London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[leightonbd]

May I ask for advice? I have a London trip coming up and will be taking EC back from Kings Cross to Edinburgh on a Thursday evening. I have a choice, broadly, of trains from KGX as follows:

1700
1800
1830
1900

I should be able to flex my day to take any of these trains.

The question is: which train may be best/worst in terms of crowding, service, etc?

For those who kindly replied to my post, the experience was as follows.

Went to KGX for the 1800, arrived in good time to find notice of disruption caused by 'an incident at New Barnet'.
Time passed and at 1758 the 1800 disappeared from the departures board - no announcement.
1803 'The 1800 to Edinburgh will depart from platform 3'. Mad crush to get through the barriers.
1809 Train departs, crammed. Take my reserved seat in M as no scope to look further forward.
1815. Announcement to the effect that 'Catering Crew involved incident on the way down affecting this train -police called - some members of staff can't work - we will do our best to get you something'
1820. Catering manager appears in M clutching a case of white, followed by chef with a case of red. Passes out the bottles for pax to share. i ended up with a whole bottle! Returns with glassware.

Didn't see much of them until a lot later, I think after York, when some sandwiches came round. Maybe K and L got whatever hot food there was.

The staff on the train did a magnificent resourceful job, I would say, and I was pleased to compliment the guy in charge. Got an extra packet of crisps with my sarnies.

Delay was aggravated en route but mostly made up by Edinburgh.

Enjoyable, but mainly because I insured by following the old adage of 'better to have booze and no money than money and no booze' by investing wisely at M&S before departure. Having had no lunch, it could have been a bit disastrous.

I can see the attractions of the train over going to Heathrow, though, which has been my habit for the last couple of years. Before that I used to enjoy the sleeper, though I think it would be better for sleeping if you could get it through the shunting at Carstairs earlier and then slow the journey down.

 

[cf111]

Any idea on the menu rotations going forward? The plan (http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/food1/on-board-dining-menus/) stops at next week and I'm on the Chieftain on the 5th so I'm wondering.

 

[Danny Dire]

I know one of the guys in charge of the operation, Irish lad from Leeds, mad as a box of frogs, but WOW ! Can he cook!

 

[catlover]

Any idea on the menu rotations going forward? The plan (http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/food1/on-board-dining-menus/) stops at next week and I'm on the Chieftain on the 5th so I'm wondering.

I was wondering this too! It's now the 28th and the rotation went up to yesterday. I don't travel till December but I'm still eager to know what I'll be having

 

[SGS]

Alas, a packet of crisps was the only food on offer between Doncaster and Newcastle on Saturday evening.

 

[MichaelJP59]

New here, as a regular commuter on East Coast Retford-Leeds, sometimes First Class about 2 weeks out of 4 (travel expenses limit).

Because I use both classes, I'm very aware of the differences. The main advantage as far as I'm concerned is always being able to get a seat, and furthermore, usually a whole table to spread out work, laptop, papers etc.

Not so happy about the catering offer from Retford though. In the morning the breakfast offer finishes just before Retford. This is nominally to allow the catering staff to clear away and get ready for the turnaround at Leeds. In practice it means you get a cup of tea/coffee, maybe a biscuit, but the staff can't wait to grab your cup and tidy up. Most times they can then be found for the last 20 minutes of the journey chilling out in the crew seats at the head of First Class. To me this is not acceptable, and if I was their boss I would make clear that the service commitment to passengers lasts right up to the destination. There is 30 minutes turnaround time at Leeds (assuming inbound is not late), plenty of time to clear away and tidy up, especially as it is only the few FC seats from Retford/Doncaster that will need it.

Edit - this has improved this week, see my later message. Maybe someone from catering reads this forum

 

[YorkshireRider]

Any idea on the menu rotations going forward? The plan (http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/on-board-our-trains/food1/on-board-dining-menus/) stops at next week and I'm on the Chieftain on the 5th so I'm wondering.

The new menu has been but back until the 11th now due to 'supplier issues', the old rotation 1 will run this week and should be rotation 2 next week, however next week may be a mix and match of whatever they can get.

 

[thetangoman]

Travelling on the 0650 from Glasgow Central to KX on Friday the 8th of November. What fare am I likely to get

Cheers
Russell

 

[ainsworth74]

Weekday or Weekend?

 

[thetangoman]

Weekday

 

[cf111]

The new menu has been but back until the 11th now due to 'supplier issues', the old rotation 1 will run this week and should be rotation 2 next week, however next week may be a mix and match of whatever they can get.

Thanks for the info. Will have to wait and see!

 

[Butts]

On The Chieftain Tuesday 29th October from Falkirk to London.

Sitting in J in my allocated seat as it was busy.

Food service ex EDB I had the Indian Chicken which wasn't bad with a bit of cake - Lemon Drizzle.

After that there was not a sniff of even a packet of biscuits with the coffee...it was food only for those joined at Newcastle....York etc.

Drinks runs were ok EDB,NCL and York but no "double up" offer on last run.

Anyone joining after EDB there was no hot food.

It's all down to the crew, I've had much better on the same trip :cry:

 

[calc7]

If you're trying to make the most of a rewards ticket, it could be worth selecting "calling at Durham" (or Donny) when booking.

This will transfer you onto one of the slower services at Newcastle or York which means you are a fresh customer to the new crew, and also gives Butts chance for a sly burn.

 

[Butts]

If you're trying to make the most of a rewards ticket, it could be worth selecting "calling at Durham" (or Donny) when booking.

This will transfer you onto one of the slower services at Newcastle or York which means you are a fresh customer to the new crew, and also gives Butts chance for a sly burn.

I wondered where you'd got to

Sounds like a good wheeze , I didn't realise you could adopt your suggestion on a "rewards ticket".

I've got plenty of Bensons to burn after a trip to Luxembourg today (train trip was to get to the smoke day before)

 

[MichaelJP59]

Commuting regularly Retford-Leeds in the morning, officially no food service available after Grantham, but it very much depends on the crew. Tuesday, a bacon sandwich. Wednesday, a biscuit. Today, a fresh croissant!

 

[HST Power]

The new menu has been but back until the 11th now due to 'supplier issues', the old rotation 1 will run this week and should be rotation 2 next week, however next week may be a mix and match of whatever they can get.

Do you have any idea what the reduced offering will entail during the Christmas period?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The ovens aren't working on the 19:00 out of London tonight.
Cold sandwiches until I get home at 11pm.
Misery.

 

[YorkshireRider]

Do you have any idea what the reduced offering will entail during the Christmas period?

If its a weekday through the xmas period then the morning menu will just be the mid-morning menu for all breakfast trains, i.e bacon rolls, porridge and salmon (no full breakfast). From 11am onwards it will be the weekend food offering (no hot food) with a full drinks offer including alcohol.
If its a sat or sun over the xmas period then the normal weekend offer will apply.

 

[HST Power]

If its a weekday through the xmas period then the morning menu will just be the mid-morning menu for all breakfast trains, i.e bacon rolls, porridge and salmon (no full breakfast). From 11am onwards it will be the weekend food offering (no hot food) with a full drinks offer including alcohol.
If its a sat or sun over the xmas period then the normal weekend offer will apply.

Thanks! I'm outbound on the last day of the full First Class service, but coming back on the Monday evening.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

The ovens aren't working on the 19:00 out of London tonight.
Cold sandwiches until I get home at 11pm.
Misery.

That was no hot meal for me last night. Guess what, I'm on the 21:00 from Edinburgh tonight (starts Aberdeen) and no hot food, again.

I do expect better from East Coast's first class evening 'meal-ette'.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Haha just missed you, came ofe that from ABD. No standard hot buffet items iether. 3rd or 4th time thats happened of late and similar number of times no hot First menue iether. looks like il never sample Indian Chicken!

 

[Butts]

Haha just missed you, came ofe that from ABD. No standard hot buffet items iether. 3rd or 4th time thats happened of late and similar number of times no hot First menue iether. looks like il never sample Indian Chicken!

You haven't missed much on the Indian Chicken, but I suppose by EC standards it's not bad - at least I got it on Tuesday on the Southbound HC.

 

[causton]

You haven't missed much on the Indian Chicken, but I suppose by EC standards it's not bad - at least I got it on Tuesday on the Southbound HC.

I rather enjoyed it a couple of weeks ago on the Chieftain, but I guess I had to as I got it on both the northbound and southbound workings! Kept me full till the next round of sandwiches anyway!

 

[Blindtraveler]

its aparently the most popular hot dish, on anglo scottish trains anyway! That will b why iv never got one, its always run out!

 

[voyagerdude220]

I had a very good Chicken,Leek and Ham pie on this afternoon's 13:36 York to Edinburgh. I also really enjoyed the Yorkshire Turf Cake. Glad I had the sense to have the hot food offer on that train, as the 16:32 Edinburgh to Inverness just offers sandwiches and cake/crisps. In defence of East Coast, they did give me four sandwiches.

 

[Gwenllian2001]

I had a very good Chicken,Leak and Ham pie on this afternoon's 13:36 York to Edinburgh. I also really enjoyed the Yorkshire Turf Cake. Glad I had the sense to have the hot food offer on that train, as the 16:32 Edinburgh to Inverness just offers sandwiches and cake/crisps. In defence of East Coast, they did give me four sandwiches.

There's nothing like a visit to the lavatory between course

 

[cf111]

A power failure means no hot food or sandwiches on board the Chieftain this morning. Disappointing but hey ho. Toast with jam as well as porridge is still quite a nice breakfast.

 

[Aldaniti]

Still haven't dropped on the Fire of London cake yet. It feels like the days when I was desperately trying to find a train hauled by 50003 to clear my Fifties!

 

[voyagerdude220]

Extremely enjoyable Full English breakfast served on this morning's Highland Chieftain. I've used this train approximately three or four times this year, with 100% breakfast availability. Interestingly, I was offered a very good maple and pecan pastry, not the pain au raisin listed on the menu. (Which I am happy about). There was also another type of pastry available, which the member of staff wasn't sure what it was.

 

[Butts]

Extremely enjoyable Full English breakfast served on this morning's Highland Chieftain. I've used this train approximately three or four times this year, with 100% breakfast availability. Interestingly, I was offered a very good maple and pecan pastry, not the pain au raisin listed on the menu. (Which I am happy about). There was also another type of pastry available, which the member of staff wasn't sure what it was.

Oh what a difference a day makes (or a couple in this case).....