That breakfast!!!!! Although I'm just imagining if you ordered it in standard class and were sitting at your wee airline style table, that would be a challenge! I'd fancy taking this train just to have a nice dinner with a view, quality looked excellent, and great to see first class seats that actually look like first class seats...
It was! It’s the rail version of BF’s C-Club isn’t it 😂 Standard class I think is more of a ‘breakfast bap’ kind of thing but it’s still cooked to order. I would recommend the north route to Holyhead - fantastic views of the Welsh coast on that one 👍😊
I did this in November - well, Crewe-Newport at least. I agree that it's one of the best services in the country when you can find it. On the Holyhead route it just seems inconsistent as to when it actually runs. My planned train changed to a 158 the day before so I took another train from Bangor to Crewe for the Manchester service which seems more reliably loco-hauled. I just couldn't try the breakfast unfortunately as I'd already been fed in first class on the Avani 221 from Bangor, which was a quite reasonable breakfast too - small but free.
Known affectionately as the WAG service. WAG standing for the Welsh Assembly Government. Who have been funding that Service for quite a few years, even under Arriva. It's the only first class service in Wales available and Manchester only recently been added. Wanted to do it for many many years looks a beautiful journey too, sadly other people are not as bothered about it so I haven't done it yet.
As yes, I forgot it was called that! Personally, I just about preferred the intimacy of the smaller first class when Arriva had it irrespective of whether the meal was included or not. But you should definitely try it, highly recommended 😊👍
I'm a driver for TfW, i can confirm that the loco hauled service is the only thing TfW get right. I don't sign them. I have travelled first class to Cardiff paying for the upgrade though and it really is fantastic. By far the best service in the UK and the catering and customer service staff on here are amazing.
Totally agree. The staff are a massive part of the experience. I’ve done this trip probably a dozen times overs the years and the food/service have always been exceptional. Cheers 😊👍
Travelled on this train yesterday behind 67013. Certainly the best train in Britain. Catering superb, better than on the OBB Railjet which, until yesterday, was my favourite train. If only we had more loco hauled trains with the fantastic mk4 carriages, so much better than the dreadful Voyagers and cramped, smelly Pendolinos.
I really enjoyed watching this video Mark thank you for sharing your 1st Class experience with Transport for Wales Loco hauled service to Cardiff Central.
I'd love to do this journey, the food looks superb as does the level of comfort. Although I do have a recurring nightmare that I book a night in Shrewsbury specifically to take this service and a Class 150 turns up instead! 😭
I LOVE WELSH TEA !!! Lol. I also love Yorkshire tea !! Irish breakfast is the best ,though ! Earl grey as well have been my staple since I was 12 or so !! Wow !! For 46 years now !! Lol Very, very nice to know they've got vegan dishes ,even !! I am vegetarian, but I enjoy eating vegan dishes on my trips ! The 1st class seats are looking very comfortable !! I was very very impressed by Welsh train workers in Wales ,especially Transport for Wales employees !! They were SUPERB on customer services & helped me a lot !! Female employees !! They were so strong !! They helped me with my heavy luggage & shopping bags !! Lol Also a male employee helped me a lot w information for the connection, I got really worried about ! Lol. Even called a taxi on his own mobile phone at Saundersfoot train station !! LOL Thank you so much Simon ,if you're reading this !! Lol. ( summer of 2022 ) .🙏👍👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💕✈️🏴🚈🚉💞
When I came to UK in 2005 I was able to travel on HST’s, 225’s, 159’s and 442’s. All, ( at that time) had comfortable seats. Yes! They were all designed and built in Britain! Some are still running, but new trains will replace them, so let’s hope the DfT don’t get their sticky paws on the new designs, especially the seats!
Brilliant videos I used to catch it back in the Arriva Trains Wales days as the Premier Service both ways great way to travel to Cardiff. Thank you for sharing your journey
You've never sampled Pullman Dining on the Great Western Railway's inter-city trains between Paddington and Plymouth? You don't even need a First Class ticket to enjoy a silver service lunch or dinner in the Restaurant Car!
I’d love to see this loco-hauled service operating from Hull, via Leeds, Manchester Victoria & Chester to Holyhead - limited stop, express or first class does not really bother me, just that it is a direct service on SailRail without having to change trains - and these trains are not as cramped as they would normally be, as I found out once at Lladnuo after arriving off a tiny sardine can train from Manchester Piccadilly, even during a train strike
Great video I live in Shrewsbury will make sure I get on one of these Tain set next time. It would have been great if you have some footage of the class 67 locomotive., and maybe a hello from the driver. A big well done.
I really enjoyed the video . I was really surprised on the train and the quality . All we ever read about this service is the two carriages and really overpriced and over crowded service . The breakfast was very good value for a train in my opinion. Keep up the excellent work 😊.
@@LetsMakeaTrip I don't know whether you know but I live in Wales. Here in Wales we call our rail service transport for fails Lol. I really do enjoy your videos 😊.
Looked a really good and comfortable journey. TfW is of course a nationalised railway owned by the Welsh Government and generally run very well. Glad you went straight through Church Stretton which has to be the most boring, snobby, town in England. I dont do many train journeys but I will always go First Class if its available. Thanks for the Vlog
I have some negative personal experiences of CS. Each to teir own. TfW have a lot oof complaints but ts good that it is a natioailsed railway.@@tommoseley7458
As others have already said, it's probably well worth making that trip just for the service, a comfortable seat, on time and with a great breakfast. Thanks for sharing
It will be interesting to see if the class 68 Nova 3 sets removed from TPE will be transferred to this route. The current Mark 4 stock is over 30 years old and TfW might not want to miss buying or leasing what are essentially brand new trains for bargain basement prices.
Holy breakfast Batman! That's amazing for £10.95! You'd pay a minimum of £12-13 in a cafe around here (Weald of Kent) and often not to that standard. All in,including the fare, that's a very good value journey.
Onboard catering is good value in my opinion Mark. Four star hotel might charge twice or more for breakfast/dinner (of course in London prices would be higher still). The VTEC (Virgin Trains EastCoast) livery and black leather seating remains unchanged ... except for the new TfW branding.
Another very good video, up to your usual high standard. I've been using bits of the route recently (Chester-Wrexham a few times and Crewe-Ludlow) but haven't had the pleasure of a loco-hauled set. I usually see them parked up at Crewe depot, it's good that they're being extended to 5 coaches. The 197 three car units appear to have the facility for first class seating and to offer some catering, it will be interesting to see how things develop. But as you say, far better than a cramped 150 unit!
Cheers Kevin. I believe the 197’s can do some catering but I’ll believe it when I see it! In the meantime, all that stuff they’ve got is taking up valuable seat space if you ask me.
Excellent video. Definitely the best train in Britain 💯 Just a shame every train on that route can't be a 67 + mk4 set, instead of the awful class 197s.
Value for money Mark, no doubt about that, your first class experience was excellent, also I was very impressed how you were offered a drink soon after you boarded, very good service all round.😊
I use trains a lot and I can honestly say First Class is only worthwhile if the standard class has no seating, full of drunk passengers etc. First class vs Empty Standard is more or less equal.
The Ex Virgin MK4 first class seats are fantastic. My last trip on the British Isles was in First class from Edinburgh to Newcastle almost seven years ago. I do miss bashing the trains, but I now live in a much warmer country, so swings and roundabouts as they say. 😂
They are and it does warrant me doing the whole route at some point. I’ve nearly done it on my old Newport to Holyhead vid but they weren’t doing food then. If I make enough cash out of this video I’ll go back and review the dinner service. It’ll be tough but hey, someone’s gotta do it! 😂
Excellent video, and by the look of it an excellent valued breakfast ! Seats looked very comfortable, not travelled that route, but one i must surely try ! :)
Great as always. I love travelling by train! relaxing, scenery and in this case great dining options. This is a trip I’ll be planning perhaps whist the Train sale is on, super value. Just one question which are the loco hauled services? I assume these are the only services offering the full dining option in 1st class.
It looks pretty good value, I've never had a train breakfast but had similar out and about. It's maybe best to leave the toast until last as it's very filling. So you can't give the rest of the meal full justice.
I have to hand it to Transport for Wales. The one and only time that I travelled on a TfW train was last Sunday 21st of January from Birmingham to Shrewsbury, where we transferred to another TfW scheduled train, which took us from Shrewsbury to Holyhead. Not only was it comfortable quick, prompt and efficient, The conductor on the train also announced to us that our connecting train at Shrewsbury was being held for us as we were 5 to 10 minutes late arriving at Shrewsbury. Where else would you see that?! I have to say that four hours was very comfortable.
Another fab video. 1 hr 56 from Shrewsbury to Cardiff is great. The chairs and the carriage look good, but I think for the price meal service should be included really.
Cheers, there’s fors and againsts about the meal being included. I remember when TfW said this would happen and I was like not very impressed. But now I look at the price of 1st on its own (which is reasonable) and at least I’ve got the choice esp if I’ve already eaten.
I believe the Welsh Government helps to subsidise this train and it just shows what can be done with a bit of will. Great value and certainly worth the money. It’s a shame given these carriages run some of the services to Manchester that there is not the same level of catering. A lot better than the 150’s sometimes used to Manchester.
£10.95 for a full English breakfast (oops, sorry, big breakfast) is very good value for money. The prices for the evening menu were also very reasonable.
The trouble is, it's hit and miss if a Mk4 set appears on its schedule, and then if it does, if the kitchen will be open. It's like playing the lottery.
You presumably didn't make use of the rather small First Class Lounge (Welsh version - Lolfa Dosbarth Cyntaf) at Cardiff Central station? It's available to holders of First Class travel tickets with either TfW or GWR! Not that you would have missed much!
I didn’t this time but I have used it in the past. Tbh, I don’t reckon many people on this service know about it and think it’s just for the exclusive use of GWR passengers. Although it’s tiny, I kind of like it because when the London train departs, you have it pretty-much to yourself.
I don't think that passengers get complimentary alcohol on LNER breakfast trains and the offering in the afternoon and evening is stingy compared to what it used to be.
LNER - the food options vary depending on which train you’re on. Is it all freshly cooked to order by an on board chef? How much is the price of a first-class ticket with LNER for an equivalent journey time? Genuine questions those as I’m interested to know and may well revisit the service in the future to see how it compares. Cheers.
wow had I known I could have waved to you at Newport! I know that line so well having linked a number of the stations on a walking trail I devised some years ago. Your journey including food looked first class, however, TFW reputation is not high at the moment in South wales cancellations not enough carriages gross overcrowding. Prior to Christmas a friend did Manchester to Cardiff in a TFW train 2 carriages. He described Ludlow as total chaos!!! Great video. Thanks
And I would’ve waved back Kevin 👋 TfW have two extremes in my experience, this and the rubbish you’re describing. And living in Shrewsbury, we get a fair bit of the rubbish I can tell you!
What a fabulous breakfast! These old style trains are so much better than the modern trains with their uncomfortable ironing board seats. Compare those leather first class seats with the new ones on LNER - so much better and much more comfortable. 😀
Totally agree Rog, should be more trains like this and I am quite lucky living here I can take advantage of it going both ways (so to speak). Cheers mate 😊👍
You could have used the Gay Meadow coracle to get to the station. Lovely journey in old 225 coaches. Very good value for money. I remember paying 13.50 on GNER for a big breakfast 20 years ago! You should have kept the black pud in a napkin for your elevenses, though.
I'm not sure about "best train" as the interior of a 225 is pretty much the same and they get you there a lot faster. BUT... if you factor in the food offerings, then I agree this is definitely the best cabin experience on a UK train. Not only is the seat and interior great, with great food. But, like you, I've always had impeccable service and the views out of the window are wonderful too. Another excellent and entertaining video 👍
The LNER breakfast is pretty good too (although not that good) and at least it's included in the price. I agree with the point about the pricing though - if paying for the ticket, I'd rather have the cheaper fare and choose to pay for the food as required. I was on a rover ticket though, so "free" food wins.
Cheers John, yep I couldn’t manage it all and unfortunately, the black pudding never made the cut. I don’t mind it but I prefer the other stuff tbh. Sorry 😊
Hi, Mark. Seats look so much better than the new intercity offering with their thin seat cushions. At first I thought £10.95 for a cooked breakfast was a bit steep but on seaing it I have chabged my mind. We must meet up sometime And i will teach you how to pronounce Welsh names🤣🤣. A lot cheaper than Avanti West coast trains and more punctual into the bargain. Great video as usual. Thanks for bringing the video❤
That's a lovely train journey. I kind of wish they had much more trains here in UK. Would be so much better to have them run more. You can just sit back and relax
Fabulous journey, great service similar to LNER. ScotRail could learn so much. Every time I see TFW trains i always think they look so bright and modern, compared to dull and dirty ScotRail trains. Trains so cheap down South, it literally costs £15 return on a half hour journey just from Inverness to Aviemore
I think that only really applies to TfW. I'm heading to Wales for a week in February and the Avanti West Coast train from London to Crewe was over 100 pounds for a first class seat, for a 90min trip. TfW from Crewe to Shrewsbury only cost like 10 pounds. For about the cost of that round trip I could book a transatlantic flight from the states on BA.
Nos waith da the Gerald of Wales is on my bucket list the fares etc are great value. I would take the evening service from Shrewsbury ( amwythig ) to either Colwyn bay ( bea Colwyn ) or Llandudno junction ( cyffordd Llandudno )
It certainly sounds like the best train in Britain - and those aren't bad meal prices, either. It's the space I like - there is room for everything, unlike modern trains...
Could TFW use some of the withdrawn TPE sets that are loco hauled, even if they replace the loco unit for one not do noisy, granted there is thd cost of rebranding the sets and refitting but surely these would provide better comfort than the older sets.....or am i tfyi g to make sense
Why would they provide better comfort? None of the new trains introduced in the last 10-15 years in the UK are in any way comfortable. Hard, thin, flat seats, nasty cold overly bright LED lighting and terrible ride quality seem to be the "improvements" that are offered with new trains.
Brilliant video as always!! The breakfast looked amazing!! Would you know where is the last place you can join where you can eat breakfast going southwards on the run from holyhead to Cardiff? Totally agree that the older trains are much better than the newer ones. Loved travelling on the hst compared to the new trains on GWR. Hope all is well, take care
I would guess it’s Hereford but don’t quote me on it. A great train though and going the other way I’ve boarded at Shrewsbury before and had an evening meal on the way up to Holyhead. Cheers Peter 😊👍
Only practical if u have single choice of meal included in ticket price. Downside to all inclusive tickets is there always a a degree of waste ie surplus food left over from every journey. Like lner not a lot chefs most food in 1st class is pre prepared simply warmed up in the ovens on trains. Buy buying your breakfast on the train food cooked fresh u are not wasting food as rest can be kept fresh.
It used to be Mark but as @rthoc71 says (quite correctly) it’s partly wastage and I’ve argued for paying separately in the video. I.E. if you don’t want breakfast you’re still paying for it if it’s already included in the fare. Swings and roundabouts I guess 😊👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip GNER think we're last ones private operators do breakfast buy on board on East Coast always worth every penny you were well fed and eating on Mk4 carriage lovely. FGW Dining trains I've yet to do ones where Travelling chef joins u know u getting proper meal instead warmed up.
The "Friar Gerald of Wales" locomotive-hauled trains are intended for Members of the Welsh Assembly who represent constituencies in north Wales and commute to and from Cardiff during the working week. They run at a thumping loss, incidentally.
Thank goodness, all back to normal. The overseas exotic stuff scares me. Can't beat a gloomy winter morning in the UK. Did they forget to put the toast in the toasting machine - it looks very white.
The viewing figures for my overseas stuff scares me 😂 the toast was fantastic - with Welsh butter too. If you travel on this train though, feel free to complain to the chef and I wish you all the best 😂
Hmmm first time I have seen a FC seat with no complementary breaky. Ticket price seems to be fine to me and the prices are good to. My question is was it cash only or could you use card when ya decided to have breaky?
Given the state of the uk's mobile network it is difficult to review the on board wifi, ultimately it all goes through one "router" that the whole train is using even when first class normally gets priority and faster speeds, never mind changing towers every 3 or 5 seconds given the up to 125mph its like using your own 4g or 5g on your own phone, by the time its registered on the network the cell has already gone out of range. That breakfast was very good value quality and quantity and on board cooking given the captured audience as they say. Sockets not working could be down to a passenger using inappropriate equipment like straighteners, dryers, etc, or indeed a faulty device. Though flooded, they are fantastic views and seats. Unlike GA'S Ironing board seats!
Cheers for the comment. Yep bit ‘hit and miss’ the WiFi but not too bad on my trip. Overall though, I’m struggling to find a better train than this one. Recommended 😊👍