158820
Member
- Joined
- 1 Nov 2017
- Messages
- 242
Hello everyone,
After observing this fine forum a lot during 2017 I decided to join up and post my first trip report.
In late July/Early August I had a wonderful trip around Wales and South West England.
I had various plans made out with months, with the help of many on this forum. In the end I only booked 10 ahead of departure. One of the main reasons for the trip was to sample a few HST's and just a general holiday.
I have traveled by train in England before but nothing really substantial.
by the way I am based in SW Ireland.
Trip Report
Thursday 27 July 2017 (Sail Rail to Wales)
It was off bright and early and I got dropped to Tralee (Casement) Station for 7.05 direct to Dublin Hueston. This ICR was in great form and had a storming run arriving 10E into Hueston. As I had plenty of time I decided to have a second breakfast or a proper breakfast in Hueston. After a stroll around the concourse and the newsagents I hopped on a luas (Dublin Tram) to BusAras/Connolly Station.
From Amiens Street, I got the 12.00 Dublin Bus 53 service to the Port, and was dropped off right outside the Irish Ferries Terminal. I had around 2 hours until the 14.30 departure of the Jonathan Swift, so I checked in, went upstairs to the lounge relaxed admired the views and action going on around the port. As it was my first time travelling on SailRail or as a foot passenger I really curious to know how many people actually travel this way. I was quiet surprised that the departure lounge filled up so much. There was at least 70 foot passengers.
They boat was late inbound from Holyhead so there was a bit of a stampede when boarding opened. We managed to get moving around 10L. My first impressions of the Swift is that is spotless inside and quiet smooth for the speed we were doing. The crossing went fine I just admired the view and did a bit of reading.
Arrival in Holyhead was pretty much bang on time, after being bused to the terminal it was the usual token wave of the passport and I landed for my week of roaming and roving the railways of Britain. I didn’t have long to wait for the arrival of the inbound ATW which then formed the 17.30 to Shrewsbury.
There was just enough seats for everyone on 158820, I didn’t know which way to play it so I held back and got seat by the door next to one of my fellow ferry passengers he was from Northern Ireland. The guard came around straightaway looking for request stops, she then did full ticket check and helped many people with queries. The 2 teenagers in the seats in front of me who thought every stop was there one entertained me while looking out a rather grey North Wales.
After an hour I arrived at my stop Conwy, it was a lot sunnier here than on Anglesey. I had a nice uphill walk to the YHA Hostel for my first overnight stop.
The hostel was good and it was handy that there was a restaurant. I explored the town and its walls before returning to get some dinner and to have an early night.
1 observation: a good view foot passengers seemed to purchasing rail tickets in Holyhead rather getting combined sail and rail tickets. Is sail rail widely known about?
(even if nobody ever reads this I will have a record to enjoy in my old age!
)
The rest to come soon.
After observing this fine forum a lot during 2017 I decided to join up and post my first trip report.
In late July/Early August I had a wonderful trip around Wales and South West England.
I had various plans made out with months, with the help of many on this forum. In the end I only booked 10 ahead of departure. One of the main reasons for the trip was to sample a few HST's and just a general holiday.
I have traveled by train in England before but nothing really substantial.
by the way I am based in SW Ireland.
Trip Report
Thursday 27 July 2017 (Sail Rail to Wales)
It was off bright and early and I got dropped to Tralee (Casement) Station for 7.05 direct to Dublin Hueston. This ICR was in great form and had a storming run arriving 10E into Hueston. As I had plenty of time I decided to have a second breakfast or a proper breakfast in Hueston. After a stroll around the concourse and the newsagents I hopped on a luas (Dublin Tram) to BusAras/Connolly Station.
From Amiens Street, I got the 12.00 Dublin Bus 53 service to the Port, and was dropped off right outside the Irish Ferries Terminal. I had around 2 hours until the 14.30 departure of the Jonathan Swift, so I checked in, went upstairs to the lounge relaxed admired the views and action going on around the port. As it was my first time travelling on SailRail or as a foot passenger I really curious to know how many people actually travel this way. I was quiet surprised that the departure lounge filled up so much. There was at least 70 foot passengers.
They boat was late inbound from Holyhead so there was a bit of a stampede when boarding opened. We managed to get moving around 10L. My first impressions of the Swift is that is spotless inside and quiet smooth for the speed we were doing. The crossing went fine I just admired the view and did a bit of reading.
Arrival in Holyhead was pretty much bang on time, after being bused to the terminal it was the usual token wave of the passport and I landed for my week of roaming and roving the railways of Britain. I didn’t have long to wait for the arrival of the inbound ATW which then formed the 17.30 to Shrewsbury.
There was just enough seats for everyone on 158820, I didn’t know which way to play it so I held back and got seat by the door next to one of my fellow ferry passengers he was from Northern Ireland. The guard came around straightaway looking for request stops, she then did full ticket check and helped many people with queries. The 2 teenagers in the seats in front of me who thought every stop was there one entertained me while looking out a rather grey North Wales.
After an hour I arrived at my stop Conwy, it was a lot sunnier here than on Anglesey. I had a nice uphill walk to the YHA Hostel for my first overnight stop.
The hostel was good and it was handy that there was a restaurant. I explored the town and its walls before returning to get some dinner and to have an early night.
1 observation: a good view foot passengers seemed to purchasing rail tickets in Holyhead rather getting combined sail and rail tickets. Is sail rail widely known about?
(even if nobody ever reads this I will have a record to enjoy in my old age!
)The rest to come soon.
