I had already sampled the new franchise operator’s first class service going north from Morpeth, and have reported it was excellent. So I expected my southbound journey to London to be of the same high quality, if not better. Alas, a little disappointment today. Waiting for my breakfast to come I politely asked a staff member if complimentary newspapers were still provided. I was told yes, but that I needed to go and find one myself “they should be somewhere on the train”. And indeed they were – in the luggage vestibules. I’m sure that if Christopher Garnett had been a fellow passenger on the train he would not have been amused. Announcements such “Passengers in First Class please note we will do another breakfast run after York” did rather degrade the otherwise excellent catering in to a feeling of sittings at school dinners. Verdict: A serious lapse in standard – must do better.
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