Grand Central Rail Avis 

Train was on time but arrived late

As I type I am travelling on the 17.06 from Doncaster to Kings Cross in the first class carriage.
I have to say I am disappointed. Having looked at the options on-line before travelling the options weren’t extensive but the ‘scubby’s chilli and lemon humous chips’ sounded appealing.

However when we got on the train the only savoury options were crisps and pretzels. When they arrived (thrown on the table by a member of staff….shouting our seat numbers) the crisps were a small 20g packet and the pretzels even smaller at 10g!!

Is this the best Grand Central can offer?

On the plus side the seats were comfortable and the carriage quiet.

I would normally travel Hull Trains or LNER and when compared their first class service is far superior!!

Not sure I would be tempted to upgrade to first class in the future if the option was travelling with Grand Central….poor service.

My train to Kings Cross was cancelled. Staff at Brighouse especially Harry was so helpful helped told me to get the train to York there go to platform 5 where a Gran Central train will go direct to Kings Cross. Very professionally handled and fast. Turned a nightmare into a successful journey. Thank you to all the team

Grotty trains, and only company I have used that has refused delay/cancellation repay when a train was completely cancelled and I had to abandon the journey, never had this issue with LNER, AVOID if you can when planning a journey into Kings Cross London!

Delayed because air-conditioning was not working on a couple of carriages so had to stop and open doors along the journey. Booked it by mistake, normally I travel with LNER

Used to take Grand Central to London every week for 5 years before deciding to pay more money to LNER. GC trains are ancient and really starting to feel like they are falling to bits, uncomfortable and cramped. Customer service is lacking when you need to change anything to your journey. Really showing a decline.

On time. Pleasant crew. Excellent journey. Convenient for Hartlepool.

As a regular first class customer on Grand Central I was astonished at the attitude of one member of staff on the Kings Cross to Sunderland route. She refused to bring my order I placed saying my travelling partner had already placed an order and this exceeded the limited. Since when has the free refreshments you receive on first class been rationed? This older grey haired lady who was serving the refreshments had no people skills. The customer service is disgraceful for first class. The seats were dirty and full of crumbs when we got on the train. We had to clean them down. This is a huge disappointment Grand Central.

Great return price. Easy booking.
Journey left and arrived in time

Very friendly & professional service. Trains were clean, comfortable & on time. The added touch of volunteer Grand Central staff at Thirsk railway station to assist was fantastic & so were they. I have no hesitation in recommending Grand Central Rail.

Good comfortable journey,good socketneaf the window 🪟 💺
Quick journey,no issues.

1.5 hours on hold so far just to change my train ticket. Every 10 seconds I'm told what position in the queue I am. Why do I need to be told every 10 seconds? That's over 540 times I've been told now. Has anyone at Grand Central ever tried calling to see how infuriating it is?

I started off at position 4 and I've been the first now for 50 minutes.

It's now 2 hours and they hung up... I won't be using Grand Central again. Terrible service, stick to LNER.

The train broke down en route to York and beyond and we were all told to disembark. No help offered by station staff. Why can’t this company maintain its rolling stock. They are a shambles.

Timing fine
We had booked first class through LNER to find our return journey replaced with a Grand Central service. First class service non existent. Only thing on offer at 4pm were warm drinks served in paper cups. No meal offered just biscuits or crisps. In our journey going we travelled LNER. Hot drinks when we boarded followed by a cooked breakfast perfectly cooked.

Comfortable seat. Train ran on time. Access to sockets, and hot drinks

Train was clean and on time.
We left on time but was a couple of minutes late. We still got our connection we were informed all the time of the delay. I will definitely use again.

The train was delayed initially by 40 mins but in the end it was more like 20 mins. I had been in London on business and was incredibly tired and just wanted to get home. After some confusion at King’s Cross over the correct platform we got on and were underway. The conductor explained the reason for the delay and apologised, he also appealed to passengers who were using spare seats for their bags etc to give them up to passengers who needed a seat. With a change of train the seat bookings were redundant and a lot had to stand initially. It transpired that the driver and conductor had forfeited their break to try to make up the lost time caused by the delay (which had been non of their making). The communication, customer service and ultimately foregoing their break should be commended. It was greatly appreciated.

On time clean friendly conductor who even gave a old guy time to find his railcard in is phone

Always delayed! and they don't even have the delay compensation like other companies do for less than 60 mins. Their seats are so outdated too. Avoid this trainline.