1st Class - no not at all far from it

I don't often travel by train (now I know why) when I have its been Darlington - London 1st class - great service - lovely food, free alcohol, can't do enough for you. I had a meeting in Central Birmingham, didn't fancy the drive and booked from Darlington - 1st class over £300 return! Other than a very nice quiet carriage almost to myself and a guaranteed seat there was very little else. Going out I was offered tea/coffee and biscuits, for a three hour journey I was expecting either a sandwich or something hot - no nothing. The return was a bit of a farce due to bad weather, initially at the station I was told it was cancelled and to come back next day or refund only when I checked the website did I find it was on time but terminating at York, ok good to go. We were told there should be coaches laid on but it was chaos and on advice I arranged for a lift to pick me up from Teesside at York. Only when we pulled into York did they say the service was now going to Darlington so a wasted journey by my son, I got off and went by car, the guard said "oh its always like this." Still no food other than cakes and biscuits this isn't what you want to eat at tea time. So sorry Cross Country but your 1st class experience is no where near what it should be, fly or go by Virgin and see how far away you are for value for money. Back to the car for me.