it. Failing that it may already be on the Train at the other end, sit as close as you can. This way you will be offered Tea/Coffee and a snack from a little basket containing biccies and pretzels etc.
On holiday in Scotland this week. Managed to get cheap FC advance from Pitlochry to Edinburgh. Going back tonight on the Highland Chieftain. I got given exactly the same offerings as everyone else. Had to sit in an unreserved seat as a rude man occupied mine (thinks he owns the place) on my 1hr 54 minute trip I got offered coffee 3 times, water and juice twice, fruit, shortbread, toastie and a
Bacon roll. All served by polite, helpful and conscientious staff. Can we push for DOR to keep the franchise?
Bacon roll. All served by polite, helpful and conscientious staff. Can we push for DOR to keep the franchise?
badger1badger
Member
You don't get cereal on East Coast (from my experience)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
You kept that one "under your hat" as the chief "East Coast Scrounger" I am affronted you have failed to impart this information sooner
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Before you board look to see the position of the trolley (often waiting on the platform) and sit in the 1st Class Section adjacent to it. Failing that it may already be on the Train at the other end, sit as close as you can. This way you will be offered Tea/Coffee and a snack from a little basket containing biccies and pretzels etc.
Hi everyone
The ticket will be advance to Balloch , but not sure if any first class after Edinburgh?
I must be the only person who is underwhelmed by the FC offering by EC, I have made 6 journeys over the past few weeks and the service has been shaky to say the least and don't get me started on the Indian Chicken that was presented to me a few weeks back!
Last week I traveled North and didn't want a full breakfast so asked for toast, I was given 1 slice and told when I asked for more there was none available not really FC service really.
If I am honest, I am not that keen at free food in FC on any company, I would rather pay and have quality food rather than some of the free rubbish I have been served on Virgin and EC over the past few months.
IMHO the one thing that FGW does right in FC is just offering light snacks then the option of the Traveling Chef for anything else.
I normally travel on open tickets so I would rather the fare reduce by £10.00 and get rid of all the meals anyway.
Last week I traveled North and didn't want a full breakfast so asked for toast, I was given 1 slice and told when I asked for more there was none available not really FC service really.
If I am honest, I am not that keen at free food in FC on any company, I would rather pay and have quality food rather than some of the free rubbish I have been served on Virgin and EC over the past few months.
IMHO the one thing that FGW does right in FC is just offering light snacks then the option of the Traveling Chef for anything else.
I normally travel on open tickets so I would rather the fare reduce by £10.00 and get rid of all the meals anyway.
Butts
Veteran Member
I agree if you are fortunate enough to travel on open tickets the "fayre" does not live up to the "fare"
The "toast famine" was a feature of the early days of the new offering which seems to have raised it's ugly head again. Last week I got two slices travelling from Edinburgh to Alnmouth (58 mins).
As I always travel on a "beggar fare" the offering is acceptable to me (on the whole)
There's a few on here that would agree with you but such is the way of the world now it seems. As far as East Coast are concerned it's been a roaring success and Virgin clearly feel the same way so that's that I suspect and I'd be looking over my shoulder if I was a regular user of the FGW Traveling Chef or Pullman Dining.
You never asked if I knew any other tricks
Damn spelling fairy attacks again....hahaI agree if you are fortunate enough to travel on open tickets the "fayre" does not live up to the "fare"
Hope you are not correct about the Traveling Chef Ainsworth74, the bacon roll is what keeps me sane on the early trains to London!
Butts
Veteran Member
How much is a bacon roll on FGW, and is it better than the free one which is an option on the EC Breakfast ?
Well of course it is a matter of personal preference, but, yes I think the quality is much better from the Traveling Chef than on EC, but I am sure others will disagree
I was utterly disappointed with what I was offered. The train left London at 1130 and having had a full English at the Betjamin previously we didn't want to eat straight away so asked if we cold have it later. We was told that is fine. We got a coffee and beer. And then nothing else until after Newark!!!
After Newark we was told it was last chance for lunch which was surprising as there was still a lot of journey left (what about Doncaster joiners) but we decided that was ok. Only problem was, none left ! So it was either veggie option or sandwiches. Went for sarnies which were kind of crappy, but hey ho. Got another beer , asked for two each explaining the cans are so small but was told no by the Scottish serving gentleman.
So after doncaster went to the buffet car. Passing the trolly, stacked with free beers, to buy two cans - at least these were proper size though.
After York the trolly came again and got more beers
Went to find the host just after Durham as we were well dry by then, and was told to wait till after Newcastle !!!!!! So again to buffet car to buy some cans.
Trolly after Newcastle got a GnT.. Then it transpired no more trolly !!!! For almost 2 hours more journey... Outrageous .
After Alnmouth went to buffet car and bought an overpriced GnT. Unbelievable that the stop Alnmouth to Edinburgh is an hour and no drinks provided during that time at all.
Why are the staff so stingy? I don't get it .
Anyway next time deffo back to flying BA. Unlimited booze in LHR or LCY lounge and if you ask for two beers on a BA flight because they are small, they are overly happy to obligue.
After Newark we was told it was last chance for lunch which was surprising as there was still a lot of journey left (what about Doncaster joiners) but we decided that was ok. Only problem was, none left ! So it was either veggie option or sandwiches. Went for sarnies which were kind of crappy, but hey ho. Got another beer , asked for two each explaining the cans are so small but was told no by the Scottish serving gentleman.
So after doncaster went to the buffet car. Passing the trolly, stacked with free beers, to buy two cans - at least these were proper size though.
After York the trolly came again and got more beers
Went to find the host just after Durham as we were well dry by then, and was told to wait till after Newcastle !!!!!! So again to buffet car to buy some cans.
Trolly after Newcastle got a GnT.. Then it transpired no more trolly !!!! For almost 2 hours more journey... Outrageous .
After Alnmouth went to buffet car and bought an overpriced GnT. Unbelievable that the stop Alnmouth to Edinburgh is an hour and no drinks provided during that time at all.
Why are the staff so stingy? I don't get it .
Anyway next time deffo back to flying BA. Unlimited booze in LHR or LCY lounge and if you ask for two beers on a BA flight because they are small, they are overly happy to obligue.
Last edited by a moderator:
Why are you obsessed with getting as much booze down your neck as humanly possible? That's not the type of person that EC FC caters for, and nor should it.
You really can't go an hour without wanting a drink?
CallySleeper
Established Member
Agreed, it just smacks a bit of cheek. I strongly dislike intoxicated, loud or rumbustious people in confined spaces as it is, let alone when I've paid a premium for first class. Like Bungle73 said, this attitude is certainly not what EC (or any other TOC I'm sure) intends to cater for - it stinks (as I'm sure your breath). At least four of those drinks as I can see were free to you - but someone down the line was paying for your thirst. That's as bad as anything.
Next time, with regret to everyone else around you, please sit in standard. I'm sure that you'll be a lot happier with the offered service (full size cans whenever you want!) and you'll also be making your fellow passengers at the other end of the train happy!
And your fellow taxpayers.
Sorry for this but I'm just slightly ticked off!
Next time, with regret to everyone else around you, please sit in standard. I'm sure that you'll be a lot happier with the offered service (full size cans whenever you want!) and you'll also be making your fellow passengers at the other end of the train happy!
And your fellow taxpayers.
Sorry for this but I'm just slightly ticked off!
Not humanly possible .. just my personal requirements
By my reckoning you had at least six beers plus Gin and Tonic. Do you really need so much booze?
Yes
An hour is a long time
I was neither loud nor intoxicated. Some people would get "intoxicated" on two beers in an hour, others can drink that and not feel intoxicated at all. Everyone is different. It takes rather a lot for me to feel intoxicated. Upon consumption of all the stated above I went on to consume 3 pints at the hotel before going out for the evening (and visited several tourist locations, took many photographs and went to a nice restaurant for dinner)..... I am just stating that everyone has different drink tolerance levels. You can not generalise . What gets one forum poster tipsy might be what another forum poster has just for breakfast! Each to their own...
Butts
Veteran Member
ooops....that's me out as well
Had a mixed experience today....
0800 Edinburgh to Darlington one of my best EC breakfasts ever, nicely presented full (for east coast) plate. Two slices of brown toast with orange juice and coffee.
One small criticism they could cut out the "have you had a breakfast" spiel on departure from Newcastle and lob you another small offering of a croissant or the like.
1105 Newcastle to York (XC just for comparison) a measly coffee and no sight of a biscuit - had to raid the "East Coast Larder" in my rucksack with biscuits acquired on previous trips.
1434 York to Newcastle only a measly coffee and a whisky as I sat in K and the trolley was on it's way back to the Café Bar. No sight of any thing else. This was probably because the service terminated in Newcastle (mistake booking that one
)1853 Newcastle to Edinburgh no pies left so had to settle for sarnies crisps cake coffee and scotch. Strange thing is the timetable shows "Scone Express" to Darlington and "All Day" from Newcastle ? No further drinks runs despite a crew change at Berwick - not even coffee :roll:
So a mixed bag indeed
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Agreed neither do I when I have paid a rock bottom price .....ie £12.55 from Falkirk to Darlington.
Not all people who drink a lot become "intoxicated or rumbustious"