Manchester (MAN) to Cardiff (CDF) : TfW Premier Service

[Willie Bee]

My wife and I intend visiting Cardiff in September. We are travelling from Newcastle, but fancy going via Manchester in order to try out the Transport for Wales Premier Service

It's still a bit early to buy tickets, but it's always fun to have a wee look, just to see what options are available.

Looking on the forums ticket site for Sunday 3rd August, tickets are available for the 14:30 direct train, but when looking for first class tickets this train vanishes .. does that just mean there are no first class tickets left?

Even more strange, for Sunday July 30th, there is no direct 14:30 train tickets available at all

 

[Haywain]

That train is scheduled as a DMU with only standard class seating.

 

[jfollows]

Realtime Trains | 1V16 1430 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven | 03/08/2025

Real-time train running information for 1V16 1430 departure from Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven on 03/08/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[SuperLuke2334]

On a Sunday, it's the 09.30 and 15.30 off Manchester that are the 'premier' trains.

 

[jfollows]

Sunday July 20th. the line is closed south of Crewe. There is an altered timetable with trains running Crewe-Chester-Shrewsbury.

Description​

Engineering work is taking place between Shrewsbury and Crewe, closing all lines via Yorton.

Buses will replace trains between Shrewsbury and Crewe all weekend.

Trains that usually run between Shrewsbury and Crewe will be diverted to run via Wrexham General / Chester, with services terminating at Crewe. A shuttle service will run between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly, and a reduced shuttle service will run between Chester and Crewe.

Engineering works: Crewe / Shrew | National Rail

Buses replace trains between Shrewsbury and Crewe on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July. See details of routes affected by planned engineering works, including when they take effect, alternative timetables, advice for alternative travel, including info about engineering work and why it is necessary.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

I suggest you look at timetables first, rather than looking at fares, because the timetables better explain what you’re seeing.

 

[800Travel]

My wife and I intend visiting Cardiff in September. We are travelling from Newcastle, but fancy going via Manchester in order to try out the Transport for Wales Premier Service

It's still a bit early to buy tickets, but it's always fun to have a wee look, just to see what options are available.

Looking on the forums ticket site for Sunday 3rd August, tickets are available for the 14:30 direct train, but when looking for first class tickets this train vanishes .. does that just mean there are no first class tickets left?

Even more strange, for Sunday July 30th, there is no direct 14:30 train tickets available at all

On 20th July, the 14:30 is curtailed at Crewe due to engineering
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V10307/2025-07-20/detailed

Route(s) affected​

between Cardiff Central and Chester / Holyhead / Manchester Piccadilly, between Birmingham New Street / Birmingham International / Shrewsbury / Holyhead / Chester and Crewe, and also between Birmingham International and Chester / Holyhead

Description​

Engineering work is taking place between Shrewsbury and Crewe, closing all lines via Yorton.

Buses will replace trains between Shrewsbury and Crewe all weekend.

Trains that usually run between Shrewsbury and Crewe will be diverted to run via Wrexham General / Chester, with services terminating at Crewe. A shuttle service will run between Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly, and a reduced shuttle service will run between Chester and Crewe.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/engineering-works/crewe-shrew-20250719/

03/08/2025 no first class fares for the 14:30 because the train operates without first class

• Starts as Class 158/168/170/175 DMU, changes en route
  Planned for 100mph max
• Standard class only seating
• Reservations available
• Trolley service

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:G55936/2025-08-03/detailed

 

[Willie Bee]

OP here .. thank you for all the replies

 

[nineteenninety]

TfW Class 67+Mk4 sets: trip planning/experiences, diagram updates etc

@Jacob Porrett Thank you Do you know if it will be loco or DVT leading from Chester to Holyhead ? Dave DVT will lead Chester to Holyhead.

www.railforums.co.uk

This thread has a more detailed description of what services are MK4s.

 

[voyagerdude220]

OP here .. thank you for all the replies

I'd recommend double checking that your intended trains have First Class and Restaurant available before booking tickets. I'm quite certain they don't offer the full Restaurant service on Sundays.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

There's a 4-week line closure via Huddersfield Aug 30-Sept 28.
TPE will run via the slower Calder Valley line between Leeds and Manchester Victoria.
Some journey planner times show a faster route via Carlisle to Crewe (Northern/Avanti/TfW).
Weekdays, the 0923 from Newcastle via Carlisle and Crewe would get you on the 1230 ex Manchester Mk4 service arr Cardiff 1544 (also 2 hours later).
On Sundays, the 1201 from Newcastle, change at York and Man Picc, would get you on the 1530 Mk4 service to Cardiff arr 1851.
It's probably a bit early to get the best fares for September.
I usually use fastjp to plan complex trips, and it can give some surprising routeing options, but it doesn't give you fare information.

 

[Willie Bee]

There's a 4-week line closure via Huddersfield Aug 30-Sept 28.
TPE will run via the slower Calder Valley line between Leeds and Manchester Victoria.
Some journey planner times show a faster route via Carlisle to Crewe (Northern/Avanti/TfW).
Weekdays, the 0923 from Newcastle via Carlisle and Crewe would get you on the 1230 ex Manchester Mk4 service arr Cardiff 1544 (also 2 hours later).
On Sundays, the 1201 from Newcastle, change at York and Man Picc, would get you on the 1530 Mk4 service to Cardiff arr 1851.
It's probably a bit early to get the best fares for September.
I usually use fastjp to plan complex trips, and it can give some surprising routeing options, but it doesn't give you fare information.

Many thanks .. I'll have to investigate all possibilities.

We are actually travelling to Cardiff on Sun 14th September, returning on Thursday 18th.

We may have to consider an alternative route down, perhaps via London, but we would like to try out the Premier Service breakfast on TfW, so we'll return via Manchester.

I don't really want to be using XCountry .. they seem to get very poor reviews

UPDATE !

Maybe it would be easier to change my hotel booking, making it Monday to Friday, rather than Sunday to Thursday