Virgin Trains 1st Class

stclair

Does anyone know what time the breakfast is available till on a week day from Manchester to London?

I can't seem to find the information on the website.

peachyprice

From memory until 11.00, breakfast and evening meals have the best offerings, lunch/afternoons are a but meh.

Lorian

I think the official cut-off on west coast is 10:55, but you'd want to be on the train closer to 10 to make sure you get it. The full cooked is OK (bit like a plane breakfast). After they stop serving breakfast its a (as said above) a meh bacon roll.

I normally go in the other direction and earlier so I can't be sure.

stclair

Lorian wrote: »

I think the official cut-off on west coast is 10:55, but you'd want to be on the train closer to 10 to make sure you get it. The full cooked is OK (bit like a plane breakfast). After they stop serving breakfast its a (as said above) a meh bacon roll.

I normally go in the other direction and earlier so I can't be sure.

Excellent thanks wasn't sure what time train to catch.

I'm not sure it'll be much cop but thought I'd like to experience it.

I don't normally travel early enough for the breakfast

stclair

peachyprice wrote: »

From memory until 11.00, breakfast and evening meals have the best offerings, lunch/afternoons are a but meh.

Yeah I'm sick of chicken and bacon ceaser wraps.

However I have noticed they've recently changed the menu in the west coast.

Lorian

I've eaten in all the timeslots. I like the breakfast best.

Also the service varies a lot depending who is on / how busy it is / how full the moon is.

you might get one coffee, you might get four :-)

Remember if you need water an MSE tip is bottles are available in the dispense area in the middle of the carriages (for consumption on board of course)

Also be aware if you are on a Pendelino or Super Voyager - the seating is the biggest difference. Both operate on the route.

stclair

Lorian wrote: »

I've eaten in all the timeslots. I like the breakfast best.

Also the service varies a lot depending who is on / how busy it is / how full the moon is.

you might get one coffee, you might get four :-)

Remember if you need water an MSE tip is bottles are available in the dispense area in the middle of the carriages (for consumption on board of course)

Also be aware if you are on a Pendelino or Super Voyager - the seating is the biggest difference. Both operate on the route.

Excellent I've not got a seat reservation so hopefully the train won't be rammed.

TheGardener

Never waste money on a weekend 1st Class though - not the same as the 'business class' weekdays at all. Usually full of families with kids and a steward runs down the isle 30 mins after 'take off' with a cardboard box chucking bags of peanuts and cheese nibbles into folks laps.

I just wish they'd take time to politely tell the young mum doing a nappy change for baby on the table to get a grip and use the facilities provided for this purpose. :mad:

...and yes, breakfast is best

Lorian

stclair wrote: »

Excellent I've not got a seat reservation so hopefully the train won't be rammed.

you always get a seat reservation with first class? When you collect your ticket it will be printed on it - you don't get a separate card for it nowadays.

I rarely sit in my reserved seat though. if it is "rammed" this is how you select a seat (!)

if still in Manchester stood still: if seat says "reserved from x" where x is before Manchester, then help yourself (it shouldn't say this but does sometimes)

Otherwise loiter a minute or two until the train leaves the station. If the seat says "Reserved from Manchester" then you are probably OK

If the seat just says "reserved" then it's almost certainly OK but you stand a chance of it changing to "reserved from Birmingham newstreet" or similar after(!) you have sat in it.

if at all in doubt pick the one that just says "Reserved".

There are (always?) at least two 1st class carriages and most of the seat reservations are usually just in one. When waiting for the Train at Euston it actually tells you the % of seats reserved in each carriage on the board. not sure it does at Manchester.

Something like that anyway ,I find its not an exact science. Never failed to find a seat I like better than my reserved one. If you book direct you can pick your seat, but I have to book through an agent so I don't get that option.

stclair

Lorian wrote: »

you always get a seat reservation with first class? When you collect your ticket it will be printed on it - you don't get a separate card for it nowadays.

I rarely sit in my reserved seat though. if it is "rammed" this is how you select a seat (!)

if still in Manchester stood still: if seat says "reserved from x" where x is before Manchester, then help yourself (it shouldn't say this but does sometimes)

Otherwise loiter a minute or two until the train leaves the station. If the seat says "Reserved from Manchester" then you are probably OK

If the seat just says "reserved" then it's almost certainly OK but you stand a chance of it changing to "reserved from Birmingham newstreet" or similar after(!) you have sat in it.

if at all in doubt pick the one that just says "Reserved".

There are (always?) at least two 1st class carriages and most of the seat reservations are usually just in one. When waiting for the Train at Euston it actually tells you the % of seats reserved in each carriage on the board. not sure it does at Manchester.

Something like that anyway ,I find its not an exact science. Never failed to find a seat I like better than my reserved one. If you book direct you can pick your seat, but I have to book through an agent so I don't get that option.

Fantastic thanks for the info.

martindow

TheGardener wrote: »

Never waste money on a weekend 1st Class though - not the same as the 'business class' weekdays at all. Usually full of families with kids and a steward runs down the isle 30 mins after 'take off' with a cardboard box chucking bags of peanuts and cheese nibbles into folks laps.

On GWR at weekends there is no at seat service at all - you have to go to the buffet counter yourself armed with your tickets.