London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[ainsworth74]

Boarded the 1809 ex Peterborough (Hull Executive) which is the 1718 from Kings Cross and one of the Chef's Signature Meal services. Plates were being tidied away but Peterborough boarders told there is no hot food. Does this apply to all of the Chef's Signature trains where you only get a hot meal if boarding in London?

Timetable shows that the evening meal should be available to passengers joining at Newark! I've not used the Hull Executive but on other occasions when I've been on Evening Meal trains that call at somewhere like Peterborough there's been a second service for passengers joining there. Might be worth dropping LNER a line.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Timetable shows that the evening meal should be available to passengers joining at Newark! I've not used the Hull Executive but on other occasions when I've been on Evening Meal trains that call at somewhere like Peterborough there's been a second service for passengers joining there. Might be worth dropping LNER a line.

Thanks @ainsworth74 for the extra info, I've sent them some correspondence.

 

[Butts]

Has the Black Pudding really gone from the Breakfast ?

It was a long enough wait for Virgin to finally add it when East Coast bit the dust .

Any idea why it went ?

 

[Lewis lamb62)]

can anyone advise what the first class offering is like on weekday between Newark and Hull?

Apparently the Hull Exec is part of the signature menu, yet in my experience they wind down the 1st offering after Doncaster

 

[Lewis lamb62)]

The Hull service is now operated by the 800s if that’s relevant

 

[Andy Pacer]

can anyone advise what the first class offering is like on weekday between Newark and Hull?

Apparently the Hull Exec is part of the signature menu, yet in my experience they wind down the 1st offering after Doncaster

When I caught the Hull at Peterborough on Friday they told me there was no hot food - i'm awaiting a response from LNER on that

 

[cactustwirly]

can anyone advise what the first class offering is like on weekday between Newark and Hull?

Apparently the Hull Exec is part of the signature menu, yet in my experience they wind down the 1st offering after Doncaster

It should now be the 'Azuma' menu

 

[voyagerdude220]

Any recent reports on LNER First Class?

 

[Deerfold]

Any recent reports on LNER First Class?

Travelled down to London Wednesday morning, back up Thursday night. Good service in coach M both times. New menu item Avocado on Toast good on the way down. Couldn't eat for medical reasons on the way up, but travelled a few weeks ago and had the vegan wrap which was reasonably good.

Hoping to try Azuma 1st soon, but 3 trips for my other half or I in next 3 weeks all appear to be on classic stock.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Travelled down to London Wednesday morning, back up Thursday night. Good service in coach M both times. New menu item Avocado on Toast good on the way down. Couldn't eat for medical reasons on the way up, but travelled a few weeks ago and had the vegan wrap which was reasonably good.

Hoping to try Azuma 1st soon, but 3 trips for my other half or I in next 3 weeks all appear to be on classic stock.

Thank you for the update Deerfold.

 

[30907]

1833 KGX last night.
Menu booklet takes about 4x the paper to say basically the same stuff, and coach L was a bit rough-riding.
But the chef's special (chicken supreme and cheesecake) was very nice, and the biggest portion of meat I can ever recall on any dining service - I would have preferred more veg - but impressive, like a restaurant on terra firma.
First didn't seem busy, though I didn't check the other coaches.

 

[7522]

Just booked Glasgow Queen Street to Newcastle for tonight. First class advance single just £1.45 extra than standard! I know the first part is with ScotRail but should be able to experience the full LNER first class from Edinburgh. I must say I was very surprised at this price difference.

 

[cactustwirly]

What do you get on a mid day service from KGX to Leeds?

Considering using Seatfrog to bag a cheap upgrade on Friday

 

[dave87016]

Just booked Glasgow Queen Street to Newcastle for tonight. First class advance single just £1.45 extra than standard! I know the first part is with ScotRail but should be able to experience the full LNER first class from Edinburgh. I must say I was very surprised at this price difference.

If your travelling on the scotrail “express “ from Queen St to
Edinburgh then sit in the class 385/1 as they have first class but the 385/0 don’t , you get a drink and biscuit

 

[dave87016]

What do you get on a mid day service from KGX to Leeds?

Considering using Seatfrog to bag a cheap upgrade on Friday

If it’s a midweek then there is usually at least a hot option always available the full first class menu can be found on the LNER website

 

[7522]

If your travelling on the scotrail “express “ from Queen St to
Edinburgh then sit in the class 385/1 as they have first class but the 385/0 don’t , you get a drink and biscuit

Thanks, I have just done this now on 385117. Got a free hot chocolate and biscuit. First time I have done 385 First Class

 

[dave87016]

Thanks, I have just done this now on 385117. Got a free hot chocolate and biscuit. First time I have done 385 First Class

Your welcome enjoy

 

[ainsworth74]

I was in first class yesterday for the first time in quite a while and for the first time since they started the "Let's Dine" and "Signature Dish" menus. Have to say I was very impressed overall. The menu booklets are back to being quite substantial in the way they used to be on East Coast before the move to complimentary items (I always thought that the paper slip approach that East Coast used was a bit naff).

Breakfast first and whilst I'm a fan of black pudding I do appreciate that it isn't everyone's cup of tea so I'm willing to trade it for the inclusion of a hash brown and some beans. Very tasty breakfast along with some toast and plenty of tea and orange juice. Set up the day well. Breakfast (there were two rashers of bacon they were just stuck together):



An Evening Meal train for my journey home. Salmon was the "Signature Dish" and was highly recommended by the host that took my order and she wasn't wrong. A decent sized slab of salmon in a very tasty sauce along with some potato and veg. It might not look like that large of a portion but it hit the spot perfectly. Cheese board for dessert and whilst it's not going to win any awards it was perfectly adequate for what it was. A chocolate truffle was also offered with the hot drinks after the meal was concluded. Plenty of cold and hot drinks runs as well. Dinner:



Overall I was very impressed, this a proper return to form for LNER and I have to continue to say that, in my view, of the operators that offer complimentary catering that they cannot be beaten on a weekday. TfW's two trains a day are better but at two trains per day (and with subsidy up the wazoo) can hardly be compared fairly. Equally I know some rate VTWC but personally the only thing that they beat out LNER on are their choices on breakfast services and if you want a full breakfast LNER's is better.

Well worth the £28 I paid both ways (the joys of an expenses policy at work that will allow you to buy 1st class APs and just claim the price of what the standard class APs would have been )!

 

[30907]

I was in first class yesterday for the first time in quite a while and for the first time since they started the "Let's Dine" and "Signature Dish" menus. Have to say I was very impressed overall. The menu booklets are back to being quite substantial in the way they used to be on East Coast before the move to complimentary items (I always thought that the paper slip approach that East Coast used was a bit naff).

Breakfast first and whilst I'm a fan of black pudding I do appreciate that it isn't everyone's cup of tea so I'm willing to trade it for the inclusion of a hash brown and some beans. Very tasty breakfast along with some toast and plenty of tea and orange juice. Set up the day well. Breakfast (there were two rashers of bacon they were just stuck together):

You got toast as well as a Full English? Better luck than me ( London-based Mk4 set on Tuesday ex Leeds).

 

[ainsworth74]

You got toast as well as a Full English? Better luck than me ( London-based Mk4 set on Tuesday ex Leeds).

Two pieces! As is usually the case with them I had a very friendly Newcastle crew both ways for me. I've heard mixed reports about Leeds and London crews (and indeed have had mixed experiences of London crews myself).

 

[route101]

Just booked Glasgow Queen Street to Newcastle for tonight. First class advance single just £1.45 extra than standard! I know the first part is with ScotRail but should be able to experience the full LNER first class from Edinburgh. I must say I was very surprised at this price difference.

Quite often cheap Glasgow to Newcastle tickets on Scotrail plus LNER , XC DIRECTS more expensive.

 

[VT 390]

Quite often cheap Glasgow to Newcastle tickets on Scotrail plus LNER , XC DIRECTS more expensive.

I would expect the XC services to be more expensive as they almost always are, even when there services are the slower ones and do not offer as good a first class service as LNER.

 

[route101]

I would expect the XC services to be more expensive as they almost always are, even when there services are the slower ones and do not offer as good a first class service as LNER.

In my experience when ive looked the cheap advances are from Queen st via Waverley . Could be wrong

 

[leightonbd]

Two pieces! As is usually the case with them I had a very friendly Newcastle crew both ways for me. I've heard mixed reports about Leeds and London crews (and indeed have had mixed experiences of London crews myself).

Having been doing a weekly commute for much of this year, I’d echo all of that. Excellent breakfasts, in terms of the individual ingredients (on the offering: I’d prefer black pud and tomato to hash browns and beans but, hey, first world problems). Always generous with drinks (both morning and evening) and the dinners are excellent. I had chicken casserole with mash last night, and fish cakes at lunchtime the previous week. That cheese plate is really good, and generous, too. When it works, which it does most of the time for me, the LNER FC is very good indeed.

In other circs I would have used the sleeper more, working a longer day, but with it being difficult to get a reservation (perhaps just as well) I’ve found the 1900 from Kings Cross a very decent alternative.

 

[Crisps]

I did Darlington - Edinburgh and return on Wednesday gone (19/6). Outbound train was the 09.26. I had a London crew for the journey north and had a case of the toast famine. I also had to shout up when the chef was passing through taking orders as he took the orders from the bay of 4 opposite me (I was in seat L13 which is an individual seat) but didn’t see if I wanted anything until I opened my mouth. Order taken just after Newcastle and served around Alnmouth.

I returned on the 18.30 stopper. Crewed by a very friendly Newcastle crew, I had the fish cakes as they had already ran out of the chicken casserole. I thought the fish cakes were reasonable but could have done with being warmer. They’re served with a chunky tartare sauce.
Drinks service was prompt and plentiful. I had two vodkas and cokes and had to decline more!

Compare and contrast breakfast on Wednesday to breakfast on the 08.58 Darlington-London on Friday. Friendly, chatty Newcastle crew. Order taken virtually as soon as I took my seat and served at Northallerton. I also had not one but TWO toast runs - one upon leaving Darlington and another after York, although on the second run I had a croissant which was delicious. Friendly, attentive service which was much better than the London crew on Wednesday as they seemed much more “clinical” .

They also served the breakfasts differently. On Wednesday the chef brought the tray of breakfast items through the coach and served passengers at their seat, with someone else dishing out the baked beans. On Friday, the breakfasts were plated in the kitchen and served by the first class hosts.

 

[superjohn]

A day out to the NRM and Locomotion yesterday, 26/6.

0706 King‘s Cross to York. A drinks round and breakfast orders taken shortly after leaving London. The first orders were served ‚silver service‘ fashion with the beans being dolloped, school dinner mash style, on to my plate by a second team member a few minutes later. Passengers boarding at later stops received their breakfasts plated. No sign of toast at any point (I’m not counting the half slice under my fried egg!). Several more drinks trolley runs followed though.

1802 York to King‘s Cross. A crisps and biscuits round shortly after leaving York with the first food orders taken at the same time. I had the pork and rice with cider and mustard sauce which was excellent. The crisps and snacks seemed to be exclusive to passengers boarding at York, that trolley wasn't seen again. Three drinks runs over the whole trip and clearing up started on departure from Peterborough.

There was no ticket check at all in coach L or forward on the southbound journey on what was a very lightly loaded train.

Both ways I noticed one member of the team was wearing the uniform of ISS, the facilities contractor, and seemed limited to collecting rubbish. I imagine using staff from a contractor cuts costs and limits the reach of the union but it must reduce the staff flexibility on busier trains. Ideally all staff should be able to cover all tasks, if one is limited to clearing up they won’t have much to do for the first half of the journey.

Advance firsts came to £129 for the London to York round trip, booked five days ahead. I consider that good value for a journey that would otherwise require anytime tickets.

 

[gaillark]

LNER is the best in First Class service.
I always travel 1st and it's very expensive on Anytimes but need some flexibility.

My only disappointment with LNER is that they don't do a evening meal in the southbound direction to London.
As for quality they beat Virgin west coast by miles and GWR is a joke by comparison.

 

[VT 390]

I will be getting the 20:31 from Montrose to Aberdeen next week is this to late in the journey to expect any first class service?

 

[ainsworth74]

It's only 45 minutes before the train terminates so I'd not expect anything beyond tea/coffee and maybe some biscuits.

 

[Esker-pades]

Did the full Highland Chieftain on Thursday. First class was pretty full up to Edinburgh. The food was reasonable, although the portion sizes remain small. Plenty of runs by the drinks trollies, but there never seems to be enough lemonade on board.