The submission isn't just about selling beer, any line with a trolley service (which isn't all admittedly, the one I'm most familiar with used the pandemic to stop and isn't coming back) sells beer. I'm sure the buffet carriages sold it too, (are there any still? ECML maybe?) I was too young to care to know. It's about having a car laid out as if a pub, a 'bar' if you like, vs. an off-licence selling it among other things for consumption in your seat.
Yes the Virgin trains that do the Manchester to London route all have buffet carriages where you can buy beers and wines, they have a few standing tables too so you can even stop and drink in the buffet carriage or return to your seat.
But obviously not in the same league as this pub carriage.
I don’t think they’ve had the standing tables since Avanti took over at the end of 2019?
Yep. I recall that the pricing was such that buying Arrogant Bastard from Stone wasn’t that bad a deal.
I was on the Northeast Regional last September and can confirm, halfway decent beer selection. They had wine as well, not sure what the selection was like, and not sure about spirits.
The Downeaster has some very choice Portland (ME) brews