Grand Central Rail Reviews 

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.

The worst railway service in the UK. I don’t even know how it’s still in operation. There’s not a single time I booked grand central and they didn’t delay

King's Cross north. How did you get these trains so wrong! Luggage storage above takes very little. Virtually empty space with everyone's cases, bags and rucksacks on floor.
The seats are made for people under about 5 foot 10 inches. The shoulders hit the upper pads of seats forcing a slouched position. The only good appears to be leg space. Which is just as well as required for slouched position with bag between legs.

No ventilation, absolutely roasting from London to Doncaster. Cramped and outdated

Staff friendly

Comfortable journey, on time, good service.