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ALR help please

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Summerallem

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Hey everyone I'm happy to say I will be doing my first all line rover, I'll be purchasing a first class 7 day ALR for some time around August and I dont want to plan journeys out in advance as I want to enjoy the flexibility the ticket provides, although there are a few services I must do including the WAG Express both ways, would anyone who has done this be able to recommend any cheap hotels in holyhead that would make this a possible part of my ALR?
 
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Andy Pacer

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Sorry to hijack the discussion, i'm doing a 1st class ALR in May and also intend to do the WAG Express in the 'Premier' carriage or whatever they call it. I assume reservations are advised, can I just do these at any ticket office? I'm doing it from Cardiff as far as Rhyl, where I am staying at the Travelodge close by the station, and will then return southward on the WAG the following morning.
 

Techniquest

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I don't recall many options in Holyhead to be honest. I did the Travelodge when I was there in 2008, but it might be worth looking on Hotels.com for other places. That or maybe look at somewhere around Bangor?

ALR advice, ooh I haven't done that for a while! Most of my advice is normally aimed at a Standard Class ALR, but as you're on one in First stocking up on supplies in advance is less of a concern.

I do have to ask why you must do the WAG-Ex in both directions. It's a nice run, granted, but forcing yourself to be up for the 05:33 back out of Holyhead after getting there late evening may not be entirely enjoyable. Also worth noting the 67 will be at the Standard Class end, which from memory will be at the front on leaving Holyhead, so you don't normally get the benefit of being closer to the engine if you're in First. There have been occasions when the service in either direction has been replaced by a DMU, it's not common but it does happen.

So back to advice. Always aim to have a backup plan, a get out of hell option, just in case something goes wrong. I see you're being sensible and allowing for a flexible itinerary which, as you say, allows one to take advantage of the freedom the ticket offers.

Other advice would be not to under-estimate how tiring long days can get. I packed in a LOT of travel with my 2011 7 day ALR, and by Day 6 I was exhausted. Thankfully in 2012 I learnt my lesson and booked hotels every other night, using sleepers on other nights. It makes the trip more expensive, granted, but oh so worth it to be able to put your head down and grab some proper sleep!

If you're a coffee addict like me, then don't expect anything all that good with the complimentary coffee in First Class. Certainly don't expect a decent size serving either! I usually advise to take advantage of loyalty cards at coffee chains to anyone doing an ALR. It all helps after all!

I would also not under-estimate how hungry lots of travel can make you too!

Finally for now, yes the food is chargeable on top of your fare, but if you get the chance reserve a seat on a GWR Pullman dining service. Extremely pleasant way to travel and dine! From what I've seen it's gone posher since I last did it in 2005, but you'll not get an experience like it anywhere else in the UK!
 

Andy Pacer

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My reason for doing the WAG in both directions is to experience both the dinner and breakfast food service.
 

Techniquest

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Fair enough. Certainly you won't need to go all the way to Holyhead to do that, I think breakfasts are still served from at least Chester, I think you can still get one if boarding in Wrexham. Shrewsbury might be doable, but I can't recall for sure. Someone else will no doubt have knowledge. I think dinner is still served after Shrewsbury northbound but again not sure.
 

Andy Pacer

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Fair enough. Certainly you won't need to go all the way to Holyhead to do that, I think breakfasts are still served from at least Chester, I think you can still get one if boarding in Wrexham. Shrewsbury might be doable, but I can't recall for sure. Someone else will no doubt have knowledge. I think dinner is still served after Shrewsbury northbound but again not sure.
Hence why I thought Rhyl would be more than far enough, and not give such a quick turn around for the following morning!
 

30907

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Hence why I thought Rhyl would be more than far enough, and not give such a quick turn around for the following morning!
Advisable to reserve for dinner, especially if you are boarding at Shrewsbury, so there's food left for you! I've eaten between Shrewsbury and Flint before now.
Breakfast isn't a problem for seats - but TBH isn't anything out of the ordinary.
 

Andy Pacer

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Advisable to reserve for dinner, especially if you are boarding at Shrewsbury, so there's food left for you! I've eaten between Shrewsbury and Flint before now.
Breakfast isn't a problem for seats - but TBH isn't anything out of the ordinary.

If I want to get a reservation with my ALR can I do that at ticket offices?
 

JLH

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I did the WAG one way from Cardiff and stayed in the Travelodge in Holyhead. Quick to check in with a clean and quiet room. I travelled in late May and was lucky enough to enjoy a glorious sunset all the way to Holyhead but it will be dark a lot earlier in August so you may want to stop off earlier. Enjoy the ride!
 

_toommm_

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Okay, which is?

Sounds like a specific service?

The train is nicknamed Gerald, and is formed of a Class 67 locomotive, 4 BR MK3 coaches and a MK3 DVT (Driving Van Trailer). This specific train operates once a day (currently) in each direction, from Holyhead down to Cardiff at 05:34, and back to Holyhead at 17:16. It features a first class carriage, which offers incredibly well priced upgrades (£20 from Cardiff to Chester for example), and for that, you get a freshly cooked English breakfast on the way down to Cardiff, and going back to Holyhead you'll receive a three course meal, unlimited tea/coffee, and the option to buy alcohol aswell.
Both are cooked by onboard chefs, the service is attentive and is a genuine pleasure. The menus rotate every 3 to 5 weeks if I remember correctly.

It's heavily subsidised by the Welsh Government, but it's an absolutely amazing experience, and one I recommend to anyone. (See photos below of my trip last summer, back when it was still Arriva Trains Wales).

20180830_171507.jpg 20180830_175413.jpg 20180830_173524.jpg 20180830_175710.jpg 20180830_181314.jpg
 

BanburyBlue

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The train is nicknamed Gerald, and is formed of a Class 67 locomotive, 4 BR MK3 coaches and a MK3 DVT (Driving Van Trailer). This specific train operates once a day (currently) in each direction, from Holyhead down to Cardiff at 05:34, and back to Holyhead at 17:16. It features a first class carriage, which offers incredibly well priced upgrades (£20 from Cardiff to Chester for example), and for that, you get a freshly cooked English breakfast on the way down to Cardiff, and going back to Holyhead you'll receive a three course meal, unlimited tea/coffee, and the option to buy alcohol aswell.
Both are cooked by onboard chefs, the service is attentive and is a genuine pleasure. The menus rotate every 3 to 5 weeks if I remember correctly.

It's heavily subsidised by the Welsh Government, but it's an absolutely amazing experience, and one I recommend to anyone. (See photos below of my trip last summer, back when it was still Arriva Trains Wales).

View attachment 61371 View attachment 61368 View attachment 61369 View attachment 61372 View attachment 61370

Many thanks.

I guess the obvious question is why? Looking at timings, I'm assuming the idea is that you can to Cardiff and back in a working day? But why subsidise such a service to that extent? Does the train stay in sidings all day - or does it do other duties?
 

_toommm_

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Many thanks.

I guess the obvious question is why? Looking at timings, I'm assuming the idea is that you can to Cardiff and back in a working day? But why subsidise such a service to that extent? Does the train stay in sidings all day - or does it do other duties?

IIRC it stays in Cardiff Canton Sidings all day.

They also have another set (albeit it minus a first class coach) that runs a full diagram, running from Chester at 07:38 to Piccadilly, then runs to Holyhead at 09:53, back to Piccadilly at 13:07, forming the commuter 16:50 to Llandudno and finally the 19:34 back to Crewe.

Both sets aren't timetabled to be used in service at the weekend, but are commandeered to run crowd busters occasionally if there's a major event on. As for the funding, I don't know why if I'm being perfectly honest.

Something must be going right about it politically and economically as it's going up to 3 services each way soon, using MK4 coaches that currently operate with LNER.
 
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Fair enough. Certainly you won't need to go all the way to Holyhead to do that, I think breakfasts are still served from at least Chester, I think you can still get one if boarding in Wrexham. Shrewsbury might be doable, but I can't recall for sure. Someone else will no doubt have knowledge. I think dinner is still served after Shrewsbury northbound but again not sure.

Don't know about breakfasts southbound but I've had the 3 course dinner no problem when travelling as far as Shrewsbury. They ask where you're travelling to and prepare the food accordingly. For example, people travelling to North Wales were a course behind us. They take orders all together and then prepare and serve the meals in order of destination. It's all quite efficient really. They put the after dinner coffee in take out cups for us as there wasn't quite enough time to fit it in! I have to say the service felt better than most restaurants. Never felt rushed either.
 

_toommm_

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And just a heads up to the OP - seat reservations highly recommended. You only have half a coach of first class seating, and especially in the evening, it's full of businessmen taking up 2 seats with their laptops and work which they didn't do at work for whatever reason.
 

Andy Pacer

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And just a heads up to the OP - seat reservations highly recommended. You only have half a coach of first class seating, and especially in the evening, it's full of businessmen taking up 2 seats with their laptops and work which they didn't do at work for whatever reason.

So can these be done at a ticket office in conjunction with an ALR?
 

Andy Pacer

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Absolutely. There is a list somewhere of a select few ticket offices that dont do reservations, but most will as long as you present your ticket.
Excellent thanks. I'm travelling early May but already have my ALR ticket so will get those reservations done
 

_toommm_

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Excellent thanks. I'm travelling early May but already have my ALR ticket so will get those reservations done

Incase you've never used TfW before, what's unusual about them IIRC is that there are two seat 1's per coach, two seat 2's per coach etc., with the seats being facing and backwards. Something to bear in mind when choosing and taking your seat.
 

Andy Pacer

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Incase you've never used TfW before, what's unusual about them IIRC is that there are two seat 1's per coach, two seat 2's per coach etc., with the seats being facing and backwards. Something to bear in mind when choosing and taking your seat.

Oh right, that's odd. Hopefully they have reservation tickets on then so I don't sit in the wrong one!
 

glenbogle

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I stayed at the new Premier Inn in Holyhead - 20 mins walk from the station which was excellent and caught the WAG in the morning. Chef gets on at Colwyn Bay, cooked breakfast served not long after, got cereals as soon as I got on at Holyhead with orange juice and tea.
Best place would be the Travelodge to stay in thoughas it’s right across from the station.
 

gazthomas

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I stayed at the new Premier Inn in Holyhead - 20 mins walk from the station which was excellent and caught the WAG in the morning. Chef gets on at Colwyn Bay, cooked breakfast served not long after, got cereals as soon as I got on at Holyhead with orange juice and tea.
Best place would be the Travelodge to stay in thoughas it’s right across from the station.
I'm glad you had a good time in Holyhead! Quite the achievement!
 

glenbogle

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I'm glad you had a good time in Holyhead! Quite the achievement!
I stayed there for 2 weeks using it as a base for travelling on the WHR, down to Cardiff and back and walking in Snowdonia and the Wales Coastal Path.
 
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