Avanti West Coast Class 221 Super Voyager First Class Experience (Shrewsbury to London)

Hello guys,
Some new 2022 content for you as I take you on my Avanti West Coast Class 221 Super Voyager First Class Experience (Shrewsbury to London). In this video I'll show you what two-and-a-half hours of first class travelling gets you on the Super Voyager, how much I paid for it, what the interior is like and i'll have a bit of a wander around standard class as well.
I hope you enjoy this video and if you do, it would be really great if you could leave me a like, comment or even subscribe to the channel. I also have a Ko-fi shop where you can show your support. All links below.
Thanks very much for watching.
Mark
🔴 Ko-fi page and shop here: ko-fi.com/letsmakeatrip
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Map Credit: Open Railway Map, (route added), www.openrailwaymap.org/
📖Chapters
00:00 - Intro
01:45 - Breakfast
02:50 - Seat Review
06:06 - Loo Review
07:38 - Standard Class & Shop
11:28 - Arrival at Euston

[@mancs123]

Its funny how people always sit behind you on an empty train! Great review by the way

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yeh - I get this all the time. Maybe I’m giving off some kind of signal 😂 cheers for the comment 👍😊

[@s125ish]

I heard people do sit next to people to feel safer

[@emmarigby9839]

yeah i love the voyagers they are part of my childhood with virgin!i used to go up to chester once a year to see my grand parents and it will be very hard to see these trains go!

[@michaelstaley2241]

First class is nice ; providing you can afford it; my preferred travel option if possible. Very interesting Mark thanks..👍🏻

[@Timstravels01]

A good, honest review as always Mark. Keep them coming!

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate. Bit of a way for your good self but I’d definitely recommend it if you’re ever in the West Mids!

[@simonwhitlock9189]

Great report as usual, stay safe and take care,cheers.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi Simon, thanks mate and thanks for always supporting the channel - much appreciated 😊

[@craigrogers3864]

One of my new favourite channels ⭐️

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate 😊

[@rogermadeley7413]

Good video Mark...took me back to when I used to do that trip when I was in the Navy...hopped off at Euston...onto the tube across town to Waterloo then on down to Pompey.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Roger.

[@NonstopEurotrip]

One of your best videos without doubt Mark. The seats on the Voyager in first are definitely better than on the Pendo and the service was as good as when I've tried them. All round excellent review! 😃

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers mate, yep just saying that on this train it was like nothing as any different to how things were a couple of years ago. Yes it was quiet in first but standard was reasonably busy and all services were available plus extra stuff like the at seat ordering. Long may it continue!

[@manchestercaptures]

Another fab video mark… it’s very nice to see Avanti now having hot food available, I know it’s been offered again for a few months now but it’s really nice that their continuing it, especially after the uncertainty that omicron caused back in January… with the service offering, a cooked breakfast is always a good impression, however a lighter snack, maybe a croissant could’ve been offered about an hour before arrival into Euston, that’s just my opinion though, it’s good to see hot food, metal cutlery and proper glasses being provided in first, especially given how much your paying. Given that standard for that route is about £30 and first is about £70, with the main difference being food served in first, I probably couldn’t justify paying the extra money, however if you’ve somewhere to be in London and don’t have time to get food when you arrive, then i guess it’s a suitable option.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Hi SL, some good, thoughtful points you’ve made there which I agree with, yes, I think all pretty valid. I reckon if you asked for more stuff, they’d not have a problem with it - especially with there not being many people in First. I had to ask for a coffee about 30 mins away from Euston and that was fine. Like I said to someone else, sitting in that carriage you wouldn’t have known there’d been anything going on over the last couple of years. A good feeling 👍

[@alanshelly7068]

Awesome video Mark from Alan in Lowestoft

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Alan, glad you enjoyed it.

[@luisstransport]

Great trip report

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Luis 👍

[@DylanPurser]

Great vid! Do love the 221s on Avanti, better than the CrossCountry Super Voyagers. As for Coventry station, it's getting a new main concourse where those first ticket gates are, think it's due to be opening in the next few months after some delays! I'm fairly sure the upgrade is happening because of the City of Culture 2021 things and also the Commonwealth Games this year (some events are happening at the football stadium), but I might be wrong on the reasoning.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ah cheers Dylan, I sometimes commute to Coventry and I remember it was a bit of a squeeze through the barriers when it’s busy. The Commonwealth Games makes sense, the company I work for are quite involved with it and their HQ is in Coventry. I guess the station is the first thing some visitors see when they arrive.

[@andrewhowe555]

Great trip report Chris 🙏 Thinking of making a journey to Euston from Chester where I live in 1st on Avanti, it does seem particularly pricey though, might treat myself in the Spring, glad they are doing cooked breakfasts again! 😊

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Andrew, yes it does go direct from Chester as well doesn’t it. Have you thought of maybe doing it over to Holyhead? That should be cheaper, I did that once and we got stuck in Bangor on the way back but the lovely crew left a massive bottle of wine on the table to get me through it 😂 Also, what about TfW Gerald of Wales down to Cardiff - don’t know what the food’s like now but it used to be great. All the best, Mark

[@NonstopEurotrip]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Who's Chris?

[@brushhead]

Am trying a Voyager on Monday from SHR to BHI for a new work assignment. Looking forward to that Breakfast! 😋😋

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Rob, yes that breakfast was more than I was expecting tbh, certainly nice with the early start too. Sets you right up for the day! 😊👍

[@vishnarayan8091]

i'v been on the advanti from london euston to edinburgh wavely before

[@alexn643]

Great job, Mark! Shame about the lack of eggs, but all in all, it looked a good trip

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Haha, I’ll live! Yes it’s pretty decent, don’t know if you’ve tried it? The only thing really is it’s quite early in the morning but you do get a full day in London - especially if you catch the direct train back 👍

[@alexn643]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I have been on the direct train to London, but not in 1st class haha!

[@davetoday2]

Had the same "first world" problem, cash only when I went from London Euston to Manchester last November. Luckily I had a small bottle of water with me.

[@anianoenrique2115]

Someone always wants to sit near you ? You must have gorgeous after shave! :)

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

I do 😂

[@joeturner1920]

Another great Review! The journey to Shrewsbury is quite scenic. I just wish Avanti west coast would refurbish their pendolino fleet, otherwise I find the service avanti offers to be very good.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Joe. Yes, consistently good Avanti are atm. Yes there’s still the feel of Virgin Trains (inside standard particularly) but the other thing I thought on this trip was that travel was pretty-much back to normal (in terms of service anyway). Big sigh of relief that!

[@starmonarA380]

Joe the Pendolinos are in the process of being refurbished as we speak, 7 sets now completed and in service

[@richardturnbull6333]

That's a Trip ide like to do m8.... off to bed now... catch up tomorrow

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It’s worth the money imo.

[@callumswansborough1779]

I don’t know about the storage of the on ramps on the 221/220, but it sounds like that is what the knocking sound is. It’s maybe in a cupboard next to the toilet and hasn’t been strapped in properly. I’ve experienced this on some of the trains that I have worked on. Or the 221s just make a lot of noise 🤷🏻‍♂️ not been on many in my lifetime haha

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Ah yes, I’m sure you’re right Callum, great spot! You certainly couldn’t hear it anywhere else on the train. Overall, it was a pretty smooth run I thought 👍

[@gemmarie7683]

If you go on an app called Seatfrog, you can bid on first class seats as well. Sometimes they're cheaper

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes I used to use Seatfrog a lot, although I think they’re doesn’t seem to be as many bargains around these days (same as everything I guess). I still have it on my phone though as yeh, it’s worth a look 🤞👍

[@gemmarie7683]

@@LetsMakeaTrip I agree. A few years ago I managed to get Avanti upgrades from as little as £10 from Brum to London. My last trip wanted £35, when my entire journey was only £38.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

@@gemmarie7683 yep, that’s too much - especially if the train’s quiet I would be like ‘what’s the point’? Normally if I’ve got time I’ll nip up to Pret and get a coffee and something to eat to take on the train. Job done.

[@SoldierCivilWarYT]

Mark: i dont really travel with cash Also mark: travels on the most scenic bus route a year later and CLEARLY paid for his ticket 😂😂😂

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Clearly an emergency situation 😂

[@briocheoleary5043]

Tonight , you have 6.66k subscribers, have you made a Faustian pact to become the next big thing on KZbin, lol…. I love this KZbin Chanel.. it’s a travel channel for normal folk.. with a genuine host.. five stars.. Thanku

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Thanks Brioche. I seem to be stuck on 6.66 now so maybe satan’s doing his thing 😂

[@briocheoleary5043]

@@LetsMakeaTrip Worked for Mick Jagger, lol

[@derisleybrittain]

Excellent 🍾🍾🍾🍾🥂🥂🥂🍸🍸🍸🍸🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Cheers Derisley! 🚄🚄🚄🍭🍔🍔🍔☕️☕️🍾🍾🍾

[@theglobalpeasant]

Looks like a nice, early morning train. Is £66 considered "high" for this service or is it inline? The standard car appeared full, but first was relatively empty.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

It was. I think £66 is probably ok for this length of journey and you do get the convenience of the direct service. Though like I say, there’s nothing wrong with standard and if you’re prepared to change at Wolverhampton, Birmingham or even up to Crewe, you will get standard class cheaper than this. I might try the service back next to see what they serve up for dinner. It’s around the same price I think. Cheers tgp 😊👍

[@wilfriedlechner6299]

I went from shrewsbury to Coventry but I had to change in Birmingham new street! Why? Is there only one direct train from shrewsbury to Coventry and further on to London ???

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yes Wilfried that’s pretty-much it. The direct train is Avanti West Coast through to London, otherwise you have to change.

[@johnferguson1412]

Lovely, but you need an egg or two?

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Yep, an egg would have been nice but tbh, I thou*t at best I’d get a bacon roll so the ‘full’ breakfast was a big win overall.

[@fabianakaizen5647]

Shrewsbury to Euston Shrewsbury Wolverhampton Coventry Rugby Euston Avanti West Coast

[@darksars3622]

Now i heard bad this about voyergers but replacing them with iet is worst

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

Doesn’t sound great. I’ll be interested to see what happens.

[@gemmarie7683]

Didn't realise the Avanti's went through Shrewsbury.

[@LetsMakeaTrip]

They terminate at Shrewsbury - just one direct service each way per day atm. Down to Euston in the morning and coming back at about 18:30 ish 👍

[@Sam-bz1hr]

cross country need to to take note !

[@TrainBoy-tf9gh]

5:37

[@tonywilkinson5945]

7