Wales Premier Dining

[DavyCrocket]

I have to go to Wales soon, so I thought I would plan ahead and try the Welsh TFW premier dining (from Manchester). Having looked at their journey planner and identified trains shown as “dining cars” I then looked at their timetable booklet which didn’t include these!
I have then contacted TFW who have give the very unhelpful but very modern railway answer that they don’t know which trains will have first class until 0800 on the day!

 

[Adam0984]

These are the diagrams for the loco hauled trains that include the first class https://225group.org.uk/docs/Intercity-225-Services-TfW.pdf
Obviously can be replaced by another train if the loco hauled isn't available in which case it won't have first class or dining available

 

[sd0733]

There's a dedicated thread at

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

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/ex-lner-and-grand-central-mark-4-sets-for-tfw.182406 What are the chances of a 67/Mark 4 set on the Cardiff-Holyhead tomorrow evening please? I'm hoping for dinner on board.

www.railforums.co.uk

All even hour services between 0627 and 1830 from Manchester are booked 67+Mk4 with first class, the odd hours and outside those times are booked for 197s without first.

 

[AlterEgo]

Good luck finding one. Awful reliability on the loco hauled sets.

 

[DavyCrocket]

Thanks for the replies. I might just have to risk one of them!

 

[Bikeman78]

Thanks for the replies. I might just have to risk one of them!

I suggest that you check Realtime Trains on the day. That will tell you which trains are loco hauled. Also keep an eye on the northbound train. If it's more than 20 minutes late, get to Wilmslow as it might turn round there.

 

[Llandudno]

I suggest that you check Realtime Trains on the day. That will tell you which trains are loco hauled. Also keep an eye on the northbound train. If it's more than 20 minutes late, get to Wilmslow as it might turn round there.

Take some sandwiches and a drink with you in case the loco hauled dining train is replaced by a 2 car 197 unit!

 

[sd0733]

Thanks for the replies. I might just have to risk one of them!

In the last couple of weeks from 110 booked Mk4s out of Manchester, 105 have had the booked traction so the odds aren't really bad. It's not unheard of for something else to show but it's far far less common than it once was.

 

[Llandudno]

In the last couple of weeks from 110 booked Mk4s out of Manchester, 105 have had the booked traction so the odds aren't really bad. It's not unheard of for something else to show but it's far far less common than it once was.

That’s a vast improvement!

If only Avanti’s to/from Holyhead were as reliable!

 

[Jamesrob637]

There's a dedicated thread at

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

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/ex-lner-and-grand-central-mark-4-sets-for-tfw.182406 What are the chances of a 67/Mark 4 set on the Cardiff-Holyhead tomorrow evening please? I'm hoping for dinner on board.

www.railforums.co.uk

All even hour services between 0627 and 1830 from Manchester are booked 67+Mk4 with first class, the odd hours and outside those times are booked for 197s without first.

Why isn't the 20:30 booked Mk4? Eight hours previous is 12:30, which is.

 

[30907]

Why isn't the 20:30 booked Mk4? Eight hours previous is 12:30, which is.

The set works the 0513 Crewe-Cardiff, which I assume loads well at the Cardiff end. Does the 2030's loading warrant more than a 197?

I suspect Mk4's can't serve the request stops either.

 

[sd0733]

The set works the 0513 Crewe-Cardiff, which I assume loads well at the Cardiff end. Does the 2030's loading warrant more than a 197?

I suspect Mk4's can't serve the request stops either.

The 2030 is busy out of Manchester on certain evenings and if its predicted that's the (or there's a shortage of 197s) then the Mk4 runs back in service to Crewe.
Correct, Mk4s aren't cleared except for emergency use at the requests. Running it would also mean only 1 set finishing at Crewe so either losing a morning service or running a very late Cardiff-Crewe with one

 

[Lewisham2221]

Why isn't the 20:30 booked Mk4? Eight hours previous is 12:30, which is.

The set works the 0513 Crewe-Cardiff, which I assume loads well at the Cardiff end. Does the 2030's loading warrant more than a 197?

I suspect Mk4's can't serve the request stops either.

The set needs to finish at Crewe, or else you don't have enough sets there for the following day.

The loco hauled sets aren't permitted to call at the request stops in normal service.

There's no need for the capacity of the loco hauled sets beyond Crewe on that journey. MAN - CRE can still be busy at that time and from time to time the loco hauled set will operate the 2030 from MAN-CRE, with a set swap to a 197 CRE-CDF.

 

[Sealink]

I hope it goes well! Years ago I tried the Premier Dining and it was fantastic. (At the time the meal was included with a £54 First Class ticket (that's how long ago it was!) from Shrewsbury to Holyhead.

Just found my confirmation. It was 2011!

Journey 1: SHREWSBURY to HOLYHEAD​

Travel on Thursday 30 June 2011​

Departs​	Arrives​	By​	Reservations​
18:06 - shrewsbury​	20:49 - holyhead​	Train (ARRIVA TRAINS WALES)​	Coach: B Seat: 05F​

Ticket details​

Passengers: 1 Adult(s)

Ticket Type: FIRST ANYTIME DAY SINGLE

Route: This ticket allows travel on any permitted route.

 

[DavyCrocket]

Hello by way of an update. It’s been a success. The mark four set and dining available as shown!

 

[basfordlad]

Did you enjoy the food

 

[sd0733]

Hello by way of an update. It’s been a success. The mark four set and dining available as shown!

Glad it all worked out. Bar the odd rogue day or so its settling down to be reasonably consistent now.

 

[DavyCrocket]

Did you enjoy the food

I thought it was ok for the price. The soup was tasty but scorching hot. The lamb was great as was the apple pie.
I enjoyed the Wrexham and a Glamorgan beer.

The location of where this service is in the train makes it a bit of a thoroughfare.

Explantation of what was complimentary was not too great. Staff pleasant and capable.

I would recommend, but not to go too far out of the way to try.

I have just used the GWR Pullman, with a standard class ticket. The service level including from boarding to departure was far more polished, though I paid twice as much! Was surprised there was no beer on offer mind.
It was a lot more calmer at the back of the train and with far fewer announcements than TfW!