London North Eastern Railway (LNER) First Class service

[Blindtraveler]

Been very lucky to actually have two services this week that did what they were meant to do in terms of first class offering. A London to Newcastle return trip, 1030 northbound on Tuesday and 1330 southbound on Thursday. Had the frittata and posh baked beans from the brunch menu, this was delicious but needs a hash brown or even just a slice of toast with it, and Rogan Josh coming back which was as good as any supermarket ready meal curry I've ever had and surprisingly tasty naan bread. What's this obsession with salted caramel everyone has, I don't do salted caramel and there's no alternative dessert option. And indeed not even any fruit on the southbound service I was on. So this would be a nice change if they could look at that. Coming south again. Drinks service was all packed up by Peterborough and one person boarding had to pretty much beg for a bottle of water

 

[p.d87]

Not strictly true.

On an AVANTI journey from Edinburgh to Sandwell & Dudley last year there was no attended service until Preston.

Prior to that you could show your ticket at the Buffet and literally have what you liked !!

I can assure you that's not the correct way of doing things. You struck lucky!

 

[Butts]

I can assure you that's not the correct way of doing things. You struck lucky!

A Can of Stella, Sandwich, Crisps, Kit Kat and a Cappuccino.

Plus when the Steward boarded full service of whatever was on the menu.

Almost justified the extortionate prices Avanti charge for 1st Class. Standard Premium Price is what it used to be.

 

[MrJeeves]

I can assure you that's not the correct way of doing things. You struck lucky!

It's how it's always worked for me too...!

The on-board shop payment terminal has an option for "payment" by posession of a first class ticket.

 

[dave87016]

Yes on a couple of occasions there has been no catering crew so I went the onboard shop and got what I wanted then plonked myself at the nearest free table - not worth walking all the way back to first class ( unless there was no tables free ) was also handy for another coffee

 

[moleman212]

I think the reply used to be that as the food was complimentary there was no instrinsic value in it (which I totally disagree with)

So to get a goodwill gesture is something!

They made sure to parrot that line in the response also ... With a tone that implied they shouldn't have to offer anything but will offer £25 as a one off to shut me up.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I think the reply used to be that as the food was complimentary there was no instrinsic value in it (which I totally disagree with)

So to get a goodwill gesture is something!

Then if that’s the case they shouldn’t parade it so, simple as. But they do. And then too often fail to deliver.

 

[Butts]

Excellent service Edinburgh to Leuchars for my £8 investment.

Whisky, Chicken Roll, Crisps, Coffee and Biscuits all served within 30 mins of departure.

Short qualifying journeys are definitely the best value.

 

[Butts]

Excellent service Edinburgh to Leuchars for my £8 investment.

Whisky, Chicken Roll, Crisps, Coffee and Biscuits all served within 30 mins of departure.

Short qualifying journeys are definitely the best value.

Return more of the same plus substitute wrap for chicken roll and add yummy caramel pot.

 

[Siemens Trains]

So sorry to crash in, but the automated system that says what service is available on what train doesn't work too well with my screen reader. What is the last full breakfast service southbound from Edinburgh on a weekday?

I used the 08:00 southbound departure from Edinburgh today and the menu was 'Dish' rather than the full breakfast that would be expected on a 'Dine' train. Not sure if this was a one-off - I thought maybe I'd misinterpreted LNER's website publicity and didn't query with staff.

The bacon roll that I ordered was perfectly adequate though.

 

[Porty]

I used the 08:00 southbound departure from Edinburgh today and the menu was 'Dish' rather than the full breakfast that would be expected on a 'Dine' train. Not sure if this was a one-off - I thought maybe I'd misinterpreted LNER's website publicity and didn't query with staff.

The bacon roll that I ordered was perfectly adequate though.

Last time I went on the 0830 southbound from Edinburgh it was the full works - Dine menu. Just checked - that's the last Dine service

 

[38Cto15E]

I was very disappointed not to have the full LNER brekky on the 0755 Inverness to Kings Cross train on Thursday, it is the Dine menu, and there was a Chef on Board, but apparently they were one or two staff members short, maybe there are vacancies at Inverness.

 

[D1024]

Currently on-board an Azuma and first time I've seen the new 1st Class Headrests. In my opinion a big improvement.

 

[takno]

Currently on-board an Azuma and first time I've seen the new 1st Class Headrests. In my opinion a big improvement.

Looks a bit sad and saggy already, but certainly less actively in the way

 

[Sealink]

I was very disappointed not to have the full LNER brekky on the 0755 Inverness to Kings Cross train on Thursday, it is the Dine menu, and there was a Chef on Board, but apparently they were one or two staff members short, maybe there are vacancies at Inverness.

That happened to me earlier this year. Very disappointed. Not sure if it was the same reason though.
I noticed Avanti mentioned earlier, my pal says AWC breakfast is far superior to the LNER offering, and for one thing you don't have to search for a "Dine" train to get one.
Any thoughts? I'd love to try them but their First Class fare to Glasgow is often the same as LNER's to Inverness.
Inverness isn't even my ultimate destination, I'm definitely in the "less changes the better!" camp.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Took the 0956 from Stevenage to Leeds today. As it's Easter weekend, they're running the Deli menu all day. Normal service resumes on Tuesday.

The first pass of the trolley in First was taking place as I boarded, with a second upon departure from Grantham.

Tables were cleared down and menus removed before arrival at Doncaster.

 

[signed]

What does that mean if a train isn't present at all on the LNER menu list?

I am probably gonna take the IC225 at 1033 on a Sunday (in my trip to Llandudno) from Kings Cross to Leeds

That train is not present on the spreadsheet, and the app doesn't mention a menu either

https://www.lner.co.uk/globalassets/first-class-dining-services-january-2025---north.pdf

With the 1007 and 1030 being included, as well as the 1233 IC225

Does it mean that there is no catering as scheduled, or the menu is dependent on other factors that day

 

[Andy Pacer]

What does that mean if a train isn't present at all on the LNER menu list?

I am probably gonna take the IC225 at 1033 on a Sunday (in my trip to Llandudno) from Kings Cross to Leeds

That train is not present on the spreadsheet, and the app doesn't mention a menu either

https://www.lner.co.uk/globalassets/first-class-dining-services-january-2025---north.pdf

With the 1007 and 1030 being included, as well as the 1233 IC225

Does it mean that there is no catering as scheduled, or the menu is dependent on other factors that day

Perhaps a question for LNER customer services.

 

[Sealink]

What does that mean if a train isn't present at all on the LNER menu list?

I am probably gonna take the IC225 at 1033 on a Sunday (in my trip to Llandudno) from Kings Cross to Leeds

That train is not present on the spreadsheet, and the app doesn't mention a menu either

https://www.lner.co.uk/globalassets/first-class-dining-services-january-2025---north.pdf

With the 1007 and 1030 being included, as well as the 1233 IC225

Does it mean that there is no catering as scheduled, or the menu is dependent on other factors that day

I'm hoping it's just an oversight. LNER app shows that catering is provided for First Class passengers, but also it omits saying if it's Deli, Dish etc. which is does show for other services.

 

[signed]

Perhaps a question for LNER customer services.

I'm hoping it's just an oversight. LNER app shows that catering is provided for First Class passengers, but also it omits saying if it's Deli, Dish etc. which is does show for other services.

Thanks, I have sent an email, will report back

 

[rg177]

Even on their Newcastle to York shuttle services they advertise complimentary snacks (I assume probably a whittled-down Deli menu) so it will just be an oversight.

 

[800Travel]

Thanks, I have sent an email, will report back

They can sometimes take a while to get back when there has been recent disruption (there was an incident the other day (see this thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/ohl-fire-langley-junction-ecml-17-04-25.284922/))

fire with the OHL at Langley junction

Therefore it may be worth messaging them on X (Twitter) instead for, hopefully, a quicker response.

 

[Willie Bee]

What meal would be served on a mid-week LNER journey, Edinburgh to Aberdeen, leaving Edinburgh at 10:28.

Advertised as DINE menu

Would it be a late breakfast, or an early lunch.

thank you

 

[rocrat]

What meal would be served on a mid-week LNER journey, Edinburgh to Aberdeen, leaving Edinburgh at 10:28.

Advertised as DINE menu

Would it be a late breakfast, or an early lunch.

thank you

My guess is that it will actually be breakfast on the deli/dish menu...

 

[Huntergreed]

What meal would be served on a mid-week LNER journey, Edinburgh to Aberdeen, leaving Edinburgh at 10:28.

Advertised as DINE menu

Would it be a late breakfast, or an early lunch.

thank you

I’ve taken this journey a few times - it’s an early lunch service (presumably they just load enough lunch for the journey up to Aberdeen and back).

When I took it (all 3 times), it was just a deli menu.

Ironic as the train I got which left over 2 hours later from Newcastle to Aberdeen the previous week was a breakfast!