I may have an interview soon to work on the first class carraiges so this is an amazing help 😂❤

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Good luck Dan. I may see you onboard one day 🤞

@DanMartinez-qu2iw

3 ай бұрын

​@@LetsMakeaTripslow process but just to follow up I got the job and I even referenced this video on the interview 😂❤ I start April 2nd

@LetsMakeaTrip

2 ай бұрын

Brilliant news Dan! Well mate, if my video helped in any way, you owe me a coffee! 😂😉

@DanMartinez-qu2iw

2 ай бұрын

​@@LetsMakeaTripI'll do you one better as the offer they made me is a great little pay rise that big breakfast is on me next time your on 😂

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...

@Tpebestlivery

5 ай бұрын

Hi Steve I really like your videos

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

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 👍😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

@notafallguy excuse me - he does have his own channel you can say that on! 😂

@dazzlingdaz187

5 ай бұрын

If Steve says its a good breakfast it must be 😂

@user-ru8tp4sh8b

3 ай бұрын

That breakfast looks amazing, and not bad value. (Although the toast looked a bit pale, and I prefer lightly done toast!!)

What a great carriage and service, so glad there's still quality products on the UK rail network.

A brilliant little video that I have watched many times . The best out of the few films that are available on this train journey.

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.

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

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 😊👍

@bobk4404

4 ай бұрын

Looks great and very good value for the breakfast. The jury is out on the value of the dinner....but I haven't seen it so must not judge.

@spark_6710

2 ай бұрын

Very good to know !! I hope I'd ride on this train for this route someday !! 👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶💕🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿💞

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

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 😊👍

What a fantastic service. Tremendous value for money and as you say passenger experience par excellence.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Cheers Tim, maybe I’ll see you down here one day giving it a go 😊

That looks like a wonderful run . And what a breakfast! My better half was salivating. He’s a big breakfast guy. :)

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

It was an awesome breakfast and you’re doing it in style on this train. You should both try it 😊

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!

Best I've seen for a long time

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Same here 👍

I didn't know that onboard catering like this still existed ... what a great service..!!!

@KempSimon

5 ай бұрын

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!

@richardstreet7518

5 ай бұрын

@@KempSimon thanks for the tip...

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Yes as Simon says the Pullman service on selected GWR trains does it (at a price).

A great video. I’m also pleased to see how well your channel has grown. Well done!

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Thanks mate and I really appreciate the comment. Thanks for taking the time 😊👍

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! 😭

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Haha, yes it could happen! But when it works, it is a brilliant service. Good luck!

@EE12CSVT

3 ай бұрын

That happens regularly. You've no idea what's been chucked in the service until you look at RTT after it's departed its first station.

A very wonderful video !! I'll be watching this again later !! 👍👍

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

Its nice to see the Mk4 coaches given a new lease of life beyond the Intercity 225s. They are still very nice and comfortable coaches in my opinion.

That breakfast looked very nice. Another top video, keep up the great work, much appreciated👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Thanks mate and I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment 😊👍

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.😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Yes I was impressed by that too. OK it wasn’t very busy but staff were fantastic 😊👍

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

It is! Cooked to order too, you just cannot beat this TfW service. Best in the country!

Brilliant journey, Mark. Comfortable, friendly service and a top restaurant standard breakfast!😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Sheila. Yes I agree, good way to describe the breakfast that 😊👍

Great video, you have a great style of your own and it's easy to watch.

@LetsMakeaTrip

2 ай бұрын

Thanks very much 😊👍

I wish we had these train services operating between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury.

@LetsMakeaTrip

16 күн бұрын

That would be brilliant wouldn’t it. Probably something to do with the signalling though I would guess?

WOW lovely journey Mark That Big Breaky was lush those Ex Lner are nice trains looking forward t seeing you soon

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Cheers Caleb, they Are nice - the ride’s really good on them too 👍

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

4 ай бұрын

Cheers Steve, yes I’m on one atm replying to these comments! A 2-car 153 with one busted-up toilet and freezing cold! The two extremes of TfW!

@stevedeakin1883

4 ай бұрын

@@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 😊.

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

Excellent value and everything on time. You can’t ask for more

@KempSimon

5 ай бұрын

Use of the First Class customer lounge at Cardiff Station after your train journey?

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Totally agree, definitely recommend it 😊👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

I didn’t bother this time but I am aware of it yes 👍

That was a great trip. good value and what a fantastic breakfast

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

It’s a great train yes and the breakfast is amazing 😊👍

Fantastic trip. I'm really impressed. Not only with the breakfast but also the price in this day and age. Spotless too. 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Linda. Yes great food, service, price AND it was on time. Can’t ask for more than that! 😊👍

Corrrrr! I'm starving ❤ it's worth the ride just for THAT breakfast. AMAZING value for money. Nice relaxing video 👍( until my stomach saw the food) 🥴❤

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Cheers Dave, glad you enjoyed it. 😊👍

Great breakfast!

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Best in class Damian yes 😊👍

Looks a great value all round. Restaurant quality breakfast at less than restaurant prices. What's not to love. Hope you hit 20k subs soon.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Cheers Andrew, I definitely recommend this service 😊👍

That breakfast looked fantastic!

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

It was!

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 ! :)

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Cheers Andy, yes you should try it. The dinner service is also excellent (as are the staff). Definitely recommended 😊👍

Great journey and that is what I call a breakfast and well priced, take care and stay safe,cheers.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Cheers Simon. Best breakfast ‘on the rails’ for me 😊👍

As usual, a great video, thank you. If I ever in Wales I'll take this trip for breakfast only

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Cheers mate, yes definitely recommend it 😊👍

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!

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

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.

fancy for you mark , looked a decent breakfast

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

It was Sean, made a change from Costa anyway 😊👍

That breakfast made me hungry, prices not a problem as I’m use to London prices, very nice trip and another top video Mark.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Cheers Mark, I didn’t need much else after that I can tell you. It was spot on 👍

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Mark and I hope you enjoy your trip! If you see me around, please say hi 😊👍

Great video, had no idea transport for wales had a 1st class & provide breakfast!

Looked spot on that mate, fantastic breaky too! I need to treat myself to some first class travel sometime! 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

You do Gareth and this is the train to do it on 😊👍

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.

😮 wow Mark you left the black pudding on your breaky lol what a bargain you found for your followers thanks for the video M8 all the best John 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

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 😊

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.

A very Happy New year buddy from Alan in Lowestoft and as always a awesome video buddy 🎉😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Cheers Alan and a happy new year to you too 😊👍

@alanshelly7068

5 ай бұрын

Ty mark

Gergous😊

Amazing video

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate 😊👍

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.

@EE12CSVT

3 ай бұрын

The Manchester leg with these Mk4s is supposed to have the same catering, if they bother to open the kitchen, which is pretty unusual.

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

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.

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. 😂

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

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! 😂

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

@officerdibble7220

5 ай бұрын

The good people of Church Stretton do not suffer fools gladly.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

It was a great journey Keith. You not a fan of Church Stretton then by the sounds of it! 😂

@keithwhite1478

4 ай бұрын

Just a secluded introvert old fashioned and backward town.Make visitors feel unwelcome.

@tommoseley7458

4 ай бұрын

Harsh on Stretton ,and as for TFW they have more than a few complaints.

@keithwhite1478

4 ай бұрын

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

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.

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

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

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!

Great service, good value prices, I would like to do the full trip from Holyhead to Cardiff in first, impressive set-up, kudos to TfW.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

You would be well looked after on that trip mate. Go for it 👍

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

I think so Liam. The 197’s hmm, should’ve kept the 175’s imho.

Nice one mate. Fantastic looking breakfast! Though I'm surprised you haven't done this journey already 🤣

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

I did it a few years ago with Arriva Trains and then north to Holyhead but they weren’t doing food at the time due to the you know what!

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.

Those carriages look like old Virgin ECML ones given an internal revamp.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

They are something like that yes - the same as the older LNER stock. More clued-up people than me on here probably have the definitive answer 😊👍

£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.

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❤

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Cheers mate. Oh yes I’m quite happy to undergo a lesson in pronunciation (in any language). I’ll need to try the evening meal service next 😊👍

Euro's best free 1st class Bordbistro or Schlafwagen: TFW, SJ 󠁧󠁢, LNER, Frecciarossa, ÖBB Nightjet and EuroStar (Standard Premier).

@LetsMakeaTrip

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the info. Appreciated 😊👍

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. 😀

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

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 😊👍

Smart looking train Mark, great breakfast, our Scotrail could learn a thing or two from this 🤔

@walterfillingham

5 ай бұрын

Your lucky to get a bottle of water travelling anywhere from Inverness

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

I got a cheese sandwich last time I used it 😊😉

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

It was a great breakfast, more than I could manage!

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.

Excellent ❤☀️☀️☀️🚅🚅🚅🚅🚂🚂🚂🚂🚂

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate 😊😊😊🚄🚄🚄🚄🚄🚄🚄🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

This gives me ptsd, last time I was on the Shrewsbury~Wrexham train I genuinely thought I was going to die I had such a bad hangover

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

I’ve been there Joe! 😂

Yessss

really enjoyed the video in as less facial views of you Mark carry on the good work and show more videos

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

lol, you mean you like it more when my face isn’t in it. Fair enough 😂

I do like the Ex-LNER Mk4 coaches+DVT that TFW have inherited. Are they mainly used on long distance services in Wales.

Very nice train and the price I think was reasonable especially as you were travelling early morning.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Totally agree, definitely recommended 😊👍

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Yes but the toast had Welsh butter and I like to dip it in my egg 😂 It was an amazing breakfast- one of the best 👍

Really good value for a huge breakfast. Should keep one going for half a day 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

It did! Only had a snickers for lunch 😊👍

How strange I am on that train right now on my way to Shrewsbury' in first class. I'm just about to watch.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did mate 😊👍

Shout out to Hereford!

Great video, the service and breakfast look excellent. On the downside some of the TFW rolling stock look very old and dated.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Some of it yes I agree. This is by far their best train 😊👍

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

@ds1868

5 ай бұрын

I think you mean England.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Trains like this yes. It’s fairly unique in the UK I think.

The breakfast certainly looks worth the money, however on Lner the breakfast, hot food, snacks and even booze are free in 1st class

@KempSimon

5 ай бұрын

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

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.

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

The days of the Gay Meadow are long gone now John (sadly).

@Danse_Macabre_125

5 ай бұрын

Genuine question: is this better, worse or on par with GNER's offering?

Oh leave my class 150s alone 😂 It be good if they put an extra coach on but the food looks good

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Cheers Jason, they are not my favourite train tbh. Not on this journey! 😂

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

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

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 😊👍

@peterdnreynolds777

4 ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip thank you for the info. Hope all is well, take care

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 👍

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Cheers mate, yes it’s the overall experience for me really and you cannot beat the food when it’s cooked to order like that. 😊👍

@garybroadhurst3548

4 ай бұрын

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.

You went through my local station hereford 😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Not for the first or last time either! 😊👍

@KempSimon

5 ай бұрын

Which, although Hereford is definitely in England, is actually managed by Transport for Wales!

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

@mrvwbug4423

5 ай бұрын

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Imagine a loco-hauled service like this on some of the remote lines would be amazing. Must’ve been like that a few years ago?

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!

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

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.

Enjoyed that thanks. Best price I can find for it at the moment is £104.00 return.

@KempSimon

5 ай бұрын

With a discount Railcard?

@Off-Road-4x4

5 ай бұрын

No it was booking ahead in April on the website.@@KempSimon

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Might be worth looking at the 4-6 week window where you should find cheaper advance tickets. Good luck!

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 )

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Yes and have the dinner service. I would go a bit further tbh because on a good day later on in the year, there are some great sunsets to be had 👍

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...

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Yes and the ride quality is excellent too. A really nice way to get down to Cardiff 😊👍

wow! what a breakfast for just over an 'Ayrton Senna'. seems a good deal this, i wud do the trip just for the breakfast.

@KempSimon

5 ай бұрын

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

The food is a big reason for taking this service Peter yes. I think it’s the best out there 😊👍

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.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

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 😂

@jjsmallpiece9234

5 ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip I like the mundane trips to out of the way market towns

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

@@jjsmallpiece9234 I’m sure there’s a few more of those to come mate 😊

At 9:34 after crossing the river there a miniature railway on the opposite side of the train

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Didn’t know that but I’ll look out for it next time. Cheers 😊👍

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?

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

I used card - no problem with any of the buy on board services with card payments 👍

Great vlog, i thought the breakfast looked anazing, but i suppose I was a bit surprised that travelling first class the food would be extra. But as you went on to explain the pricing it made sense. 😊😊

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Cheers Colin. Yes, I wasn’t sure about it at first tbh but it kinda makes sense to me if I want to travel in 1st and don’t want anything to eat.

@ColinOBear

4 ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip i agree, though the two things I like to do on a train journey are read and eat! 😁😁😁😁

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

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Drop them a tweet and see what they say….

@alang5764

4 ай бұрын

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.

Seeing that lovely nameplate on the wall at 0:12 Mark, it begs the question: is it Shropshire or Salop?! It's good to see a train company going that extra mile to provide some decent on-board catering rather than the usual ping meals and overpriced junk.

@sw01ller

5 ай бұрын

theyre called popty ping meals in wales.

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Shropshire as far as I’m concerned. 😊👍

@EE12CSVT

3 ай бұрын

Salop is what people of Shrewsbury refer to their town

Have to agree with you mark a very good price for the train ticket and it looked very clean and great customer service and that breakfast was very good value to thanks for a great video

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Cheers Paul, it’s not bad is it. Definitely recommended 😊👍

Breakfast for champions

@KempSimon

5 ай бұрын

In December 2018 I enjoyed a lovely Christmas dinner on the train from Cardiff to Bangor which included roast Turkey breast with all of the usual trimmings, cooked to perfection by a travelling chef working under pressure in a cramped galley.

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

It certainly was 😊👍

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!

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

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 😊👍

nice, as always, title is a 'bit' misleading though

@LetsMakeaTrip

5 ай бұрын

Thanks, out of interest, why do you think it’s misleading? No one else has mentioned it so I’m curious 🤔

@harriscouwenberg139

5 ай бұрын

@@LetsMakeaTrip me too ;-) my mistake. you can remove the comment. sorry!!!

@LetsMakeaTrip

4 ай бұрын

Ah no worries mate. I can do clickbait if I really need to 😂 but was genuinely curious on this one. Cheers 😊👍