Great Western Coffee Shop

Does anyone have recent experience of Cross Country's complimentary trolley service in First Class?

I've occasionally travelled on an advance ticket on a weekday and not been offered tea or coffee in First.  My journeys admittedly were from Taunton to Bristol and back.  However, in September, I was offered a cream tea on the way to Torquay; the trolley came round a second time, and the compartment was offered free soft drinks or water for its ongoing journey (the train was terminating at Paignton).  So a very mixed bag.

I was considering travelling to West Cornwall over a weekend, when split ticketing might offer a cheap, first class fare for part of the way.

There won't be any at seat service on XC beyond Plymouth. During the day time I find that there is a 1st Class host on most services between Exeter and Bristol, with the retail trolley host filling in otherwise.

I'm typing this now while in XC 1st Class between Taunton and Bristol (1051 off TAU) and there's a 1st Class host. I'm just tucking in to an Egg Florentine Ciabatta, also have some coffee and shortbread. See attached pic.

Full details of what should be offered and where:
http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/customer-service/first-class

Well - from the horse's mouth so to speak  ;D

I have read with envy of these legendary meals that bignosemac is offered.  He must have a certain charm!

Moving to GWR, what complimentary snacks do they provide in First Class?  On a recent trip with them, I happily consumed my free coffee and fruit cake but thought I overhead another passenger enquire about sandwiches.  The hostess disappeared and reappeared to say, "only cheese and tomato". 

Just so bignosemac doesn't type with his mouth full....

On GWR you will be offered sandwiches from the trolley but you do have to pay for them.  Complimentary items include crisps, nuts, biscuits,fresh fruit, pastries, tea, coffee, water (still or sparkling) and I think cola.

At weekends you will have to go to the buffet with your ticket to collect them.

That's interesting, bobm, about the sandwiches or fresh fruit, which I've never seen on the GWR trolley.  Perhaps the time of the day has a bearing or, more likely, you have to know to ask.  I wonder what would happen if the whole carriage on XC asserted their right to a free, hot snack.

I think this probably happens fairly regularly at breakfast time, though probably not en mass from one station. I have used XC Voyagers in First at around 0800 on a train that commenced at 0625. However passengers get on, and sometimes get off along the way spreading the load on the Galley's Oven. If all two dozen first class seats were filled at the same stop and all wanted hot food I suspect many would have a longish wait, and a few might be told that all 'Breakfast Wraps' had been sold.

If he has, it's well hidden.  :P

Quieter XC trains during the week will run with only someone on the trolley who will serve first when they get there, and should a trolley be uncovered on a train with a first class host then the host will usually be 'stepped-up' to cover the trolley so the whole train (eventually) receives a service. With many a staff changeover taking place at Bristol, it's likely if the catering was single manned then they'd be ready to handover by Taunton or if going in the opposite direction then they'd only just be starting through the train. For shorter journeys the hosts will normally try and keep complimentary food up their sleeves as the trains have limited storage and go for hours between stations which are equipped to replenish supplies, opting to keep food for those travelling longer distances as they don't have the option to get something at stations along the way.
Service centres for catering supplies are on the NW/SC spine: Birmingham and Reading and on the NE/SW spine: Edinburgh / Birmingham / Bristol / Plymouth. Certain trains receive sandwiches only at Newcastle utilising the Grand Central service centre. Gone are the days when Rail Gormless could top up almost anywhere along the route.

My last 1st class XC journey was between Plymouth and Exeter on a HST.  The first class host came round taking orders for tea and coffee, which he fetched from the buffet (presumably, it was in the next coach).

On his return with my tea, I enquired about food.  The offering was a chicken salad sandwich or something vegetarian that may have been a ciabatta.  No food was offered until I asked.  After this several other passengers realised there was food available, so also asked.

All this seems like a world apart from my local XC service, operated by Class 170 units, where catering is not provided.

I'd rather it was stored in the fridges. Food Hygiene Regs and all that.  :P ;) ;D

I was in FGW 1st class on a journey from Plymouth to Reading a couple of weeks ago, it was the 1044 from Plymouth which is always a busy train and 1st class was pretty full...........along came the trolley, plenty of apples , cake, biscuits etc BUT..........there were no bananas which from some quarters elicited a lot of displeasure........you may draw your own conclusions!!!

As far as I'm aware, there is an at-seat service on those trains. I know that the catering finishes at around 20:00 on Crosscountry. What time did you travel?

Edited by Brucey to fix the quotes

There is no catering service provided between Stansted Airport and Peterborough.

Ah, I apologise.

XC have a rolling 2 week menu of complimentary 1st class food; a breakfast and lunch/snack menu avaiulable Mon-Fri between 06.00 and 20.00 on journeys from Birmingham NS - Bristol/Plymouth, Manchester Pic, Newcastle/Edinburgh, and Reading/Bournemouth.

Selected Turbostar services have basic complimentary drinks and biscuits.

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/tickets/ticket-types/first-class