Comment: First Class delights with an occasional pang of hunger

I was recently offered a free First Class ticket from London to Glasgow by Avanti West Coast, to test its offerings.

This is not something I do very often. I have probably accepted barely half a dozen free journeys since starting to write this column nearly 30 years ago.

But First Class is rather unaffordable for pretty much anyone paying their own way, given that without the benefit of an advance purchase discount (which would have been difficult, as I was not sure what train I would be able to take), and even with my railcard, it would have cost more than £170.

I had hoped to compare the service with LNER on the way back, but the company was unable to offer me a seat because I was travelling on a busy weekend - although when I did take the train, there was certainly lots of available space, despite it being a weekend when there was disruption on the West Coast.

Avanti’s First Class offering is reasonable, but in no sense does it offer a full meal.

At breakfast, there is a limited ‘full English’, but later in the day there is only a choice between ‘lighter choices’ and ‘larger plates’.

The obviously pre-prepared meals are tasty and well-presented, but even the ‘larger plates’ are snacks in all but name, with only the ‘ploughman’s grazing plate’ offering 600 cals. The others hover around 400 - not really enough for a big lad like me who does lots of exercise.

There did not seem to be a limit on the four-hour-plus journey, and I sampled the brie and red onion quiche as well (and I presume I could have added the brioche and the risotto if I had been desperate).

There was no limit on drinks, and the guy next to me tucked away a few G and Ts. I confined myself to a pleasant Brewdog Ale and a glass of slightly insipid wine.

It should be added that the service could not be faulted. The staff came through regularly offering food and drinks, and it was served politely and efficiently. That was old school railway catering and worthy of praise.

But the question was: was it worth it if I had been paying myself?

Possibly for a treat as my wife was with me, but perhaps to tempt me otherwise there should be a more substantial food offering (particularly for those taking the whole journey between London and Glasgow) to ensure that one was sufficiently well-fed as well as watered.