On a train journey, what would you consider a 'meal'?

[OliviaStabler]

I booked a first class return ticket as I was travelling a long way and the train company advertised a meal on both sections of the journey with that ticket. It was a bit more expensive than the standard class fare but with food and coffee I thought it was a bargain.

So I get to the train and I ask about catering. I get told that, as it is a weekend, there is no hot meal but a trolley of sandwiches and wraps etc will come round several times during the journey. This sounded fine.

The first time I see the trolly I pick a sandwich and a packet of popcorn. The sandwich was tiny but so was everything else on offer but as they supposedly come round several times, I was not worried. The trolly came by 30 minutes later and I ask for a sandwich. However I was met by the mother of all cat bum faces saying she has other stops to carer for and she walked off.

Was I being unreasonable? I picked the more expensive ticket as it had a 'meal' included. A tiny sandwich and a small pack of popcorn is not a meal to me.

Some combo of foods that added up to about 500 kcal. I guess that could go as low as 400 kcal.

She might if the sandwiches were small and she was hungry, zeb. Don't blame her for being hungry when the contract between her and the rail company was that she would get a meal.

Yes, sandwiches are normal at weekends. I know Virgin offer a cheap up grade to First Class at weekends. It used to cost £10 not sure how much they charge now but it's not much. If you want a hot meal service you need to travel during the week (and pay more).

I've traveled first class quite a few times on Virgin Liverpool to London and in the week the food is hot and in my opinion plentiful for a train journey. It does depend what time you travel though. On weekends the service is reduced but that is reflected in the price of the tickets.

DD travelled first a few days ago.
No trolley. No drinks. No charging point.
Said next time she's staying in standard. At least she could charge her phone there. And everyone gets free wifi anyway if they book direct.
Yes, there was the lounge, but not worth the extra cost.

What you want is SW trains from Cornwall, later afternoon on a first class ticket. You have to pay, mind but I got three courses and a half bottle of red for about £70.

You wanted more food? Don't you know that Mumsnetters only survive on dust OP?

Rubber bacon sandwich and a gin and tonic

I remember travelling by Intercity with my dad in the late 70s, when they still had actual dining cars. Soup, fish and chips and a pudding...

Sorry but I think you're unreasonable. First class is a lot cheaper at weekends than weekdays and that is reflected in the service. I would consider one sandwich and a snack as an acceptable meal for a journey - if I was very hungry or knew I wouldn't get a chance to eat before or after then I would bring on my own food.

I can understand maybe wanting a bit more another 2/3 hours later but after 30 minutes? That just seems greedy to me,

I’m not sure why they came round again with sandwiches if they didn’t want anyone to take any!

elessar op isn’t asking if you think she’s greedy if they’re advertising that food is included, then people are entitled to have as much is allowed. Bringing sandwiches round on a trolley implies they are allowed, and therefore if they want to be ‘greedy’ (subjective) then they can.

If you were travelling from Kings Cross to Aberdeen you would expect more than a single sandwich and a bag of popcorn. We usually get a decent breakfast, regular fruit, cakes & biscsuits and at least a couple of sandwiches throughout the trip. I suspect they hadn't loaded enough food and were trying to stretch it out. East Coast Weekend First tickets definitely cost a lot more than just a £10 upgrade fee.

@Flowerbot actually she is asking if she is unreasonable to consider a sandwich and a snack ‘not a meal’ - I think she is.

Food provided does not necessarily mean unlimited food - if it says a meal then one meal is all you are probably entitled to.

Trolley probably comes around multiple times for more drinks and to provide food for people who got on at different stops - not just to give a second meal to those who ate only half an hour ago.

Liverpool to edinburgh on a weekday morning once the staff were basically overfeeding me! but any other time i've travelled first its only been one sandwich. i suppose it really does depend on timings

Just because it is cheaper on a weekend, how are you supposed to know that means you get less if you haven't any previous experience? I'd still expect to receive the same service, unless told otherwise.

elessar there’s a difference between asking if it’s reasonable and asking if it’s greedy. Calling someone greedy is nasty and judgemental and going on about how you’d be stuffed to bursting with more than a tiny crust of bread is very smug. Congratulations on your tiny, bird-like appetite

If you go on a weekday on Virgin you will be overserved. Yet because they allow standard class customers to upgrade on the cheap on weekends, they underserve on weekends to make up the cost. They also provide free weekend travel to their 1st class traveller /season ticket customers which does sweeten the pot a bit.

@Cheeseandcucumber

I was told at the station by a member of Virgin staff that the trolley travels through the First Class carriage several times and you can have whatever you want. It isn't a case of me leaving anyone else without food.

@olivia - virgin staff aren’t always the best when it comes to their customer service. Complain directly to Virgin with the staff member’s name.

What were you expecting, a 3 course restaurant dinner

Of course not FFS. I was clearly told there was going to look be plenty of food. My day was spent on the train to my destination and back so I wanted at least not to feel hungry.

4-pack of Stella

Actually on a weekday Virgin do give you a three course restaurant style dinner!

That just seems greedy to me

I was simply hungry and the small sandwich and bag of popcorn was not enough to fend off my hunger. I was clearly told there would be plenty of food. I am not greedy and not one to pig out just because there is free food. Have you never been unsatisfied after eating something?

Thanks for your replies everyone.